Free Graphing Calculator By: SQA

App Review: Free Graphing Calculator

Free Graphing Calculator
SQA
Mar. 21, 2011
All ages
Free
iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad

I chose the Free Graphing Calculator app because I thought that it would be a fun and interesting app to review. I found out about this app because it was rated very highly at the app store.  I also like math so I thought that it would be a good app for my interest.  

When you open the app, it immediately takes you to the calculator section of the app. At first glance, it seems like that is the only thing the app can do, but if you look at the bottom of the screen, you will see more sections of the app. The calculator section of the app is very disappointing.  The app is very confusing to use.  Though using the calculator part is easy, there are many other features that you need to know in order for the graphing calculator to work properly.
After you figure out how to use the calculator, you discover that the calculator's problem solving ability is very poor.  Poor problem solving ability. This app can only solve simple problems. It can’t solve algebra problems and has a limit to only fifteen digit numbers. There are many buttons in the app that are very confusing and there is no guide on how to use them.
Though the calculator is poor there are many extras included in this app. This app has a whole section on references; algebra, calculus, complex numbers, geometry, and trigonometry. These sections include definitions,and  example problems with answers. There are also many mini math games on this app. There is also a section where you put in your birthday and it finds out how many days, months, and years you have been alive.
For this review, I compared the Free Graphing Calculator app and a real graphing calculator. I used the TI-84 Plus Silver Edition. I compared the two on all the same tests. The tests were: cost, easy to use, problem solving ability, and extras. The TI-84 Plus Silver Edition ranges from $70 to $150. The TI-84 is very easy to use. You immediately know how to use the calculator. Though you might not know how to use all the features of the calculator yet, it is a very easy calculator to use. The problem solving ability is fantastic. It can solve complex problems but has some limits. It can’t solve algebra problems and all the buttons are confusing. There are many extras also included in this calculator, such as the Periodic Table, games, Probability Simulator, Science tools, App4math, Study cards, Science cards, Fun science, and algebra problems.
So is this app worth it? It depends on what you can afford. If you can afford the TI-84 Plus Silver Edition calculator, or another real graphing calculator, then I would recommend purchasing that instead of this app. If you can’t afford the real graphing calculator, then I would recommend getting a another graphing calculator app. Since the app is free there are no real down fall from getting it. If you can’t find another graphing calculator, then if you can live with some draw backs, this is the app for you.