Calculus and Math Contest Graphing Calculator

iamthecowgodmoo
Fri, 01 Nov 2013 01:27:48 +0000

Hello, I’ve had my TI-83 plus for about 2 years and its served me well in the elementary graphing needs of Algebra 1 and 2 but next year I will be taking AP Calculus BC and I need a better calculator. I’m also sick of having to perform a lot operations by hand while my fellow math club members easily punch a few buttons on their calculator. Please do not lecture me on how its important to be able to do stuff by hand and such, I know how to do it but not having a CAS system is slowing me down. Right now it is between the TI Nspire cx CAS and the TI-89 Titanium. I’ll try to avoid starting another calculator forum but after playing around with my friends calculators the TI Nspire is much more powerful and easier to use than the 89. My question is: are there a lot of extra programs and functions available for the Nspire (I know you’d have to “jailbreak” first) like there are for the 89, or is there a large gap? Is it easier to find good programs for the Nspire or the 89? Which one will serve me best during contests?
Thank you.