How useful is the ti-89 on the math 2?

<p>On the Math II test, how useful is the ti-89? I am use to my ti-83 and am considering getting an 89 for the test (in October) and for AP Cal next year. About how many problems on the test is the 89 handy? What functions are used generally?</p>

<p>You will NEVER need the 89. If you need it, then you don't know what you're doing in math. It's completely unnecessary and the time you spend learning how to use it properly will be time wasted not studying and practicing problems. I got an 800 on the math 2 without an 89 (used a normal 83-plus) and am 100% sure I got a 5 on AP Calc BC this year. I'm not trying to show off, im just trying to show you that you shouldnt waste your money on something you dont need.</p>

<p>I have to agree with that. The TI-83 has everything you'll need and you'll be much better off with a calculator that you're familiar with than with one that can do more but that you've only used a short time.</p>

<p>i disagree with them.
ti89 is a time saver, true its hard to use, but it can shave seconds off each question, giving you ample time to finish the test.</p>

<p>woot for run-on sentence fragment :D</p>

<p>there are at least 10 questions on every math level 2 test where I used the Ti-89 to do it in 5 seconds instead of doing it in 1+ minute. </p>

<p>solver=time saver</p>

<p>Can you please name some examples of questions you used the TI-89 for?
(Im only used to a scientific calculator)
That would really help me in trying to figure out what this huge thing can be useful for. It seriously takes 25 seconds to calculate sin(30°) >.<
Hope I'll improve in the coming week, else its gonna be my good old 15€ calculator</p>

<p>yeah for me a Ti-89 is a time saver, and it has so much stuff that you can do things to solve things in a diff way faster. For eg, Ti-89 will simplify trig identities, solve algebra equations and more.
Plus i got my 89 titanium at a discount, only 100 buck, so why not? Also i got it like 4 years ago.</p>

<p>A ti 89 is completely unnecessary, even for calculus. For math II, the 83 has everything you need. For calc, you only can really use 4 functions (at least for the free response): graphing a function, finding its zeroes, d/dx at a point, and definite integrals. For the multiple choice, there was nothing on there that I couldn't do with an 84.</p>

<p>Actually the TI-89 can find derivatives and indefinite integrals/anti-derivatives. Saves you a crapload of times, and is also great for checking your work. Ti-84 cannot do those 2 things, which is pretty much what calculus is about. Sure you don't need it, but if it's around the same price, why not?</p>

<p>People in my calc class cry when they see me using my ti-89. Why? Cause they weren't smart enough to get one.</p>

<p>although you dont need the ti 89, it is very quick, even if you have no idea to solve say an equation or something it can solve it for you in seconds! the only perk is that you have to know how to use it otherwise it will take much longer(but over time you get used to it).....but i think its great!</p>

<p>True about the 89's integral and derivative features, but with its capabilities, you might be tempted throughout the year to use it when doing homework. It's fine to use to check your work, though. On the AP, the rules should have been so ingrained in your head that a calculator's not necessary, and the focus of the AP is not on simply taking derivatives/integrals by hand anymore. Besides, there are programs out there that do derivatives and integrals, even on an 84. I have one.</p>

<p>isn't the algebra and trig on the math II ridiculously easy? there's no way you're gonna need a calculator at all for most of it (except to get values for sin etc.)</p>

<p>there's no calc on the math II anyways, so integral/derivative capabilities are pretty useless.</p>

<p>TI-89 will not help noticeably. just do it all in your head XD (with a TI-83 as back-up...)</p>

<p>
[quote]
Can you please name some examples of questions you used the TI-89 for?
(Im only used to a scientific calculator)
That would really help me in trying to figure out what this huge thing can be useful for. It seriously takes 25 seconds to calculate sin(30°) >.<
Hope I'll improve in the coming week, else its gonna be my good old 15€ calculator

[/quote]
</p>

<p>find the product of the roots of 27x^6-X^4+3x^2-X-2
Ti-83/84 way: way too long
Ti-89 way: zero(equation), press multiply sign. done less than 10 seconds.</p>

<p>the 89 will make you dependent on your calculator and you should realize that there is a NON CALCULATOR section (mc and free response) on the Calc AP Test
im still against the 89</p>

<p>the FRQ on the AP Calculus test are EXTREMELY easy..
ex: the particle question, how many time have we done this in class
the oil spill question, it should still be fresh in your mind from the intergral section you learned at the end of the year.</p>

<p>i forgot the last question
but still a TI-89 is helpful</p>

<p>
[quote]
find the product of the roots of 27x^6-X^4+3x^2-X-2

[/quote]
</p>

<p>they don't ask you for that on math II. ever. not even close. don't buy 89 unless you're using it somewhere else (perhaps Calc BC)</p>

<p>True about the product of the roots question, but chances are that question will be one of the hardest to appear on the test. Even if you do get that question, you won't know why you got the answer. The test is supposed to test your aptitude in math, not your calculator's.</p>

<p>it was an exaggeration lol</p>

<p>regardless of math ability, people shouldn't diss the 89. Have you ever USED it?</p>

<p>No matter how good you are at math you can't beat the equation solver and myriad of calculus tools on it. It IS a time saver.</p>

<p>^ I have used it, and I won't deny how much it can do. But it's completely unnecessary for math II.</p>