Scientific Calculators  

All sciences use some data in the form of numbers. Working with numbers is made much easier by using a calculator. There are many different types of calculators, some of them quite specialized and complex. A science student should have a calculator powerful enough to do any calculation required, but not so complex that most of the functions are never used. Every computer has a calculator program, although they differ from one platform to another. The basic computer calculator is sufficient for most simple math problems. However, to insure being able to do all the calculations needed in basic science and math classes, a "scientific" calculator is needed. Amoung other things, scientific calculators have trig and log functions and work in scientific notation. These are the three special functions must often needed in science classes, especially the physical sciences of chemistry and physics.

Integrated Physics and Chemistry, Physics, and Chemistry students should have a scientific calculator in class every day.

Calculator requirements:

• Your calculator must perform scientific notation and logs.
• Graphing calculators (pictured at right) are not required or even encouraged for FHS science classes. Do not buy a graphing calculator as your first calculator. However, graphing calculators are needed in many college courses.
• There are several brands of calculators that are equal in quality. Three of the most common are Texas Instruments (TI), Hewlett Packard (HP), and Cassio. Each brand has several different models, with differing abilities. Using the "TI" model numbers:
  • The TI-30 or 35 are perfect for our classes - under $20.
  • The TI-92 is a top-of-the-line graphing calculator - about $170.
• Like any tool, buy the best for the job you have to do.
• The important thing is to be able to use your calculator.

Don't buy a calculator with features you will not learn to use.