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Based on feedback and a few questions, I decided to do another back-to-school post with a few tips about graphing calculators.

Depending on the students grade level a calculator can be a big a purchase. Most students, by the time they reach high school, will need a graphing calculator.

o Unless your high school student becomes a mathematics major, a good graphing calculator should last a student well through college.

o Talk to the teacher and find out what features are needed. Graphing calculators start around $100, but go up based on features and capabilities.

• If you don’t expect to need the calculator beyond geometry, trigonometry and the ACT/SAT, consider a basic option such as the Texas Insturment-83 Plus, which starts around $100.

• For more memory and a calculator that will survive calculus courses, try the TI-84 Plus Silver Edition.

• If you have a high school student, make sure the calculator you purchase can be used during ACT/SAT testing- otherwise you’ll be headed back to the store for another big purchase.

• Before you shell out cash make sure to check with your local school to see if they can be rented or purchased at group discounts.

• You can also consider purchasing a used item on eBay since the price of calculators’ drops significantly in the secondary market.  Check out our eBay store for high quality used items.

• Want more info? Check out this site for top questions you should ask when buying a graphing calculator.