A computing devices that is able to plot graphs and solve graphing problems is called a graphing calculator. It can solve simultaneous equations and can perform various tasks with variables. The calculator has a large display that is able to take in numerous lines of text and calculations at the same time. There are also color displays, 3D graphing, and readily user-programmable graphing calculators that are useful in education, engineering, and scientific applications.
World's Leading Producers
Casio, Hewlett Packard (HP), Texas Instruments (TI), and Sharp are the world's leading producers of graphing calculators. Each company has their own top of the line models.
For instance, Casio has its fx-7000G graphing calculator manufactured in 1985. it was also one of the first graphing calculators that came out in the market. Hewlett Packard has HP-28C after few years and eventually produced the HP-28S in 1988.
The other models HP had produced are the HP-48SX in 1990, HP-48S in 1991 and the recent model, the HP 50g in 2006. The HP 50g has a feature of Computer Algebra System (CAS), powerful in solving analytical problems and in manipulating symbolic expressions. The production of HP-28 and HP-48 range is specifically intended to groups of science and engineering professionals.
The HP-38 HP-39 and HP-40 target the high school and college students as the main market. And the HP-49 model is sold to all levels of both educational and professional customers. It is known for its standard expression entry interface. All the HP series are popular because they are featured with Reverse Polish Notation interface.
In 1990, Texas Instruments started to manufacture graphing calculators. Their first model was the TI-81 series. The TI-82 and TI-83 series consist of TI- 83, TI-83 Plus, and TI-83 Plus Silver Edition. These have larger internal memory. Their TI-80 and TI-73 series are best suitable for students, ages 10 to 14 years old. The design of TI-85, TI-86, TI-89 series, and TI-92 series which comprises of the TI-92, TI-92 Plus, and Voyage 200 are applicable for calculus. And the TI-89 and TI-92 series are designed with computer algebra system; however, the TI-92 series offers a QWERTY keypad.
Texas Instrument devices are purposely produced mainly for the educational sector and the general public. Sharp has been also involved in the production of graphing calculators. However, they do not have collections of programs.
Here are the top selling models regardless of brand names:
HP 48G II Graphing Calculator
It is a perfect graphing calculator for either laboratory activities or classroom work in math, science, statistics, engineering and surveying. The calculator features 128KB Memory, and 80.7KB of the total memory is available to the user. It has 131 x 64 pixel display and has large built-in constant library and structured programming for making applications.
The HP graphing calculator features more than 2,300 functions. It has a Computer Algebra System (CAS). This feature is very helpful in numeric solving and symbolic manipulation. Thus working in complex arithmetic or calculus functions will be easier and not complicated.
It also provides comfortable viewing because it has a large screen along with 2D and 3D graphing modes. Such screen has also serial port and IrDA connectivity that consists of cable and software. The serial port can be connected to the PC for easy transfer of data. The graphing calculator is featured with algebraic, RPN and textbook entry modes As well.
It is operated on three batteries. It also comes with an auto shut off feature after five idle minutes. It measures only 7.2 x 3.4 x .09 inches and weighs 7.7 ounces.
Texas Instruments TI-89 Titanium Graphing Calculator
Texas Instruments TI-89 Titanium Graphing Calculator is ideal for advanced engineering applications and advanced college mathematics. It has a big working memory of 188 KB RAM, and upgradeable to 2.7 MB Flash ROM and 3D graphing. It includes a mini USB port and such USB port is useful for a more convenient transferring of data. It has a display of 100 x 160 pixels.
This device is handy in storing important financial data. It has pre-programmed applications like a cell sheet, polynomial root finder, calendar, note folio, symbolic math guide, French and German localization, and simultaneous equation solver. The calculator has a graph mode that can store 99 equations. And some of the analysis of TI calculator includes maximums, minimums, roots, intersections, derivatives, arc lengths, inflection points, and integrals.
The unit comes in a hard slide case and power supplied by 4 batteries that are silver oxide. It comes along as well with a user instruction guide. It has one year warranty for the parts and for the labor.
Casio CFX-9850GB Plus Graphing Calculator
This graphing calculator is best for math and science students. It has 900 advanced features to help solve problems quickly and accurately. It has a total memory of 32 KB and can store up to 38 programs. It has also a large, easy to read display that can show eight lines and 21 characters, 15-digit, 10-plus-2. And such display is in three colors which make then the graph in animated form. Thus the variables in can be changed in a formula, and then will able to view the movement of the graph.
The calculator has ability to work on statistical calculations that include histograms, eight regression types, scatter plots, and box and whisker plots. It has a built-in communications port that can be connect to a personal computer. Graphic functions include making vertical lines, parametric, rectangular and polar coordinates.
The Casio graphing calculator is enclosed in a hard slide case and uses four alkaline batteries and a lithium battery. It comes also with a user guidebook. It weighs 2 pounds.
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