<p>Newby - although the 89 is complicated and somewhat frustrating at first, once you learn the functions, it is so, so, so powerful, and definitely worth it. Please give it a chance and just skim through parts of the manual ...</p>
<p>Azmodan, among other things, you can type in an equation in the TI-89 and it will solve it for you.</p>
<p>ti-83's can solve functions too? maybe not sybolically, but it doesn't really matter on a multiple choice test.</p>
<p>and hell, if you can't solve basic functions without a calculator, you're screwed anyway.</p>
<p>I agree, the TI-89 isn't necessary - which is why one should only use it if he is comfortable with it - but I have to say that it is so powerful that if you can, you should buy one, get used to it, and use it - I've found it especially useful this year, in calc BC.</p>
<p>I actually used my TI-86 last year and got an 800, so - I think any graphing calculator that one is comfortable with is fine.</p>
<p>I don't even remember if I used the graphing capabilities, actually.</p>
<p>Stick with your familiar calculator.</p>
<p>spent the extra time brushing up on some math formulas. i wouldn't bother changing calculators. it's totally possible to get a 800 with a Ti-83.</p>
<p>I love the 89 for F2 Solve!!! It is fast and u dont have to think or worry about careless mistakes! ANd the scrolling up and copy/paste are real time savers!</p>
<p>what does it solve?</p>
<p>83's solve functions too</p>
<p>if you know how to use an 83 you can do pretty much anything on it.</p>
<p>you can type in equations with variables and it solves the function! It can solve for trig functions where you just add the period. It does it in half the time!</p>
<p>Why not use both?</p>
<p>i second wat duskstamper said.. why not use both? that's wat i did on the test. I used my ti-83+ for graphing and basic calculations and used the ti-89 i borrowed from a friend for the solve function and the limits function. ti-89 is good for expanding functions, factoring, and solving equations instantly, and also for simplifying trig functions (i SUCK at trig). It took me a few days to get used to those three things, which are mostly all u need. I ended up getting an 800.</p>
<p>....
you can solve equations with variables with an 83 too.</p>
<p>i used an 83+ silver and i got an 800. It really shouldn't make that much of a difference. It's not like they ask you ti simplify huge trig functions...</p>
<p>and if you don't know how to solve a limit just look at the values +/- .00001 off.</p>
<p>well i learned how to program on my TI-83 somewhat and am programming lots. Can someone tell me how to program the ability to scroll to see more information </p>
<p>(For my SSA triangle solver, each angle and side length takes up 3 lines, leaving no room for the third angle which i can get anyway through 180-(A+B), but its for convenience)</p>
<p>I think im pretty good at trig, but get a little confused with functions and logs sometimes. Barrons is overwhelming at times. "Mauvre's theorem?" Do you have to know that? Descarte's rule of signs? i never learnt that stuff.
Note: im in the middle of precalc, considering taking IIC in Jan.
Can the 89 solve multivariable equations? like A+b+2c=7 3A+b+3c=9 A+2b+c=13?</p>
<p>both sounds like a good idea.</p>
<p>Also I am a little afraid to ask my math teacher now, as he may suspect I have a triangle solver on my calc (which I do) and we are gonna have a test on law of sines +cosines soon.</p>
<p>We're not saying that you can't do well with an 89. A lot of kids I know have been pressed for time, and an 89 really helps with speed work, so you don't have to waste time solving things on your own.</p>
<p>hell, if you can use an 89, install every program you can. although, it's pretty easy to use law of sines and cosines anyway.</p>
<p>ashernm: you shouldn't be in precalc if you can't do basic sines and cosines... wait until you get into the ambiguous case with law of sines... you'll probably do bad.</p>
<p>A+b+2c=7 3A+b+3c=9 A+2b+c=13?</p>
<p>matrices</p>
<p>well iic math the curves are REALLY generous, you can miss something like 5 or 6 and still get 800 other than that, ti-89 is VERY powerful and it would be a wise investment if you plan to major in engineering or math related. other than that use the ti-83</p>
<p>decarte's rule of signs helps you find the zeros of a function... just look at the sign changes from positive to negative. for example, f(x)=x^3-12x^2+6x+2 the sign changes from positive to negative or vice versa(x^3 to -12x^2 , -12x^2+6x twice so you know there are at most 2 positive zeros). then plug in for f(-x)=-x^3-12x^2-6x+2 and only changes signs once (from -6x to +2). so you know there must be one negative zero and two positives or two complex answers (you know this since complex answers all have conjugates).</p>
<p>matrices can be done on a ti-83 as well.</p>
<p>and if you can't learn the law of sines and the law of cosines i feel sorry for you. I'm in calc 3 and I still remember both of those easily.</p>
<p>AZModan-</p>
<p>Congratulations on your stunning mathematical prowess. Now if you don't have something constructive to say to the OP, then stop posting. This isn't a place to bash people whose math skills you believe to be inferior to your unparalleled abilities, oh Math God. Seriously, I didn't have trouble with it either, but I'm not such an arrogant jerk that I feel it necessary to be condescending and conceited. </p>
<p>Ashermn- </p>
<p>If you don't want to ask your teacher, ask one of your classmates who's in a higher math level.</p>
<p>i did learn the law of sines and cosines. I know it by heart already. I just programmed it into my calc to cut down time and careless errors. some of the things i was surprised at in barrons i just hadnt seen. Where did I say i cant do em? I kinda have to understand them to program it in the first place, unless im just rippin code off the net or whatever (which i did for 2 parts of the solver, but only because i didnt know the programming functions. I figured them out.)
law of cosines is c squared= a^2 +b^2 - 2abcosC law of sines is sinA/a=sinB/b=sinC/c.</p>
<p>duskstamper: right, i forgot about those. I used em in algebra 2.</p>
<p>I got 100% on my last math test, so its pretty probable that I understand the material. [sarcasm]</p>