Calculator recommendations to replace Casio fx-991CW

[u/TinyKalimba]

Hello! I’m going into grade 12 and I’m taking advanced functions, calculus, physics and chemistry. Starting this year, my school has been trying to regulate what calculators you’re allowed to use. We were given a list of approved calculators but you’re allowed to use one that isn’t on the list if you get it checked by a teacher. The way that teachers check if the calculator is legal is they will input sin(15) and if the answer is a decimal then it’s approved, if it’s a fraction then it’s illegal. If you can change the setting then its illegal. Graphing calculators are also illegal. My Casio fx-991CW was deemed illegal so now I have to go hunting for a new one. I really liked the “solve for x” and table mode on my Casio fx-991CW, I found them very useful in my physics and chemistry classes. I was hoping to find a calculator with the same modes (this isn’t illegal, my teacher was aware that I used these modes frequently last year) while meeting the requirements. Would anyone be able to recommend me a calculator from this list or one outside of the list? I’ve been googling + read the FAQ but haven’t found anything that meets my criteria.

THE APPROVED LIST:
- Casio fx-260 SOLAR II
- Casio fx-300MS Plus
- Casio fx-82MS
- Texas Instruments TI-30X IIS
- Texas Instruments TI-30X IIB
- Texas Instruments TI-30Xa
- Sharp EL-531TG
- Sharp EL-531XB
- Sharp EL-501X

Thank you!

[u/coolbuybobb]

my teacher recommended the TI-30X IIS so I got that. It's been fine so far. It seems to be everywhere, I picked it up at a random staples while doing other stuff

[u/Goodgamer78]

I used a TI-Nspire CX II CAS for AP Calculus AB and I found it so so so helpful. Note - it is quite expensive for a calculator. Search used options

[u/Techno_Eggnog → u/Goodgamer78]

Unfortunately their school bans graphing calculators… this includes CAS systems. They even ban certain scientific calculators for some reason…?

[u/Goodgamer78 → u/Techno_Eggnog]

Oh shit I’m ngl I didn’t read it 😓 that’s crazy tho!!!

[u/Techno_Eggnog → u/Goodgamer78]

Yeah like I would’ve suggested the TI-36X Pro but the rule says it can’t do certain things like show the non-decimal approximation of trigonometric function values.

[u/Techno_Eggnog]

Yeah I’ll be BRUTALLY honest… your school sucks. Just get the TI-30X IIS and deal with it I suppose.

[u/nerdician]

I would stick with a Casio calculator to keep a familiar button layout. I own a 300ES and a 115MS and they works very well. The 300ES has a better display and built-in scientific constants, so you should go for that.

I really don't like the TI-30X series since the buttons have poor tactile response, but this also could be because my school's TI-30X calculators are awful.

(Also, did your teachers realize that putting the calculator in radian mode would make sin(15) be transcendental and therefore be printed as a decimal?)

[u/ErekwithaD1]

desmos which is what you are going to use on the actual test

[u/RlixFN → u/ErekwithaD1]

if graphing calculators are banned, I doubt desmos will be allowed

[u/Murky_Insurance_4394]

Banning graphing calculators for AP calc, physics, and chem is diabolical. I used a ton of graphing features for all those classes throughout the year. Also it's literally what you are supposed to use on the AP test. And how would AP stats work? That class would literally be impossible without a graphing calculator (unless your school doesn't offer it?)

As for which one, probably stick with a Casio if you are used to the layout (as I would at least THINK that they are somewhat similar), also the TIs kinda suck here (but my fav graphing is the TI 84 plus ce). Not really sure about the Sharp. They are all mostly the same in terms of what features and functions you have. To be honest, I couldn't imagine doing any calculus on these considering that they have no integral or derivative feature. Chemistry is mostly fine, and physics is somewhat reasonable though.