I have a Ti-84 and HP 50g, should I buy a Ti-89 for AP Calc and Math IIC?

Pre-College Topics High School Life
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<p>I have a Ti-84 and HP 50g, should I buy a Ti-89 for AP Calc and Math IIC? The thing is I've heard about the hundreds (thousands?) of great programs created by people that really help save time on the standarized tests. I like my HP 50g and I've used it for about a half a year but it does not have programs specifically designed for the tests. </p>

<p>Are there calculus/ Math IIC programs for the Ti-84? I'm not too familiar with programs for the Ti's but I was just browsing on the ti-calc.org and literally found tons uploaded each day. If you are familiar with the 89 and the programs, will it get you the highest score possible?</p>

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<p>If you know your stuff, the programs don’t save you any time or anything. An 89 won’t “get you the highest score possible,” just know the material.</p>

<p>And there should be programs available for the TI-84.</p>

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<p>I got an 800 in Math II with a basic scientific calculator, that’s really all you need.</p>

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<p>Only get a TI-89 if you’re good at reading thick manuals or have a lot of smart friends with the same edition.</p>

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<p>The only thing I needed my calculator for in AP Calc BC was to use the fnInt function, and that was only because one question on the AP needed it. Save your money.</p>

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<p>I personally prefer a scientific.</p>

<p>(Though I guess you do need the fnInt feature on some of the AP “calculator” problems.)</p>

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<p>TI-89 Titanium is also used a lot in college, right? At least that’s why some of my teachers are nagging everyone to get one. So might as buy one now.</p>

<p>I find it funny the manual that came with the 89 was thinner than the one with the 83. It doesn’t mean it’s any easier to use, just an observation.</p>

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<p>Well, the thing is, at my school and basically everywhere, most people have 83’s and 84’s. Those two calculators are very similar, but the 89 is completely revamped. Even the simplest of buttons are in completely different places, the screen is way different, and there are a lot of distracting functions. And when a teacher tells us how to imput something in the calculator, I basically sit there helplessly because my calculator is completely different. And I really don’t have the time to search through the manual trying to figure out how to do stuff. So unless a good amount of people have your calculator (or if your teacher is accustomed to it) or if you’re the type to go home and figure how to do every little thing by messing around or looking in the manual, I’d advise against this calculator until you really need one that advanced. Which, unless you’re doing hard advanced level sciences, is probably never. As many have said, a simpler calculator will suffice.</p>

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<p>I just bought a Ti-89 last week and I love it. Honestly, there is a slight learning curve that goes along with it but I didn’t find it too difficult. I would check with your teacher first though because my teacher doesn’t allow one unless you are in Calc BC.</p>

<p>Oh and no one else in my school has one so I couldn’t rely on other people and still didn’t find it too difficult. Plus better games.</p>

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<p>I think I’m just an idiot. I tried to put games on mine for hours, and no sucess. Maybe you just need more patience for an 89 :)</p>

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<p>I’ll summarize the results for you. Stick with your 84 and 50g. </p>

<p>A graphing calculator is only useful if you know how everything works. I got my TI-84 Silver 4 years ago and I’m still learning about everything it does as I need to use it. And it really is a disadvantage for no one else to have the same
calculator. Last year in Algebra 2, I was one of the only ones with a graphing calculator, and when we were doing trig functions I had to look at the manual to figure out how to use mine. The teacher just uses a scientific calculator. </p>

<p>Really the only features you’ll use much are storing variables for checking equations, and checking graphs of functions. Perhaps a little bit of the Matrix function and statistical analysis (t-test, ANOVA) for science projects. You’re privileged if you even have an 84, so don’t worry about getting something better.</p>

<p>About college: Many, many, many college professors won’t let you use your calculator that much, if at all (in a Calculus class). You can’t rely on it too much.</p>

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<p>Usually, they clear your memory…before the test. Otherwise they know you could cheat.</p>

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<p>You mean the college professor actually goes around and clears your calc’s memory?</p>

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<p>Same here. I guess it’s a mixed blessing.</p>

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<p>They will clear your memory before the test, but if you have it backed up (like I did after my chem teacher threatened this), you can put everything back in once you’re finished. Just a minor inconvenience.</p>

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<p>I took both Math II and BC Calc with an -83+ (just like the -84, minus the games) and I did quite well.</p>

<p>The major thing in calculus is that the 84 can’t give you a function’s algebraic derivative or integral, just numerical; but, there are sites online that will, so it’s really not a big deal.</p>