Ti-89 worth the extra $?

[apac]

I've been using the Ti-83 plus for my last 2 years of high school and have misplaced it over the summer. So would it be worth the upgrade to a Ti-89 for college or should I buy another 83?

 

[sciencewhiz]

what's your major?

 

[RichieZ]

no its fricking useless, u can't use it on any tests. And if you can they make it so hard that the ti-89 really doesn't help

 

[Corporate Thug]

ti-89 was the best thing i ever bought for calc BC in HS. it does integration and all that crap. but now i'm a poli sci major and have no use for it. i can cut you a deal

 

[Xenon14]

if you are taking or will take calculus a ti-89 is a must. My friend had one, it did everything differentiated, integrated, etc... I was stuck with a useless 83plus.

 

[apac]

Still waiting on a definitive answer. So far I have 1 aye 1 nay

 

[vegetation]

It's only worth the extra money if you plan on taking integral calculus. That's where the extra features come into hand. You may not be able to use it on any test, but it's still a good tool for studying.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

I'd like some opinions too. I plan on getting it for at least the next 3 years in which I will hopefully take: Algebra II This year, Pre-Calc or Calculus AB junior year, Calc BC and possibly stats senior year.

 

[zephyrprime]

Get the TI-92plus.

 

[sciencewhiz]

The 83 is easier to use then the 89 for statistics use. If you are going into buisness or something like that, get the 83

If you are going into something that requires integral calculus, get the 89 (or 92+ if you like the keyboard).

I've had some professors that ban all graphing calculators. I've never had one that would ban only claculators with Computer Algebra Systems. I did have one that banned the 92, because it was "too close to a computer". Your mileage will vary, though.

Best yet, get an HP

 

[Nebor]

Having to do some basic integration and derivatives in the course of my job, I convinced the powers that be that I needed a good calculator. The best is the HP49... too bad HP has shut down their calculator division... so get them while you can! It's more powerful than even the mighty TI-89 (which is more powerful than the 92, which has been around for years.)

Good way to test, hit "100 !" into an 89 and into an HP49... the 49 will win by several seconds. The 89 has faster actual graphing... but the HP49 offers a more robust calculating platform in general. Plus you can flash the 'bios' for updates and such... And play Super Mario. :-D

Also, unit conversion built in, and periodic tables w/ advanced info available at hpcalc.org... as well as chemical equation balancers and such. If you need that sort of thing. Best would be if you just got a pocket PC and ran an HP49 emulator on it. :-D

 

[Guild]

Again, what's your major; or are you still in highschool. My highschool required us to use at least a TI-82. In my case, however, a TI-89 may have been too high; TI-86 was highest allowed I think.

During college, most science classes only allowed non-programable calculators (and all lib arts classes too, unfortunately.)

For engineering and math classes it never mattered what calc you had: hell, bring a laptop, it didn't matter since you generally have to show your work. It's more a matter of time to complete problems and determining which formulas/processes are appropriate for the given conditions. For the engineering student a TI-85/6 should be sufficient; but don't overlook the HP alternatives. Athlough I never owned an HP, many do and prefer them to all TI's. Honestly, anything beyond a TI-89 (including a laptop) will just make you look silly in class.

For studying and double checking purposes use your computer. Maple, Matlab, even Mathmatica will be superior to any calculator you can buy. You should learn to program basic expressions anyways.

Note: TI-82/3 are not completely link compatible with 85/6 and so on down the line...

Final suggestion: TI-89 (hell, why not, isn't that much more expensive) and a cheap regular calc for those classes that won't let you use a programmable graphing one on tests.

Edit: My TI-86 takes less than a second to figure " 100! " (is this a hardwired table??) , but does give an overflow error at " 450! "

 

[Chaotic42]

I like my 86. My college calc professor recommended it.

 

[dwango]

For only $40 more (from Amazon), go with the 89. Even if your professors don't let you use it on tests, you can still use it to help you with homework. I've had one for two years now and absolutely love it.

 

[PraetorianGuards]

I love the TI-89 also. It does a lot of stuff for you. What I like most is the interface and the screen. Very easy to do whole equations and it shows you what equation it solved which can tell you if you inputted it correctly. But a lot of my college classes actively forbid the use of 89's. So I would recommend an 86 or 83 again.

 

[Xenon14]

Originally posted by: zephyrprime
Get the TI-92plus.

My school banned qwerty-type calcs. I think most schools do as well. the 92plus is merely an 89 with qwerty interface.

 

[vegetation]

Originally posted by: Xenon14

Originally posted by: zephyrprime
Get the TI-92plus.

My school banned qwerty-type calcs. I think most schools do as well. the 92plus is merely an 89 with qwerty interface.

Profs don't like qwerty style devices, especially these days it's just so easy to get wired and type your question out to a (paid) expert, then get an answer back.

 

[NeuralChaos]

I recommend getting the 89. it does everything.

Even if your prof bans it. It's still a GREAT study tool.

 

[Carp1812]

I recommend getting the 89. it does everything.

 

[minendo]

Originally posted by: Xenon14
if you are taking or will take calculus a ti-89 is a must. My friend had one, it did everything differentiated, integrated, etc... I was stuck with a useless 83plus.

It is not a must. Purdue University, as well as many other universities, do not allow the use of calculators in their math courses.

 

[sniperruff]

Originally posted by: minendo

Originally posted by: Xenon14
if you are taking or will take calculus a ti-89 is a must. My friend had one, it did everything differentiated, integrated, etc... I was stuck with a useless 83plus.

It is not a must. Purdue University, as well as many other universities, do not allow the use of calculators in their math courses.

ditto. my school allowed Ti83 but 89 is a no-no. check with the department before you buy

and did the admins all take a vacation? fridge and calculators.... and cheap hoes at k-mart... (go to hotdeals forum and see for yourself...)

 

[buleyb]

I have an 89, does more, but I thought the 83 was easier to use for the more basic calculations...


I will point out, graphing calcs are allowed in the SATs and such, but not if they talk, beep or have a QWERTY interface...

 

[Cerb]

Hate to hijack a thread, but I have a very relavent question .
I'll likely start taking Calc next spring. I have a TI-83p...would it be worth it to chuck out the cash and get a TI-89, and keep the 83p for tests and such where the 89 is definitely not allowed? Or what about getting the 86?
I know anything (including a laptop) will be allowed on normal class days, but for tests the 83p will certainly be allowed, but the 89 would depend on the prof.
Also to be taken into account: I can do anything with BASIC on the TI-83p, however, I do know it is a bit slow for calc use.

 

[Red]

I had a TI-83 from the time I took Algebra I in 8th grade to the time I had pre-cal. Then I bought a TI-89 for AP Calc my junior/senior year. I still have it and I'll sell it if someone wants it. It is a nice upgrade...nice features, nicer games, etc I haven't used it in 3 years (I ended up dropping AP Calc and I'm a Public Relations major now)

 

[oupei]

remember that the Ti-83 can do definite integrals and find the numerical derivative for a given x. A neat trick is to make the calculator graph a derivative or integral in order to confirm your answer. This is enough to check your hw but not do it for you, which, IMO, I think is better than having the 89 do your hw for you. I haven't taken linear algebra or multivariable calculus yet but I can't see how an 89 would help you here.
for those of you suggesting a 92, it's really bulky and qwerty is not really that helpful. I'd suggest the voyage 200. I have one and love it. I got it for free so I don't know how prices are for it, maybe $200? if i had to buy a calc now, I'd just go with the 83.