I realize with all the discussion about equity and access, cost is going to be a huge factor in the decision. And, as a math person, I always say why not both, since depending on the school, teacher and/or assessment, sometimes you might need just a scientific and sometimes you might need a graphing. But, you can’t go wrong, especially in middle school, with a scientific. If your students is thinking of going into the higher levels of mathematics such as Algebra 2, PreCalculus, Calculus, then a graphing calculator might be a wise investment. Now we come to how do you decide? To me, it depends what you think you are going to be pursuing as far as mathematics. Basically, think of the graphing calculator as having all the functionality of the scientific calculator but with a lot more additional capabilities, with the most obvious difference being the ability to graph and visualize. There are more differences, but that’s a nice list (check here for a comparison between scientific calculators (Casio vs. the fx-CG10 and fx-CG50 models – this allows for differentiating visually between graphs

Some graphing calculators come with color – i.e.

Price-wise, scientific calculators are usually significantly less than graphing, for obvious reasons (the graphing calculators have much more capabilities and memory storage).

There tends to be much more functionality and options in a graphing calculator – for example, spreadsheets, e-activities, exam modes, the ability to do dynamic graphing (in Casio graphing calculators fx-9750GIII, fx-CG50 models).

Some scientific calculators can base specified logarthmic calculations, prime factorizations, ratio calculations, differentiation and integration calcuations, combination and permutation calculations ( fx-115ESPlus2 and fx-991EX).

Casio’s newest graphing calculator, the fx-9750GIII (shown to the left) has Python programming as an additional option.

Graphing calculators often have the ability to do programming (helpful for computer science classes).

Graphing calculators can do more advanced statistical calculations as well as the basic ones and graph the statistical plots as well.

Scientific Calculators can do statistical calculations and regressions but are limited.

solvers, graphically and entering in values

Graphing calculators can solve equations, inequalities in multiple ways – i.e.

Many scientific calculators can solve polynomials or simultaneous equations but usually of limited functions/polynomials, but not all.

Graphing calculators have ability to graph more than just equations – i.e.

Scientific calculators do not have the ability to graph (though the fx-991EX scientific (shown to the left) is an exception because of it’s QR code, so something to think about).

Scientific calculators have much smaller screens (see image) and are often smaller in size.

Each state has different calculator restrictions, depending again on the level of the test, but it is often only a scientific or a choice between scientific and/or graphing.

®AP has a range of options depending on the subject, but four-function, scientific, and/or graphing are listed. For example, ® SAT rallows for a hand-held (not a phone, not a computer) and either graphing or scientific. So – what are some of the differences? Many standardized tests limit the calculator students can use to a scientific, and others let students choose either scientific or graphing.

graphing is basically the same whether using an online version or a hand-held.

Mainly because not all students have consistent access to online tools (wifi) or phones (and phones are most often NOT allowed in class and definitely not on assessments), and the comparison between scientific vs. There are of course many online calculators as well, but obviously I am using hand-held models in this post for my comparisons. What I wanted to do in this post is point out some of the differences to perhaps allows for a better decision. Middle school tends to recommend scientific calculators, and high school often graphing, and the big question is, what’s the difference? If my child has a scientific calculator from middle school and is heading into high school, will that suffice? There is often a lot of confusion around whether you should get/use a scientific calculator or a graphing calculator, particularly in high school courses. It’s still back-to-school season, in a crazy back-to-school time, and I know a lot of parents and students are pondering what tools they need for school.

Graph to equation calculator