Wright State University | Mathematics and Statistics | Calculus Instruction

Calculator Information

• "Official policy" is that a TI-82 or TI-83 calculator is required for Calculus I-IV. However...
• It is very seldom that a course makes use of a feature that unique to a specific model or models. So...
• If you already own a graphing calculator that you are comfortable with, you almost certainly do NOT need to buy a new one. In any case you should not do so before asking the instructor of the section you are registered for.
• Departmental policy forbids the use of calculators capable of symbolic calculus on the common final exams of MTH 229 and MTH 230. The TI-89, TI-92, and HP-48 are among the models affected. However these are all fine calculators and this is no reason not to buy them. You'd just have to borrow another calculator for use on a small number of exams.
  
  If you are considering buying a graphing calculator,
• Texas Instrument models are preferred, but other brands are usually acceptable.
• If your major requires you to take MTH 233 (Differential Equations), MTH 253 (Matrix Algebra), or MTH 255 (Linear Algebra), you should seriously consider buying a TI-86 or TI-89. (I wish all my MTH 253 students had TI-89's!)
• Current prices seem to look like this:
  TI-83 or TI-83+: $90-100
  TI-86: $110
  TI-89: $150
• You should not pay any more than these prices, but it may be hard to find lower prices at area retail stores. You can find them just about anywhere, including Best Buy, Circuit City, Office Depot, OfficeMax, Walmart, Meijer, etc.