Texas Instruments TI-89: It's Like a Hand- Held Personal Computer

Calculators, in their numerous varieties, have been helping students solve mathematical problems for decades. Once a time- consuming process, math questions, both difficult and easy, can now be resolved in a matter of seconds, all with the push of a few buttons.

For the majority of people, standard calculators with a basic set of functions (square root, exponent, pi, natural log, etc.) will suit their needs well. But for students who are faced with advanced mathematical problems, an ordinary calculator simply will not do. For these people, a more sophisticated device is necessary for working out problems. And one device that fits the bill is the Texas Instruments TI- 89, a calculator that outperforms most of the competition.

Features of This Calculator:

This calculator performs all the basic functions (add, subtract, multiply, divide, square roots, percentages, etc.) plus a whole lot more. Texas Instruments designed this calculator with its special Computer Algebra System which allows users to integrate, differentiate, and solve most any type of equation. It will also solve systems of functions simultaneously and it can be used for matrix algebra, derivatives, and vectors, making it invaluable for students of math and engineering.

Besides displaying an answer, this calculator will also graph your results on the display panel. The graphic capabilities of this calculator extend beyond the usual x and y coordinates on a flat plane. TI-89 also graphs in three dimensions, allowing students to visualize the solutions to problems with three coordinates. It even has the ability to be connected to a computer or to another calculator, giving it download capabilities.

Pricing:

TI- 89 is not a cheap piece of machinery. This calculator carries a price tag that is many times more expensive than other calculators; retailing for between $150 and $170. If you feel you really need a calculator like this but don’t have quite enough money to spare, you can often find this for sale on- line in sites where used merchandise is sold (like Ebay and Amazon.com). This can help save you a small amount of money. But you should fully expect the price to still be at least $100.


Customer Service:

Information on this calculator can be obtained through the product web site, education.ti.com. You can also call the company if you have a question or problem at 972-644-5580 or send an e-mail about a technical issue thorugh the main web site, ti.com.

Final Thoughts:

TI-89 is a workhorse of a calculator! Not only can this hand- held device provide the answers to problems, it also can be used to manipulate equations and it shows solutions in graphical form. It has 500k of memory and has the ability to download applications, including spreadsheets and specialty applications for finance, statistics, games, and more.

When I first became familiar with this calculator, I assumed it was a device mostly used for graphing. It was sold as an “advanced graphing calculator” so I assumed this was its primary function. I quickly learned that TI- 89 can perform much more than just act as a display for graphics. The graphs are very nice, and I was particularly impressed by the calculator’s ability to graph in 3-D and in split- screen format. But what was most impressive about this calculator when compared to others is its ability to solve more complex calculus, physics, and statistical problems. This is something you don’t find on many other calculators, and that includes many of the best calculators in TI’s own lineup, like the TI-86 and others. With this calculator, for instance, I can input several equations and it will solve the matrix or advise if no solution exists. With a little bit of downloading, I can transform the calculator into a spreadsheet, an organizer, etc. Texas Instruments offers many different specialty programs for sale that can be downloaded for specific tasks. There is a program for finance, one for probability and advanced statistics, one for geometry, and many more. These can be downloaded by hooking up your calculator to a PC. The recommendation is to purchase a USB or serial cable for connection purposes. Once you have this, you are ready to enhance your calculators many features.

Some of the applications will cost you to download, but most of them are free of charge. Applications like basic finance and most of the engineering functions are free, and many other functions (such as Cellsheet) are already pre-loaded on the TI-89 Titanium model. But other applications, like some of the more advanced calculus and geometry will cost you a little bit of money (generally $30 or less) to download.

One other nice benefit of purchasing the TI-89 is that its use is permitted for taking most standardized tests, like the SAT and AP tests. However, you need to consult with your high school or college instructor before you assume this device is permitted on regular tests. With so many useful features and capabilities, a student can punch in data and within a few seconds, the answer to a problem is displayed on the screen. I have witnessed students entering data on this device and then watching as the screen displays the graphic answer so they can copy it onto their homework. Because of this, some teachers do not allow this calculator to be used on tests. But even if your teacher doesn’t allow its use on exams, it is still a calculator worth owning if you’re a student of advanced math. It’s nice to have the ability to check your answers, and that is one of the primary reasons I have used this calculator. I will usually try to work through problems on my own, and then check myself by punching the data into the TI-89 to see if I am correct.

There are two negative aspects of this calculator that come to mind: The price and the learning curve. The cost of this electronic device is among the highest of all calculators, and this fact alone could discourage some students from making the purchase. Then, there is the length of time to learn how to use it properly. TI-89 comes with a manual that has more than 500 pages (!) explaining how the different functions are used. If the capabilities alone are not enough to scare some people, the manual should provide enough intimidation to make users think twice. But don’t let the manual discourage you from making a purchase. It’s long because it attempts to cover hundreds of different questions and problem areas- many of which the average person will never use anyway. And the functions you do use can be learned in due time (it’s somewhat confusing at first, but gets easier with practice), making the calculator easy to use.

TI-89 is powered by four AAA batteries and it automatically shuts itself off if the calculator goes more than a few minutes without being used. This is nice because it can help extend the battery life. But keep this in mind if you happen to use this calculator for a test. Don’t go into shock when you see the screen has gone blank- it only means you have gone too long without pressing a key.

For students of advanced math, engineering, and science, the TI-89 can be an invaluable resource for working through tough problems. It is the most advanced calculator I have ever used and I think it’s safe to say that it will suit the needs of most any student of math. It isn’t practical for those who need a calculator primarily for more basic or intermediate math because there are more functions available here than these types of students would use (there are less expensive calculators for beginning and intermediate math). But for those who need an advanced piece of machinery, the TI-89 is exactly what you’re looking for. The price is high, yes. But once you see and use this calculator, it will likely become your newest best friend. It takes time to learn how to operate, but once you know the methods, much of the guesswork (and the headaches) of complex mathematics will fade away. It’s costly, but worth the investment.



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