Texas Instruments TI-86 Graphing Calculator
by Texas Instruments
Our Price: $199.85
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Category: CE
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Manufacturer: Texas InstrumentsProduct features:
- Graphing functions
- Powerful calculus features
- Function evaluation table
- 128K RAM with 96K user-available
- Input/output port
- Texas Instruments Graph-Link Serial Cable for Windows
- Simplifying Mathematics Using the TI82/83 or TI85/86
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Texas Instruments TI-86 Graphing Calculator
Customer Review: Very Useful calculator
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this around mid 1997 and I'm still using it to this day.It's helped me through AP Calc, Calc II, Calc III, Differential Equations, Advanced Engineering Math, SATs, GREs, Fundamentals of Engineering exam for EIT certification, and etc...
I actually bought a TI-89 around soph year of college just to complement the TI-86.
You see, the TI-86 is a SOLID engineering calculator. It's got fast units conversions, an intuitive and FAST menu system BUT it lacks "pretty print", handling of units for math (keeps the units throughout equations, calculators), and integration/differentiation with the variables in place (it doesn't just evaluate it). With the right software, the TI-89 is a very powerful math tool.
I used the TI-89 primarily for theoretical math but came in handy for standardized tests as well.
I would recommend getting both the TI-89 and TI-86 and start familiarizing yourself with both calculators before you start tackling tests. Check the rules and regs for calculators also - standardized tests should allow the use of the 86 and 89.
Overall, the TI-86 is a solid math tool - notice I say TOOL because that's what it is. If you have no idea what you're doing in class, the TI-86 won't give you an A.
My recommendation is to get both the TI-86 and TI-89.
Just FYI, I'm still using the TI-86 at work. The buttons show some wear and I lost the first line of the LCD because I dropped it in college. Nonetheless it's still chugging along.
Also, slap in four 750mAH NiMH batteries. You will NOT regret this because these calculators drain alkaline batteries in half a semester of intensive use. We didn't have cheap NiMH batteries back in the day - TI actually pushed the use of Rayovac Renewals (remember those rechargeable alkalines that only lasted 5 charges?) and our other choice was NiCd. Forget all that. Slap in four Energizer 750mAh NiMH batteries and you'll save yourself a LOT of money in the long run. That means more money for video games and other forms of entertainment in college.
Description of Texas Instruments TI-86 Graphing Calculator
Designed with power users in mind, the TI-86 graphing calculator has all the power and functionality of the popular TI-85 but with significant enhancements aimed at students of college mathematics, engineering, and science. The TI-86 includes a function evaluation table, deep entry recall, seven different graph styles with multiple line and shading options, and slope and direction fields for differential equations. In addition, the TI-86 boasts 96 KB of user-available memory--three times more than the TI-85. There's also a new function evaluation table which shows numeric output for function, polar, parametric, and differential equation modes.Designed with power users in mind, the TI-86 graphing calculator has all the power and functionality of the popular TI-85 but with significant enhancements aimed at students of college mathematics, engineering, and science. The TI-86 includes a function evaluation table, deep entry recall, seven different graph styles with multiple line and shading options, and slope and direction fields for differential equations. In addition, the TI-86 boasts 96 KB of user-available memory--three times more than the TI-85. There's also a new function evaluation table which shows numeric output for function, polar, parametric, and differential equation modes.
The TI-86 runs with programs designed for the TI-85 and includes all the same matrix features, but with a new matrix editor that allows the user to view and edit matrices in two dimensions. You can also view multiple lists and attach formulas to those lists for automatic computations. A new aspect of the TI-86 is the ability to customize product functionality with machine language programs downloaded from TI's Web site. Besides the strong graphing abilities, the TI-86 also has powerful calculus features like integration, derivatives, minimums, maximums, roots, and arcs. It also supports Z80 assembly language programming.
The 64 x 128 high-contrast pixel screen displays eight lines of 21 characters each plus two levels of display menus. With the TI-86, you can link to other TI-86s and TI-85s via the input/output port, and to CBLs, CBRs, and computers. --Dana Van Nest