I have an 83+, 89, and voyage, and in the very few math/engineering classes that allowed their use, I only used the 83+. Theres really nothing you do as a student that will actually benefit from having better than an 83. On homeworks, I just used MATLAB if I needed to do more advanced calculations, which is what you'll use in the real world.
ColdFusion718
Diamond Member
- Mar 4, 2000
- 3,496
- 9
- 81
If I wasn't so cheap about buying a TI-89, I would have done better in some of my circuit analysis classes where they threw you these crazy equations with integrals and whatnot. Some people were really good at cranking them through by hand (I used to be one of those guys). Then I started noticing everyone using TI-89's to do the simplifications for them. It certainly is an advantage; however, it doesn't replace knowledge 
.
.By the way Ti-83+ has a good interface and set of features for statistics - normal models, linear regressions, probability density and cumulative density. So if you think you might take a stats course then you might like it.
If you want to learn math then a T!-83 is probably overkill. If you want to get by in math classes and let the calculator do the work for you in diff. eq and linear algebra then get a t1-89 and coast through.
The only good thing I got out of graphing calculators was the matrix solving in the (electrical) networks class.
The only good thing I got out of graphing calculators was the matrix solving in the (electrical) networks class.
as far as I know, the TI 83 was replaced by the TI 84+ a few years ago.
so don't go buying a TI 83 because it is obsolete.
The TI84+ Silver Edition with its larger memory, etc. is it.
so don't go buying a TI 83 because it is obsolete.
The TI84+ Silver Edition with its larger memory, etc. is it.
Oh, there's an update?
I bought my TI-83 five years ago off a friend for $60.
And there's my even older TI-86 I bought 8 years ago freshman year in HS for $110, which I've retired to my brother.
From some of the younger guy's comments, it sounds like maybe professors are getting wise to the TI-89. When I was doing my undergrad (7 years ago or so), it was really a disadvantage to not have one. Beyond the calculators built-in capabilities, being the one guy who doesn't have one means that when your buddies in your study groups write up programs to solve formulas quickly, your "that guy" who can't link with their calcs and get the programs.
It's kinda like being the guy who brings a Mac to a LAN party. Very embarrasing.
It's kinda like being the guy who brings a Mac to a LAN party. Very embarrasing.
Calculators were not allowed for math classes and the engineering ones never needed anything more than at Ti-34: http://education.ti.com/educationportal...uctDetail/us_ti34ii_explorer_plus.html
Why do you need anything more than that?
Why do you need anything more than that?
I loved my TI-89 when I had it. It was extremely easy to use. Unfortunately, I wasn't allowed to use it in any of my college calculus classes for exams. I had to buy a supplementary calculator that couldn't graph. I think I bought the Casio fx115 because it could do some basic calculus. More complicated problems took at least five minutes for it to solve so it was kind of useless for that.
dug777
Lifer
- Oct 13, 2004
- 24,778
- 4
- 0
Originally posted by: scott
Originally posted by: Special K
Originally posted by: dug777
HP 33s FTW
RPN>*
Why do people prefer RPN? It's not written in the natural way equations and expressions are written on paper.
"Once you begin to get a feel for RPN, you will realize it is the easiest way to solve all but the simplest problems. You never have to press more keys than on an algebraic calculator, and you often press far fewer." -Paul Lutus
Go ahead, give 'er a try
Also, it does work the way you'd work a problem out on paper.
You actually get to see the result of each sub calculation as you do it, into the bargain.
Here's a simple example from HP themselves:
3+5
---
7+6
Or (3+5) / (7+6) = x
Algebraic method: Add 3+5=8. Write down the answer or store it in memory. Add 7+6=13. Now enter the 8 from the first answer and then divide it by entering the second answer to get x=0.62.
RPN method: Touch 3 then the ENTER key. Touch 5 then the + key. Touch 7, and then ENTER. Touch 6 then the + key. Note that the answer to the second sum is displayed. Now here's the magic part. Touch the divide key and the calculator gives the answer, 0.62.
Algebraic: 13 strokes, not counting the effort to write down or memorize the first answer while you calculated the second answer.
RPN: 9 strokes, and no need to write anything down.
