Expert: Jack Cheng - 11/13/2006

Question
My daughter will be majoring in math in college.  They are suggesting the ti-89 or the ti voyage 200.  which should she get?  Thanks

Answer
Hi Janet,

I thinkt the TI-89 would suffice. I use a TI-83 (much older than the TI-89), and it's more than enough. Most classes really only require a scientific calculator, maybe with a graphing function (at least the classes I've taken so far - up to the 300-level courses). If more "power" is needed, the class would use computer algebra systems to solve the problems, which is much better than any graphing calculator.

Also, I am not very familiar with the TI Voyager 200, but if it's the one with the QWERTY keypad (like a computer keyboard), I definitely recommend against it. All standardized tests forbid such calculators and some professors do not allow them on tests.

I hope this helps, and good luck to your daughter in college.

~ Jack