<p>On amazon.com, the TI-89 and the TI-84 are priced very similar. Since the TI-89 is the highest one, should I just get that?</p>
<p>Depends. If you’re familiar with TI’s and you won’t have a problem using them to their full capabilities, then go for the 89. If you just wan’t a more straight-forward calclulator, get the 84. Neither one will hinder your performance. If you’re excellent with the 89’s capabilities, it could save you more time, though, as it has more applications . That’s really about it.</p>
<p>You should also check out the N-Spire. I have one, and it’s great for graphing!</p>
<p>The 89 does your calculus for you. You don’t need it, though.</p>
<p>The 89 can solve most problems if used correctly, but also remember that often times you won’t be able to use a graphing calculator in intro calc classes.</p>
<p>I owned a TI-83 as a freshman in HS for alg II/trig, then at the end of the year got a TI-89. It has a lot more capabilities. You can solve functions, do differential equations/integrals/etc (so can the other calc, however sometimes it doesn’t have as many options or takes longer to do). Now, you can get by with the 84 but the 89 is just more bang for your buck. It has a great interface, too.</p>
<p>You basically need an 89 for upper level math classes, unless you want to have to do pointless derivations over and over and over and…</p>
<p>Every upper level (past intro to calc) math class, and every class I’ve ever been in that used math extensively (Electrical theory) allowed the use of TI-89s, so you should be good there.</p>
<p>As has been mentioned, you may not be allowed to use a calculator for calculus. You should email your professor and ask about calculators before you go ahead and buy one.</p>
<p>Oh yeah, that’s true. A lot of my calc class senior year (AP AB) was done without the use of a calculator. Still, for the parts where it was allowed it was good times. :)</p>
<p>I went through calc BC and IB HL math with only my trusty 83+. For intro-level calc, it’s probably better not to have all the functions on the 89, because one of my classmates had it, and he became dependent on it to solve his hw, which meant come test time he wasn’t really prepared. Whereas the 83 has enough to make MOST of the exact equations quick. But, once you get into the advanced calc (multiple graphs, plotting circular functions, etc.) the 83/4s are really slow. And the 89 gives exact answers, rather than decimals.</p>
<p>my calc 3 and linear algebra profs both use an 83, 89 is overkill IMO</p>
<p>my calc class only allowed a regular scientific calculator. i have both a ti 84+ and ti 89. i use my 84 more.</p>
<p>Be sure to check for your school…even the analytical theory classes at my uni don’t allow calculators with CAS.</p>
<p>I wasn’t allowed to use a calculator in any of my math classes. I got by a 400 level stat class with an 83, though an 89 may have helped.</p>
<p>I’m going to UChicago, and the general wisdom is that math classes don’t use numbers, so there’s not much use for calculators either.</p>
<p>89 is the way to go, even onne of the older versions… I had one in Calc AB and it was ssoo helpful!</p>
<p>But I had to give it back. If you are buying one of the two I would reccommend the 89</p>
<p>Using a calculator to learn calculus (or any math, really) is like using a wheelchair to learn to walk. It gets you from point A to point B, but doesn’t teach you anything along the way.</p>
<p>As many others have said, check with your prof. They may allow calculators, or may not. They may allow them on homework, but prohibit them on exams.</p>
<p>i never once used a calculator for other than doing basic operations ±*/</p>
<p>if i need to graph , i plug in 0 1 4 and connect the dots.</p>
<p>when i did my courses, no calcs allowed on test, not even scientific.</p>
<p>My Calc prof. mentioned that he loves teaching with the 89 and wishes that he could implement it more in the course, but it can’t be required for students because the cost is discriminatory. He suggested we use an 84 or 89 for checking HW but not to become dependent on it. </p>
<p>Funny how universities can require laptops, but it becomes discriminatory to require a $150 calculator.</p>
<p>^Yes, and then all the books…</p>
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<p>Hardly anyone needs to know math by hand these days.</p>