Calculator Question

Jake4

I wasn't sure where to post this, as it's just a general question rather than anything actually math related..

I'm starting pre-calc this summer, excellerated, and going into calc 1 at the second half of the summer. This is to get me ready for starting my Physics major in the fall.

I'm a transfer student, who has been very interested in physics for a while now, but only recently got up the guts to switch schools and majors to follow my passion.

ANYWAYS..(through all of that, this is going to sound like a stupid question BUT)

I'm at the stage of buying a calculator. I know for calculus I'll need a graphing calculator such at the TI-89 but now they have these TI-Nspire ones as well, with and without CAS

I have no idea what to buy, and I want to buy something that would be good for all my college years if possible.. basically I would rather over buy right now, so I have something that can last me, rather than buy something just for beginning calc now, and have to buy another one when I get to higher math and physics.


and I'm not sure what the consensus is on CAS or non CAS..


any info would be great, thanks fellas

jasonRF

In my experience, in higher math and physics you almost never need a calculator, and when you do any old calculator will be fine.

jason

Mark44

I concur with JasonRF.

It might be hard for some of you young whippersnappers to imagine, but there are a few of us on this forum who studied calculus before calculators came on the scene.

MaceLee

If you're going to buy a new calculator I would recommend the TI nspire CAS as it does pretty much everything. It's what I use currently to check all my answers.

Jake4

thats actually refreshing to hear, I prefer math that can be intuited, and done out, rather than plugging extensive equations into calculators.

I think I need a graphing calculator for calculus I believe (they expect it) so should I get the CAS one or non CAS?