I need a TI-83 for a math course next year. Will it matter if I get a TI-83 plus?

Answer 1

No. They're almost the same. Do not get a TI-89, TI-92 or Voyage 200, though, because your professor may not allow it. Those calculators can do algebra for you.

I think you can probably get by with a TI-84. They're nice, but your teacher might not be able to show you how to use it. TI-86's will do the job too, although they're laid out strangely. I do not recommend them. Teachers are usually not very familiar with TI-86's, and I doubt they will be familiar with TI-84's either.

If I were you, I'd just get a TI-83 Plus. Your teacher will be better able to help you use it if you get confused.

I notice that some people are encouraging you to buy a TI-89. That will be fine IF and ONLY IF your professor will allow it. TI-89's and more advanced models have very powerful features that save you lots of work in many cases. If you don't know how to do the math already, you will not learn it if you have a TI-89 or higher. And if it's a lower level course, your professor probably will not allow it on tests. If you get a TI-89 and that happens, you just blew $150 and will have to buy or borrow a less advanced model for the rest of the class.

Answer 2

Simply put yes, the TI-83 plus operates much faster and includes a few more features. You could consider the 84 as well. I would not reccomend the 83.

Answer 3

"TI replaced the TI-83 with the TI-83 Plus calculator in 1999, which included Flash ROM, enabling the device's operating system to be updated if needed, or for large new Flash Applications to be stored, accessible through a new (Apps) key. The Flash ROM can also be used to store user programs and data. In 2001 the ante was raised with the TI-83 Plus Silver Edition, which featured approximately nine times the available Flash ROM, and over twice the processing speed (15 MHz) of a standard TI-83 Plus, all in a translucent, iridescent grey case."

"The main improvement [0f the TI-83+] over the TI-83, however, is the addition of 512 KiB of Flash ROM, which allows for OS upgrades and applications to be installed. Most of the Flash ROM is used by the OS, with 160 KiB available for user files and applications.

Designed for high school, it [TI-83+] contains all the features of a scientific calculator as well as function, parametric, polar, and sequential graphing capabilities; an environment for financial calculations; matrix operations; on-calculator programming; and more."

If you are in college, definitely get the TI-89 although it is somewhat more difficult to learn.

Answer 4

The functionality is the same, but the plus has more RAM and a faster clock speed, so when you need the calculator to draw a graph, for example, you'll have to wait a bit longer on the TI-83, sans plus.

The TI-84 offers the same features, but is even faster, so you may want to choose that one if you can afford it (I believe they are similarly priced).

Answer 5

No. You could actually get the TI-84 if you wanted to. The 83 and 84 are pretty much the same.