What is better for precalculus and trig a Ti 89 Titanium or Ti 84 plus silver edition?

Question

I need to know which one is optimal to use for precalculus and trig, and whether the one you prefer would be good enough for calculus as well.

Answer 1

Go for the TI 84. The 89 is MUCH harder to learn to use. The 84 is specifically designed to help learn precalc, trig, and calculus. And it's cheaper. And since the 89 will actually DO the calculus, most calc teachers won't let you use it on tests, but they will let you use the 84.

Answer 2

They are both almost identical insofar as their capabilities for trigonometry and pre-calculus. The main differences will be practically indistinguishable by you until you attempt higher-end mathematics such as integral calculus or complex statistics. So a quick rule of thumb would be:

If you will eventually move on to complex mathematics such as calculus, the Ti-89 Titanium would be an excellent investment that will last you all through your mathematics schooling.

If not, then just go for the Ti-84+ Silver, which is both cheaper and cooler-looking. ^.^

(And as a side note: Honestly, for *only* pre-calc and trig, any basic scientific calculator will work just fine for you. Personally, I'd go for a dirt-cheap Ti-30X2 Solar, just so that I would never have to worry about buying batteries. But still, some pre-calc instructors will require a "graphing calculator", even through they only use the "graphing" portion of it 2 or 3 times during the entire class just to show you what a given graph looks like when they could have just as easily sketched it on a board. At least, that was the extent of my former pre-calc class, just last semester.)

Answer 3

for precalc hah, scientific should do the job for your level, but i doupt you'll use the extra features of ti 89 since i has much more integrations. but in precalc you will very briefly learn about derivitives which ti 84 only does it in definite form but 89 does it in indefenite(which you will be doing a bit in precalc) and definite. overall 84plus is old and if you want to buy a calculater 89 is the way to go since it will last through even college (i am math major and still using it)

Answer 4

If you already know how to use any earlier versions, the 84 will be easier to learn, but I personally think the 89 is infinitely cooler.