Maths Equipment How To Choose A Calculator At High School

Maths Equipment How To Choose A Calculator At High School How To Choose A Calculator For Mathematics ChaptersWhy Use A Calculator?Types Of Calculators For SchoolAll About The Scientific CalculatorWhat Can The Scientific Calculator Do At A Glance:The Scientific Calculator Vs Graphing CalculatorHow Much Should You Spend On A Calculator?Where To Buy Your Calculator?Maths Equipment Oh dear! We need it for Geometry, mental arithmetic, probability, algebra, Calculus trigonometry, inequalities, relative numbers, fraction mixes, equation mixes, puzzles, quizzes, timed tests, oh my! the mathematics curriculum is loaded.Thankfully your introduction to the math subject in kindergarten and primary school was made up of basic counting, Addition, subtraction, division and Multiplication. Where you learnt using math flash cards, math games and printable worksheets. While this learning experience has provided you with a great foundation to excel in maths.Those childhood days are long gone, but it doesn’t mean math is no longer fun. It just means that you are going to need to upgrade your school s upplies list and your maths skills. Student learning from high school and onwards is known to be much more challenging for students. To do well in Mathematics courses, you should invest in some essential mathematics equipment.You can ask your maths teacher to give you the essential school supply list, or you can read my other blog post on the subject for full essentials back to school list for your Math courses.In this article, we are going to take a closer look at one of the most used pieces of kit for student achievement in mathematics education (aside from a good study attitude and excellent math skills). To support the serious math learner to do well in math classroom activities. The calculator comes to the rescue as the trusted sidekick.You will be surprised just how effective these maths games. Photo Source: Unsplash MyriamMaths Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £200/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Dr parikhM aths Teacher 5.00 (8) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KamalMaths Teacher 5.00 (9) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PetarMaths Teacher 5.00 (8) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GowsikaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RubenMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ConorMaths Teacher 4.75 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhy Use A Calculator?The high school math curriculum is no longer limited to small equations that you can attempt in your head. Theorem studies, estimation, fraction studies, Algebraic calculations, Geometric angles, infinite complex numbers and much more. Rest assured that high school mathematics courses require the use of  a calculator. To enable the learner to be much more efficient in their learning activities.Calculators have been an indispensable tool in mathematics classes since the 1960s when they were invented.  The calculator supports M athematical literacy and can be used to solve an equation. However, not all calculators are created equal, and so there are different types of calculators that serve to work for different functions. Of all of the maths education resources to invest in, the calculator is one of the most used and most useful.Using games to educate students helps them in their learning and retention. Photo Source: UnsplashTypes Of Calculators For SchoolScientific calculators, basic calculators, business calculators, graphing calculators. While the name calculator may sound simple, the purchasing of one is not. To choose the ideal calculator, it is important  to know what you want to use it for. Then set a budget and choose one according to your budget and goals.The purchase of a calculator for high school is a real investment that must serve you during your time studying mathematics.  Let’s take a look at what’s on offer.Basic calculators do basic adding, subtracting, dividing and multiplying.Busin ess calculators do all that basic calculator’s do, but they also have buttons for interest rates.Scientific calculators do all that basic and business calculator’s do, but they also have functions to work out chemistry, physics, engineering, and trigonometry problems. (high school grade level and above)Graphing calculators are like scientific calculators except they have a larger screen that plots the answer as a graph. It can also solve integral calculus and matrices where Scientific calculators can not.They must also include the right functions related to the mathematics syllabus. However, if you are planning to buy a calculator, there are 2 kinds that are worth discussing for high school maths and higher. The Scientific CalculatorAll About The Scientific CalculatorThe Scientific Calculator is a handheld calculator invented to support maths, science and engineering problems. It is electronic and works using batteries which either need to be changed or recharged. You can input formulas, symbols and complex numbers.The children also make mathematical discoveries by themselves.Photo Source: Unsplash MyriamMaths Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £200/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Dr parikhMaths Teacher 5.00 (8) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KamalMaths Teacher 