TI-83 or TI89?

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pakbabydoll

pakbabydoll

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ok I bought a TI-83+ when I was in 10th grade and I have been using it ever since. I am really good at using it to its full potential; however, my current math teacher only uses TI-89 when teaching. I am in pre-cal and according to him pre-cal is to combine algebra/trig with technology. Since he just puts all the problems in the calculator and his 89 spits out answers, rest of us who did not go and buy 89 are completely lost.

So my question is what graphing calculator did you use for calc? If I am going to need a 89 for calc I might as well just get one now, but if I am not going to need one for calc then I'll just try to teach myself for the time being.

any advice?
 
89 has better graphics
 
pakbabydoll said:
ok I bought a TI-83+ when I was in 10th grade and I have been using it ever since. I am really good at using it to its full potential; however, my current math teacher only uses TI-89 when teaching. I am in pre-cal and according to him pre-cal is to combine algebra/trig with technology. Since he just puts all the problems in the calculator and his 89 spits out answers, rest of us who did not go and buy 89 are completely lost.

So my question is what graphing calculator did you use for calc? If I am going to need a 89 for calc I might as well just get one now, but if I am not going to need one for calc then I'll just try to teach myself for the time being.

any advice?
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Just so we're clear - it is absolutely disgusting that someone teaches math this way.

The 89 is pretty fancy and can do quite a bit - matrix algebra, integration & differentiation, etc. You'll be better for learning how to actually do things on your own - but if this is your last math class (or you won't have to build on this knowledge in something like calc-based physics) then just play the game and go with the 89. If you're in pre-cal, you'll definitely not need any features the 83 doesn't have - but I wouldn't risk a grade if it's a matter of $80. Check out craigslist & eBay - people don't need their 89's forever. 🙂

I would destroy this guy on my eval.
 
I used a TI83+. But for me it didn't really matter... the tests were so hard that I didn't even know what the hell to enter into the calculator. Maybe you should ask you professor.. or just go with the 89.
 
You don't need an 89 for calc. I used a Ti-83+ in high school and throughout college. But if it helps you get through that class, then you should get one.
 
It would def help because all the test are multiple choice... I am not really learning anything in the class that might help me in calc but in our school pre-cal is a req for calc.
 
If it will help you in the class, get the TI-89. I never used a calculator in calc 1, but then again I never used it in pre-calc either, so I don't know what your calc 1 professor will require. It is odd though that he teaches you how to do everything on the calculator, I've never been taught math that way.
 
My calc teacher used a TI-83+, but I decided to go with the TI-89 and it worked out really well. You can definitely get by with the 83 but if the prof is using an 89 it could be really hard to keep up.
If you didn't already know, the 89 is really good at variable manipulation, so if you enter an equation, it can integrate without needing limits(incredibly helpful). For the more theoretical type calc, it also has a good idea that the limit of k/0 = infinity. Anyway, hope that helps.
 
Get the 89. It solves equations for you. Pretty sweet deal (and dead useful in physics and chemistry).

I was taught calc with an eye to using the 89 (we all had to get one), so that's what I was used to. But it's quite the useful calculator, if you don't mind dropping the $150 for it (or whatever it costs now).
 
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beachblonde said:
Get the 89. It solves equations for you. Pretty sweet deal (and dead useful in physics and chemistry).

I was taught calc with an eye to using the 89 (we all had to get one), so that's what I was used to. But it's quite the useful calculator, if you don't mind dropping the $150 for it (or whatever it costs now).
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You used an 89 for physics and chemistry?
 
taponthecloud said:
You used an 89 for physics and chemistry?
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Sure, why not?

Nobody ever had a problem with it. I'm not nearly technologically savvy enough to put programs on it to help me cheat-I found it difficult enough to learn how to make graphs on the thing. Everybody at my school had either an 83 or 89, so we all used them for chem and physics.
 
I double majored in bio and econ. took multiple statistics courses, calc cources, and game theory. Did fine with an 83. The prof is probably telling you to get the 89 because he owns one and doesnt feel like explaining the subtle differences between entering things into each calc. So to say that you need it because the 89 is better is all BS. It's simply a reflection of the laziness of your professor.
 
I use a Ti-89. I used a Ti-83 for a good 6 years, then last year I lost it and replaced it with a Ti-89 and by now I can't even use the 83 anymore. I don't know how to use the integration, matrices, I know it can plot slope fields and do all sorts of neat stuff, but I have no clue how any of that stuff works.

But, I can never go back to using a Ti-83 for one feature alone. The ability to back track the last 30 inputs. When you're on a p chem problem set, after spending the last hour deriving some cracked out page long equations, you will appreciate the ability to go back and change any mistakes you might have made when putting in values and getting answers.
 
