<p>Kind of a random place to ask about this, but there's not really a relevant place to ask. How much more useful is the TI-89 in a typical calculus class than the TI-84 -- is it worth $30 extra? If my teacher wouldn't want me to use it to differentiate/integrate/etc on tests, would it defeat the purpose? There's only one kid in my class who has one, so I don't know much about what it can do.</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/high-school-life/752318-when-ti-89-ever-needed-useful.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/high-school-life/752318-when-ti-89-ever-needed-useful.html</a></p>
<p>Mine just arrived today :]</p>
<p>With a ti-89, you can just type in an equation with variables and the thing will solve it. It’s extremely useful to check your answers on homework throughout pre-calc and calc.</p>
<p>No it’s not worth $30 extra</p>
<p>Not worth it</p>
<p>it depends on the math class
less than precalc, not worth it but extremely useful,
above precalc, necessary</p>
<p>Let me ask this way: at the end of the year, will I be better, worse, or the same at math if I use the 89 over the 84? The $30 doesn’t mean much to me, but I don’t want to use it if I’ll become dependent on it.</p>
<p>it won’t make you better.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>necessary like getting a car when everywhere you go is in a half mile radius.</p>
<p>It’s not necessary by any means in upper level calculus or beyond that, I have had a ti-84+ all through college and had absolutely no need for an 89. I am in engineering and I would say 9 out of 10 kids have an 83 or 84, so not necessary, but they are snazzy.</p>
<p>Don’t get it. You won’t learn math.</p>
<p>I’m beginning to realize the extent of my lack of CC-ness . I don’t even know what type of calculator I have. All I know is that it turns on.</p>
<p>Read the link all of this has been stated before.</p>
<p>our calc class requires everybody to own or borrow an 89 </p>
<p>while not necessary, it helps a ton. </p>
<p>if you’re not worried about price, i would get one.</p>
<p>it helps a TON.
but if you already own a ti 84 (like i did) then it’s stupid to also buy a 89.
aaand there’s always ebay.</p>
<p>i find the 89 easier to use than the 84 :)</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I already have an 84, but my brother needs a calculator so I was thinking of handing it down to him and getting an 89. It’s pretty standard for college, right? After reading some of the pros and cons I don’t think I really need it, but I suppose I could save money by getting it now rather than buying another 84 and getting the 89 a year later when I need one for college.</p>
<p>I’ve taken a couple college math classes. They were both pretty much the same, since neither was allowed.</p>
<p>EDIT: I should add that, graphing calculators are expected in statistics classes, and the TI-84 (or 83) is generally standard.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Most colleges don’t allow you to use graphing calculators in calc classes; scientific calculators are mandatory. And the 84 is much easier to use than the 89 when taking statistics. </p>
<p>And if you’re going to buy the 89 just because it can solve one-variable equations, then you’re clearly not going to be able to use it’s full capabilities, seeing as you don’t even know calculators as old as the 83 Plus can solve those types of equations as well.</p>
<p>So in cases where the 89 is banned, the 84 is usually banned as well? That would remove a lot of the incentive to get another 84 instead.</p>
<p>And I wouldn’t be getting the 89 just to solve one-variable equations, and I do know that older calculators can do the same things.</p>
<p>well, if you’re an only child then it’s stupid to get a second calculator.
no, 84 is acceptable on many tests when the 89 is banned.</p>