A graphing calculator (also graphic calculator) typically refers to a class of handheld calculators that are capable of plotting graphs, solving simultaneous equations, and performing numerous other tasks with variables. Most popular graphing calculators are also programmable, allowing the user to create customized programs, typically for scientific/engineering and education applications. Due to their large displays intended for graphing, they can also accommodate several lines of text and calculations at a time. Some graphing calculators also have colour displays, and others even include 3D graphing.

Many graphing calculators can be attached to devices like electronic thermometers, pH gauges, weather instruments, decibel and light meters, accelerometers, and other sensors and therefore function as data loggers.

Since graphing calculators are readily user-programmable, such calculators are also widely used for gaming purposes, with a sizable body of user-created game software on most popular platforms.

There is also computer software available to emulate or perform the functions of a graphing calculator. One such example is Grapher for Mac OS X and is a basic software graphic calculator.

History

Casio produced the world's first graphic calculator, the fx-7000G, in 1985. After Casio, Hewlett Packard followed shortly in the form of the HP-28C. This was followed by the HP-28S (1988), HP-48SX (1990), HP-48S (1991), and many other models. Recent models like the HP 50g (2006), feature a computer algebra system (CAS) capable of manipulating symbolic expressions and analytic solving. The HP-28 and -48 range were primarily meant for the professional science/engineering markets; the HP-38/39/40 were sold in the high school/college educational market; while the HP-49 series cater to both educational and professional customers of all levels. The HP series of graphing calculators is best known for its Reverse Polish notation interface, although the HP-49 introduced a standard expression entry interface as well.

Texas Instruments has produced graphing calculators since 1990, the oldest of which was the TI-81. Some of the newer calculators are similar, with the addition of more memory, faster processors, and USB connection such as the TI-82, TI-83 series, and TI-84 series. Other models, designed to be appropriate for students 10–14 years of age, are the TI-80 and TI-73. Other TI graphing calculators have been designed to be appropriate for calculus, namely the TI-85, TI-86, TI-89 series, and TI-92 series (TI-92, TI-92 Plus, and Voyage 200). TI offers a CAS on the TI-89, TI-Nspire CAS and TI-92 series models with the TI-92 series featuring a QWERTY keypad. TI calculators are targeted specifically to the educational market, but are also widely available to the general public.

Graphing calculators are also manufactured by Sharp but they do not have the online communities, user-websites and collections of programs like the other brands.

Graphing calculators in schools

• In the Canadian and American educational systems, many high school mathematics teachers allow and even encourage their students to use graphing calculators in class. In some cases (especially in calculus courses) they are required. Some of them are banned in certain classes such as chemistry or physics due to their capacity to contain full periodic tables.
• In the Accelerated Christian Education (A.C.E) Curriculum, 4th year high school students are encouraged to use graphing calculators for the Trigonometry subject.

Also, some high school courses offered in these countries require a graphing calculator to fulfill.

• In the United Kingdom, a graphic calculator is required for most A-level maths courses, the use of such devices is both taught and tested. However, for GCSE maths exams, a limited number of calculator models are allowed, none of which are capable of graphic operations (although they are capable of scientific and statistical operations).
• In Finland, Slovenia and certain other countries, it is forbidden to use calculators with symbolic calculation (CAS) or 3D graphics features in the matriculation exam.
• In Norway, calculators with wireless communication capabilities, such as IR links, have been banned at some technical universities.
• The College Board of the United States permits the use of most graphing or CAS calculators that do not have a QWERTY-style keyboard for parts of its AP and SAT exams, but IB schools do not permit the use of calculators with computer algebra systems on its exams.
• In Australia, policies vary from state to state.
• • In Victoria, the VCE specifies approved calculators as applicable for its mathematics exams. For Further Mathematics an approved graphics calculator (for example TI-83/84, Casio 9860, HP-39G) or CAS (for example TI-89, Classpad 300,