Good Graphing Calculator

Jrdrag3991

Don't know if I should post this here, so mods feel free to move it. Anyways, what would be a good graphing calculator? I was thinking the TI-84 Silver Edition. I'd like to be able to modify it do other things possibly or am I just dreaming? Are there better ones out there? Whichever I get, I'd like to be able to do significant figures with it.
Thanks!

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LoopyByteloose

Hewlett-Packard. The oldies had an interface and programing capablity. Of course, you have to use RPN.· They have selectible RPN or Algebratic input now.

Try this link.· Maybe you can locate an HP-41CX with interface and printer.

www.hpmuseum.org

My only problem with them was that I wore out the keyboards. But I sure learned a lot.

There are new ones, but I think that the HPIB interface is no longer available -- just graphics.· They do have an IR link though.

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"When all think alike, no one is thinking very much.' - Walter Lippmann (1889-1974)

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Post Edited (Kramer) : 2/23/2006 3:59:21 PM GMT

Staats

What are you going to do with the calculator - and what Math classes are you using it for / will be using it for? You will want to buy one that you can use on standardized tests that allow graphing calculators. I used my TI-89 through college - it served me well. I used a TI-85 in highschool (it died towards the end of my senior year - so I got an 89.)·The 89 was allowed on most tests, except those where graphing calcs in general were banned. Some science classes require a certain calculator to be able to interface with logging equipment. In Highschool, my physics and chem classes required a TI-83, but they had loaners for those with other models/no calculator. I would not mod the calculator. A modded calc may not be allowed in tests - you could get screwed by getting your calculator banned from a closed test and be stuck without a calculator. Just a thought.
~Garrett



Post Edited (Staats) : 2/23/2006 4:49:50 PM GMT

Paul Baker

The TI graphics calculators are a little more user friendly and the HP calculators are more powerful (about the same as far a graphing capabilities, but has many more features than TI calculators). If you have not entered college, and will be going for an engineering degree, get the HP calculator, it was a mandatory purchase item for my college.

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nick bernard

i used a TI82(replaced by TI83) in high school and a TI89 throughout college and still use it today. i'd go with the ti89 for an calculus based curriculum. ti83 for lower math.

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engineer, fireman, bowler, father, WoW addict [noparse];)[/noparse]

Staats

At Ohio State University, there wasn't a mandatory calculator for any Engineering classes that I had. It was kind of funny really - some teacher knew the HP, others the TI - but you always ahd a lot of TI users (students) in each class. If you didn't know how to do something on the the calculator, there was always someone in the class who could help you, whether it was a prof or a fellow student.

Paul Baker

The main reason HPs were required for the engineering curriculum at University of Florida, was that several professors of advanced courses expected you to solve differential equations and matrix equations during tests in courses such as thermodynamics, semiconductor theory etc. The HP calculators speed the process, and students with TI calculators would have been at a serious disadvantage to those with HPs, so the Dean made it a manditory tool, just as having a PC is now manditory. Clearly not all colleges are going to have the same requirements.

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Post Edited (Paul Baker) : 2/24/2006 12:40:10 AM GMT

LoopyByteloose

In the beginning HP used only RPN which a lot of students didn't like. TI users are very loyal [noparse][[/noparse]something like the division between C and Basic].· Higher price was a factor too.

Currently HP makes the RPN a selectible option on the higher priced calculators because most people just avoid it. [noparse][[/noparse]Something akin to the Dvorak keyboard versus the Qwerty keyboard - people don't want more on their learning curve]

The HP site explains which of their products are okay for standard examinations with calculators.

I did contruction estimating with an HP-41CX and while I certainly didn't need all the features -- I really loved that RPN allowed me to better control input errors. This was my primary day-to-day calculator for such work. Surveyors, civil engineers, and road builders absolutely love them for field work.

By using RPN, I didn't have to re-key items in twice and verify outcomes. Routine calculations were easy to create and call up. It was also easy to store verified parts of more complex calculations in 'scratch pad memory' registers. Using a 10-Key adding machine or an Algebratic with a software tape is more tedious.

As you may note, HP's top graphic calculator touts 2300 functions. In other words, they have pushed ahead into creating a very comprehensive calculator. It does give an edge. I cannot buy one in Taiwan. I imagine that many overseas universities are not aware of them.

The IR merely communicates with other calculators. I suspect it isn't useful for control or monitoring. You have to buy an older one, but run the risk of having no repair service when the keyboard gives out.

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"When all think alike, no one is thinking very much.' - Walter Lippmann (1889-1974)

······································································ Warm regards,····· G. Herzog [noparse][[/noparse]·黃鶴 ]·in Taiwan

Jrdrag3991

Staats said...
What are you going to do with the calculator - and what Math classes are you using it for / will be using it for?
~Garrett

Guess I should have put that in there. I'm in Hon Geometry right now and next year I'll be in Hon Pre-Calc AB and Hon Physics·also. So the HP seems the way to go if I go into engineering (which I plan to)?

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Staats

Buy what is used at your high school. Ask your teachers - they will know what calculators are allowed/aren't allowed on standardized/regional tests in your area. If you need a different calculator in college, worry about it then. Most likely you will not need a specialized calc to get you through the first year or so in college. You may even change your mind on what you want to do before then anyways - I declared 6 different majors before finishing. Buy what will be most useful to you in Highschool. I know it sounds like I am encouraging you to conform - in some cases you need to though, especially where standardized tests are concerned. If you get a really advanced calculator, some teachers will not let you use regardless because of the advantages it has over other calculators. In highschool, I couldn't have used a TI-89 or 92 if I wanted to - my AP calc teacher did not allow them. Focus on learning the material and theory - not on the calculator. You will be better off having a simpler calculator and working harder, at least in highschool. The calculator isn't the important thing.

Jrdrag3991

Makes sense. I was looking at the HP 49g+, but I didn't see nothing about the ACT's allowing it, so I'll have to stick with the Ti-84Silver Edition. Thanks

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'04 Spitzer 4-Link

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Paul Baker

Good point, Jrdrag.

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LoopyByteloose

I really hadn't thought about the issue of needing to conform to the class, but it certainly is a good one. In some cases, the teacher is worried about what the students can afford, the Ti's are less expensive.

Also, focus on the math rather than the calculator. Many people have a Rolex watch, but still can't manage time.

Though my university degree is in Fine Art, I took and passed the California E.I.T [noparse][[/noparse]Professiona Engineer-in-Training Exam] on the first attempt. {I declared a bunch of majors too, but no engineering school at my university}

Sucess was entirely about a good foundation in math. You can easily jump from Fluid dynamics to three phase electricty to strengths of materials and so on if you have a top notch math background [noparse][[/noparse]and physics too]. Newton really changed the whole world view and we are still reapplying much of what he presented in one year's time.

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"When all think alike, no one is thinking very much.' - Walter Lippmann (1889-1974)

······································································ Warm regards,····· G. Herzog [noparse][[/noparse]·黃鶴 ]·in Taiwan

T&E Engineer

When I was in college I bought both a TI-85 and an HP-48G (something else was here after the G - maybe G+). I found the TI-85 to be the BEST and easiest calculator for usage as an Electrical Engineer. I had the HP-48G for about a week and could not figure out the Reverse Polish Notation although it's graphing capability was more advanced. I sold it on EBAY.

However, with later advancements over the years in TI calculators such as the TI-89 or 92, it to me was much more advanced than the HP-48G in graphing and other Engineering tasks including Calculus -and still not too bad to learn.

The bottom line for me is 3 things being easiness of use, easiness of use and did I forget to mention...easiness of use. Going to school brings on enough difficulities and learning how to use a graphing calculator should not be one of them. TI has advanced itself far beyond what you will require in school.

I vote for the TI-89 as my choice of winners.

Thanks.

Jrdrag3991

I'll have to check and see today what's allowed and what isn't. Right now it's a toss up between the Ti-84 Ag-Edit. + or the Ti-89 Ti version.

Edit-I doubt this·will make much of a difference, but my senior year, I plan on taking AP Physics and AP Calc. Next year (junior year) I'll be in Archetectiral drafting, but I probably won't need a calcualtor too much in that.

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Staats

AP calc can be done using a TI-85 or 86. You do not need a TI-89 for calculus 1, 2 or 3 in college. It can make life easier, but you will not learn the fundamentals if you rely on the advanced calculus function of the TI-89 to do your homework for you. Again, some calculus teachers in college will not allow a TI-89 during tests either because of the advantage over the TI-86 or TI-85. Even if they do allow the calculator, it does not show each step involved in coming to the solution (a lot of calc classes give NO credit for no work, even with a right answer.) You are better off with the 84, 85 or 86. I tested out of calc 1 in college due to AP credits. Even in Calc 2 (math 154 @ OSU) the teacher banned TI-89's in any test or quiz. For basic calculus operations, the TI-89 can do them efficiently and with no effort. It is too much of an advantage over others. If you do want a TI-89 in college - buy it then, and use both calculators. I always would borrow a TI-85 or 86 from a frind to take tests with in my lower math classes. In other classes, calculators are banned all together - some upper level math classes involve more theory and less number crunching.. Even some engineering classes were like that. The math involved was simple, but the theory was not - so again, no calculator above like a TI-36 or 30...

Jrdrag3991

Guess I should have updated this. I went with the masses and bought the Ti-84 Silver Edit. Plus.

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