Scratch

Well, the NSpire does have TI-Basic on it, although I'm not sure how different it is (if at all) from the version on the TI-83/84's. The main advantage with that is that you'll probably be able to use it throughout your entire school career. Once you start getting into higher-level calculus, the TI-84 doesn't quite cut it.

I has a TI-89.

I think a TI-83 or 84 is more what you need. They're pricey, but they'll do you a lot of good for years to come. The Nspire series is good but quite expensive. I think one was close to $180 at Staples...

I personally recommend the TI-84, mostly because it comes packaged with a USB cable that lets you put amazing user-created games on your calculator, such as this one. 

JJROCKER wrote:

Graphing Calculator sounds cool but what does it do? Sorry but I'm really curious because I love math.

It allows you to actually graph functions and see them drawn.  You can enter up to 10 functions and 3 point plots.  it also has some cool features for calculating things such as linear regression (a best-fit line for a series of x and y coordinates) or an intersection of 2 functions, etc.

hmnwilson wrote:

I think a TI-83 or 84 is more what you need. They're pricey, but they'll do you a lot of good for years to come. The Nspire series is good but quite expensive. I think one was close to $180 at Staples...

I personally recommend the TI-84, mostly because it comes packaged with a USB cable that lets you put amazing user-created games on your calculator, such as this one. 

Since I'm only in 8th grade, I haven't used a graphing calculator much so supposedly using the Nspire should be easier than transitioning from the 84 to the nspire...

But all I was wondering is if I could use the TI-Basic stuff on the Nspire CX.

and what does TI-84 compatibility mean?

kayybee wrote:

Well, according to the TI website, the Nspire CX CAS isn't to be used with algebra 1, 2, or pre...

I'm sorry, I forgot that I'm a tiny bit ahead in Math in school, and require a good graphing calculator in the eighth grade.

You don't need such a good calculator on the ACT, I believe a scientific one from Casio will do.

Programming in Lua is very fun and I think it's worth it. TI-BASIC on the Nspire is very good for mathematical programs but horrificly bad for gaming, but there's a ticalc.org page for TI-BASIC games:

http://www.ticalc.org/pub/nspire/basic/games/

It's also very fun to play with 2&3D graphs  , and to make it do ridiculously large prime factorizations  . I think it was totally worth it for me.

EDIT: One more thing to say: The best TI-84 games are made with Z80 ASM, and that is really hard to learn 

Last edited by Sidharth (2011-09-11 23:36:01)

Sidharth wrote:

kayybee wrote:

Well, according to the TI website, the Nspire CX CAS isn't to be used with algebra 1, 2, or pre...

I'm sorry, I forgot that I'm a tiny bit ahead in Math in school, and require a good graphing calculator in the eighth grade.

You don't need such a good calculator on the ACT, I believe a scientific one from Casio will do.

So should I use both my 30xs multiview and CX CAS when I need each of them?

Okay. I'll probably get the Nspire CX CAS then.


And I'm just wondering, are there LUA programs for the mac?

Last edited by kayybee (2011-09-11 23:53:36)

Sidharth wrote:

JJROCKER wrote:

Graphing Calculator sounds cool but what does it do? Sorry but I'm really curious because I love math.

That is a VERY broad question. The new TI graphing calculators can

-Well, graph
-Calculate
-Solve (If you have CAS)
-3D graph (Nspire CX [CAS] only)
-... Lot more.

If you need a graphing calculator kayybee, buy the Nspire, but if it doesn't have CAS, you're done for. CAS is an acronym for computer algebra system, and if you don't have it YOU. CAN'T. SOLVE. EQUATIONS.!!! With a CAS, you can solve SYSTEMS of ANY DEGREE, ANY NUMBER OF EQUATIONS!, Nth DEGREE EQUATIONS, EXPONENTIAL EQUATIONS. I believe getting the Nspire CX (non-CAS) is a ginormously gigantically humongously collosally ... mistake.

There's some TI-BASIC functionality, but not for games. You make stuff like math programs with that. Games are made with Lua, a very powerful programming language.

http://www.inspired-lua.org

Some games for TI-Nspire written in Lua:

http://www.ticalc.org/pub/nspire/lua/games/

Get the TI Nspire CX CAS, if you are getting a graphing calculator even though it might be a little pricey (Current Amazon price: $152). It will last you through highschool and (mayybee) college 

I have a TI-89 and it can do 3D

AnimeCreatorArtist wrote:

I haz TI-30 

Me too.

I made an app for the class that lets you chat with each other
and got systematically suspended for it.

I've never used an NSPIRE, but I love the TI-89. I own a TI-84 Plus SE and I like it too, but I borrowed an 89 last year and it was magical.

However, I'm not sure I quite so the point in getting a graphing calc quite yet, because I doubt you'll need it. I wasn't required to have one until the 10th grade. I'm not sure how old you are, but by the time you'll need one, there will most likely be even better ones out there. Plus, your teacher might require a specific kind. Also, you should think ahead to the SAT, ACT, and AP tests. They each have strict guidelines on which calculators you can use.

Here are my choices:

TI-84+ Silver
TI Nspire CX CAS
TI Nspire CX
TI Nspire

Here are my requirements:
-able to use on future tests such as SAT, etc.
-able to play games 

Here is what I would like:
-color
-CAS (but I don't know if those are permitted on tests)
-rechargeable battery

I just want to know which one fits all my requirements and which one is the best out of the rest.

TI 84+ Silver:
•able to use on all tests
•able to load and program games
•no color
•no CAS
•no rechargeable battery
Pros: test usage, excellent game program/TI-BASIC
Cons: not the best choice

TI Nspire CX CAS:
•supposedly able to use on most tests (IS THIS TRUE?!?! because it says you can, but the SAT guidelines say none with a QWERTY keyboard are allowed.)
•able to load and program some games.
•color
•CAS
•rechargeable battery
Pros: everything, except...
Cons: maybe no test usage?
Note: if this is allowed tests, I'm going to get this one.

TI Nspire CX CAS:
•supposedly able to use on all tests (IS THIS TRUE?!?! see above.)
•able to load and program some games.
•color
•no CAS
•rechargeable battery
Pros: mostly everything, if TI website is true, can use on all tests
Cons: no CAS, maybe no test usage?
Note: if this is allowed on tests, and if you think I should get this one because of the wider range of tests it's allowed on, then I probably will

TI Nspire:
•able to use on all tests
•able to load and program some games
•no color
•no CAS
•optional rechargeable battery
Pros: double screen size, 10x memory, good for calculus and some more classes.
Cons: more expensive,
Note: if the CXs aren't allowed on tests, then I probably will get this.

Am I missing anything? And are Nspire CXs allowed on tests? And which one do you think I should get?