Texas Instruments TI-30Xa Scientific Calculator
Once you get to a certain level of math classes, a regular old  calculator just isn't good enough anymore--you need a high-functioning  calculator that can perform algebraic, trigonometric, and statistical problems  in addition to general mathematical tasks. The Texas Instruments TI-30XA  scientific calculator can do this for you. It is extremely handy when it comes  to figuring tricky fractions. It can add, subtract, multiply, and divide  fractions when entered in a traditional numerator/denominator format. This  calculator can also do a variety of conversions, from fractions to decimals,  degrees to radians to grads, DMS to decimal to degrees, and polar to  rectangular. The display screen holds up to 10 digits.For high school or  college students tackling advanced math, this is a great tool (and a thoughtful  back-to-school gift), and with more professors allowing the use of calculators  during classes and exams, it's a necessary one. Easy to use and easy to slip  into a backpack, the TI-30XA will soon become indispensable for both the serious  and the striving math student.--Dana Van Nest