Graphing Technology -- Mary Parker's Calculus I class
- You are not required to buy anything, but you are required
to use some form of graphing calculator or computer software package
on selected homework problems. This will probably be at least
twice a week.
- Calculators (TI-82's) are available for 2-hour checkout in
the LRS. Computers with the Winplot software are available in
the LRS lab.
- If you already have a graphing calculator or graphing computer
software, you may use that. You may use any form of computer or
calculator you want for doing homework. However, you should pay
careful attention to what types of problems I want you to be able
to do "by hand" and make sure that you practice doing
them "by hand" rather than doing all (or most) of those
with technology.
- On some portions of some tests, you will not be able to use
graphing technology at all. On the portions of the tests that
you are allowed to use graphing technology, you may use any of
the TI-82, TI-83, TI-85, TI-86, or equivalent calculators. You
may not use a TI-92 or equivalent calculators. On tests, a computer
with Winplot (Windows-based graphing software) will be provided
and you can use that. You can't use any other computer software
on tests. You may check out a graphing calculator (TI-82) from
the LRS for up to 2 hours at a time in order to bring it to class
for tests.
- If you want to buy a graphing calculator for your work in
ACC math and physics courses, we recommend a TI-83. For more detail
about the various types of calculators, including why we recommend
this one, ask me or look at my graphing technology
document on the Web.
- If you want to use computer software on your own computer,
you will need to get a copy of it. You may download it from the
Web from home or you may go to the LRS computer lab and they will
help you download it from the Web. We have programs available
for DOS, Windows, and Macs. Go to my home page http://www.austincc.edu/mparker/
and follow the link about graphing software.
- By the end of the second week of school, everyone should have
learned how to the following. If you need help, please ask me.
- enter a function so that you can graph it
- change the viewing window
- get the calculator to tell you the coordinates of any point
on the graph
- superimpose the graph of a second function
- In calculus I and II there will be several other things you
will need to do with graphing technology. We have programs already
entered into the TI-82/83 and TI-85, which we can transfer easily
to your calculator, to do those. (We have been told that the TI-85
program also works with the TI-86.) Just ask me for those anytime
after about the third week of school.
For the official handout for a specific section, refer to the
one handed out in class during that semester. The Web version
may not necessarily be updated every semester, but I will update
it when I make any changes that I consider to be significant.
This was last updated on December 22, 1997. mparker@austincc.edu