Which calculator is more handy for Calculus 1?

[DrPizza]

Originally posted by: XZeroII
I learned Calc 2 years ago in a class that didn't allow a graphing calculator of any kind. It was actually much better that way since I think I learned a lot more.

I agree. I teach calculus, but do allow the use of graphing calculators in certain situations. For the most part though, the students do the work by hand...

I would NOT allow a ti89 in my class.... I hope you don't purchase one and find it's useless for you.
(or you can use it to do all your homework, then probably fail the tests since you'll rely on it so much)

 

[wkabel23]

My brother is taking AP Calculus BC, AP Physics B, and AP Biology. Would the Ti-89 offer any advantages over the Ti-84+ for him?

And btw, Ti-89 is allowed on AP tests and the SAT. It isn't allowed on the ACT.

 

[wkabel23]

Originally posted by: wkabel23
My brother is taking AP Calculus BC, AP Physics B, and AP Biology. Would the Ti-89 offer any advantages over the Ti-84+ for him?

And btw, Ti-89 is allowed on AP tests and the SAT. It isn't allowed on the ACT.

 

[BigJ]

If you're only going to take Calc 1, go ahead and get the 89 and use it to all your advantage.

However, if you're going to go beyond Calc 1, and do get the 89, use it VERY sparingly. If you use the calculator for everything and fail to learn the basic concepts of intergration, derivation, etc. you're going to be up Sh!t Creek without a paddle if a professor ever bans the use of the calculator or your batteries unexpectedly die on that final.

I managed to pull off a 5 on the AP Calc AB exam using the Ti-83+. I'm bringing both the 83+ and 89 Titanium to college, the 83+ to use during class and the 89 Ti to check homework.

 

[Chaotic42]

I wouldn't buy an expensive calculator just for Calc I and II. I don't have any formal calculus training yet, but I've taught myself up to a Calc II or III level and I never used the calculator for any of the problems in the book. It either involves problems that give you equations for the answers or definite integrals that deal with easy to manipulate numbers like 13²-8².

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
I wouldn't buy an expensive calculator just for Calc I and II. I don't have any formal calculus training yet, but I've taught myself up to a Calc II or III level and I never used the calculator for any of the problems in the book. It either involves problems that give you equations for the answers or definite integrals that deal with easy to manipulate numbers like 13²-8².

It's useful for checking though (if you don't have the answer key) and works pretty well if you're in a rush. It's just that so many people become dependent on it and don't really know how to do Calc.

I went ahead and got the 89 Ti because I've got a long 4 years ahead of me as a Math/Comp Sci double major.

 

[ugopk]

My university wouldn't allow calculators for all math classes

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: BigJ
It's useful for checking though (if you don't have the answer key) and works pretty well if you're in a rush. It's just that so many people become dependent on it and don't really know how to do Calc.

I went ahead and got the 89 Ti because I've got a long 4 years ahead of me as a Math/Comp Sci double major.

Well, the book that I got from my school (and forgot to return ) has the answers in the back. I need to check my current book to see if it does too...

 

[wkabel23]

Thanks for the responses. I'll advise him to get a 89 since I doubt he'll be taking many math courses in college and probably could use all the help he can get in math.

 

[Epiphany]

I'll be a Business Administration Major... Statisitics is the only other prerequisite for that major and i know stat well. Not sure about the upper division classes. I'm assuming the upper division classes would have to deal more with Statistics then Calculus. can any Biz Admin majors clarify or verify?

 

[Epiphany]

bump for night crowd