<p>are calculators allowed in most classes or are they not? also is the TI-89 In particular banned?</p>
<p>No calculators for any math and it probably depends on what physics class you take (common exam or regular) in common exam it’s pretty much all letters so you don’t use a calculator and I’m sure on regular exam just a regular scientific would do.</p>
<p>For math 152 maybe having a ti-89 could speed up your webassign homework but it doesn’t take more than 20 minutes to do it by hand, and that’s how you’re going to have to do it on the test so you might as well do it that way.</p>
<p>So basicly a calc is pretty useless at tamu…?</p>
<p>Every calculation I’ve ever had to make I would’ve been able to make with a scientific calculator. Sometimes the graphing calculator does make stuff easier but you don’t have to have it. As far as lower level goes so far I have not needed anything more than a ti-83. Maybe that will all change in upper level math and stuff though.</p>
<p>Ok Physics and Math are different:</p>
<p>Math: Absolutely no calculators for math. Why is pretty obvious. The calculator can do everything for you nowdays. So, you must be able to work every single thing by hand which is not that hard really in the first place as long as you practice. </p>
<p>Physics: Physics is a subject best worked in variables. If you do not work out involved problems with variables first you will almost for sure miss the problem unless you are really good at keeping track of what is what in your head. It may be easy at first when you have only 2 variables to worry about, but when you have equations with 5/6 variables and are trying to integrate and find constants and whatnot you will be glad you kept everything in variables. So professors understand this, and so many of them make their exams with no numbers at all and make you leave everything in terms of variables. The calculator will thus be of no help for you in these courses, other than the homework which will have numbers.</p>
<p>So ultimately, why have a calculator? Well, I think that will be a question I can better answer in years to come. Just come in knowing that you won’t be able to rely on it.</p>
<p>Yeah aggie engineer is right, I’m taking those basic courses at OU and Math absolutely no calculators</p>
<p>and Physics: everyproblem you solve you do it in Variables first and then at the end plug in numbers at the end (if at all)</p>
<p>I can PROMISE you that you will absolutely need a calculator at A&M. There are plenty of classes where you can use calculators on the test, especially if you’re an engineering major. The math courses (and some physics) are an exception. </p>
<p>You may not be able to use it for some of your physics or math tests, but you will be up a creek without a paddle if you don’t have it for some of your other courses, in particular the upper level engineering courses (are you an engineering major?).</p>
<p>Can you remind me what major you are? Also would you recommend investing in a TI-89 for upper level or would a TI-83 do the job?</p>
<p>I would invest the extra 50 bucks for the 89 just because it is just plain awesome. I agree that a calculator is a must have, but in terms of freshman year you will need really no more than a ti-83 you used in high school just because sometimes it is handy to see the graphs of certain functions.</p>
<p>If you’re an engineering major, getting a TI-89 for upper level classes is very wise as the 89’s symbolic calculations are second to none. It’s really only the freshman/sophomore level Math/Physics classes that restrict calculators… I can currently use an 89 for MATH 401.</p>