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Step 1
Find out what kind of calculator the teacher or professor of the math class to be taken suggests. It helps to get the same calculator as the other students, so you can get help when needed.
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Step 2
Do your research and find out what brand you like--is it Texas Instruments, Hewlett Packard or another? Then you will want to check out the different models.
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Step 3
Think about the future of yourself or your child in school and college. Decide if you will be taking higher math classes later for physics or engineering. If so, you may need a calculator that comes with all the bells and whistles and that does more than graphing.
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Step 4
Understand you will only need the graphing calculator if you are taking algebra.
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Step 5
Go to the College Confidential site before you buy your calculator. Read what other students and math tutors have to say about the different makes and models of calculators, and what works best for students and the classes they take.
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Step 6
Pick up your spare cash once you've done your thorough research and homework on calculators, and go to one of the big department stores and find your graphing calculator.
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Step 7
Buy online instead at ebay, on Craigslist or from the manufacturer. Be sure to get the instruction manual. Learn to use the calculator well, it can be a great tool for learning math.
