Career Paths for Math Majors - Lawyer?

If someone asked you what kind of jobs a math major could get, how would you answer? Would you reply with math teacher or perhaps statistician? How about lawyer?

In my new article I state that with a degree in mathematics one is well prepared to become a lawyer (after law school of course!).

To view the article, click here!

Which Graphing Calculator Is Right For You?

Are you looking for a graphing calculator but not sure which one to buy. In addition to knowing which standardized tests you can use them on you also want to know what math classes you can use them in. Of course you can use them in any math class, but certain models are recommended more for certain levels, whether it be trigonometry or college algebra.

Texas Instruments provides both of these in a handy one page table:

http://education.ti.com/educationportal/sites/US/nonProductSingle/graphing_course_comparision.html

HP also provides some information. Unfortunately they only list approved courses but not recommended classes:

http://h20331.www2.hp.com/Hpsub/downloads/Post_Exam_approvals_FEB2008.pdf

The PDF from HP is over a year old but still relevant. However, you should always consult the calculator policies of the specific exams you are taking and of course ask your math / science teachers about their own graphing calculator policies and whether they recommend or require (or prohibit) specific models.

Buying or Renting?

With the high cost of graphing calculators it's no wonder that one can find calculator rental companies offering to help students lower their costs. However, is renting a calculator really a better deal?

In an article I just wrote I look into whether it is better to buy or rent.

In it I compare the cost of renting a couple of Texas Instruments over different lengths of time to the cost of owning the same models.

Check it out and add your comments below.

The Top 10 Questions Parents Ask about Graphing Calculators

I was just reviewing this list of questions prepared by Texas Instruments. I found a problem with one of their answers.

The seventh question they list is, "Can my child use a graphing calculator on the SAT* and ACT?". The answer they provide is "Yes. Graphing calculators are permitted or even required on SAT*, ACT, PSAT* and AP* exams."

This answer is not 100% accurate. Although a graphing calculator is permitted (or required) when taking many standardized tests, NOT ALL graphing calculators are permitted.

I've already covered why some graphing calculator models are not permitted for takers of the SAT and PSAT tests in previous posts. To find out more take a look at those posts.

A TI-83/TI-84 Calculator Tutorial

I just came across this site which provides tutorials for the TI-83 and -84 calculators which I believe would be of interest to those of you who have either of these models.

They have a number of tutorials on subjects covering college algebra and statistics.

Take a look and let us know what you think about it!

Save up to 15% during our Back to School Sale!

It's time to get ready to go back to school. If you're in high school or college that probably means math classes, science classes, and standardized tests. So to help ease the trepidation of SAT's, homework, and Trigonometry, we're going to help you save some money. Our Back to School sale starts today. Save up to 15% on select models between now and September 15, 2009.

Check out these models from HP and Texas Instruments:

• HP 50g Graphing Calculator with SD Card Slot
  
• TI-Nspire Graphing Calculator
  
• HP 33s Scientific Calculator w/ HP Solve
  

Taking the PSAT/NMSQT® Exam with an Approved Calculator

The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is a program cosponsored by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC).

As with the SAT exam, the College Board does not provide a list of specific calculators models that are approved for usage. According to their site any graphing calculator, scientific calculator, or four-function calculator is approved* for usage provided that it:

• is a standalone device (e.g., not part of a cell phone or PDA)
  
• is not a stylus-driven device
  
• does not utilize a writing pad
  
• does not have a QWERTY (typewriter-like) keypad
  
• does not have printing capabilities.
  

Calculator Town sells several calculators that are approved for use on the PSAT exam. Click on the links below to learn more about and buy these approved calculators.

• HP 33s Scientific Calculator w/ HP Solve
  
• HP 50g Graphing Calculator with SD Card Slot
  
• TI-89 Graphing Calculator Titanium
  
• TI-Nspire Graphing Calculator
  

* Calculators can only be used on the mathematics portion of the PSAT exam.

Taking the SAT exam with an Approved Calculator

The SAT exams are well known and inspire fear and concern in high school students throughout the United States and abroad. They are administered by the College Board on select dates throughout the year.

Unlike other exam administrating organizations, the College Board does not provide a list of specific calculators models that are approved for usage. According to their site any graphing calculator, scientific calculator, or four-function calculator is approved* for usage provided that it:

• is a standalone device (e.g., not part of a cell phone or PDA)
  
• is not a stylus-driven device
  
• does not utilize a writing pad
  
• does not have a QWERTY (typewriter-like) keypad
  
• does not have printing capabilities.
  

Calculator Town sells several calculators that are approved for use on the SAT exam. Click on the links below to learn more about and buy these approved calculators.

• HP 33s Scientific Calculator w/ HP Solve
  
• HP 50g Graphing Calculator with SD Card Slot
  
• TI-89 Graphing Calculator Titanium
  
• TI-Nspire Graphing Calculator
  

* Calculators can only be used on the mathematics portion of the SAT exam.

Buying an Exam Approved Graphing Calculator

High school students are one of the main users of calculators. Standardized exams are a core reason for their usage.

Standardized exams are administered by various organizations. Each of these organizations decides what calculators are approved for use on any of the exams they administer. Unfortunately, each list of approved calculators is different. Thus, the high school student planning on taking several standardized exams over the course of his or her high school career should do some research before purchasing a new calculator for the PSAT or SAT exam can also be used in a subsequent year when taking a state mandated exam (e.g., the Mathematics Regents Exam in NY state) or any of the AP Exams (e.g., Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry).

As students prepare to go back to school and begin to purchase school supplies one of the items they may need to purchase is a calculator. With these thoughts in mind, coupled with he high cost of many of these calculators (many are graphing calculators), this blog will focus much of its attention over the next few weeks on the identification of approved calculators for the different exams students will be faced with during the coming school year.

Calculator Town - Open for Business!

Calculator Town is the online source for graphing calculators, scientific calculators, and more! Find quality calculators from top brands including HP, TI, and Sharp Electronics.

Models available for sale include:

• HP 50g Graphing Calculator with SD Card Slot
  
• TI-89 Graphing Calculator Titanium
  
• TI-Nspire Graphing Calculator
  
  

Visit www.CalculatorTown.com to learn more about these and other graphing calculators, scientific calculators, financial calculators, and more.