[Shorty]

Hi guys, ( I think this is a right section to post this topic, i am new so if i am wrong sorry)
I am an Electrical engineering student, and now i need a new calculator because my current one is quite old and inefficient. I need it for subjects math, physics and electrical engineering.
On my university calculators aren't allowed on some exams, and on some are there is no restriction for specific model of calculator ...
I am currently 1st year , and i'd like to be able to use this calculator for quite some time.
So what are your experiences and opinions ?

[DrRocket]

Shorty, on 7 February 2012 - 10:26 PM, said:

Hi guys, ( I think this is a right section to post this topic, i am new so if i am wrong sorry)
I am an Electrical engineering student, and now i need a new calculator because my current one is quite old and inefficient. I need it for subjects math, physics and electrical engineering.
On my university calculators aren't allowed on some exams, and on some are there is no restriction for specific model of calculator ...
I am currently 1st year , and i'd like to be able to use this calculator for quite some time.
So what are your experiences and opinions ?

Get whatever suits your style. I am partial (in order of preference) to 1) pencil and paper and 2) HP scientific calculators.

Do not overuse the calculator in place of your brain. Some students have a propensity to regurgitate any nonsense that appears in the display. You should be able to estimate the answer in your head to determine if what the calculator says is reasonable.

[A Tripolation]

This calculator will be very beneficial to you, especially when you're doing a tough integral and don't have a Table of Integrals handy.

But as mentioned above, DO NOT let it be a substitute for learning derivatives or integration techniques. Just use it for annoying algebra or to simplify messy problems.

Note: This calculator may not be allowed on some exams because it is a CAS. Also, you can't use calculators like this on most standardized tests.

This post has been edited by A Tripolation: 7 February 2012 - 11:55 PM

[doG]

My K&E 68-1100 has never been refused at an exam. It never needs new batteries either.

[DrRocket]

doG, on 8 February 2012 - 12:42 AM, said:

My K&E 68-1100 has never been refused at an exam. It never needs new batteries either.

Long ago in a land far away a young physicist decided that he was pretty hot stuff and needed one of those (then) new and powerful HP-35 calculators. So he laid out about $400 (that is 1970 $) for that piece of equipment. He then decided to sell his nice Pickett slide rule, feeling that some lesser light might be able to make use of it. So he put an ad on the Physics Deprtment bulletin board.

Sure enough, an older gentlemen saw the ad and bought the very serviceable slide rule. feeling it would meet his modest needs. It did indeed.

That older gentleman, that lesser light was Eugene Wigner.

[doG]

DrRocket, on 8 February 2012 - 01:32 AM, said:

Sure enough, an older gentlemen saw the ad and bought the very serviceable slide rule....

My Deci-Lon is still quite serviceable because of the Ivorite construction, and it's a 1963 model. I'd like to see one of today's calculators last 50 years

[ajb]

Shorty, on 7 February 2012 - 10:26 PM, said:

On my university calculators aren't allowed on some exams, and on some are there is no restriction for specific model of calculator ...

My advice is to find out what calculators are generally "examination approved" and get one of those. Ask your tutor or lecturer about this.

What are your friends using?

Personally, I have not used a hand held calculator for many years.