Best Calculator for Calculus

The Math Sorcerer
13 Mar 202403:57

TLDRIn this video, the presenter discusses the best calculators for calculus, highlighting the TI-84 Plus Silver Edition and its newer counterpart, the TI-84 Plus C, which offers color display and rechargeability. They note that while more powerful calculators like the TI-Inspire exist, many teachers restrict their use due to their computer algebra system. The presenter recommends the TI-84 series for calculus courses, as they are typically allowed in class and useful for test-taking without relying on prohibited features.

Takeaways

  • 📚 The TI 84 Plus Silver Edition has been a reliable choice for calculus for over a decade.
  • 🔍 An older model, the TI 84 Plus Silver Edition, is still functional despite being well-worn.
  • 🌈 The newer TI 84 Plus C is superior due to its color display and rechargeable battery.
  • 📈 Both calculators are capable of graphing functions like the sign and cosine functions.
  • 🚫 Teachers often restrict the use of calculators with computer algebra systems for calculus classes.
  • 🔢 Calculators without computer algebra systems, like the TI 84 series, are commonly allowed in classes.
  • 📝 The TI 84 Plus C and Silver Edition are recommended for calculus courses due to their allowed use in exams.
  • 🔋 The newer model is rechargeable, offering convenience over the battery-operated older model.
  • 📱 The TI 84 Plus C includes additional features such as statistics and polar coordinates.
  • 🛒 Links to both calculators will be provided for those interested in purchasing.
  • 🎓 The speaker offers math courses on their website, Math Sourcer, with links to Udey courses at a reduced price.

Q & A

  • What is the main topic of the video transcript?

    -The main topic of the video transcript is discussing the best calculators for calculus, focusing on the TI 84 Plus Silver Edition and the TI 84 Plus C.

  • How long has the speaker been using their TI 84 Plus Silver Edition calculator?

    -The speaker has been using their TI 84 Plus Silver Edition calculator for about 14 to 15 years.

  • What is the main difference between the TI 84 Plus Silver Edition and the TI 84 Plus C?

    -The main difference is that the TI 84 Plus C is in color and is rechargeable, while the TI 84 Plus Silver Edition uses batteries.

  • Why does the speaker recommend the TI 84 Plus calculators over more powerful calculators like the TI Inspire?

    -The speaker recommends the TI 84 Plus calculators because they lack a computer algebra system, which many teachers do not allow in the classroom, making them a better choice for use during tests and in class.

  • What feature do the TI 84 Plus calculators lack that the TI Inspire calculators have?

    -The TI 84 Plus calculators lack a computer algebra system, which can perform calculus operations like integration and differentiation.

  • What is a computer algebra system and why might some teachers not allow it in class?

    -A computer algebra system is a software that can perform algebraic manipulations, including calculus operations. Some teachers might not allow it because it can do the work for the students, potentially hindering their understanding of the concepts.

  • What are some of the features of the TI 84 Plus C that the speaker highlights?

    -The speaker highlights that the TI 84 Plus C is in color, rechargeable, and includes features like graphing, fractions, statistics, and polar coordinates.

  • How does the speaker demonstrate the functionality of the TI 84 Plus C calculator?

    -The speaker demonstrates the functionality by graphing the sign function and cosine of x, and showing how to perform basic arithmetic and fraction operations.

  • What advice does the speaker give regarding the use of calculators during tests?

    -The speaker advises that it's better to have a calculator that you can use during a test to perform computations and check answers, rather than one that is not allowed in the classroom.

  • Does the speaker provide any additional resources for learning math?

    -Yes, the speaker mentions math courses on their website, mathsourcer.com, which are available on the Udemy platform, and encourages the use of links from their website for a lower price.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Best Calculator for Calculus Students

The speaker begins by addressing the question of the best calculator for calculus, initially suggesting the TI 84 Plus Silver Edition, which they have been using for over 14 years. Despite its age, the calculator still functions well. However, the speaker then recommends a newer model, the TI 84 Plus C, which is superior due to its color display and rechargeable battery. They demonstrate the calculator's graphing capabilities by plotting the sign function and cosine of x, emphasizing the importance of these calculators in classes where computer algebra systems are not permitted due to their ability to perform calculus operations automatically. The speaker also mentions more advanced calculators like the TI Inspire, which are not commonly allowed in classrooms, and concludes by suggesting that the TI 84 Plus models are the best choice for various calculus courses due to their widespread acceptance and functionality without computer algebra systems.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Calculator

A calculator is an electronic device used for performing mathematical calculations. In the context of the video, the focus is on graphing calculators, which are more advanced and can plot functions and equations. The script discusses the evolution from older models like the TI 84 Plus Silver Edition to newer ones like the TI 84 Plus C, highlighting improvements such as color screens and rechargeable batteries.

