best brand of scientific calculator?

Schadenfroh

Elite Member
Mar 8, 2003
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my proffesor said i was forbiden to use my TI-83 plus graphing calculator on my final exam tommorow. i dont have much time, i have a office depot about 20 minutes away and i am about to head down there (technically up there), what is the best brand of scientific calculator i can get that is similar to how my TI-83 plus worked, i dont have time to learn new keystrokes, (are the Texas instruments scientific calcualtors the same when it comes to which key to press to do what as they are on the 83?) as the exam is tommorow. i need something that can display the previous thing i typed in, unlike my sharp from the late 80s. i would like to be able to see the problem i did before, have a answer key to type in the previous answer if im doing complex equations. i also need to be able to use the ln and log functions, custom roots of numbers, custom exponents, etc.
 

dighn

Lifer
Aug 12, 2001
22,820
4
81
i bought a casio in like grade 9 and have been using it til now (entering 4th year comp eng.) casio = teh r0x0rs

the new casios have that history thing u want
 

andylawcc

Lifer
Mar 9, 2000
18,183
3
81
Originally posted by: dighn
i bought a casio in like grade 9 and still use it in 3rd comp eng. dont even use a graphing calculator. casio = teh rx0rs

Casio calc are so difficult to use (after being accustomed to TI's offering), their it like using an MAC user trying to install linux.
 

S4M33R

Senior member
Jul 21, 2002
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edit: oops

try the TI 36A I think?? I'll check once I get home, but its solar powered and has those handy functions you need.
 

dighn

Lifer
Aug 12, 2001
22,820
4
81
Originally posted by: S4M33R
TI-89 I'm an EE major at Penn State and so far its served me very very well. Very handy for calc.

he isn't even allowed a ti-83 :p
 

NTB

Diamond Member
Mar 26, 2001
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Originally posted by: S4M33R
TI-89 I'm an EE major at Penn State and so far its served me very very well. Very handy for calc.

Ditto. I had an 89 for the calc class I had to take, too (CS Major). Helped tremendously.

Nate
 

dighn

Lifer
Aug 12, 2001
22,820
4
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Originally posted by: andylawcc
Originally posted by: dighn
i bought a casio in like grade 9 and still use it in 3rd comp eng. dont even use a graphing calculator. casio = teh rx0rs

Casio calc are so difficult to use (after being accustomed to TI's offering), their it like using an MAC user trying to install linux.

err what?! oh well i guess i'm just used to it. i think the ti-83 is more difficult to use for straight calculations
 

S4M33R

Senior member
Jul 21, 2002
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Originally posted by: dighn
Originally posted by: S4M33R
TI-89 I'm an EE major at Penn State and so far its served me very very well. Very handy for calc.

he isn't even allowed a ti-83 :p

my bad, I'm starting to loose it here at work... bored outta my mind.

edit: guess reading isn't my strong point, thats why I'm an engineer hehe
 

andylawcc

Lifer
Mar 9, 2000
18,183
3
81
Originally posted by: dighn
Originally posted by: andylawcc
Originally posted by: dighn
i bought a casio in like grade 9 and still use it in 3rd comp eng. dont even use a graphing calculator. casio = teh rx0rs

Casio calc are so difficult to use (after being accustomed to TI's offering), their it like using an MAC user trying to install linux.

err what?! oh well i guess i'm just used to it. i think the ti-83 is more difficult to use for straight calculations

yes, it holds true for the other side too; my friend had a casio and he can never figure out how to use my TI-83.
 

Kadarin

Lifer
Nov 23, 2001
44,296
16
81
I used to LOVE my old HP11C (still have it, and it's still working off the original batteries..)

RPN rocks!
 

sniperruff

Lifer
Apr 17, 2002
11,644
2
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what math class are you taking? i can't imagine that the TI83, with its basic calculus functions. are not allowed...
 

cronos

Diamond Member
Nov 7, 2001
9,380
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Originally posted by: andylawcc
Originally posted by: dighn
i bought a casio in like grade 9 and still use it in 3rd comp eng. dont even use a graphing calculator. casio = teh rx0rs

Casio calc are so difficult to use (after being accustomed to TI's offering), their it like using an MAC user trying to install linux.

it's the other way around for me, i am used to use casio. everytime i had to use a TI it's usually a painful experience.
 

Megatomic

Lifer
Nov 9, 2000
20,127
6
81
Originally posted by: Astaroth33
I used to LOVE my old HP11C (still have it, and it's still working off the original batteries..)

RPN rocks!
HP programmable scientific calculators are the end-all be-all of scientific calculators. I've had several but sold most of them. I still have my 28S and the 32SII. I'll never part with them. :heart:
 

thraxes

Golden Member
Nov 4, 2000
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Originally posted by: GtPrOjEcTX
Originally posted by: dighn
Originally posted by: S4M33R
TI-89 I'm an EE major at Penn State and so far its served me very very well. Very handy for calc.

he isn't even allowed a ti-83 :p
TI-92 Plus it is then! ;)
I have one of those "bricks", allowed in all exams and sold by my universtiy with a cool edu. discount... It is my precious :D

Seriously the TI-36 would probably suit him and be allowed. It may be the easiest thing to get used to after a TI-83. The Casios are good but would take a lot of getting used to for which he has no time...
 

cw42

Diamond Member
Jan 15, 2004
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at my college we're not even allowed to use calculators for precalc, and calc at all :(
 

Schadenfroh

Elite Member
Mar 8, 2003
38,416
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got a TI-30x IIB, selection was very limited, it did everything i wanted, battery powered (hate solor), similar key layout to my graphing. I got the black model, neon green and pink is not my thing, WHY DO THEY COLOUR PROFFESIONAL CALCULATORS?


( btw, im taking college algebra, highest algebra class offered at my community college)
 

sniperruff

Lifer
Apr 17, 2002
11,644
2
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Originally posted by: cw42
at my college we're not even allowed to use calculators for precalc, and calc at all :(

you only really need it on cal 2. you can diff and integrate using your head. trust me it'll help to let you work your math faster...
 

eLiu

Diamond Member
Jun 4, 2001
6,407
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I've been almost exclusively usin a TI-36solar since 6th grade (i just graduated high school). I never caught on to the whole graphing calculator thing...but personally I think this thing is great. It has tons of functionality, several memory slots to store #s, unit conversions, various scientific constants...i like my calculator :)

Edit: You don't need a fancy calculator for calculus. The solveable ones you should be able to do yourself. The unsolveable ones...well, the teacher should only ask you to set those up (or approximate them) if graphing calcs are forbidden. I've gone through Calc BC, multivariable, ordinary difeqs, and linear algebra...primarily on my 36.
 

bolido2000

Diamond Member
Dec 3, 2001
3,720
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I laugh at people with TI-89 and TI-92. Everytime I asked them about a function they would say that they have to look at the manual first. I also have to read the manual of my Casio calculator, but it only costed 50 bucks and it has server me well so far (MSEE).