Which Graphing Calculator Should I Buy?

Short answer: The one your instructor tells you to buy! This will be the calculator your instructor is most familiar with and the one he/she will demonstrate in class. This will make your learning how to use the calculator much easier.

That said, here are my recommendations. These are not official recommendations from the Mathematics Department, just my opinions.  I recommend Texas Instruments calculators because I feel they work best for college students.  I have handouts on how to use all of the calculators listed below.
 
Math Course You Must Take Calculator
MATH 101 any inexpensive calculator will do
MATH 110 only TI-83 Plus, TI-84 Plus, or TI-86
MATH 105, 115, 214, QBUS 215 TI-83 Plus or TI-84 Plus
MATH 105, 121, 122 TI-84 Plus, TI-86
MATH 110, 125, 126, 225 TI-89, TI-92 Plus, Voyage 200, or NSpire CAS.
MATH 217 TI-83 Plus or TI-84 Plus

Some notes:

Business majors
If you buy a TI-83 Plus, it has built in finance functions and advanced statistical functions.  If you buy a TI-86 the finance and advanced statistics functions can be added to your calculator with a free download.  I can help you do this if you would like!  The advantage to the TI-86 is that is has a much nicer screen and it has more capabilities.  The disadvantage is that you must download the finance functions and advanced statistical functions, but as I said, I can help you with this.

Safety Science majors
I would buy a TI-86 and download the free advanced statistics functions.  I can help you do this.

Majors that require MATH 125
The TI-89, TI-92 Plus, Voyage 200, or NSpire CAS is required in MATH 125, 126, 225.

Mathematics Education Majors
You will be required to use a TI-89, TI-92 Plus, or Voyage 200 in MATH 125, 126, 225.  For your future teaching, you should become familiar with the TI-84 Plus.  By the time you get to teaching, however, who knows what you will be using!

Other Calculators
The TI-82 and TI-83 are pretty much obsolete, with the TI-84 Plus taking their place.  The TI-85 is obsolete, having been replaced with the TI-86.  Other companies make graphing calculators, such as Casio, Sharp, and Hewlett Packard, but these calculators have rarely been used at IUP and very few people in the Mathematics Department are familiar with them.  For that reason alone I would stay away from them unless you are very self-sufficient.

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