I was not allowed to use a calculator for calculus I and II. I believe that I benefited greatly by not using a calculator for the first two calculus courses. I am a physics major...However, I would get the TI-89. I have one and it's great. Furthermore, your teacher is an idiot, you really need to understand your algebra for calculus. Pre-calc is an extension of alegebra, nothing more. Good luck.
 
beachblonde said:
Sure, why not?

Nobody ever had a problem with it. I'm not nearly technologically savvy enough to put programs on it to help me cheat-I found it difficult enough to learn how to make graphs on the thing. Everybody at my school had either an 83 or 89, so we all used them for chem and physics.
Click to expand...

It's not that I have a problem with using an 89 in chem and physics. I just had a hard time thinking of reasons for using such an advanced calculator in those classes.
 
pakbabydoll said:
It would def help because all the test are multiple choice... I am not really learning anything in the class that might help me in calc but in our school pre-cal is a req for calc.
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Wow....

With all due respect, that is ridiculously easy. So what's up with partial credit?
The good thing is that you'll get a great grade and you really don't need pre-calc. In the real world, you have a calculator at your disposal, but that isn't the point. I guess that was his intention :idea:

And I totally agree with the poster that said it is disgusting for math to be taught this way. I hope this isn't at a 4 year institution.
 
My teachers wouldnt allow us to use those calculators. We had to have a 10 dollar scientific calculator, and actually had to learn the calculus, gosh I hated that.
 
If your math professor needs a TI-89 to teach pre-calc, then I suggest transferring to another math course. It's TOTALLY unnecessary to use a calculator in pre-calc and you will more than likely NOT need it until you start trig and vectors. My pre-calc professor didn't even allow calculators on the first two midterms.

But if you're going into higher levels of calculus (and doing high level physics, chemistry, or engineering) then I'd suggest to invest in a TI-89 now.
 
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If you stop at Calc 2, you dont need an 89. Or I didnt.
 
I'd go with the 89. In fact, I did. I took Calc I and II, and though I didn't need it, it certainly made life easier. It also has some cool functions that I used in chem and physics, like beachblonde above mentioned.
 
I LOVE TI-89s! F2 solve rocks! 😀
 
you dont need no 89...
 
I love my 89! You will not regret it.
 
TI-89 has better games 😀
 
I made it thru algebra, geometry, pre-calculus, Trig, AP Calculus AB/BC, linear algebra and multivariable calculus with a TI-83+ with no problems. Since I was a math geek back in the day, I also had a TI-89 but it was just to play around with and when push came to shove, I prefered to use the TI-83+ at math competitions and on exams.

I think it's great you're very familiar with the TI-83+ and its capabilities - I really like the organization and menus over that of the TI-89... it will take some time getting used to the 89 for you and I don't know if it's worth it if you don't plan to take many more years of calculus.

It seems odd to me that your teacher uses his calculator so extesively for problem solving. In my experience, nearly all of my teachers did not allow the use of calculators during tests and that contributed greatly to my education. That said, if getting the 89 would help you to perform better in this class, then by all means get it. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that many times professors will not allow the 89 to be used during calculus exams because of its symbolic logic functions (solving integrals, etc) wheras the 83+ can be used. So, it's possible the calculator would be useless to you in future years - not only that - you only need 2 semesters of calculus in college ... and the 89 is rather expensive as I recall. If you're on a budget, I'd really say it's not worth it. My trusty TI-83+ has been able to handle every other class along the way to med school.
 
Even though you have to learn to do math outside of your calculator, my TI-89 was definitely a huge help through Advanced Calculus (Calc IV), Partial Differential Eqns, and Non-linear Dynamics and Chaos.

The TI-89 can basically do all of calculus for you haha. It's a very powerful device. Symbolic integration with clear display of the output is worth the extra cash.
 
I used to call my TI-89 my super calculator that was going to take over the world. That's how much I loved that calculator through calc III. Get it.
 
We weren't allowed calculators in Calc I, II or III. Differential equations didn't allow calculators either. The only math class that required calculators was Linear Algebra.
 
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Graphing caclulators in Calc?:wow:

At my university, the University Registrar banned all calculator other than the Casio 991 series calculators. Any other calculator was not to be used in test and certainly not in exams; and even with that we were not allowed to use the lids which had conversion equivalents and common physics and chemistry constants. Calculators make life way too easy, try not to rely on them, and graphing calculators make calculus a no-learning course and you will come out with pretty much nothing.

Now, I am sure OP must know how math courses are run in India/Pakistan. They have no calculators for use AT ALL.

