Halcyon Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 The cost of the calculator is about 100 or more, and it seems Desmos.com or mathway is a free option---can anyone tell me why a TI-84 might be better for my son's online ALg 2 class? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 Well, it's not a bad idea to learn how to use one. I'm taking a math course myself coming up, and frankly I'm most terrified of the calculator. LOL I prefer to do things by hand when possible. So that's one way to look at it. I have the TI-83 which is a bit less expensive. I paid around $85 for it. There probably are on-line things you could use though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amira Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 Ds downloaded an app that he uses and he likes that a lot better than the regular calculator. The problem has been that he can't take his device into a formal testing situation even though graphing calculators are often allowed. We ended up buying a calculator for tests but he's not very comfortable using it during tests and I'm not really happy with the whole thing. If testing weren't an issue, then we'd skip the calculator. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halcyon Posted August 29, 2015 Author Share Posted August 29, 2015 Thanks. Do you think the TI-83 is simlar enough to the ti-84? Thanks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purpleowl Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 For the Alg 2 class, the online option is likely fine, though it's likely that some instructions will be given with the assumption that students have the TI-84 ("first, choose this option, then this one, then on this screen..."). But if your son will eventually be taking AP math courses, a TI-84 is something that can be used during the exams (there are portions of the exams that cannot be done without a calculator). Some math courses in college may require it as well, and an online option may not be available in that setting. I think building familiarity with its functionality is a good thing, so I would say go ahead and get it now. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 The Ti-84 has a slightly higher screen resolution and comes with a USB cord. That seems to be the main difference unless you go with the silver edition. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 both versions can be used on SAT/ACT exams You basically cannot use any device that could potentially have Internet access which is why stuff like phone/tablet aps are out. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 I suspect I can get away with not using it for the course I'm taking, but I figured it was still not a bad investment because then my kids could also use the calculator. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purpleowl Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 I think I remember that the TI-83 didn't have the same stats capabilities as the TI-84...let me see if I can find anything about that. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halcyon Posted August 29, 2015 Author Share Posted August 29, 2015 thanks. I found one on ebay which is a bit cheaper. Can anyone tell me if this is the same thing? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Texas-Instruments-TI-84-Plus-Graphing-Calculator-in-TI-Nspire-TI-84-BLUE-/171639696487?hash=item27f685ec67 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 The only reason to get one is to learn to use it well enough so that it can be a help on the SAT/ACT. Otherwise, IMO, graphing calculators are more trouble than they're worth. I much prefer my HP 35s combined with the Desmos site. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purpleowl Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 Here's a page that gives a pretty helpful explanation of the differences between 83s and 84s, with links to more info: http://askville.amazon.com/difference-TI-83-TI-84-calculator/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=14973393 It looks like the one you linked on eBay has the option of being just like an 84+, which is great. I've heard some people prefer the Nspire, but I've never used one myself. (I love my TI-84+ Silver Edition. She has a name and everything.) If the one on eBay works for you that's great...I was also going to suggest, if you're in an area that has a college, wait until the end of the semester and start checking craigslist, when students are ready to sell theirs. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matryoshka Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 I finally caved and got the TI-84+ last year. One dd was taking that Alg2 class; other dd was taking PreCalc at school. Neither ended up using it much at all! But it was good to have for the standardized tests, and it was good they learned how to use it. I just found out I might need a second one, as it seems they both might need them more this year, and can't share so easily! Boo! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halcyon Posted August 29, 2015 Author Share Posted August 29, 2015 nevermind-heard back from instructor--thanks all! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 We bought two TI84+CE during the recent Walmart and Target sale. It was going for $88 and $85. For doing work, a scientific calc and desmos are good enough. However you can't bring a phone or tablet to the exam hall so it is useful to get one when the next sale comes around so that your son can familarise with using it for the calculator questions. My kids are using the calculators to play with programming in TI-Basic. The scientific calculator was good enough for the ACT and SAT practice tests my kids tried. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanny Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 A TI-84 Plus Graphing Calculator is a requirement, for the Algebra 1 course from TTUISD that DD will begin soon (hopefully, next week). The TI-84 Plus Graphing Calculators seem to be the default used in schools in the USA. I bought a "TI-84 Plus CE" (the latest model, color display, rechargeable battery, etc.) for $88 including Prime shipping to Miami, for DD last month, from Amazon. There was a thread that I think I started, here on WTM about these calculators, during July. They were also being sold for $88 at Wal Mart and at Target at that time, according to other people who participated in that thread. These calculators are permitted in the PSAT/SAT/ACT exams and can take one through Calculus and Statistics. I believe (but am not positive about this) that there is a section on the SAT that requires use of a Graphing Calculator. You might want to check into that, before deciding not to spend the money and have your student learn how to use one of these calculators. There is also a "Dummies" book, which I bought New for DD for about USD$7 + shipping, hoping it will help her learn how to use the power of one of these calculators. GL with your decision! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 My DD is preparing for the (old) SAT now, and we have not yet run into any question (on various practice tests) that require a gaping calculator. Usually you're interpreting graphs, not creating them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monica_in_Switzerland Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 I don't know why a graphing calculator is necessary for alg2, but for pre calculus and up, it's a must. The teacher is requesting a specific model because he will be teaching the functionalities of the calculator, how to get to various menus, etc. TI makes each model just enough different to be $&@!!?&$ frustrating. I still have and cherish my TI-82. One of my only sentimental keepsakes from high school and college! It served me faithfully through about eight years of daily use, and now waits patiently for the day I put new batteries in. I hate using a scientific calculator when I could be using my TI82! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purpleowl Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 The SAT subject tests for Math 1 and Math 2 have some questions that require a calculator (graphing calculators are recommended). The regular SAT does not require a calculator for any math questions, though it is permitted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomeAgain Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 My son uses a Casio graphing calculator - http://www.shopcasio.com/product_detail.do?q=graphing-fx-9750gii-calculator&promoCode=CSOPAYPCWEBMACSS&gclid=CKeG6sCAz8cCFQEcaQodc5kFwQ It does everything the TI-84 does, is more intuitive, and is half the cost. We bought it because he needed a graphing calculator for a test but we couldn't afford a TI right at that moment. Two years later, he likes it much better than the TI ones and wouldn't take me up on my offer to replace it this year. He says when he gets into engineering he'll look at a TI for the math required, but why bother paying more for the same thing now? This will take him all the way through his high school maths. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkT Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/558600-crosspost-great-sale-on-ti-84-plus-ce-color-graphing-calculator/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 The TI84 plus CE is back on sale at Target for $89.99. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuNaturel Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 I used the TI 83 Silver Plus all the way through college with no issues. I still have it and plan to give it to my daughter when she starts algebra. Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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