Texas Instruments TI-89 Advanced Graphing Calculator
by Texas Instruments
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Texas Instruments TI-89 Advanced Graphing Calculator
Customer Review: Do your calculus and model scenarios too!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is my first graphic calculator, and had no idea what to expect. My only comparison is against desktop computer software like Mathematica or MATLAB (which run US$1,000 or more). I started with simple matrix algebra, saving me hours of checking my arithmetic and remembering Gauss-Jordan rules. I moved onto statistics and probability, with a finance point of view, then tried a few partial differential equations. Impressive so far, I was very happy to see that a few book publishers have printed short textbooks on math topics using the TI-89 (e.g. calculus, linear algebra, statistics, etc). Being a long-time computer programmer, and working in the field of finance, I wanted to give this calculator a run for its money. Buying an extra device that allows me to write programs on my desktop computer and copy them to the calculator, I was writing formulas that did equity option pricing (no small task, considering the calculus involved) in no time. My formulas work as if TI had installed it with the calculator itself. Later, I was plotting 3-D scenarios of the option valuations, requiring a little more time than desktop software to plot, but still exemplary for a hand-held device. The numeric solver did a wonderful job finding solutions to functions I had long given up on without the use of a computer. Overall, this calculator exceeds my inital expectations, and is a valuable aid to learning mathematics in ways I never imagined.Customer Review: Oh TI-89 how do I love thee? Let me count the ways
Summary: 5 Stars
1) arithmatic calculator functions: cause I'm too lazy for 6*7 in my head2) entry memory : ever forget how you arrived at your answer? Your TI89 stores up to the past 80 calculations you've done
3) graphing functions: oh so much easier to do math when I can see the problem... function, polar, differential, parametric, sequential, even 3D graphs
4) algebra support: x^3 + 42x^2 - 8x + 2.1 = 0 ... forget factoring by hand : x = -42.1907945554 of course!
5) data tables: set up matracies, lists, and other data stuff...
6) units: A MUST for a science student... put in all your units and it will convert them
7) Calculus capabilities: differentiate, integrate, find limits (and MORE) of functions you type in!
8) Numeric solver: type in your own equations and plug in the numbers... KE = 1/2 * m * v^2
9) Easy interface, very intuitive
10) Seemingly limitless capabilities: download programs from the internet and load them on to your calcualtor (my favorite: the Periodic Table, with lots of data on each element). (you need the TI-graph link for a PC-Calculator hookup)
11) You CAN use them on SAT1, SAT2s, APs, and many other standardized tests.
11 reasons doesn't come close to how much I love this calculator! If you are or will be taking any of these classes I highly recommend the TI-89 : Calculus I, Calculus II, Statistics, Physics, Chemistry, ... and beyond!
Customer Review: Great features, nice size, good price
Summary: 5 Stars
The TI-89 is an excellent calculator. It has an absolutley HUGEfeature set, and is so advanced that it can basically do most math for you. My favorite features are the CAS (computer algebra system), which can solve a lot of algebraic equations for you, and the factoring function (I dont have to waste time factoring on paper anymore! whoohoo!). My old ti-83+ seems like a slide rule compared to this thing, but the 89 is still quite easy to use. In addition, not only is this calculator great for math, its great for games! There's a multitude of mathematical programs and games that you can find for free online. . . The only downside to this calculator is that the rich feature set can actually be a problem. A lot of students that use this calculator rely on it too much, and some of them barely understand any of the math that they are supposed to be learning. It is probably for this reason that it and its brother the TI-92 (difference between the TI-89 and TI-92 is the 92's qwerty keyboard, useless for a calculator in my opinion,and the 89 is smaller) are banned in some colleges, and on some tests, like the ACT's. If you've got the discipline not to rely too much on this fine piece of equipment (if you're a student), I highly recommend this calculator. But be warned, keep your old calculator around for tests that you can't use your 89 on, and NEVER rely to much on it.Customer Review: It's GREAT, but makes you lazy!
Summary: 5 Stars
This calculator has gotten me out of more sticky situations on math tests than any amount of studying, programming, or use of any other calculator ever could. Really.It's incredible! It integrates (not just the numerical kind like on the 83!), takes derivatives, and does just about anything else you can imagine (it even does 3D graphing, a feature for which I've yet to find a use... but it's neat!).
Doing calculations takes about half the time on the 89 because you can go back to any of your past 100-some calculations and bring that number (exactly!) into the current calculation. I've found this feature extremely helpful in physics.
The physical calculator is also a quantum leap ahead of the TI-83. The buttons are much larger, the keys are more clearly marked, the case is much rounder, smoother, and cooler looking, and most importantly, the screen is about twice the resolution of the 83's! Graphs look clear, as do numbers and text.
There are only two problems I've found with the 89:
1. I often lose what I make up for on the calculator sections of tests on the non-calculator section simply because I took less time to really review and understand the material.
2. It takes a bit of getting used to.
Whether or not you can maintain good study habits, the 89 is the best, most comprehensive, easiest to use calculator in the world. Fantastic!
Customer Review: VERY useful throughout HS and college
Summary: 5 Stars
If you're taking Calculus 1 and 2 in college, the TI-89 will get you through the course if you're any competent with theoretical math.I took AP Calc (and got AP Credit for calc 1), Calc 2, 3, and Advanced Engineering Math using my TI-86 and in retrospect, if I had the TI-89 it wouldn't have made a difference, BUT most of the ideas and concepts covered in Calculus 2 can be easily done on the TI-89.
Overall, I would not use the TI-89 for engineering work because it's slow to convert units. The menu system is funky and slow, so converting from metric to SAE takes a bit longer.
For math courses and theoretical stuff on a college level or graduate level, go with the TI-89.
If you're in middle school (grade 7-8) you might as well get a TI-89 for Christmas and start familiarizing yourself with the features. Slap in some assembly level games and amaze your friends (well not really, you youngins now have Gameboy Advance and all that fancy jazz but Tetris on a TI-86 amazed quite a few folks back in the day). The TI-89 will serve you well even after you get a 4 year engineering degree!! Unless your instructor(s) don't allow the use of a calculator because they want you to do everything with a pencil and paper like they did in the 1700s.
Also, get four 750mAh NiMH rechargeable batteries and save yourself a lot of money in the long run.