Its interesting that I picked up my 32SII for around 20 bucks on clearance at a Navy Exchange whereas my 48G was at least three times as much. And now the former is worth crazy money on ebay and the later isn't worth all that much at all.
dug777
Lifer
- Oct 13, 2004
- 24,778
- 4
- 0
Basically, a 50g>*
But for sheer convenience, the 32SII, and now the 33s, rip it up. They do far more than most people need, and for the real crazy stuff, who needs a graphics, because you use a computer program to do it?
It comes back to the fact that a decent calculator will last you 20-30 years+, so you get one you like, and you're set. Even if you pay the going rate for a 32SII now, in 20 years time that extra few bucks a year is irrelevant....
alkemyst
No Lifer
- Feb 13, 2001
- 83,769
- 19
- 81
Originally posted by: dug777
Originally posted by: scott
Originally posted by: Special K
Originally posted by: dug777
HP 33s FTW
RPN>*
Why do people prefer RPN? It's not written in the natural way equations and expressions are written on paper.
"Once you begin to get a feel for RPN, you will realize it is the easiest way to solve all but the simplest problems. You never have to press more keys than on an algebraic calculator, and you often press far fewer." -Paul Lutus
Go ahead, give 'er a try
Also, it does work the way you'd work a problem out on paper.
You actually get to see the result of each sub calculation as you do it, into the bargain.
Here's a simple example from HP themselves:
3+5
---
7+6
Or (3+5) / (7+6) = x
Algebraic method: Add 3+5=8. Write down the answer or store it in memory. Add 7+6=13. Now enter the 8 from the first answer and then divide it by entering the second answer to get x=0.62.
RPN method: Touch 3 then the ENTER key. Touch 5 then the + key. Touch 7, and then ENTER. Touch 6 then the + key. Note that the answer to the second sum is displayed. Now here's the magic part. Touch the divide key and the calculator gives the answer, 0.62.
Algebraic: 13 strokes, not counting the effort to write down or memorize the first answer while you calculated the second answer.
RPN: 9 strokes, and no need to write anything down.
While still more strokes than RPN most calculators today will let you enter the parenthesis so you don't have to store or memorize anything.
RPN is useful to know in programming languages though.
Originally posted by: dug777
Basically, a 50g>*
But for sheer convenience, the 32SII, and now the 33s, rip it up. They do far more than most people need, and for the real crazy stuff, who needs a graphics, because you use a computer program to do it?
It comes back to the fact that a decent calculator will last you 20-30 years+, so you get one you like, and you're set. Even if you pay the going rate for a 32SII now, in 20 years time that extra few bucks a year is irrelevant....
The only reason I grab my 48g most of the time is to have a visible stack. Most everything else is slower than the 32SII but being able to see my stack makes up for it. I do think the 32SII is the best calculator ever made and it amuses me to no end when I have the chance to comment that my calculator is older the most of the people in the class.
ti-89 for sure.. even if it's overkill in the earlier classes, at least you'll be accustomed to it when you need it
Born2bwire
Diamond Member
- Oct 28, 2005
- 9,840
- 6
- 71
I have a TI-92 and never use it. Instead I use my 86 since it's a lot faster to churn out results. All the advanced features that the 92/89 has that the 86 doesn't I do by hand anyway. I can integrate, differentiate, and solve on my 86 anyway. I've had my 92 and 86 for about 10 years now.
ti-89 > ti-92
i won't use it, it makes doing differentiation, s,z, fourier transforms, convolution and basically everything else way too easy. You end up relying on it too much, and not learning the topics.
i won't use it, it makes doing differentiation, s,z, fourier transforms, convolution and basically everything else way too easy. You end up relying on it too much, and not learning the topics.
No less than a TI-86. Anything below can not do certain matrix functions which is used heavily in Algebra. I just remember it did a lot of stuff automatically that my classmates had to do by hand on their TI-83s.
radioouman
Diamond Member
- Nov 4, 2002
- 8,632
- 0
- 0
The only time I ever used a graphing calc was in HS geometry or trig I think. I never used one all through college. Just used a regular $10 calc from target. Most of my classes didn't allow it anyway. Degree was in CS.
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