hey ok I am kind of worried now because I have already bought my calculator and I am taking Math 1K03 and 1M03 and this is the calculator I bought can someone please tell me if this is the right one and soon because I am going out now and may need to possibly buy one.

It looks exactly the same as the ones everyone has on campus. The reason they are making everyone buy the same calculator is because they don't want someone to have a programmable one, that can be used to cheat on tests. These Casio ones are fine.

Oh man really THANK YOU!! I was just scared because everyone was saying it had to be Casio 991 or something and mine is fx-300MS so that was why I was worried.

Don't worry about it, I don't think they are that strict about it. Maybe I'm wrong, but no teacher has ever looked at my calculator to check that it was the right version. I would just use it, and if for some fluke reason, they tell you it's no good, then go to Titles and pick up the other version.

oh ok thanks. Sorry but I have another question for you, I am taking Math 1K03 as well as Social work 1A06 and I found this person who is wanting to sell the textbook and sol. manuel for the math and the textbook for Social Work without the glossary for $140 what do you think of that?

While it's very similar, it's not the fx-991MS, so although they may not notice - you should be aware that they have the right to take it away from you during a test or exam which could leave you in a bad situation.

For the sake of $20, I'd buy the proper one and avoid that.

As for buying the textbooks, you'll want to make sure it's the same versions that they're using this year (or atleast similar). Usually some questions move around between versions, so it's not a big deal.

Check what the courses are using this year at http://titles.mcmaster.ca/text/departments.htm and compare them and the prices to what you're being offered.

Yeah, I also am afraid that if you keep it, you'll be setting yourself up for a really bad situation. I would very strongly suggest you get the FX-991. It IS the McMaster standard.

The problem isn't so much your professors or TAs - they're reasonably intelligent people (obviously) who probably could infer that the FX-300 doesn't have any greater capability than the FX-991 (still, having said that, they probably won't be too happy that they had to stop and check it when literally everyone else has the same calculator that McMaster tells you to get).

The problem is the exam invigilators. To put it mildly, they are not always the brightest people in the world. You wouldn't know this coming in, but basically, for exam supervision the university basically hires outside people (seniors from the community, random university employees, or anyone who feels like applying) and it is THEY who are in charge during exams, not your prof. They literally read instructions off of a sheet provided to them, and are given a photo of the FX-991 to check to see if it is there. EVERY SINGLE EXAM I've ever written, the invigilator has picked up and checked my calculator. It's standard practice, and it's on their instruction sheet (they usually do it while you're signing in, which may be why Mitch never noticed it). It will be noticed there, and you will receive attention that you do not want for it.

I guess this is one of those things that I just don't think is worth the risk.

lol, the 991 is my favourite calculator (i sound like such a nerd) I used to have one in grade 8, but it got stolen, so i bought the 300, which was cool too, but you couldn't type obscenities on it.

Guess i'll have to go back and get the 991. Yay!

55378008

You should be fine. Half way through the year I lost my Casio 991 and didn't really feel like spending another $20 so I used my old Casio calculator and I never got booked. Yours looks very similar to the 991, you'll be fine.

oh ok thanks I guess I will use my calculator for now and see what happens..thanks

Regarding the exams, professors can specify whether or not they're only willing to allow the "McMaster Standard" calculator. The invigilators will know this at the exam as its on the list of information they're given.

Also, the invigilators usually have about three-four extra calculators for those who forget them. So if they take yours away, they probably will replace it for you for the exam.

i'm going to take some time to get used to this new calculator..
through highschool i had one of those "backwards" calculators.
like, for example, to do sin60 .. you would have to press 60 first, THEN sin.
you couldnt just type sin60 lol

has this been the standard for years? or does the model update every few years? will i have to buy a new one again later on ?

It's been the standard for at least 8 years, for sure. I doubt you'll have to buy another one eventually - even if Casio stops making it or something, Mac will probably just add an additional calculator to the acceptable list, then phase out the FX-991 over time.

Hi. The name on the box of my calculator is "fx-991MS PLUS" is that acceptable? or is there another version of fx-991?