Texas Instruments BA II Plus Financial Calculator

We're definitely taking this along with us the next time we shop for a house. Though it takes a little effort to master the collection of financial worksheets available on the Texas Instruments BA II Plus, you'll be glad you invested the time and money in this fine financial calculator.

The BA II Plus operates in standard calculator and worksheet modes. The standard mode lets you perform common math as well as operations involving the time value of money--that is, applications such as mortgages or annuities in which payments are equal and evenly spaced. You can also perform trigonometric functions in standard mode.

The more hard-core worksheet mode includes tables for amortization, bond, depreciation, and compound interest. If you're not familiar with such calculations, the very helpful user's manual will guide you through the process. All previous worksheet values are stored in memory, so you don't have to retype all the bond maturity or cash flow analysis figures.

The average user who wants to calculate a basic loan payment will be more comfortable working in the standard calculator mode. We were using the BA II Plus tools for calculating basic interest and payment periods within minutes. Still, it's good to know that the more advanced features are available for those who require heavy-duty financial computing.

Finance students and average users alike will find much to like in the Texas Instruments BA II Plus. --John Frederick Moore

Price: $45.00

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Texas Instruments TI-83 Plus Graphing Calculator

For students in math and sciences, or for anyone new to graphing calculators, Texas Instruments has created the TI-83 Plus--a powerful, problem-solving tool with features for storing, graphing, and analyzing up to 10 functions. Plus, it displays graphs and evaluates tables on a split screen, allowing you to trace the graph and scroll through table values simultaneously.

The clear, readable display exhibits 12 characters and eight lines, in 64 x 96 pixels on an LCD screen. The TI-83 Plus has a pragmatic key layout and an easy-to-use graphing interface, with a simple programming language for creating conversion programs. The TI-83 Plus stores and analyzes up to 10 matrices combined with data storage in lists containing up to 999 elements per list. You can also solve equations interactively for different variables.

With the TI-83 Plus, you can view an equation, its graph, and the coordinates all at one time. Jump from point to point by entering a number. Several useful plot types are available, including scatter, box-and-whisker, XY-line, histogram, and normal probability plots. Advanced statistics and regression analysis, graphical analysis, and data analysis are readily accessed, along with features for calculus, engineering, financial, logarithm, trigonometry, and hyperbolic functions--all crucial tools for advanced analysis.

Matrix operations  Graphing features

Educational Apps(TM)  Equation solver

With its clear display and fast processing, the TI-83 Plus incorporates graphing tools for mathematics and science course work, including statistics and finance. Incredibly useful for college boards--PSAT/NMSQT, SAT I, SAT II, Math, IC, and IIC--the TI-83 is essential equipment for advanced placement courses in chemistry, physics, and calculus.

The addition of the optional TI-Graph Link (software and cable) allows you to connect the calculator to your computer, permitting the transfer of files and data between machines. The TI-83 is powered by four AAA alkaline batteries and one lithium battery for backup, with an automatic shutoff to save energy. It also comes with a hard slide cover and is supported by a one-year limited warranty. --Barbara Price

Price: $149.99

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