💡TI 84 Plus Silver Edition

The TI 84 Plus Silver Edition is a specific model of graphing calculator produced by Texas Instruments. It is mentioned in the script as a reliable and durable calculator that the speaker has used for over a decade. It represents an older generation of calculators that still serves well for calculus-related tasks.

💡TI 84 Plus C

The TI 84 Plus C is an updated version of the TI 84 Plus series, featuring a color screen and rechargeable battery. The script praises this model for its superiority over the Silver Edition due to these enhancements, making it more user-friendly and modern for students studying calculus.

💡Graphing

Graphing refers to the process of plotting mathematical functions or equations to visualize their behavior. The script demonstrates graphing capabilities by showing the graph of the sign function and cosine of x, which is a key feature of the calculators discussed for calculus students.

💡Computer Algebra System (CAS)

A Computer Algebra System is a software that can perform symbolic computation, including integration and differentiation. The script explains that calculators with CAS capabilities, like the TI-Nspire, are not recommended because many teachers do not allow their use in class, as they can solve calculus problems automatically.

💡Integration

Integration is a fundamental concept in calculus that involves finding the area under a curve by summing an infinite number of infinitesimally small rectangles. The script mentions that while some calculators can perform integration, they are often not permitted in classrooms.

💡Differentiation

Differentiation is the process of finding the rate at which a function changes, or its derivative. The script touches on the fact that calculators with CAS can automatically differentiate functions, but such features are often restricted in educational settings.

💡Rechargeable

Rechargeable refers to the ability of a device to be powered by a battery that can be recharged, rather than replaced. The script contrasts the TI 84 Plus Silver Edition, which uses replaceable batteries, with the TI 84 Plus C, which has a rechargeable battery, indicating a preference for the latter due to cost savings and environmental benefits.

💡Batteries

Batteries are a source of power for electronic devices. The script mentions that the older TI 84 Plus Silver Edition uses standard batteries, which can be a recurring expense and less convenient compared to the rechargeable battery in the newer TI 84 Plus C model.

💡Math Sourcer

Math Sourcer appears to be a website or platform mentioned in the script, offering math courses on the Udemy platform. The speaker encourages viewers to use links from their website to access these courses at a reduced price, indicating a personal connection to the educational content provided.

💡Polar Coordinates

Polar coordinates are a two-dimensional coordinate system in which each point is determined by a distance from a reference point and an angle from a reference direction. The script briefly mentions that the TI 84 Plus C calculator supports polar coordinates, indicating its comprehensive functionality for various mathematical tasks.

Highlights

The TI 84 Plus Silver Edition is a reliable calculator for calculus that has been used for over 14 years.

The TI 84 Plus C is a newer version that is superior due to its color display and rechargeable battery.

The TI 84 Plus C is allowed in most calculus classes because it lacks a computer algebra system.

Calculators with computer algebra systems, like the TI Inspire, may not be allowed in class.

The TI 84 Plus C is recommended for Calculus 1, 2, 3, and Differential Equations courses.

The TI 84 Plus C is a good choice for tests where calculators are allowed and can be used to check answers.

The TI 84 Plus Silver Edition still functions well after many years and uses batteries.

The TI 84 Plus C offers a color display and rechargeable battery, making it a practical choice.

The TI 84 Plus C includes features like graphing, fractions, and statistics.

The TI 84 Plus C supports polar coordinates and other advanced graphing calculator functions.

The video demonstrates the graphing capabilities of the TI 84 Plus C with examples like the sign and cosine functions.

The presenter has been using the TI 84 Plus Silver Edition for about 14 years.

The TI 84 Plus C has been used for one or two years and is rechargeable.

The video provides a comparison between the TI 84 Plus Silver Edition and the TI 84 Plus C.

The presenter suggests using the TI 84 Plus C for in-class use and tests due to its allowed status in many classes.

The video concludes with a recommendation for the TI 84 Plus C as a comprehensive graphing calculator.

The presenter offers math courses on their website, mathsourcer.com, with links to Udemy.

The courses are priced at a minimum, and using the website's links provides a discount.

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