Scientific Caculator

[KittenRescue]

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HI everyone.. I have to go buy a scientific caculater for physics and precalc this semester, the last one I had just stopped working in the middle of my final last semester! Anyone have one that they would reccomend? Thanks!!😀

 

[NStarz]

HI everyone.. I have to go buy a scientific caculater for physics and precalc this semester, the last one I had just stopped working in the middle of my final last semester! Anyone have one that they would reccomend? Thanks!!😀

Are you able to use a graphic calculator? If so, I'd definitely recommend using one!

 

[lunajett]

Might want to wait and ask prof first day of class, usually they have some reccomendations. I know in my classes, they often would not let you use certain calculators during tests, like the TI-98 (??) because it has memory and can be programmed with formulas and stuff. I already had that one, which normally goes for about $100, but I had to go and buy another basic non-programmable scientific one for like $10 just to use on tests.

 

[SocialStigma]

I use a TI-89 as my graphing calculator but those aren't allowed in exams/midterms at my university, the only calculators allowed are the Casio fx-991MS, which I've been using since high school as my main scientific calculator and I love it.

 

[nohika]

My community college wouldn't allow graphing calculators used during chemistry at all, but you could use them all other times. I personally have a TI-84 and I love it - was super-good during statistics, etc. I can use it at my "new" college, so I'm happy.

 

[Tiktaalik]

Just get a TI-83, 84, 85 or 86. The 89 is overkill and sometimes banned from tests , etc. There is very little difference in power or use between the 83 and 84 or 85 and 86, it's a matter of preference. I prefer the 86, but the 83 will probably be easiest to come by used as it is the most popular.

People talk up features and such, but all you need is a calculator that can do addition, subtraction, division, multiplication, powers, roots, logarithms and graphing (maybe matrices, too, if you swing that way). Anything more powerful than that (say a calculator with built-in physics functions) can result in temptation to cheat, thereby keeping you from learning the things you need to learn. Don't use any helper or solver applications that you didn't write yourself.

 

[scb44f]

Just get a TI-83, 84, 85 or 86. The 89 is overkill and sometimes banned from tests , etc. There is very little difference in power or use between the 83 and 84 or 85 and 86, it's a matter of preference. I prefer the 86, but the 83 will probably be easiest to come by used as it is the most popular.QUOTE]


Agreed. Unless you're an engineering/physics/math major where a TI 89 is highly recommended, an 83 will be good enough.

 

[quantized]

Agreed. Unless you're an engineering/physics/math major where a TI 89 is highly recommended, an 83 will be good enough.

No self respecting engineering/math/physics/math major would ever use one of those. They're for lazy people! I've only ever seen one in engineering and that kid was superlazy and got completely made fun of every time he pulled that thing out to solve something that took him longer to type in then it would have taken to just solve it on a scrap of paper.

For graphing, I've had a TI-82 and a TI-86. The TI-82 I've had since 1995 (I'm old) and the TI-86 I got in 99 because it was a bit more useful for diffeqs. They're both still going strong. My non-graphing one is a TI-30X I believe. It's a good little calculator as well. The Casio and HP graphing calculators are nightmares to use, for anyone who learned on a TI, so unless you're used to them, I wouldn't get one.

 

[Caper2X]

I think everybody here has pretty much posted everything that should be said.

You should probably wait until the first day of class and ask your professor - they will probably have a recommendation that they will share with you.

I own at TI-89 Graphing Calculator that I purchased before university, I got it on sale for about $100. I did take one course, though, that I wasn't allowed to use my graphing calculator in. I had to buy a $10 scientific "basic" calculator that had only the necessary buttons (adding/subtracting, multiplying/dividing, exponents/logs, roots, etc).

 

[david594]

For non graphing check out the TI-30xIIs

 

[clairbear]

We had to use a TI 89 that the school brought for high school calc. We weren't allowed to use it for tests, but we were supposed to use it to check our homework. Those things seem like they can do everything mathmatically possible.

For my college calculus, I got an 84 because thats what my school recommends. I only maybe needed to use the graphing three or four times though. I could of probably gotten away with just a cheap calculator.

 

[scb44f]

No self respecting engineering/math/physics/math major would ever use one of those. They're for lazy people! I've only ever seen one in engineering and that kid was superlazy and got completely made fun of every time he pulled that thing out to solve something that took him longer to type in then it would have taken to just solve it on a scrap of paper.

Wow, ouch. Seriously? Every self-respecting engineering major I know including myself uses an 89. We are not solving each and every problem with it because honestly, after calc 1 and 2, it's not THAT useful unless you're really having problems. But in calc 1 and 2, I felt a lot more comfortable with the material when using it as a supplemental resource.

I was not trying to imply that engineering/physics/math majors use these calculators extensively, or that they only solve problems with them, because that is just not the case.

 

[quantized]

Wow, ouch. Seriously? Every self-respecting engineering major I know including myself uses an 89. We are not solving each and every problem with it because honestly, after calc 1 and 2, it's not THAT useful unless you're really having problems. But in calc 1 and 2, I felt a lot more comfortable with the material when using it as a supplemental resource.

I was not trying to imply that engineering/physics/math majors use these calculators extensively, or that they only solve problems with them, because that is just not the case.

Using the computer algebra system to solve equations is dead lazy. Seriously.

 

[twelvetigers]

Nerd fight, nerd fight!!

 

[breenie]

Nerd fight, nerd fight!!

I like how pre-vets are calling engineers nerds. Bahahaha.

 

[scb44f]

Using the computer algebra system to solve equations is dead lazy. Seriously.

Who said we used the computer algebra system? I agree, that is lazy, but there is nothing wrong with checking your work.

 

[quantized]

I had something written out but then figured that if you didn't get it by now then I won't keep beating a dead horse.

Here's a pic of an adorable cat for anyone who doesn't care about engineering/math/physics.

 

[Tiktaalik]

Aww, kitty!

And this nerd fight is entertaining at all, but unless someone wants to chime in with some info about Casio options, I'd say the OP's question is pretty much settled.