Graphing calculator difficulties again...

[Michelle in AL]

Here I am again, banging my head. I learned how to graph matrices last week. Since we are using an old version of Foerster's Algebra & trig, it doesn't tell you what the student should learn how to do on the graphing calculator, so I thought we'd just learn how to solve each type of equation as we go. Next thing to learn was graphing inequalities. Can't do it. Searched the internet, no comprehensible help. Bought the TI-84 for Dummies~can't understand it. Is it really this hard?
What does a student really need to learn how to do on this wretched thing for Algebra 2?

[Karen in CO]

Seriously.
My ds did Thinkwell for PreCalc and I think they they covered the graphing calculator (i think it was the thinkwell, but might have been some other math program since we used so many) which is good 'cause I couldn't do it, but for SATs.... ya see, I learned to do the math. My ds had to learn to do the math, but the SATs assume the graphing calculator so the number of problems in the problem sets will be geared to someone with one. So learn how to do the work, then when its time to prep for the SAT, get a math tutor to teach the kid to do the work with the calculator. It is one of the few things I think a good live expert to teach a skill is worth the time and $$.

but thats just my .02.

good luck.

[Sharon in MD]

The local cc near us has a fairly useful sight for graphing calculator help
http://classweb.howardcc.edu/math/calculator/ti83frame.htm

Also, have you tried hotmaths helpline? I've not tried it, but noticed that they have one.

Another one you might want to look around on is the drexel math forum.

I found this link on their site

http://mathbits.com/MathBits/TISection/Openpage.htm

I found the Ask Dr. Math part of the drexel forum to be very helpful from time to time when we would run into something that had a flumuxed.

I know you said you don't find the dummies guide to be very helpful....have you tried the Real Ti manuals that you can download from TI's website? I know they are really cumbersome, but they have a good index that I've been able to use. The table of contents is not very helpful, IMO but the index is pretty useful for problems like you have been encountering.

Anyway, both of the links I've give you should be helpful for what you are trying to do, at least I think they will be.

Let me know if there is something else I can try to help with.

[Ruth in Canada]

We used Alg and Trig for alg. II and are now using Foerster's Pre-Calc book. We were rather unorganized about learning to use the calculator for the first book. Pre-Calc tells you when to use it--although you still have to figure out how. Assuming your student will do the next math level at home, you can relax now.


QUOTE=Michelle in AL;613768]Here I am again, banging my head. I learned how to graph matrices last week. Since we are using an old version of Foerster's Algebra & trig, it doesn't tell you what the student should learn how to do on the graphing calculator, so I thought we'd just learn how to solve each type of equation as we go. Next thing to learn was graphing inequalities. Can't do it. Searched the internet, no comprehensible help. Bought the TI-84 for Dummies~can't understand it. Is it really this hard?
What does a student really need to learn how to do on this wretched thing for Algebra 2?[/QUOTE]

[Michelle in AL]

Thanks everyone for your help, I truly appreciate all the input from this board. I will try to use Sharon's resources tomorrow and if I'm not successful I will get a tutor within the next yr (she's only a freshman now, so we have a while before the SAT/ACT, she can do everything well by hand). I do have the personality though that I have to overcome the challenge, even if it's just inequalities.

[Sharon in MD]

just had to laugh....sounds like me. I can't stand it when I know that darned thing is supposed to do something and I can't figure it out! I've spent hours noodling around to figure things out on it.....:willy_nilly: