Graphing Calculator - Types

Types

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. Testing based on tedious hand calculation is also being forced to evolve towards more creative testing. 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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