I have the SAME question. Would love to know what others think!
Reply
curmudgeon
6/12/2014 02:21:28 am
Because it is there. Of course you could always use WolframAlpha and your calculator but what would be the fun in that?
Rationalizing the denominator, fractional exponents ... these are not particularly difficult things and their development flows quite easily from basic principles. If your kids can handle it, then do it. If they can't handle it easily, or if you've found that they are always using WA, then that change should be made.
For what it's worth, I find typing 64^(1/3) much easier than trying to find each calculator's different code for cube root. Rationalizing the denominator leads to better understanding in trig, cleaner and more elegant work, and better understanding of things like SAT-type problems, but if you're happy with decimal answers and the students are just nodding their heads with the empty look in their eyes ... go ahead and push buttons.
My answer is to ask your students what they are planning to do and base your decision on that, colored by your estimation of what is the most efficient use of your and their time.