Calculator question

[ScottU]

I've been told to get the TI-30X II calculator...but I just found a TI-30Xa in my old schoolbag. Is there any advantage to buying the new one? Or is this one fine?

[Wigmeister General]

It's just a tool. Whichever one you feel more comfortable with is the "best" one for you.

Stop overanalyzing. You're wasting valuable time. The deadline is fast approaching.

tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock

[Travis]

I have a TI-30 "Electronic Slide-Rule Calculator" .. runs off a 9V and has a beautiful LED display .. is this approved?

http://www.ultinet.net/~past2/ti200b.jpg

Are people under 30 even allowed to know what these are?

[I_hate_everybody]

I've been told to get the TI-30X II calculator...but I just found a TI-30Xa in my old schoolbag. Is there any advantage to buying the new one? Or is this one fine?

For course 1, it's your call. The added benefits of upgrading to the 30X II is you'll get more memory to store things and a two-line display, allowing you to scroll through your calculations. If you make a lot of 'typing' mistakes, maybe you should go for the upgrade. However, I don't think the added functionality of the 30X II is very relevant until you get to exams 3 and 4. And for course 2, you'll definitely need some form of the BA-35.

If it were my call, I'd get a 30X II as a backup if your exam center doesn't have loaners. Otherwise, wait to buy new calculators. Also, if you get the 30X II, learn to use it effectively - otherwise, you'll be shooting yourself in the foot come exam-day.

[glenn]

whatever you use, buy two. Haha it died during the exam. OK, maybe not so funny - for $15 you can insure against this.
As IHE mentioned, use whatever one you like for course 1. But make a choice now (from the SOA approved list) so that you are comfortable with the calculator when the exam comes around. For course 2 and 4 some people prefer different calculators, but for course 1 it won't make a difference.

[Carol Burnett]

If you like the setup of graphing calculators, then I'd definitely go with TI 30XIIS. It is great and let's you see what you have calculated.

[Mauve'Bib]

TI30XIIS is great for some problems because you can go back and edit your last entry for a different x (or whatever) value.

It's also good for longer calculations, because you can see what you're doing and catch mistakes.

However, its order of entry is different from prior calculators I've had, and I'm just not getting used to it. So, for all the smaller calculations, I use the BAII Plus.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Adding to LVBIII's post, I don't trust the PO to deliver within 6 days, especially if you're in Canada. Shell out more moo for second-day air or Federal Express or something. Or drive to Chicago area and hand-deliver it.

[Blue Like Jazz]

I just bought a TI30XII, and I think has some major shortcomings. Particularly the way it uses menus for some common functions:

--Storing values in to memory and retreiving them takes forever.

--The last answer button is a 2nd function. This is crazy. I know it automatically brings up the last answer when you want it first, but it would still be better as a main function key for times when you use it later in the equation.

--You can't toggle the negative button like on most calculators

--Using the factorial function is hard (It takes forever to do 8!/5!/3!)

Of course it has all the pros that everyone talks about on this board too. I'm just getting started with it; maybe it will become more natural and faster as I use it.

[Eeyore]

justme:

I agree with most of your comments on the TI30XIIS
However instead of using the factorial function three times for 8!/3!5! use nPr for n!/(n-r)!
or nCr for n!/r!(n-r)!
Should save at least a couple of keystrokes

[Blue Like Jazz]

Eeyore:

You're right about the nPr and nCr. I actually think that is a big pro for this calculator. You can perform multiple calculations of nCr quickly by scrolling back and changing the numbers. Very fast!

It just depends on what you're doing...some things are faster some are slower.

Scrolling back is the biggest advantage and the deciding factor in my opinion. Is this feature worth the tradeoffs on other things? Everyone is different. However, I wouldn't call this calculator the "perfect" calculator for course 1 as I've heard before.