<p>I am a high school junior, and the only advanced math class I am allowed to take in my school is AP Statistics. 2 years ago, I asked a veteran math teacher at the high school which calculator would be best, and he said the TI-84 Plus Silver Edition. I bought it and it works great. I have no problems yet, and, after discovering programming, have not used it to it's fullest potential.</p>
<p>However, I've been looking at future math tests/class I'll be taking (AP Calculus AB, Physics, SAT Math Level II) and was wondering: Is my calculator is good enough or is there a calculator I could get that would make getting a 5/800 a billion times easier?</p>
<p>Well the TI-84 is great and is what I use. There is no problems with it. However, the TI-89 it the upgrade of it that will work wonders with multi-variable equations and derivatives/integrals. </p>
<p>Beware that the TI-89 is not a calculator allowed on the ACT but it fair game for the SAT and AP testing. If you happy with TI-84 then I’d stick with that.</p>
<p>I agree if you’re working well with the TI-84 there’s no need to change. As stated the 89 isn’t allowed in the ACT. Interestingly, in all calc courses at my sons e’school no calculators whatsoever were allowed, so he’s still got his trusty 84. I’m sure he used it in Physics and Stats.</p>
<p>I’ve got an 84 silver, and I couldn’t be happier with it. It does everything I’ve ever needed it to do, and I’m a math/physics major. I wouldn’t mind getting an 89 eventually, but for the price they go for, I’m not making it a high priority right now.</p>
<p>Sent from my M865C using CC</p>
<p>TI-Nspire CX This calculator is actually modern. It’s allowed on everything but the ACT. It’s more powerful than the TI-89, but easier to use. The only problem I’ve had is that you have to figure out some of the functions on you own, as most books are written for the 84. The extra money for it is really worth it. The CX version can do algebra for you, which is an immense time save on tests. That’s it’s main help on tests. You have more time because it simplifies complicated formulas, and you won’t commit any dumb algebra mistakes in simplifying.</p>
<p>@student2407</p>
<p>I believe you are referring to the CX CAS which is color and does algebra; that is not allowed on the act. The TI NSPIRE CX is allowed on the act however.</p>
<p>Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using CC</p>
<p>I have the 84 Silver and I love it. I’m currently in AP Stats and Pre-Cal and it has been a huge help. Especially in AP Stats, the more I use the 84, the more I realize that statistics is all about punching buttons on the calculator. You do need to be able to show your work, but the calculator is still great for the MC. If I remember correctly, when I skimmed the AP Stats course guide, it said that “calculator-speak” is not acceptable when showing work, eg normalcdf, binomcdf. I recommend doing the FR problems on your calculator first so you know you have the right answer, and then working it out on paper. But the 84 has been a wonderful calculator to me. One word of caution, I am not as enthused about the Nspire. To me, it helps in the short run but hurts in the long run. This is because of the Algebra features. All this information comes from personal experience. My hs uses the Nspires by default in every math class, and I believe they are toxic to math students, especially younger math students. The Nspire has an algebra tool called Nsolve, which does algebra for you, plain and simple. I have seen MANY of my classmates become addicted to this tool, and then become unable to do basic algebra because, “If you don’t use it, you lose it.” The importance of basic algebra cannot be understated. Although you don’t actually use basic algebra in day to day classes, I believe the critical thinking skills and the way it teaches your mind to reason logically are invaluable. Also, understanding basic algebra is CRUCIAL to standardized tests. A test will rarely ask you what the value of x is in “3x+4=16”, but it will expect you to understand the concepts involved in order to determine the answer to a more complex question. I don’t have a problem with having a calculator do work that you can do in your sleep, such as long division. I do that, just to save time. But make sure that you can actually perform those skills. That in a nutshell is why I dislike the Nspires, because I have seen them severely limit many of my classmates’ from living up to their potential. I realize most of the points I have presented are simplistic, but I would love to elaborate on them in different posts. I also think I have probably strayed from the focus of this thread, which is determining what the best calculator for high school math is. I would be glad to continue this discussion on another thread as well if that’s more appropriate.</p>
<p>As stated above, sometimes the really top of the line calculators can be detrimental more than helpful. Yes, having a calculator that can do all of your algebra may be helpful, but it can also make you forget how to do a lot of basic algebra. I’ve seen people basically get through an entire math class with their calculators, and do passingly well in the class, but they didn’t really understand the material. I just saw the other day that a new version of the 84 is coming out soon with an upgraded display that shows much more accurate graphs and has greater programming capabilities. I think I might have to grab one when they come out.</p>
<p>Sent from my M865C using CC</p>
<p>A lot of calculus you won’t even be using a calculator, and at your point in mathematics, the calculator is not really that essential to you (unless you have like a basic 4 function one), the TI 84 is MORE THAN good enough for it! Even the advantages that the 89 has, the people who write the test for Calculus (according to my teacher) make the problems so that they take forever to solve using just a calculator (like taking a derivative or an integral). You will know enough to do it by hand, and that is what you are graded on in those tests, don’t get caught up in the answer, it’s the process that is graded.</p>