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Which
Calculator should I use?
First,
ask your instructor. (S)he will tell you what calculator (s)he will
be using in the course, if any, and what calculator you will need in
the future. Since most instructors tend to use a Texas Instrument calculator,
it may be easier for you to use the same one. If you use another brand,
you will probably have to learn how to use it by yourself.
You should buy the calculator that will last you through the highest
level math/science/technology courses you think you might take. So ask
your program coordinator in technology or your science teacher which
one you will need. Why spend $20 on a scientific calculator for basic
algebra when you will need a $100 graphing calculator in intermediate
algebra? Why spend time getting used to one calculator, when you will
need to learn to use a different one within a year?
One other thing, the calculators are expensive, but they are a lifelong
investment. To save money, I suggest that people buy a used calculator,
perhaps post an advertisement for one on the bulletin boards. I have
never seen a used calculator for sale in any school I have worked. I
guess people keep their calculators long after they have sold their
textbooks. The only source of used calculators that I know of is Ebay.
Here is some general information:
There are 3 basic lines of TI calculators:
1. The old TI 82 was upgraded to an 83 and, in 2004, to the 84. These
3 calculators work in a very similar way, but the 82 is missing many
of the features of the 83 and the 84 which may become a problem in the
higher level math courses.
Most math teachers use the 83. In addition to the usual calculator and
graphing capabilities, the 83 is particularly easy to use for statistics.
The 83 is a fine all-around graphing calculator.
2. The TI-85 was designed for engineering students, upgraded to the
TI-86, and is probably going to be phased out by Texas Instruments.
Fewer and fewer people are using the 86. More and more precalculus and
calculus students are using the TI-89.
3. The TI-89, like its predecessor the TI-92, is a totally different
kind of animal from the 83 or the 86 lines. The 89 is a computer algebra
system (CAS). The other calculators are number crunchers, but the 89
does algebra. This means you can operate not only on numbers, but algebraic
expressions as well. The calculator can factor, add, subtract, multiply,
raise to a power, take derivatives, integrals, limits….For this
reason, more and more people in precalculus and calculus are using the
89. The 89 does everything the 83 and the 86 can do and more.
Here are some basic guidelines for deciding which calculator,
if any, to buy:
Prealgebra and Elementary Algebra Foundations:
depending on your instructor, you may or may not be allowed
to use a calculator. The more work you can do in your head or on paper,
the better your number sense will be. If you are going to buy a calculator,
consider purchasing a TI 83 or 84 (any edition) for these courses.
Intermediate Algebra: the instructor will probably use the ti83, but
the ti84 is similar enough. The 83 is enough calculator for you if your
last math courses are either intermediate algebra or statistics. However,
if you learn to use the 89 you will have a nice tool with which to check
your answers. There will probably be a few students in your class with
the 89, so sit together and help each other out.
Precalculus: the 83 will suffice, but consider learning to
use the 89. You have to decide if it is worth the money.
Calculus: Learning to use the 89 (as well as learning math)
is an advantage in calculus. Since the meat and potatoes of calculus
is taking derivatives and doing integrals, you may want to have an algebra
system that does this (and more) for you. If you prefer to do everything
by hand, you will be satisfied with the 83 or the 86.
TOP
Calculator
Help
Finding
instructions for your calculator:
1. The entire text of the guidebook for every TI calculator is on the
TI website http://www.education.ti.com
( in the upper right corner of the TI home page, do a search on “guidebook
TI 8_”)
You may feel as if this tome is overwhelming, but all you have to read
are the few “Getting Started” opening pages for each chapter
of interest. The pages work you through a typical example of what you
want to do, showing you each keystroke and a series of corresponding
calculator screen shots. Besides the “Operating the TI”
and “Function Graphing” chapters, you may want to read the
“Statistics” chapter which will teach you to plot data and
find the regression equation thru given data. Did you know your calculator
will solve equations for you and find the solution to a system of equations?
Try programming the quadratic formula into your calculator by reading
the chapter on how to write programs for your calculator.
2. At the beginning of each semester, Professor Kennedy holds a 90-minute
workshop on graphing calculator basics. He offers this free workshops
2 or 3 times on each campus. When his schedule becomes available, it
will be announced by your math teacher and posted on this Three Rivers
Math Department home page under the “Math News” link.
3. Try the free, interactive “TI tutor” by clicking on the
appropriate link on the left margin of the publisher Brooks Cole math
website: http://brookscole.com/math_d/index.html
It is worth the 5 minutes it takes to download the appropriate plug-ins.
A copy of your calculator is displayed on the computer screen and you
are told what “buttons” to press with you cursor.
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