 Yikes!! What happened to a pencil and paper!?
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,606 Likes: 2
Loquacious
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OP
Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,606 Likes: 2 |
Got a letter from the(Sons)School yesterday...They STRONGLY suggest that he (8th grade) be given a TI-84 Graphing Calculator for his math classes...so OK how much can it be??? right???? WOW!  $139.00-$159.00 at the local "Big Boy's Toys" retailers... and somewhat better pricing at online retailers (until you add in the shipping)....HOLY SH!T Batman!!! How did I ever get through Algebra, Geometry, Trig, and Calculus in high school and college with out one of these bank busters???...AND they are allowed for use on the SAT, AP, and ACT tests... The big Su(k is, although all of this math CAN be done with pad and paper,...they will be teaching it via the Calculator...and they have a "Limited" supply available for use by students in each class...so if I don't get one for him I'll be hobbling him...RASA-FRASA-HITZEN-BRASSA  Anyone got one kicking around they "had to have" and now find it unused???? need to dump it???
THE VOICE OF REASON
per: Stewart
AF&AM/Shriner/Scoutmaster
130/45 TBS 2shim SS Uni 18/42
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Re: Yikes!! What happened to a pad and paper!?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,457
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,457 |
Both my kids had to get one. But both used it through college, so it's not a bad investment. Make sure he keeps it close by!
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Re: Yikes!! What happened to a pad and paper!?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152 |
I remember something like that from my daughter's HS years but the TI-84 looks pretty new with a USB port and all. sorry.
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Re: Yikes!! What happened to a pad and paper!?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,438
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,438 |
Kind of funny in a sad way Rob. Another engineer and myself were looking for some specs yesterday, picked up a book and saw some log and trig tables in them. We then joked that probably more than half the engineers in this company wouldn't be able to find their way around any of these tables. Again we laugh only because it is so said in all reality.  Really don't understand the requirement for a TI-84 in an 8th grade math class. But then that is probably what the teacher used through the forced math instruction to get his/her teaching degree and that is the only way they know how to do this stuff. Probably couldn't tell the difference between an ordinate or an abscissa if their life depended on it. 'Course just to keep it in perspective my school's fight song is " i! Pi! cube root 3! Rock 'em! Sock 'em! IIT! " We had no sports team at which to cheer this but it existed nevertheless.
Ride On!
Airguy
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You gotta' be smart to be lazy(and get a job done)
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Re: Yikes!! What happened to a pad and paper!?
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,606 Likes: 2
Loquacious
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OP
Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,606 Likes: 2 |
I still keep my sine/cosine tables taped to my wall at the office!!... Man you REALLY have to LOVE this place...thanks to all for the searches...unless you hang out here often...many would have a difficult time understanding that I could find a Scientific Graphing Calculator on my Motorcycle buds website!   you guys rock!
THE VOICE OF REASON
per: Stewart
AF&AM/Shriner/Scoutmaster
130/45 TBS 2shim SS Uni 18/42
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Re: Yikes!! What happened to a pad and paper!?
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 482
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 482 |
So you got one?? I have one packed away in some box somewhere...
George
Freelance Observer
07 BA with 605's, engine dresser bars, and cheap saddle bags.
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Re: Yikes!! What happened to a pad and paper!?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,308 Likes: 4
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,308 Likes: 4 |
rob, don't you know the sct tables? In the Navy they always taught us to remember that stuff with sentences. Sally Can Tell Oscar Has A Harb On Again. (editted for family viewing) Translates to: S=O/H C=A/H T=O/A Notice the pattern? Clear as mud. 
A word to the wise is not necessary. It is the stupid ones who need the advice.
Pat
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Re: Yikes!! What happened to a pad and paper!?
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,606 Likes: 2
Loquacious
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OP
Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,606 Likes: 2 |
haven't got one yet...but I suspect with all the members searching it won't be long
THE VOICE OF REASON
per: Stewart
AF&AM/Shriner/Scoutmaster
130/45 TBS 2shim SS Uni 18/42
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Re: Yikes!! What happened to a pad and paper!?
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
Do it if you think its neccessary, but my kids had the exact same suggestion, instead I got them a TI35, now TI-30Xa. ($15.00,no graph). It worked through college, perfectly adequate, no problems, no theft. They NEVER, EVER needed or used the graph. Not once! Mainly Sin, Cos, Tan,y2,Log, BUT NEVER THE GRAPH! If you can ever prove to me that they needed the graph, I'll pay for it! 
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: Yikes!! What happened to a pad and paper!?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
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Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
I saw a pencil in the museum the other day.  I have a Picket sliderule in a drawer next to my keyboard.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: Yikes!! What happened to a pad and paper!?
