TI-84 Plus for $79.99 after rebate, Sun/Mon Only

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the pricing and necessity of the TI-84 graphing calculator, particularly in the context of a promotional sale at Staples. Participants explore the relevance of such calculators in educational settings, especially for math and physics courses.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant highlights a sale on TI-84 calculators at Staples, noting it as the lowest price seen and mentioning that many schools require them for certain courses.
  • Another participant suggests considering free alternatives like Geogebra or Wolfram Alpha, which can perform similar functions as the TI-84.
  • Some participants point out that using free software assumes access to a computer or internet, which may not be universally available.
  • There is a discussion about whether engineering students are disadvantaged on tests without graphing calculators, questioning if the requirement is customary or essential.
  • A participant shares their experience of changing course syllabi to remove the requirement for graphing calculators, while expressing a personal obligation to purchase one for their child entering middle school.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity of TI-84 calculators in education, with some advocating for free alternatives and others emphasizing the requirement in academic settings. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the actual necessity of graphing calculators in various courses.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention varying requirements across different educational institutions and courses, indicating that the necessity of graphing calculators may depend on specific syllabi and teaching practices.

JazzFusion
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I just got my Staples ad for the coming week via email, and saw they have advertised for two days only (Aug 23 and 24) TI-84 graphing calculators for $79.99 after rebate.

No, I do not own, work for, or have stock in Staples...but this is the lowest price I have ever seen for this graphing calculator, and I know many schools now require a TI-84 or -83 for certain math/physics courses.

Please check your local store - I think the sale price might vary by location. Also, I think $30 of the savings might be in the form of a gift card that gets mailed to you later.
 
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Thanks JF.
 
Before you get one, check out something like Geogebra or even Wolfram Alpha. They're both free, and they'll both do everything you'll use a TI-84 for.
 
Tobias Funke said:
Before you get one, check out something like Geogebra or even Wolfram Alpha. They're both free, and they'll both do everything you'll use a TI-84 for.

"free"...assuming that you already have a computer, which is portable or has internet access.
 
For that matter, just about anything you'd need a TI for you can do with the calculator app in Windows. But... too many classes now 'require' a TI-grapher.
 
robphy said:
"free"...assuming that you already have a computer, which is portable or has internet access.

Well, yeah.

JazzFusion said:
For that matter, just about anything you'd need a TI for you can do with the calculator app in Windows. But... too many classes now 'require' a TI-grapher.

Yeah, but I wonder how much that matters. Are engineering students really out of luck on their tests if they don't have graphing calculators, or is it just customary for syllabi, even in middle schools now, to require them? I really have no idea.
 
Last edited:
Tobias Funke said:
...or is it just customary for syllabi, even in middle schools now, to require them? ...
This is my concern. Previously, they were required (or at least 'strongly recommended') for all of the courses I teach. I changed the syllabi for all my classes to exclude their requirement.

Still, my youngest son enters his middle-school Algebra I class in two days, and I will be buying him one (*sigh*).
 

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