I will be taking AP Calculus in the upcoming school year. Will my old TI-34 II be capable of the job, or should I upgrade to a better calculator? What type? Also, if I did need to upgrade, would the new calculator be too much for AP Physics and Biotechnology?
Thanks a million for any help!
2006-06-23 11:02:24 · 17 answers · asked by toothpickgurl 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
I have talked to my math teacher, but he simply said a graphing calculator would help. I am the only student in the class, so he wouldn't release a supply list for this year.
2006-06-23 11:26:25 · update #1
I am also looking for a calculator that will store information, but not do all of the work for me. I am not the kind of person that would cheat, as my career path will be heavily weighted in math and science.
2006-06-23 11:31:02 · update #2
I'm glad you all agree that the TI-83/84 is a good calculator. Thanks for helping everyone! Philo and KansasSpice are up for best answer because they are teachers, and I always trust my teachers unless I know they are wrong. Good Luck, and thanks again!
2006-06-24 14:41:33 · update #3
Before you spend the money, check and see if your school checks them out. Many schools do this, and then you can decide if you'll use it enough later in life to purchase it. For instance, my high school checked out TI-82s to us, and then I ended up buying an 83 when I got to college.
Also, be aware the some teachers do not allow you to use your own calculators on tests due to the fear of cheating. You might end up having to learn how to do it all on a basic calculator anyway, so that might affect how "worth it" it is to you.
Personally, I feel a TI-83 or so is plenty worth it. My teachers always let us program whatever we wanted into our calculators anyway, because our tests were such that we had to show our understanding, and not just spit back facts and formulas.
2006-06-23 11:18:39 · answer #1 · answered by KansasSpice 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Upgrade, but get the one the teacher will be using because the worst thing is having a calculator you are unable to use. Remember the manuals for these graphig calculators can be a couple of hundred pages long. I do recommend the TI-89 simply because you can use it all through college. I have a Bachelors in mathematics and my TI-89 got me through it easily! Now if you want something more user friendly try the TI-84 silver edition which you can later buy programs for incase you need to. Do not get a TI-85 or TI-86 these calculators have mostly been discontinued!
2006-06-23 11:30:15 · answer #2 · answered by akiras mommy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I highly, highly, highly recomend the TI-89. The only reason I wouldn't upgrade would be cost ($150, but you can usually find it on sale for $120). It has features that make taking the test much easier. And it is not cheating. The makers of the exam expect you to have a calculator that can find derivitaves and intigrals. Since you have almost a year until the exam, I would get it now and get familiar with the calculator.
2006-06-23 13:31:20 · answer #3 · answered by johndersel 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you should upgrade. I don't think a TI-34 can do the job... It's digital display, right? Your TI-34, I mean.
I'd say a TI-83 to -85. I have one and it calculates polynomials, plots graphs, all that sorts of stuff. And you can even make programs on it!
2006-06-23 11:13:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES! upgrade it will be helpful in AP Physics (great class) and Biotechnology ( I woudl assume). I think the best kind is a TI 94 or TI 93 or maybe I'm way off
2006-06-23 11:07:13 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You definitely need to upgrade.
I would bet on the TI-84 Silver edition, but double check with your teacher. And I would get it now so that you are at least somewhat familiar with it before class starts.
2006-06-23 11:17:50 · answer #6 · answered by scotsgirl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I just finished AP Calculus and I had a TI-83+, but they don't make those anymore, so definitely get a TI-84+ Silver Edition. The TI-34 will not be any help whatsoever.
2006-06-23 11:29:53 · answer #7 · answered by Kelsey 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a retired HS math teacher, I'd recommend a good TI-83 or -84. The 89 would be too much. But your best bet is to ask the teacher you'll have.
2006-06-23 11:09:32 · answer #8 · answered by Philo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You will need a graphing calculator unless you have access to programs such as Maple, Matlab, Mathematica, or Mathcad. Maple happens to be the most common software program used for calculus classes.
2006-06-23 11:07:37 · answer #9 · answered by bow_wow_wow_yippieo_yippiea 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The TI-89 or the TI-92 are excellent calculators for Calculus. The user interface is neat and organized and the calc has all the functionality for physics and biotech.
2006-06-23 11:36:09 · answer #10 · answered by vitamin_t1979 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