Graphing Calculators

[rusty bumper]

Re: Graphing Calculators

You mean they didnt use the abacus anymore...

He He...We used fingers & toes.

For some reason, calculators really opened up my understanding of math. They are invaluable for the most part.

I enjoy working algebra problems on paper though.

[SiriusRIMZ]

Re: Graphing Calculators

I used (and still do) use my TI-84 Plus in my Precal (trig) and AB AP Calc class. It was an absolute must have during Parametrics and Polar eq's, and is proving itself more and more useful as I finish Dervs. and start Intgs.

I wouldnt not reccomend the 89 simply because it is banned by many test givers, and the 84 should really be all you need as long as your not going into really advanced math.

[rusty bumper]

Re: Graphing Calculators

Thanks all!

I just purchased a TI-86 online.

[sneek]

Re: Graphing Calculators

I wouldnt not reccomend the 89 simply because it is banned by many test givers

My point exactly!


Hopefuly you purchased it from Walmart. $109.97?

[rusty bumper]

Re: Graphing Calculators

Hopefuly you purchased it from Walmart. $109.97?

Amazon.com.

$60.00...Mint condition according to seller.

[rammsteinmatt]

Re: Graphing Calculators

I wouldnt not reccomend the 89 simply because it is banned by many test givers

thats the specific reason to have it. it is smart enough to do symbolic manipulation, meaning that it will solve equations in terms of variables.

the best my 83 can do is: nDERIV(x^2, x, 1) or the deravitive of x^2 with respect to x at a (x) value of 1.

i am studying aerospace engineering in college, ive taken 8 quarters of calculus (3 single variable classes, 2 multivariable classes, 1 differential eqn class, fourier series/laplace transforms, and complex analysis) after that math gets pretty easy, the last thing - i really mean the last thing - i want to do is whip out the calc book to look at the deravitive and integral tables (like 5 pages of them), when my calculator can do it right there. am i lazy? maybe. but who knows what the integral of sec(x) is? i sure as heck don't, some things just arent worth memorizing. my classes are hard enough, the 89, makes the "number crunching" (although it is calculus) that much easier.

for your purposes a basic scientific should be more than sufficient. however, the graphing calculator is handy if you need to solve the pythagorean theorem in one step (to save time on a test) with out having to worry about operation prescedence on a scientific calculator. there should be very little actual graphing required in geo/trig. unless you're trying to find the zero of a fcn.

the bottom line. the Ti-84 should be more than sufficent for those 2 classes, but if you are so inclined to take a technical degree in college, you'll quickly see the benefits of the 89. of course, you need a calculator throughout high school, might as well buy both