Dropped $180 on a fancy graphing calculator for calc 2 then realized my laptop could do everything for free with Desmos

I was so convinced I needed that TI-84 for the exam until my roommate showed me how the online version works on the school computers, has anyone else blown cash on something they barely ended up using?

2 comments

2 Comments

pipera5019d ago

Oh wait, you dropped $180 on that thing? I mean that's rough, I almost made the same mistake but my friend talked me out of it last minute. For real though, the online Desmos is way better for plotting stuff anyway, and it's free. I get the panic though, everyone told me you needed a graphing calculator for calc, but it's just not true anymore.

the_sarah18d ago

Actually Desmos is great but some schools still ban phones during exams so you gotta have the real thing. My little brother just had a calc final and they literally confiscated all devices, including smartwatches. TI-84 Plus CE was the only approved thing in the room and that's $120 new even used. So it depends on your school's policy, not everyone's got the option to just use the free web stuff. Just saying, don't trash the calculator totally, it's still a legit requirement in some situations.