Math classes at Whatcom Community College (except Math 94) require students to use a graphing scientific calculator. The recommended calculator is a Texas Instruments TI-84; you could also opt for a TI-83, which is similar to the TI-84. These calculators will work for any of the department's courses. If you are enrolled in a math class, you can check out a TI calculator from the library at the beginning of each quarter for free.
Some students use a TI-85 or TI-86. The differences between these two and the ones above are the menu and some advanced features. They work best for students more familiar with technology. The TI-85 does not have a table function, which may make it inappropriate for some courses. Please check with your instructor about whether these models will work for your class.
Calculators with symbolic manipulators such as the TI-89, TI-92, or other similar equipment may not be used on exams.
Other brands of calculator (HP, Casio, etc.) may be used, but they must duplicate the operations of the calculators that we use in class. If a calculator-based program is shared in class and you have a different kind of calculator, you will be expected to obtain a similar program for your own machine to do the same routines.
