Graphing calculators often have the ability to do programming (helpful for computer science classes).Graphing calculators can do more advanced statistical calculations as well as the basic ones and graph the statistical plots as well.Scientific Calculators can do statistical calculations and regressions but are limited.solvers, graphically and entering in values Graphing calculators can solve equations, inequalities in multiple ways – i.e.Many scientific calculators can solve polynomials or simultaneous equations but usually of limited functions/polynomials, but not all.Graphing calculators have ability to graph more than just equations – i.e.Scientific calculators do not have the ability to graph (though the fx-991EX scientific (shown to the left) is an exception because of it’s QR code, so something to think about).Scientific calculators have much smaller screens (see image) and are often smaller in size.Each state has different calculator restrictions, depending again on the level of the test, but it is often only a scientific or a choice between scientific and/or graphing. ®AP has a range of options depending on the subject, but four-function, scientific, and/or graphing are listed. For example, ® SAT rallows for a hand-held (not a phone, not a computer) and either graphing or scientific. So – what are some of the differences? Many standardized tests limit the calculator students can use to a scientific, and others let students choose either scientific or graphing. graphing is basically the same whether using an online version or a hand-held. Mainly because not all students have consistent access to online tools (wifi) or phones (and phones are most often NOT allowed in class and definitely not on assessments), and the comparison between scientific vs. There are of course many online calculators as well, but obviously I am using hand-held models in this post for my comparisons. What I wanted to do in this post is point out some of the differences to perhaps allows for a better decision. Middle school tends to recommend scientific calculators, and high school often graphing, and the big question is, what’s the difference? If my child has a scientific calculator from middle school and is heading into high school, will that suffice?

There is often a lot of confusion around whether you should get/use a scientific calculator or a graphing calculator, particularly in high school courses. It’s still back-to-school season, in a crazy back-to-school time, and I know a lot of parents and students are pondering what tools they need for school.

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