I know this post doesn not answer OP's question at all, but the customary line follows:

HOpe that helps

Cheers
Piyush.
 
Knowing how to use trig substitution to solve a complicated integral by hand won't get you very far in life. Learning how to effectively use available recourses will.
 
I love my 83+ for chemistry and even if I buy 89 I'll still use 83+ for chem. I have all of these applications on it that do dimensional analysis, MW, MM, Density, name of all compounds, and I also have a periodic table that gives all the information about an element.
I have given in to the pressure of society and I will get a 89 just because it would make the class easier. Right now I am confused because I am teaching myself and in class I just sit there and stare at the teacher. He is not a good professor at all even though he has a PhD in math 😱!


Now, I am sure OP must know how math courses are run in India/Pakistan. They have no calculators for use AT ALL.
Click to expand...
I know, I asked my cousin because he took calc and he does not know anything about Ti-calculators. He said they used a normal scientific calculator. Here I had to buy TI-83+ for my high school geometry class, and we used it a lot for Algebra 2.
 
I agree with a previous poster, get a good book and learn to do calculus without calculators. It is actually pretty fun and eloquent when you know how to do it properly.

The Ti-85 has the fastest chip speed and an adequate solver for numbers. The 89 is better for graphing as well as solving for expressions. I, personally, prefer he 92 plus because it has a qwerty keyboard and by far the most scientific/engineering programs written for it. Anymore though the 89 and 92 plus are the same (except for the keyboard).
 
taponthecloud said:
It's not that I have a problem with using an 89 in chem and physics. I just had a hard time thinking of reasons for using such an advanced calculator in those classes.
Click to expand...

Ah, well, it was the calculator I had, so I used it. With calc-based stuff it made more sense than gen chem I, for sure. I do like being able to look back at the past 30 inputs, though...that makes life a little easier.
 
I have to go old school and say TI-86 is the best calculator ever. Man I loved that thing...
 
Simply put, the 89 does everything you could possibly need it for at this level of math; that includes making coffee.
 
ok so I just went and dropped $170 on the stupid calculator. Thats 3 months of gas money!
 
pakbabydoll said:
ok so I just went and dropped $170 on the stupid calculator. Thats 3 months of gas money!
Click to expand...


Ouch... Sorry to say it, but I think you overpaid a bit...
 
pakbabydoll said:
Right now I am confused because I am teaching myself and in class I just sit there and stare at the teacher. He is not a good professor at all even though he has a PhD in math 😱!
Click to expand...

you must be a freshman....
 
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variablistic said:
Ouch... Sorry to say it, but I think you overpaid a bit...
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It was $150 + tax. I looked at three stores and they all had the same price. One of my friends in the next city got it for the same price too.

you must be a freshman....
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Is it that obvious?
 
I am and engineering student with a bit of work experience a while I do have an 89, I don't think you'll ever really need it for classes. I'd stick with the 83.
 
I love my 89 but I would never claim to NEED it for anything. It's just really, really, really cool and nifty. 😎
 
Wasn't allowed to use graphing calculators in Calc.

I've never owned one, but can't they solve derivatives/integrals for you? Why would a Calc class let you use something like that?
 
Wow, $170 is a lot to drop on a calculator. (I thought I saw the same calculator at Staples for about $120 this summer too?) Anyway, I have a TI-83, and it's more than sufficient for me. You should focus on learning the concepts, pak. While the calculator can help by acting as a supplemental tool or verifying your work, if you haven't got the basic concepts down, you will be lost regardless.
 
copingmethods said:
Wasn't allowed to use graphing calculators in Calc.

I've never owned one, but can't they solve derivatives/integrals for you? Why would a Calc class let you use something like that?
Click to expand...

I wasn't allowed ANY calculator in calc. We also had to memorize all the trig functions in radians. Joy 🙄
 
Jolie South said:
I wasn't allowed ANY calculator in calc. We also had to memorize all the trig functions in radians. Joy 🙄
Click to expand...

😱 I'm shrinking back in horror now. I hate trig with a burning passion. Every time I come across an integral/derivative with a trig function in it, part of me dies...maybe that's why I did so poorly in calculus in prior years. I never bothered to relearn trig. 🙂

EDIT: Woaah, Jolie, when did you get accepted to Baylor? My dream school! Congrats!
 
TexanGirl said:
😱 I'm shrinking back in horror now. I hate trig with a burning passion. Every time I come across an integral/derivative with a trig function in it, part of me dies...maybe that's why I did so poorly in calculus in prior years. I never bothered to relearn trig. 🙂

EDIT: Woaah, Jolie, when did you get accepted to Baylor? My dream school! Congrats!
Click to expand...

yep, just happened today. i almost cried. 🙂
 
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