5.00 (9) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PetarMaths Teacher 5.00 (8) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GowsikaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RubenMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ConorMaths Teacher 4.75 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhat Can The Scientific Calculator Do At A Glance:It can handle all basic numeracy functions such as addition and subtraction, Multiplication and division.It can handle all advanced numerical functions such as algebraic, geometric, trigonometric calculations.This cal culator has lots of buttons, and of course, each brand will be different, but on average it will have designated buttons for pi, parentheses, trigonometric functions, exponents, inverses of trigonometric functions, log and naturalThe Memory function on these calculators makes it possible to  record large parts of the mathematics formulae. Essential when you are working with formulas, geometric components or scientific notation.The Scientific Calculator Vs Graphing CalculatorTo find the best calculator for your needs, you must know what to look for. Because until you are looking for a calculator, you may not realise just how many calculators’ there are. But no matter which kind of calculator you want to buy for your maths course. You should make sure to be choosing between a scientific calculator and a graphing calculator. You can coordinate with your maths tutor or school teacher to ask which is most suitable for your plans. Or just read below to learn the basic differences betwee n them.Ask your math tutor for some guidance.FunctionsBoth the A scientific calculator and graphing calculator have the capability to perform advanced calculations. On the other hand on a graphing calculator, when you will input a function, you will see a graph of it on the screen. The graphing calculator has an additional piece of functionality as it can solve integral calculus and matrices.Advanced FeaturesA graphing calculator is more advanced than a scientific calculator but should only be invested in if you are going to use it to its fullest potential. They are much more expensive, so consider this wisely. Graphing calculators are used by professional mathematicians or those studying to an advanced mathematical level. Scientific calculators, however, are used by everyone from college students to engineers.Screen SizeScientific calculators have a smaller screen than graphing calculators.CostBoth can be expensive but scientific calculators can be found second hand from £10 if yo u really look and graphing calculators tend to start at £80. This is why graphing calculators are most commonly used by math professionals.ExtrasGraphing calculators are like small computers and so have wifi connectivity. Scientific calculators do not come with this functionality.How Much Should You Spend On A Calculator?The scientific calculator is worth the investment. While they can start from very cheaply be careful that your cheap version isn’t missing any useful features. While scientific calculators can range from £10, they can go up to over £100+.Be careful not to pick a cheap calculator when you need one more advanced or an advanced one when you only need a basic one. In both cases, you would have wasted money. The important thing is to know what you will do and if you are comfortable learning how to use the calculator or not.Estimate your budget before going to the store.  It is quite possible to get a deal on a calculator if you are looking for it.Understand that the style of the battery can vary the price so you should understand the choice between disposable battery or rechargeable battery calculators.  The latter can be a nightmare if you forget to it recharge before an exam.Where To Buy Your Calculator?High school calculators are available in most high street stationery shops, you can also find them in hypermarkets like Sainsburys savacentre. If you can find a mega supermarket, who does back to school deals check there too. You may find Tesco or Lidl selling a good quality calculator that will serve your purposes.Also, don’t forget to look for your equipment during significant sale periods. Sales like black Friday and summer sale events can save you a lot of money allowing you to either upgrade to a better model for half the price or just get two for one.If you have family members or friends, who have graduated and are not following on their math education. Why not ask them to give you their calculator, this would be free after all. Plus, you might get a free demonstration and other education resources.In the same vein if you need a better model than you can afford why not check charity shops, car boot sales or markets. This will lower the cost and may allow you to barter.You can also find a low-cost calculator on the internet.  Look out for promotions at the start of the school season or other exciting discounts.  But again, don’t just buy because it is cheap to make sure it has the functions that you need before ordering.Whichever calculator you choose it is better to  invest in a good one which you will have time to learn to master. Also, you can then avoid having to pay a new calculator at the beginning of your next level of higher education.If you are looking for a school kit for a younger student please check out our blog on the Back to School supplies for kids studying maths!