Going to take Calc BC soon, a bit worried. What calculators do you guys use or suggest for the exam?
The College Board, which administers AP exams, allows any graphing calculator on the AP Calculus BC exam, provided it doesn't have a QWERTY keyboard or internet access, per their calculator policy. With that in mind, there are a few options that have been traditionally popular among students for this exam owing to their features.
1. Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus Series: The TI-84 Plus is a mainstay in high-level math classes. It offers a variety of preinstalled apps that can be beneficial in solving calculus problems, like the Polynomial Root Finder and the Simultaneous Equation Solver.
2. Texas Instruments TI-Nspire CX II CAS: This is another powerful graphing calculator from the house of Texas Instruments. Its Computer Algebra System (CAS) feature allows you to manipulate symbolic expressions, which can be a massive time-saver on the test.
3. Casio fx-9750 GII: This calculator offers a lot of the same functionality as the TI-84 Plus, but at a generally lower cost. It's also easier to navigate for some students.
Remember that understanding how to operate your calculator and use its functions is as important as the calculator's capabilities. Whichever model you choose, make sure you're deeply familiar with its functionalities before the day of the exam.
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