<p>Anyone know what is the best and most popular caluclator for AP Calc BC. Im in between the ti-83 plus and ti-84 plus. The reason I am asking is because I am currently in Pre-Cal and will be taking AP Calc BC and AP Statistics next year. I would like to buy one calculator that I can use for all three classes these two years so that I dont have to buy two different calculators. So to sum it up..... </p>
<p>What is the best calculator for Pre-Cal, Calc BC, and Statistics.</p>
<p>get the TI-89.
its only $30 more, yet it'll save you so much time.</p>
<p>I think the TI-84+ is the most popular calculator... at least in my area. If you have the money and the time... the TI-89 is pretty cool. (I don't have one)</p>
<p>I would definately get it but im not allowed to use it for pre-cal :(</p>
<p>Then I'd go for the TI-84+ silver edition. :)</p>
<p>thanks cant believe im talking about calculators on a friday night.
junior year w/ 5 AP's + everything else = death lol</p>
<p>Ti-89 Titanium</p>
<p>You're in quite a tough situation. I took AP Calc BC, AP Calc AB, and AP Stats all at the same time. Trust me, the Ti-89 is great for Calculus since it can solve functions, integrate, differentials,and derive which is mainly all of Calc for AB and BC. Though the Ti-89 can do stats functions, it requires a download from Texas instruments in order to get all the functions a Ti-84 plus has and more. Also the Ti-89 is much slower in user interface than the Ti-84 plus or Ti-83 plus meaning it takes quite a while to punch in the numbers and get to the desired functions for stats while the Ti84 or Ti83 (both the Ti84 and Ti83 are the same in functions except the ti84 is just faster has more ram more memory and more apps which are useless anyways) are much faster in getting to your functions for stats. Precious time on the AP test can cost you especially when you can use a calculator for the whole AP STATS test only. Though the Ti84 and Ti83 are faster they however cannot perform any to most of the advance calculus tenchinques like integrate and derive (you can but it requires alot of ingenuity with the graphs and if you do figure it out you can only get about half the answer which is the useless half of the answer) I suggest to get both the ti84 and ti89. If your strapped for cash go for the ti89 and download the stats package.</p>
<p>I used a TI 83+ all through precalc and AP Calc BC and it's turned out fine for me. I haven't taken AP Stats yet, but I have friends who did well with the TI83+ there also. I hardly ever used any of the applications or programs on it, and most of them I didn't know how to use anyway. A fancy calculator isn't going to save you if you don't know how to do the work, so I think almost any of the calculators already mentioned would work fine as long as you took the time to learn how to use it effectively. </p>
<p>Keep in mind that there are certain capabilities that your calculator is expected to have for the exam, and these few are the only ones that, in general, will get credit. For example, if you had an FRQ that required the numerical calculation of a definte integral, you may plug the integral into your calculator (as long as you show the equation you are plugging in) and use that answer to recieve credit for the problem. On the other hand, however, is another example: Let's say there was an FRQ asking you to use Euler's Method (you will learn what this is if you don't already know). I downloaded a program on my calculator that allows me to plug in numbers and use Euler's Method to solve it automatically. On the exam, however, you would not get credit for simply writing the numbers you plugged in and the answer. </p>
<p>I'm not sure what capabilities would be advantageous for AP Stats, but I believe you would still be fine with any recommended calculator.</p>
<p>The</a> College Board's AP Calculus Calculator Policy</p>
<p>I've heard the TI-83+ is better as opposed to the TI-89 for Stats since it's the one most teachers and books expect.</p>
<p>TI-89 is better for calculus, but you run the risk of growing dependent on it and having a calculator that isn't allowed in certain college courses. The TI-83+ will work just fine for calculus: it's just a bit less convenient for checking your answers and such.</p>
<p>I'd say go for the TI-83+ (or apparently the TI-84 if it really is the same thing).</p>
<p>well....i used the ti-89 for stats, calc bc, and pre-calc, and algebra 2. It is amazing. the user interface for solving and doing things is so much nicer and there are more features. However for calc the ti-84 has all the function necessary to get a 5. it has integrals, derivatives, etc. so it doesn't really matter.</p>
<p>I'm most certainly a proponent of the TI-89. It's an incredibly powerful calculator with a lot of functionality (beyond what is advertised at times..). I used for Algebra II, Pre-Calc, Calc BC, Stat, Mult. Calc, and Lin. Alg. and I wouldn't trade it for anything. It's definitely worth the money and will save you a great deal of time on tests.</p>
<p>All of my teachers recommended the TI-83 or 84 simply because it's what they use in class. You could get away with the 89 (though you might want to consider getting the 83 if you want to take the ACT.) </p>
<p>Don't get the TI-84. It's more expensive than the TI-83, yet not that much better. If you can get a good deal on the 84 and it's cheaper, then go ahead though.</p>
<p>The TI-83 and the TI-84 largely have the same functionality. The major differences are the included applications (some like them, some don't), more space for holding applications (some people care about this, some don't), and the faster processing speed. For most calculations, you won't notice the processing speed (how hard is 2+2 anyway?), but in calculus, there will be times when you're using some of the allowed features (see Nimrodel's post above for more on this) where you'll sometimes save as much as half a minute on the performance of the calculation.</p>
<p>One important piece from Nimrodel's link is the following statement from the AP Website: "Care is taken to ensure that the exam questions do not favor students who use graphing calculators with more extensive built-in features." A TI-89 simply won't help you extra on the AP exam.</p>
<p>To me, the speed differential is probably worth the extra $20-$30 or so to get the TI-84 Plus, even if the other features aren't worthwhile.</p>
<p>got the ti-84 silver edition this morning, works great and has a bunch of cool features. thanks for the help</p>
<p>The problem with the TI-89 is that it's banned in so many places it's really not worth it. A TI-84 has enough features, is cheaper, and is allowed everywhere a graphing calculator is allowed.</p>
<p>If you get a TI-89, you BETTER know how to use it.. People think it is the best calculator but half the people don't even know how to use it properly. Personally, I had a TI-83 and did fine.</p>