The Age Old Question: Which Calculator?

Which calculator?

  • Good Ol' TI-83

    Votes: 1 7.1%
  • TI-84 Series

    Votes: 7 50.0%
  • TI-Nspire Series

    Votes: 5 35.7%
  • TI-3x Series

    Votes: 1 7.1%

  • Total voters
    14

KPButterflyer

Member
Joined
Feb 14, 2019
Messages
27
Hello!

So I recently accepted my appointment to USMMA, and I want to know which calculators are allowed and recommended. I have a TI-84 SE, but I could get something more advanced. What do you guys think?
 
You will have specific instructions on this issue in your reporting in instructions. I would not buy anything until you see what they recommend for incoming plebes.
 
From 2022 Logging in Manual: "Electronic Calculators: A graphics calculator (e.g. TI-30x IIS) is recommended, but optional. This may be purchased before entrance to the Academy or can be purchased at the Academy’s Navy Exchange (NEX)".
 
From 2022 Logging in Manual: "Electronic Calculators: A graphics calculator (e.g. TI-30x IIS) is recommended, but optional. This may be purchased before entrance to the Academy or can be purchased at the Academy’s Navy Exchange (NEX)".

For what its worth, the TI30 isn't actually a graphing calculator... but it is what you'll have to use all four years. I don't ever remember using my TI 84 or TI 89 ever, and the TI 30 is what the coast guard lets you use for license.
 
My son took his TI Nspire CX CAS that he used in high school. It should get him through every math, physics, or engineering classs in college.
 
My son took his TI Nspire CX CAS that he used in high school. It should get him through every math, physics, or engineering classs in college.
That is interesting. Did he get also the TI30, which is mandatory in the plebes kit?
 
My son took his TI Nspire CX CAS that he used in high school. It should get him through every math, physics, or engineering classs in college.
That is interesting. Did he get also the TI30, which is mandatory in the plebes kit?

TI-30? Seriously? That can't be the old TI30 that I used in the 70s. . . .

It's called the TI-30XII or something, they made a couple iterations I guess. But yeah, the only calculator you need as a deckie is a TI-30. Might as well get like 3 of those instead of one TI-84, I lost/broke one.
 
My son took his TI Nspire CX CAS that he used in high school. It should get him through every math, physics, or engineering classs in college.

There is a thing as too much calculator. I'm pretty sure for calc and physics you can't use the 84, 89 or Nspire because they do too much. Seriously if you're throwing down a hundred bucks just buy 3 TI30s
 
My son took his TI Nspire CX CAS that he used in high school. It should get him through every math, physics, or engineering classs in college.

There is a thing as too much calculator. I'm pretty sure for calc and physics you can't use the 84, 89 or Nspire because they do too much. Seriously if you're throwing down a hundred bucks just buy 3 TI30s

When I took calc 1, 2, Prob & Stat there was no calculator allowed. The math was simplified on purpose. No TI-84s allowed in Physics 1 or 2. I think just a TI30.
 
My son took his TI Nspire CX CAS that he used in high school. It should get him through every math, physics, or engineering classs in college.

There is a thing as too much calculator. I'm pretty sure for calc and physics you can't use the 84, 89 or Nspire because they do too much. Seriously if you're throwing down a hundred bucks just buy 3 TI30s

When I took calc 1, 2, Prob & Stat there was no calculator allowed. The math was simplified on purpose. No TI-84s allowed in Physics 1 or 2. I think just a TI30.


I remember taking a Thermo final (or mid term?) with my old TI-30 and its square 9 volt battery. . . . only to have it die on me less than half way through the test. . . .I learned two things that day. . . show your work, and more importantly, CARRY A SPARE BATTERY!!!! Of course things are different now. . . .
 
Simpler is better. Our TI-83s did too much so many professors made you take the batteries out before tests to clear the memory.
 
Doesn't anyone carry an HP anymore? :(
Enter > Equals.

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I'd post a photo of my slide rule that got me through college calculus, but then you just might figure out how old I am...

I remember learning how to use a slide rule in high school. . .and then the pocket calculator changed everything.
 
Parents and applicants: I am a current Midshipman and I am taking engineering classes right now. Please hear me: YOU DON NOT NEED AN EXPENSIVE CALCULATOR. You don't even get to use calculators in calculus / differential equations... A standard TI-30X is what is issued in the plebe kit. It is also the only calculator we are allowed to use in the courses that do allow the use of calculators (Thermo, Chem, ETC...). Don't blow $100 on a fancy calculator unless you just want to use it for homework.
 
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