About Graphing Calculator Source: Wikipedia
A graphing calculator (also graphics / graphic calculator) typically refers to a class of handheld scientific calculators that are capable of plotting graphs, solving simultaneous equations, and performing numerous other tasks with variables. Most popular graphing calculators are also programmable, allowing the user to create customized programs, typically for scientific/engineering and education applications. Due to their large displays intended for graphing, they can also accommodate several lines of text and calculations at a time.
Some of the more recent graphing calculators are capable of color output, and also feature animated and interactive drawing of math plots (2D and 3D), other figures such as animated Algebra theorems, preparation of documents which can include these plots and drawings, etc. This is giving the new graphing calculators a presence even in high school courses where they were formerly disallowed. Some calculator manufacturers also offer computer software for emulating and working with handheld graphing calculators.
Many graphing calculators can be attached to devices like electronic thermometers, pH gauges, weather instruments, decibel and light meters, accelerometers, and other sensors and therefore function as data loggers, as well as WiFi or other communication modules for monitoring, polling and interaction with the teacher. Student laboratory exercises with data from such devices enhances learning of math, especially statistics and mechanics.
Graphing calculators can be sub-divided into two categories (both need the graphical display):
1. Numerical (or just graphing) Calculators - non-CAS and producing numerical results, at most represented as a fraction. In some countries, graphing calculators are not permitted in high school science tests or certain basic math tests. See examples below.
2. CAS (or symbolic) Calculators - most advanced calculators capable of producing a symbolic result (in expression or equation form), usually utilizing a Computer Algebra System (CAS). Symbolic/CAS calculators are posing a challenge to high school and undergraduate educators. They can make math easier to learn for high schoolers, provided school curriculum evolves towards this advantage.[1][2] Testing based on tedious hand calculation is also being forced to evolve towards more creative testing.[3] Such tests are often more challenging and expensive to design and can't be recycled as much, but encourage a genuine deeper appreciation of the art of mathematics and critiqueing a fallacy. CAS calculators are therefore usually permitted only in select advanced math or calculus tests, thereby being more of a classroom learning tool for many users who then switch to a permitted and speedy numerical non-CAS graphing or scientific calculator for tests and exams.
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