These are calculators that do not have CAS. No need to waste money on a TI-89, TI-92, or TI-Nspire. They are not permitted on the ACT and typical university examinations (when you need a CAS in college its better and cheaper to use software rather than a $220 calculator anyway). On the AP Calculus exams, only one out of three questions permit the use of a calculator, and 33.3% is not a passing score.
Calculators are needed to introduce numerical approaches where an anti-derivative may not exist. They can be a tool that one might need some training to harness its power to find solutions in math, engineering and science. Discovering patterns with a calculator can deepen the understanding of a theorem. So to strengthen your arithmetic and algebra skills, here are some excellent choices.
If you have one of these already, keep it! If you lose it or want an upgrade,
you get more bang and performance with a Casio (if you don't mind relearning where the buttons
and features are).
My favorite for Calculus is the Casio fx-CG50 (sooo much faster graphing and the root/intersection finding)
For AP Stats, I still favor the TI-84 because I like defining new lists within the list editor.
This preference might be the bias I have for using the TI for so long. If you won't be taking
any AP Math exams, the numworks calculator is an emerging
software defined calculator is work a look. Right now it is a early version (15.3.0),
and you cannot store the intersection points, and there is no inference app yet. It is small, light, bright,
quick, and I like button layout (but yellow is terrible choice).
| Model | Pros | Cons |
|---|
| TI-84 CE |
- Complete Stat Dist/Functions
- Storage: 3.5MB
- 154 KB RAM user accessible
- CPU: eZ80 48 MHz
- Graphics: 320 × 240 pixels, back-lit color @ 140DPI
- Light and thin (202g)
|
- Very expensive ($120-150 new)
- Python model not available until fall 2021 (different model)
- screen dimensions are 56mm x 36mm, but graphs are only 48mm x 30mm
- Slower than a Casio
- Does not use AAA batteries,
so you need to remember to charge it
- New Lithium Batteries are $10
- Software needed to backup or download programs
|
| Casio fx-CG50 |
- Reasonably priced ($70-99 new,
I paid $50 on ebay for a new one with no box)
- Complete Stat Dist/Functions
- Storage: 16MB
- 61 KB RAM user accessible
- Faster Graphics than the CE
- CPU: SH4 at 118 MHz (58 MHz in older models)
- Graphics: 384 × 216 pixels, back-lit color @ 140DPI
- Numbers on axes
- Change view dynamically with arrow keys
- uses AAA batteries, no need to remember to charge it
- No software needed to download or backup programs
- Has Python Programing as well as basic
- screen dimensions are 70mm x 39mm
much larger letters and color graphs than the CE
|
- Thicker and 80g heavier than TI-84CE (282g)
- Sequences and Lists handled differently than a TI
- Menus are on the bottom, not lists like the TI
|
Casio fx-9750giii
(gen 3 new 2021) |
- Reasonably priced ($40-60 new)
- Complete Stat Dist/Functions
- Storage: 3MB
- 61 KB RAM user accessible
- Faster Graphics than the CE
- CPU: SH4 seems to be at least as fast as the CG50
- Graphics: 128 × 64 pixels Monochrom LCD (2.53)
- Numbers on axes
- Change view dynamically with arrow keys
- uses AAA batteries, no need to remember to charge it
|
- Thicker and 32g heavier than a TI-84CE (234g)
- screen dimensions are 56mm x 30mm
|
| TI-84 Plus |
- Complete Stat Dist/Functions
- Faster than a 83
- More Memory than a 83
- SF teachers and student can help you learn it
- Reasonable Price ($80-110 new, $120 for a Siver edition)
- Uses AAA batteries, you don't need to remember to charge it
|
- Dark low-rez screen
- Slower than a Casio or TI-84 CE
- Plus Edition Storage: 480 KB user accessible of 1 MB
- Silver Edition Storage: 1.5 MB user accessible of 2 MB
- 24 KB RAM user accessible of 128 KB (48 KB on newer models)
- CPU: Z80 15 MHz
- Graphics: 96 × 64 pixels, monochrome LCD
- 93g Heaver than a TI-84 CE (295g)
- screen dimensions are 52mm x 35mm
|
| TI-83 Plus
|
- Complete Stat Dist/Functions
- SF teachers and student can help you learn it
- Uses AAA batteries, you don't need to remember to charge it
- Reasonable Price ($70-75, but not as many features as a $40 casio)
|
- Slower than most graphing
- Dark low-rez screen
- Storage: 512Kb with 163 KB for user data/programs
- CPU: Z80 6 MHz (Siler edition is 15 MHz)
- Graphics: 96 × 64 pixels, monochrome LCD
|
You will notice that I don't recommend the TI-84 C, due common hardware issues in the past. Also I would not recommend any Gen 2 Casio fx-9750gii or fx-9860 since they still seem to be selling at the same price as the better gen 3 versions.
The best value is to buy a calc from someone upgrading.
The next best value is to by a color Casio like the fx-CG50.
If you want the ability to ask fellow students how your calculator works, or for cool programs, you are better off with the TI, as it is more common around St. Francis.