Solution 10587: Differences Between the TI-86 and the TI-89 Family Graphing Calculators.
What are the main differences between the TI-86 and the TI-89 family graphing calculators?
The TI-86, being a discontinued calculator, has a number of different recommended replacements. For engineering and AP courses, the TI-89 Titanium and TI-Nspire CX II CAS are the recommended substitutes. For general math and science courses, we recommend the TI-84 Plus Family or the TI-Nspire CX II. The main differences in the functionality of these calculators are listed below.
Some of the TI-86 functions are not built in the TI-89 family. These functions include:
• Polynomial Root Finder.
• Simultaneous Equations Solver.
Please Note: These features can be added to a TI-89 family calculator with the Polynomial Root Finder and Simultaneous Equation Solver Apps.
On the other hand, the TI-89 family has includes important functions that the TI-86 does not have:
• Flash technology for Electronic upgradeability and Software Applications (Apps).
• A USB Port for up to date connectivity with a computer.
• 3D graphing.
• Computer Algebra System (CAS) allowing symbolic manipulations.
Additionally, the only major things that the TI-86 can currently handle and the TI-Nspire CX II CAS can not are:
• Differential Equations and Slope Fields Graphing
• RK, Euler and Initial Conditions
On the other hand, the TI-Nspire CX II CAS includes these features which are not present on the TI-86:
• The Computer Algebra System,
which enables the computation of both numeric and symbolic answers in
various studies of mathematics (Calculus, Algebra, Geometry,
Trigonometry etc.).
• A USB Port for up to date connectivity with a computer.
• The ability to save and edit problems and work.
• Linking data across multiple applications.
• The ability to grab and move graphs within your Graphs and Geometry application.
Also,
the TI-Nspire CX II has all of the features of the TI-Nspire CX II CAS, with the
exception of the Computer Algebra System, the ability to do metric
conversions and an interactive equation solver.
The TI-86, when compared to it's final substitute, can handle the following operations when compared to the TI-84 Plus Family:
• Sequence Graphing
• Differential Equations and Slope Fields
• RK, Euler and Initial Conditions
Alternatively, the TI-84 Plus Family has the following features when compared to the TI-86:
• Flash
Technology which enables the unit to accept updates to it's operating
system. Flash Technology also enables the unit to have applications sent
to it from other TI-83 Plus/TI-84 Plus Family units or a computer.
• Applications for download that enable the unit to increase it's graphing capabilities.
The TI-86, when compared to it's final substitute, can handle the following operations when compared to the TI-84 Plus Family:
• Sequence Graphing
• Differential Equations and Slope Fields
• RK, Euler and Initial Conditions
Alternatively, the TI-84 Plus Family has the following features when compared to the TI-86:
• Flash
Technology which enables the unit to accept updates to it's operating
system. Flash Technology also enables the unit to have applications sent
to it from other TI-83 Plus/TI-84 Plus Family units or a computer.
• Applications for download that enable the unit to increase it's graphing capabilities.
For more information about the various models mentioned here, please see the TI-84 Plus Family, TI-86, and TI-89 Family guidebooks or the TI-Nspire CX II and TI-NSpire CX II CAS guidebooks.