<p>This year I'm going to get into AP Calculus AB and AP Statistics. I want a graphing calculator because it can help me a lot with my homework and such. I'm good in math and enjoy it so I'm not planning on not learning any calculus and just learning how to do it on the calculator. But I still want a good calculator that will help me a lot, especially on the AP exams (I checked and the TI-89 is allowed on AP and SAT, not ACT, so as far as being allowed on tests it's not an issue) and later on. Since I like math, I'm pretty positive I will go into a career in which math is used extensively (most likely some sort of engineering), so in that respect I also want a calculator which may help me there. It seems to me that the TI-89 has the best features, but is also probably the most difficult to get used to. What I want to know first of all is if the TI-89 is worth it (price doesn't matter) or if another TI or even a Casio is better. Also, is it all that difficult to learn how to use it? (I will be in classes where the teacher and the book will probably be based off the TI-83/84, so I have to be able to know how to use it well). Anyways, the main question is, should I get the TI-89 and why. Thanks for your help.</p>
<p>I just read the first sentence, get a TI-84 silver edition. It helps because you’ll be confused when the teacher’s explaining stuff to the kids in class and you’re like the only one with an 89. It sucks, trust me, I’ve seen it happen before. Unless you’re good at figuring out stuff for yourself. Otherwise, silver edition is the way to go.</p>
<p>I have a TI 84 Silver Edition, and it works out great, I mean, it’s easy to use and it also does a lot of things…
But do you have a friend that has a TI 89? Because you could always just see how easy they are to use…and if you decide to get it, before you go back to school, try getting used to doing the things that you’d be doing a lot, such as finding the zeros of functions, finding relative maximum and minimum of a graph, finding out what different modes can do, such as polar coordinate or imaginary modes, and you know, just play with it.</p>
<p>I wished I knew someone with one so I could test it out, but I don’t. I talked to my Calc teacher and she said that it was amazing, but she didn’t quite know how to use it (but she did add that she didn’t think it’d be a problem for me). I know that the TI-89 can do a lot of things that will help me, but is a lot more tedious to use. Is it really that difficult to get used to?</p>
<p>It really isn’t that difficult to get used to. I replaced my TI-84 with a TI-89 last year, and got used to it pretty quickly. Just learn how to use solve() and factor(). I haven’t taken calculus, but the derivative and integral functions could be useful too.</p>
<p>^those are somewhat useful. Generally, a TI-89 won’t get you a good grade automatically, because hopefully your teachers will be smart enough to choose test problems where the calculator f’s you up or don’t help you (it does happen, especially in calc). But solve is uber-useful. That alone is a good reason to get an 89. I never really learned much about graphing or installing programs on an 89, but I did learn this stuff on an 84. So for stats, the 84 might be more useful. In fact, there are specific calculators just for stats. Maybe look into those. </p>
<p>But I’d get the 89, if I were you. And if you get it at like OfficeMax or OfficeDepot, you can get a calculator case for a penny extra. Good deal. Even if you hate the case, you’re going to need an 89 eventually. Why not just get it now? They’re pretty durable IF you take care of them (my careless sister needed a new one every year. I still have mine from like freshman or sophomore year- I’m in college now).</p>
<p>Okay, that’s great. What classes have you used it for? Because I have to get used to it well since the teacher(s) will be probably more experienced with a TI-83/84/84+. If you’ve had any experience with Stats regarding the calculator I’d greatly appreciate it.</p>
<p>I used it for at least pre-calc, calc BC, linear algebra, and MV calc. Now that I think about it, I think I also used it for algebra II, because I remember the rref function (another useful 89 feature). That sucks about your teachers. They’re a bit behind the times. If I were you, talk to your math teachers on the first day of class. Ask if it’s okay if you get an 89. Because for some teachers it won’t be, because the 89 makes some problems SO much easier. Thereby putting you at an unfair advantage. For like 90% of the stuff in class you do on your calculator (for calc, can’t speak for stats) the 89 will be fine. For that other 10%, you still have the 84. </p>
<p>Sorry, but I can’t really help you with stats. Didn’t take the class. I just remember all my friends in the class had a weird calculator. I’m pretty sure it was a texas instruments. Not positive.</p>
<p>Regardless of which one you get, you might find this thread useful:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/762796-where-can-i-find-cheap-discounted-graphing-calculator.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/762796-where-can-i-find-cheap-discounted-graphing-calculator.html</a></p>
<p>You probably won’t be getting a “straight” answer from these forums. Its very split here.</p>
<p>From what I have come to understand, many schools do not use the TI 89 Titanium very often and it puts people at a disadvantage when having to follow calculator instructions. At my school it is very popular and so the teachers understand how to teach it. But it varies from school to school. Just use one that will get you through the class. </p>
<p>You can get through with either, but as many people have posted before, if you don’t understand how to use a TI 89, than its really useless to you anyways. Just get a graphing calculator in general - you will be fine.</p>
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<p>Um, I’m pretty sure most people don’t know how to use an 89 before they get one. And I was never taught in class with specific buttons on how to use the 89 (except for really specific stuff that I never needed to remember but was more for a demonstration of a cool math property or something). The calculators main functions are easy, labeled, and repetitive because you use them so often. There are a couple things an 84 are better for. One I think is adding programs and games. Another is plotting graphs (if i recall). And another is squaring something (89 you have to go ^2)</p>
<p>get a TI-89. period. its not complicated, and i’ve said this like a gajillion times. seriously. once you get it, you’ll get the hang of it.</p>
<p>Using the Ti-89 for Stats is much more difficult than with the 84. And while people might say you’ll eventually understand it, you still won’t be using (or understanding how to use) its full potential. Just like how most people fail to use the Ti-84’s full potential, and buy the 89 because the UI is simpler.</p>
<p>the ti 89 is AWESOME for calculus, but really cumbersome and complicated for statistics, I would recommend getting an 84, because they can do both sufficiently</p>
<p>Are there any specific reasons why it wouldn’t be that good for AP Stats? I already asked my AP Calc teacher and she said she thought the TI-89 was awesome, but I haven’t spoken with my AP Stats teacher about it. I’ll ask him even though I’m pretty sure he uses the TI-84. Are there any other comments or suggestions? Thanks a lot to everybody who’s posted ;D</p>
<p>I have used the 89 for statistics (it got me a 5!) as well as for calculus. I really liked it, and had no problems. You may want to take a look at the nSpireCAS for some things I fend the nSpire nicer, and I’d venture and say that for statistics it may be the nicer calculator. If you plan on doing multivariable calculus/3d graphing you may opt towards the 89 since the nSpireCAS is not capable of graphing more then two dimensions. If you have any specific questions PM me anytime, I’ll be happy to help.</p>