Price: Free
($0.99 to remove ads)
Purpose/Capabilities:
This free graphing calculator app has a scientific calculator
which can take nth roots, find logarithms of any base, compute absolute value,
factorials, permutations, combinations, select a random integer, and
switch between fractions and decimals.
The graphing calculator can graph up to four equations at
one time (each graph is labeled for distinguishing purposes). It can find the roots and points of
intersection by simplify tapping on the point.
You can also hit the “table” tab on the bottom of the app to see a full
table of values for the graph that you can determine the x-value in which the
table starts as well as the increments it increases by. The new update also allows the user to graph
in polar coordinates and graph parametric equations.
There is a reference section that contains different
formulas and information organized by subject content. For example, the trigonometry section
contains definitions of the different trig functions, a detailed unit circle,
identities, laws of sine and cosine, angle addition/subtraction formulas, half
angle and double angle formulas, and more.
This app also contains a unit converter and important
constants such as the speed of light, gravity, etc.. The polynomial solver allows the user to put
in a linear, quadratic, or cubic equation in standard form and it will find the
real solutions.
Positive Aspects:
The free graphing calculator app is one of my favorites to
use with my students. It is very
easy to use and even easier than a hand held graphing calculator to adjust the
graph and zoom in and out, done simply by dragging and pinching the graph (you
can also do this by changing the settings).
Until I researched the app to write this review, I had no idea of how
much this app was really capable of doing.
I downloaded the new version of this app to test out the polar graphing
capabilities, something that you previously had to pay to use.
This app is great for discovery activities where students
can adjust an equation to determine how to transform a graph, checking answers,
and referencing formula. I always have
my students use this to check their homework answers (when applicable) so they
can try to fix their mistakes before coming into class.
Negative Aspects:
In order to enter a function in the graphing calculator (or
polynomial solver) it must be in standard form, similar to a hand held graphing
calculator. The polynomial solver only
gives real solutions. One ad usually
appears on the top or bottom of the screen in the free version. It costs $0.99 to upgrade to the ad free
version.
This is a great app.
One that should be on every math teacher or student’s iPad!
Sample Activity:
The Free Graphing Calculator app is great for investigating how the graphs of different functions are affected by their equation. Below you will find a graphing calculator investigation for absolute value functions that I have adapted for this app, including directions on how to use it. Similar investigations can be made for any family of functions.
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