<p>I am taking the AP calc AB course in my school next year and self studying the BC part (since there's no BC course:S). I am wondering what calculator to use for the calc BC. From most of the responses here on CC, the TI-89 is the best choice. But since I am here in Canada, it's very hard to find one and also it's very very expensive (more than $200). So I am wondering if there's any substitutes that I can use such as TI-84 Silver Ed but doesn't effect my score still be able to get a 5 on the exam. Thank you!</p>
<p>It may help you a bit but the college board isn't stupid enough to put questions that you can just integrate or differentiate on the 89.</p>
<p>What War Chant said.</p>
<p>In my experience working with students, some with the TI-89 don't bother to do some of the memorization of derivative and integration formulas because they have the 89, not realizing that most of the basic "do these" type questions are on the non-calculator section.</p>
<p>And if you're going to learn those anyway, then an 84 (or even an 83+) will prove to be more than enough. The 84+ Silver Edition is 9x faster than the 83+, but honestly, there will be very few times on the actual exam itself that you will even notice those few extra seconds that an extra $30 or so will buy you.</p>
<p>Don't bother. The TI 83 or 84 is fine.</p>
<p>As TheMathProf said, the questions that the 89 can simply do are on the non-calculator section.</p>
<p>Okay. Thank you all for your comments!</p>
<p>Oh, by the way, I am wondering if the TI 83 or 84 will be sufficient for college (i am thinking of either going into premed or economics/finance)?</p>
<p>I would say so.</p>
<p>Although... in college, the extra computing power of the 89 might come in handy, depending on your college's willingness to allow the use of calculators in the classroom.</p>
<p>I was looking around on the internet and a TI-86 in my area was on sale. I can't find too much info on it though. Will if be a fine calculator for AP Calc??</p>
<p>I actually used a TI-86 when I was in college back ten plus years ago.</p>
<p>While it should be functional for AP Calculus, it has enough differences compared to the typical teacher calculuator (which will likely be an 83, 84, or an 89) that it would probably cause some difficulties.</p>
<p>I used an 86 back in my precalc class, and while it is a fine calculator, it does differ from the 83/84 and 89 series. If you are going to use your calc for the next 4-6 years, I would go ahead and buy the 89. For higher level math (calc and up), I find that it is better than the 83/84 (and the 86, just b/c so few ppl know how to use it).</p>