should I get the new casio class pad 400 for next year

[skybluemaniac]

Hi everyone, I'm doing methods 3/4 next year and I was wondering if it was worth buying the new classpad. In methods 1/2 tests when we have to graph complex equations it takes a long time to find roots, y intercepts etc and was wondering if the new classpad is faster than the 330.

Thanks for the help in advance!

[Stevensmay]

Considering that it is not currently (and will not be) approved for examination use I would not recommended buying it.

[Damoz.G]

No. At the moment, don't get it. It's not an approved CAS Calculator for 2013, and it MAY or MAY NOT be approved for 2014. I'm sure VCAA will announce this hopefully soon.
Link: http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/Pages/vce/studies/mathematics/approvedcalculators.aspx

Stick with your current CAS Calculator UNTIL VCAA confirms the list for next year. You'd hate to buy it, and then find out that you can't take it into your Exam. Its happened to a student on here recently who was told by his/her teacher that it was allowed and then realised it wasn't after other teachers saw.

[Stevensmay]

No. At the moment, don't get it. It's not an approved CAS Calculator for 2013, and it MAY or MAY NOT be approved for 2014. I'm sure VCAA will announce this hopefully soon.

It has already been approved for the Further Examinations which implies that it will not be approved for the Methods and Specialist ones. This is because it is a graphics calculator, not just a CAS.

BasicAcid,
Do you mind giving an example of a graph that takes so long to sketch? I am curious now as to why people would go with the classpads.

[Damoz.G]

It has already been approved for the Further Examinations which implies that it will not be approved for the Methods and Specialist ones. This is because it is a graphics calculator, not just a CAS.

Ohhh okay. I didn't know it was a Graphics Calculator.

Definitely don't buy it then!

[Professor Polonsky]

A CAS calculator is a Graphics Calculator with CAS capabilities. Therefore, if it's only listed as a Graphics Calculator (although I don't see it listed as one) it does not have CAS capabilities and is unsuitable for Methods/Spesh.

Going off the assumption that it is a CAS calculator (like all ClassPads are), there is a good chance, although it's not a certainty, that it will be approved in time for next year.

If you don't like the classpad, an alternative safe option would be the nspire. Works great.

[Alwin]

1. Exams will never disadvantage one particular CAS. Apparently one year the casio couldn't solve a question, then completely they worked the marking scheme so that it was fair or something. My Methods teacher told me that last year


2. (and MUCH more importantly) If the new CASIO isn't approved my school is screw so bad HAHAHA. The ordering has already begun, because my school bulk buys the CAS calcs so students can get it a bit cheaper from the school vs officeworks (or whatnot)
I would think CASIO would ask VCAA for approval first even before designing it since VCE students are going to be it's major demographic of buyers

But if it doesn't get approved for whatever reason... ha... ha... *cue hoards of angry parents at my school*

[Professor Polonsky]

I would think CASIO would ask VCAA for approval first even before designing it since VCE students are going to be it's major demographic of buyers

I wouldn't think that happens, to be honest... VCE students really aren't that major of a demographic, and it's really been more a process of VCAA adjusting to technological improvement in calculators rather than the opposite.

[Damoz.G]

2. (and MUCH more importantly) If the new CASIO isn't approved my school is screw so bad HAHAHA. The ordering has already begun, because my school bulk buys the CAS calcs so students can get it a bit cheaper from the school vs officeworks (or whatnot)
I would think CASIO would ask VCAA for approval first even before designing it since VCE students are going to be it's major demographic of buyers

But if it doesn't get approved for whatever reason... ha... ha... *cue hoards of angry parents at my school*

Well I'm guessing that they are using it Further Maths students in particular, so it shouldn't be a problem?

If not, that would be hilarious.

Also, I doubt that they contact VCAA. It's VCAA's responsibility to pick out the most appropriate and approved Calculators for students.

[Alwin]

I wouldn't think that happens, to be honest... VCE students really aren't that major of a demographic

Hmmm okay, if you say so. Just that most uni students use mathlab or maple or w|a.   Even I *cough* *cough* acquired a student addition of Mathematica, hardly touched my classpad this year.

So apart from VCE students can't think of who else would go out and buy a 200$+ calculator Or a maybe I have limited imagination


@Damoz: Methods and Further and Spesh kids were all given order forms for the new casio classpad lol...

[Damoz.G]

@Damoz: Methods and Further and Spesh kids were all given order forms for the new casio classpad lol...

Hmmm.....well they could always refund it for the Methods and Spesh students, and keep the Calculators for the next group of students doing Further in 2015?

[Damoz.G]

Apparently the Casio Classpad 400 can be used next year.

Mathematical Methods (CAS) and Specialist Mathematics

One approved CAS may be used in Mathematical Methods (CAS) Examination 2 and Specialist Mathematics Examination 2 only.

No CAS or calculators of any kind are permitted in Mathematical Methods (CAS) Examination 1 and Specialist Mathematics Examination 1.

The use of a graphics calculator is not permitted in either Mathematical Methods (CAS) Examination 2 or Specialist Mathematics Examination 2.

One scientific calculator may also be used in Mathematical Methods (CAS) Examination 2 and Specialist Mathematics Examination 2.

CAS calculators

In 2014, the following CAS calculators are approved by the VCAA for use in Further Mathematics Examination 1 and Further Mathematics Examination 2, Mathematical Methods (CAS) Examination 2 and Specialist Mathematics Examination 2. The full functions of approved CAS calculators may be used (that is, the memories of these calculators do not require clearing prior to entry to the examination).

Casio
Algebra FX2.0, Algebra FX2.0 PLUS, ClassPad 300, ClassPad 300 PLUS, ClassPad 330, ClassPad 330 PLUS, ClassPad II (fx-CP400)

Hewlett Packard
HP 40G, HP 40GS, HP 48G, HP 48G II, HP 49G, HP 49G PLUS, HP 50G, HP Prime

Texas Instruments
TI-89, TI-89 (Titanium), TI-92/TI-92 PLUS/Voyage 200, TI-Nspire CAS, TI-Nspire CAS with Touchpad, TI-Nspire CX CAS

Link: http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/Pages/correspondence/bulletins/2013/October/vce_general.aspx

[Stevensmay]

Full apologies Damoz.

[Professor Polonsky]

Hmmm okay, if you say so. Just that most uni students use mathlab or maple or w|a.   Even I *cough* *cough* acquired a student addition of Mathematica, hardly touched my classpad this year.

So apart from VCE students can't think of who else would go out and buy a 200$+ calculator Or a maybe I have limited imagination

I'd imagine it's also used internationally, no?

And again, there's no reason why a new calculator would be approved for Further and not for Meth/Spesh. There is a group of Further calculators which are not approved for the latter, but those are less functional calculators.

[Damoz.G]

Full apologies Damoz.

No worries, Stevensmay!

It does look like a Graphics Calculator though. :p

Why is Further Maths students allowed a Graphics Calculator? I think that Spesh students should be able to use one, not Further students.