Education Scientific Craps!

Strange since you're not allowed to use them in either GCSE or AS exams.

 

For working on mechanics problems (simple ones at least) there's no substitute for a piece of paper and a pen/pencil. All you need is a good diagram.

If you need to hand them in to your teachers, then that's a different matter.

Another thing to be careful of (as above) is relying on your graphical calculator - if you do too much with it and don't have one, how will you do? Simple matrices operations become 2nd nature if you have to do them by hand (simple 2x2's and 3x3's at least are best, not anything bigger). They might be useful, but be careful how much you use them. Use them as a tool, not as a supplement to learning.

I made that mistake.

 

We're not allowed to use them in school exams either, but allowed them in lessons.

 

Are you sure? As far as I was aware, those big posters they put in GCSE exam centres (the "ZOMG NO iPODS!!!11!!!" ones) say you can use them as long as the cover and any instructions are removed and any programs removed. I think, anyway, correct me if I'm wrong.

 

Graphical calculators are allowed, its only those that do symbolic calculus that are banned.

 

Do you really need a calculator that does graphs in GCSE? I can see the need for a quadratic solver, but not a grapher. Either way, I think they should be banned from all GCSE/GCE exams. All it ends up being is a distraction.

 

I have a fx-9750G+. Great little thing. It does graphs, but not symbolic calculus. (We aren't allowed to use calculators that does that in exams.)
I was planning on getting one with a color display, but the shop was sold out, and I was in a hurry . Not that i need it, though...

Anyway, a calculator is absolutely NO help if you don't know how to use it. You also need to know how the maths work. (calculators don't tell you that) You often need to write how you got to the solution step by step in exams.

Buying a overly advanced calculator is just a waste if you will never use the extra functionality.

 

...and here I am and I barely scraped a C at GCSE maths. I was in the bottom group for maths - though then again I was in the bottom set for English too and had to plead with teachers to be entered for English Lit at all and here I am a decade later with a double degree in Linguistics and Creative Writing, as well as an A-level in language in which I didn't drop more than five marks on the course.

Pah, I showed them.

Thus ends my needless, boastful side-story.

 

There are marks for diagrams in current A-level applied maths (mechanics) papers.

Moriquendi

 

Good for you Joe.

 

I Can't do this in word, I don't if I do it wrong or what So please help me.. How I do this:


This is the calu that I have now... Can't wait to pimp to 991





Thanks so much

 

What part can't you do? You can add the matrices from here:



By the way, I wouldn't bother using the matrix functions on the fx-991ES for much. It can do basic multiplication, addition and subtraction up to 3x3 but if you want to find an inverse or anything more complicated the best it'll do is transpose it or find the determinant. Inputting the matrices themselves is also fiddly.

It also won't do complex exponentiation, but aside from that the other functions on it are great. I'd highly recommend it for the money.

 

Woot I found it on my word hahah Thanks.

In fact I care about Equations more than any thing this years.. My Calu can't do Equations or matrix . That's why I want to get the 991ES, I will use it to help me little bit, mean make sure taht I solove the problem right, or when I forget some thing... etc. it's like 2nd hand

Yeah I will not do a really Hard things on it, Kinda all basic things and some crazy Equations

Thanks My brother Hitman

 

Must be nice to have all this stuff to help you with your math. I remember learning this back in highschool and we did it all with a basic calculator. and then only when required.

 

hehe i took a TI-83 graphical calculator into my maths exams (after getting clearance of course) it appears the rules have changed a little! the equation and matrices functions are fantastic for checking as is the graphing function!

i've got the 82es calc you showed a picture of up there, and its a pretty fantastic calculator! especially handy for converting decimals into fractions when you need an exact answer in Further pure maths! took a while to get used to from my sharp calc i used to have but there you have it, my little pointless rant!

computerking, if you need any help with any of those maths topics dont hesitate to PM me! i got A's in pure and further pure!!! worked my ass off for them so hey!


have fun

 

I nearly made that mistake! I was using a friends fx-991 for integration , and while its a nifty feature I still think its best to stick with some thing like the fx-83es for the reasons you state. Its too easy to just use these features for that one question, but having done that you never learn how to really do the question. My advice its keep it simple.

EDIT: having saw your latest post you've got a fine calculator there, stick with it.

 

Yeah mine is the best on my view but It don't do Equations This is crapest thing on it That's why I will pimp to 991ES From mine 82ES

 

Agreed, but graphical calculators wern't really made for mechanics calculations, more for the pure stuff.

CK has the same calculator as me, it's actually a pretty good one. It won't plot a graph but it will be you a table of values, maybe that's all you need CK?

 

it has everything I need yes, But I don't think that it can do Equations, Right or I'm wrong?

 

http://www.latex-project.org/ is the answer for any kind of mathematical or scientific document, or any other document come to think of it.