<p>I'm looking to get my calculator over the summer so when classes start I'll have it and know how to use it etc. Which one should I get? I'm going to be a possible Mechanic/Electrical/Computer Science Eng major, and I'm planning on taking higher level math courses past the minimum requirements of Calc I-4 + linear algebra. I was looking at Texas Instruments, and the TI-Nspire and the TI-89 Titanium looked like the best ones, but I can't really decide which to get, since the Nspire apparently has lots of other features over the 89, but the 89 apparently is good for engineering? Any and all input would be appreciated.
Maybe I'm overthinking this and it doesn't really matter, but I don't want to get a calculator then have to buy another one because I missed some functions or a professor doesn't let us use a certain type of calculator in class(although I realize I probably can't use it anyway on most prelims/finals).</p>
<p>I’m wondering the same thing.</p>
<p>Personally I’ve heard that a TI-89 is very useful, but I’m not sure if it’s a good idea at Cornell. I currently have a TI-84.</p>
<p>However (and you mentioned this), I do know for sure that you will need a scientific calculator, because some courses don’t permit use of a graphing calculator on the exams.</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure they require you have an Ti-89 for math 1920 and on.</p>
<p>I see mostly Ti-89 + scientific. I think I use my Ti-89 much more often than the other one.</p>
<p>If you’re buying it for a course, don’t bother. Calculators are almost never allowed on tests, and you usually use computer programming (MATLAB) for complicated / computational HW problems.</p>
<p>We’ve talked about this - 89.</p>
<p>If you already have an 84 is it worth upgrading to an 89?</p>
<p>I would think that 84 would do just fine.</p>
<p>Meh, but you can’t integrate or solve for values (as easy).</p>
<p>Alright, guess I’ll go the 89 + scientific route. Thanks for the input!</p>
<p>Yes, mathmom. </p>
<p>Sent from my iPhone 4 using CC app</p>
<p>I TA the engineering math courses at Cornell. Students are never allowed calculators for tests, and HW usually doesnt require calculators. </p>
<p>Although an 89 or NSpire could be useful (it is powerful, yes), it is absolutely not necessary. We have MATLAB, Mathematica, etc on many library computers for computationally intensive assignments.</p>
<p>Can students get MATLAB and/or mathematica on their own laptops at a good student price? (not pirated)</p>
<p>Yes, ~90 dollars is usually the price, although many students do pirate it. It’s available on hundreds of computers at Cornell, however, so you don’t have to buy it.</p>
<p>I’m probably getting the new Ti-Nspire CX CAS and leaving my old Ti-83 to my younger sister.</p>
<p>TI-84 Silver Edition;
MATLAB Student edition is directly available from the company if you want it on your laptop. I think it is a good idea rather than using Cornell.</p>
<p>Get a cheap 10 dollar calculator, you’ll only be allowed to use those for your exams for first year math and science.</p>