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,217 Likes: 61
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,217 Likes: 61 |
Quote:
Got a letter from the(Sons)School yesterday...They STRONGLY suggest that he (8th grade) be given a TI-84 Graphing Calculator for his math classes...so OK how much can it be??? right????
WOW! $139.00-$159.00 at the local "Big Boy's Toys" retailers...
and somewhat better pricing at online retailers (until you add in the shipping)....HOLY SH!T Batman!!! How did I ever get through Algebra, Geometry, Trig, and Calculus in high school and college with out one of these bank busters???...AND they are allowed for use on the SAT, AP, and ACT tests...
The big Su(k is, although all of this math CAN be done with pad and paper,...they will be teaching it via the Calculator...and they have a "Limited" supply available for use by students in each class...so if I don't get one for him I'll be hobbling him...RASA-FRASA-HITZEN-BRASSA
Anyone got one kicking around they "had to have" and now find it unused???? need to dump it???
Try having a daughter in high school that is the queen bee. You would drop over dead if you saw all the things they expect the parents to pay for. Take cheer camp for instance, $400 for a few days over the summer. And calling it camp is misleading since they go during the day then come home at night. Driven to and from by the parents, not even a bus! That is just the tip of the iceberg.
That whole calculator thing gets me going too. When I went to school we had to leave them at home. If we wanted to use one at home we could but still had to show the work. If caught with one in class we got an F for the day.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Yikes!! What happened to a pad and paper!?
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Yikes!! What happened to a pad and paper!?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,172
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,172 |
I feel for you Rob. When my son was in 8th grade 10 years ago, his math teacher required a calculator as well but not anything so technical. No big deal... But then he came home with a letter from his english/social studies teacher saying that his homework and some other assignments would have to be submitted online via computer. My Commodore 64 wouldn't cut it, so $1800.00 later we had our first computer. For some reason, my wife wouldn't let me go to the school and "discuss" this with the principal... 
More flags
More fun!
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Re: Yikes!! What happened to a pad and paper!?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Must. Not. Make. Joke. About. "Pad and Paper." Being. Completely. Useless.
(Unless you're going to write in your own blood.)
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Re: Yikes!! What happened to a pad and paper!?
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 37
Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 37 |
As a retired teacher who loves maths I think that calculators and computers should be banned in all schools prior to years 11 and 12. The money would be far more valuable spent on better training for teachers and more books for the school libraries. Paper still has some uses though, just try using a computer in the toilet. 
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Re: Yikes!! What happened to a pad and paper!?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152 |
So no luck Rob. I did check with my daughter who says she had a nice scientific calculator in HS but not a graphing one. If it's any consolation she says it became one of her favorite things and she has hung onto it thru university and early work years.
As a note for the old-time home-brew computer types, I was looking on a site that had all the TI calculators arrayed by processor type. the TI-84 is to this day based on a Zilog Z80 and they also made calculators based on the Motorola 68K line. So, for $139 you could have a TRS-80 model III with a USB port.
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Re: Yikes!! What happened to a pad and paper!?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,537
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,537 |
My daughter used hers in HS and the first year or two of college, than passed it to her younger sister who did the same. Amazingly it held up. It's still in a drawer here somewhere. I hardly every need it....I'm more of a Post-It guy!
Al
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Re: Yikes!! What happened to a pad and paper!?
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,606 Likes: 2
Loquacious
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OP
Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,606 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
Try having a daughter in high school that is the queen bee. You would drop over dead if you saw all the things they expect the parents to pay for. Take cheer camp for instance, $400 for a few days over the summer...
Yeah I know...Jr's Saxaphone was $1,800.00, and "band camp" every year...lessons...blah-blah-blah...but it's all good...PLUS he can play the sh!t out of the horn now!!! which is a bonus...
Just the 8th grade req. for a such a powerful calculator...perhaps the advanced classes were a mistake... 
nah!!! its all good 
Just a bit surprized...
THE VOICE OF REASON
per: Stewart
AF&AM/Shriner/Scoutmaster
130/45 TBS 2shim SS Uni 18/42
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Re: Yikes!! What happened to a pad and paper!?
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 605
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 605 |
I think we're missing a bigge point here guys. Your kid is in an 8th grade math class using a TI-84 calculator. Apparently you have a very bright young man there, and he deserves a high level education. Think about it this way. $120 now for a calculator = engineering degree later = nice house for you to stay and be taken care of when you're 90. Sounds like a good investment to me. Also, I'm an electrical engineer which knows where a deal is for you. Always check this place out, it'll be at your door in 3 days. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16844101100
Aaron
04 "Green Bean" Freaked, AI removal, Bafflectomy, 6" Risers, and 30" Drag Bars.
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