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I used a TI-89 (which has a CAS) on the AP Calculus exam. I maybe used it to double check an answer, but I don't remember it being more useful than a TI-83 on t

I used a TI-89 (which has a CAS) on the AP Calculus exam. I maybe used it to double check an answer, but I don't remember it being more useful than a TI-83 on that exam. You can only use calculators on part of the exam. On the calculator portion, I remember formulating each problem to be the hard part and the actual differentiation/integration was straightforward. The SAT math is so rudimentary that it's difficult to use a calculator beyond its basic arithmetic functionality (unless it's been changed since I took it). I bet most people would get similar scores with and without calculators. In college, calculators were never allowed in exams. They just constructed each exam problem so that you didn't need to perform arithmetic with large numbers. It does make it seem like exams were written to sell calculators...

fossuser 7y ago
I find the 89 to be a huge leap over the 83 entirely because of the screen UX. On the 89 it would draw the actual fractions and show exponents in superscript rather than only using parenthesis. You could also scroll up to previous entries and bring them back to the editor (or get previous answers). The mistakes you avoid from not having to count parenthesis and being able to easily access previously typed equations was really helpful.
- anthonypasq 7y ago
  you can do all of that on a ti-84
- asdff 7y ago
  The 84 did that too
jacobolus 7y ago
> On the calculator portion, I remember formulating each problem to be the hard part and the actual differentiation/integration was straightforward. The hard part was by far typing complicated expressions into the stupid TI-83, navigating its terrible menu system, getting it to output what it was supposed to, and figuring out what was printed on the screen. Coming up with the expressions to type took only a tiny fraction of the time of actually punching it in. What a tremendous waste of students’ time and attention. Might just as well test emoji typing speed.
- avhon1 7y ago
  Funny, that was never my impression of the TI-83. In each menu, every item is numbered, and you can just hit the number to enter the corresponding item. I don't think there's anything that requires more than 5 button presses, and most of the common things can be gotten in 3.

fossuser 7y ago

I find the 89 to be a huge leap over the 83 entirely because of the screen UX. On the 89 it would draw the actual fractions and show exponents in superscript rather than only using parenthesis. You could also scroll up to previous entries and bring them back to the editor (or get previous answers). The mistakes you avoid from not having to count parenthesis and being able to easily access previously typed equations was really helpful.

anthonypasq 7y ago
you can do all of that on a ti-84
asdff 7y ago
The 84 did that too

jacobolus 7y ago

> On the calculator portion, I remember formulating each problem to be the hard part and the actual differentiation/integration was straightforward. The hard part was by far typing complicated expressions into the stupid TI-83, navigating its terrible menu system, getting it to output what it was supposed to, and figuring out what was printed on the screen. Coming up with the expressions to type took only a tiny fraction of the time of actually punching it in. What a tremendous waste of students’ time and attention. Might just as well test emoji typing speed.

avhon1 7y ago
Funny, that was never my impression of the TI-83. In each menu, every item is numbered, and you can just hit the number to enter the corresponding item. I don't think there's anything that requires more than 5 button presses, and most of the common things can be gotten in 3.