This is the second volume of the TI89 calculator tutorial from Jason. This one covers things you will absolutely use in the latter portions of a pre-calculus class and throughout all levels of calculus and engineering. The first volume covered the stuff that is important to know when you are in algebra (where you likely will not be able to use the calculator because it can give you the answers to almost everything), but this one goes through calculating derivatives and integrals, working with vectors, creating and editing matrices (which will be used a lot if you go on to higher-level classes), and graphing parametric and polar equations. Jason also covers some of the statistics functions of the calculator, but honestly, if you have to take a statistics or data analysis class when it comes to making the plots, you are most likely going to use something like Excel or one of the Statistics-specific computer programs like Minitab to do your homework, so chances are you will not be relying on the calculator all that much. So, I think he could have focused less on the plots and more on the actual calculations. Then he finishes with a couple of sections on differential equations.
The TI89 is a calculator that a lot of people getting hard science or engineering degrees use because it is very powerful and can give exact answers. That is also why a lot of teachers will not let students use it. But, unless you get one of the programs (or figure out how to make your own) to show the exact steps, you still have to figure out how to work out the answer. But, if you know how to use this, you can use it on an exam to know the correct answer and use it to check your work or know what the answer to the problem should be while you do your work. This will help you get familiar with the major functions of the calculator, which is essential if you are going to use it efficiently.
The TI89 is a calculator that a lot of people getting hard science or engineering degrees use because it is very powerful and can give exact answers. That is also why a lot of teachers will not let students use it. But, unless you get one of the programs (or figure out how to make your own) to show the exact steps, you still have to figure out how to work out the answer. But, if you know how to use this, you can use it on an exam to know the correct answer and use it to check your work or know what the answer to the problem should be while you do your work. This will help you get familiar with the major functions of the calculator, which is essential if you are going to use it efficiently.
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