Which Calc should I get TI-86 or TI-89 platinum?

Question

I registered for a college math course. They require a TI-85 or equivelant, which isn't even made by TI anymore. So I started searching and I don't think there's a huge difference in price between the TI-86 and TI-89 platinum. Here's is a description of the course:
Emphasizes simplifying expressions, solving equations, and graphing functions, including linear, quadric, polynomial, rational, radical, exponential and logarithmic. Problem solving and mathematical modeling are integrated throughout. Appropriate technology to include a graphing calculator.

I know the TI-86 would do what I need, but would the TI-89 platinum do everything I need or is it made to do other things?

Answer 1

The latest TI graphic calculator "everyone" in my kids' private high school has is the TI-84 Silver Edition. I had heard that the TI-83 Silver Edition had virtually the same functionality as the TI-89 (not sure if it was platinum at the time)...and I know that the TI-84 is essentially just an even-faster TI-83. I don't know anything about the TI-86.

You can search online for prices on any of these, and I have actually purchased "back up" calculators on e-bay, in case the primary ones get lost or stolen.

Answer 2

Well, if you can afford it (and if you will be using it more in the future) I would suggest that you get the latest graphing calculator made by Texas Instruments. I have a TI-89 and have used it in both physics 1 and calculus 1 last semester and will use it again in the second part of both courses. It solves equations, tells time, finds derivatives and performs other extraordinary functions in additon to the basic calculations. The only down side to using the calculator is that you can become so dependent on it that you don't know how to perform calcuations without it such as finding derivatives, I also had to remember to switch from radian to degree mode when in physics.

I would also advise you to purchase the calculator from half.com. I ordered three textbooks from the site last semester and received a great deal on each one I received. Yes, the books were soft cover but at least I only payed about half the price I would have payed if I had purchased them from my college book store which is good because I keep my books to study from and don't have to worry about selling them back to the bookstore and getting half, or less than half of what I payed for them. Two of the books came within 5 days the other never arrived so I filed a complaint, asked for a refund and received the money back on my card within a month of filing the complaint. For security reasons you might want to purchase a card from your local bank (which costs about 5 dollars) and serves as a credit card without the high balance for theives to get a hold of and use, the company says it is a gift card that is not reloadable but if you ask for a refund like I did you will find that the money gets put back on the card.

Best wishes to you, in all of your endeavors.

Answer 3

The TI-89 is made to do many other things. It can do so much that most math classes spend the entire first week learning how to use it because it is completely different than the other calcs and takes a lot of time to learn how to use it. Also, since the TI-89 can do so much, the SAT and ACT prohibit examinees from using it (it can solve for variables among other things). So, if your class does not require the 89, I would not get it because it would be very confusing to learn how to use it if your teacher is not going over it. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Get the best model you can afford. A word of warning though...guard the calculator with your life! I had two, yes, TWO TI-86 calculators stolen from me when I was in high school.