<p>What type of calculators would be appropriate for a MIT engineering/math/physics major? I've heard Hewlett Packard graphing calculators are necessary. How is a TI -89 Titanium? Thanks.</p>
<p>i think a ti-83 is fine</p>
<p>So, I wouldn't say a TI-89 is necessary. But if you get one and get familiar with its functions, you will probably be a happy camper in your upper-level engineering classes. (This info from my boyfriend, a junior in aero/astro -- he only has <em>my</em> 83+, and gets by just fine, but says that it whould have been nice to have come in with an 89. He melodramatically claims that "it's too late now" for him to learn an 89.)</p>
<p>Then again, though, you're frequently not allowed to use calculators on tests, so if you get a super-amazing calculator that can integrate, differentiate, and make your coffee, you'd better also know how to do math without it. :) And, of course, there's always Matlab (available for free download for MIT students).</p>
<p>Free download of Matlab -- Wow!</p>
<p>With regards the TI-89, it really is powerful. It's also pretty easy to use (once you work on it for about a week). The interface is really user-friendly. It has menus for everything. And the commands are very simillar to those in Matlab. Your bf should get one! It's definitely easier to use then the ti-83. They're great to check your answers with. It can't really become a crutch, because you probably need to show your work on the math problems, right?</p>
<p>TI-89 is awesome.
I started using it in my junior year, though I do wish it had a "log" button so I wouldn't have to type it out.</p>
<p>hehe, that is annoying. Don't you use ln instead?</p>
<p>Thanks, I think I'll go for the TI 89</p>
<p>
[quote]
Free download of Matlab -- Wow!
[/quote]
Isn't an academic license for Matlab a standard 'accessory' provided to all engg. students in all universities :confused:</p>
<p>I know the university where I do my research internship doesn't provide MATLAB to it's undergrad students. Although the grad students all get free copies.</p>
<p>They had extra licenses in the MechE dept, so I got one. :D.</p>
<p>EDIT: I should mention that the university, while not top-caliber, is very wealthy, so I have no clue why they wouldn't, but they don't.</p>
<p>Get the TI-89, trust me. :p</p>
<p>You won't be able to use it on tests often, but the extra functionality provided by the TI-89 saves a LOT of effort. Yes the TI-83 is sufficient, but it is well worth the extra money to get the TI-89. Titanium or whatever is not necessary.</p>
<p>lil. the log function is in the catalog. If you look it up the first time, every time afterwards when you press catalog, it will default there. Only one extra button press ;)</p>
<p>Though ln is much more often used over log :S</p>
<p>My Eval B still hasn't arrived... mailed it October 31.</p>
<p>You mailed your own Eval B? 0.o</p>
<p>They're really backed up in the processing room apparantly. Ben et al. says not to worry unless it doesn't show up after 2-3 weeks. Besides, it's not something you have control over, and I doubt they'd penalize you for it.</p>
<p>I'm on a silver Ti-83+...funny, because I think it was more expensive than the Ti-89 present, or maybe that was some other Ti, but I was drawn by its exceedingly shiny and translucent surface.</p>
<p>I hope it's not too late, and I hope whoever said you had to type out "log" was not serious O.O. There MUST be a log key, for the log key is life!</p>
<p>So an 89 is best? Aww...but I love my 83!</p>
<p>There isn't a log key. Instead, there's an ln(x) key which you have to use shift/2nd to utilize. But, as mit2007mit said, you can go to catalog and pull up log. The list will stay in the same position, so you just have to click CATALOG then ENTER to pull up the log each time ~ Not too bad, considering the many features the 89 has (3-D graphing, differentiation, integration, etc...).</p>
<p>I just use the change of base rule</p>
<p>I use Casio</a> FX-82MS and get by fine :p
But i'm only a freshman.. though taking some 2nd year EE/CS courses.
Just thought I'd dilute the intense ti-89 lobbying going on here :p</p>
<p>I have an 83+silver (the clear sparkly one) and an 89 titanium that I got for my birthday. The lack of a "log" button on the 89 isn't too much of a problem, especially because you pretty much only use natural logs in calculus, and there is an "ln" button. And if you really need a common log and don't feel like typing or finding it in the menu, you can always do ln(x)/ln(10). </p>
<p>-Oren</p>
<p>Update (Re CowsGoMu): Exactly.</p>
<p>I always thought that there should be a calculator with a "do" button, where you can write in anything, and it will return a correct answer. The TI-92 is the closest I've seen to this wondrous panacea.</p>
<p>Heh, I hear the next TI will have a button that will allow you to beam your question into a call center abroad where they'll work diligently on all the answers and beam them back to you.</p>
<p>But then again, I'd be too afraid of using it because I might accidently hit "OFF" button for the Universe.</p>