Casio fx-CG50 vs TI-84 Plus CE Review and Comparison

Math Class Calculator
22 Oct 202011:26

TLDRThis review compares the Casio fx-CG50 and TI-84 Plus CE calculators, highlighting their similarities and differences. Both offer high-resolution color screens and similar hardware layouts, but the TI-84 is slimmer with a rechargeable battery, while the Casio uses AAA batteries. The Casio excels in providing exact answers and has a 3D graphing feature absent in the TI-84. The video also covers software, speed tests, and additional features, concluding that the Casio is a capable, faster, and cheaper alternative to the widely used TI-84 Plus CE.

Takeaways

  • πŸ“ The TI-84 Plus CE and Casio fx-CG50 are similar in size and shape with comparable button layouts.
  • πŸ”‹ The TI-84 Plus CE is slimmer due to its built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery, while the Casio fx-CG50 uses four AAA batteries.
  • πŸ“Š Both calculators feature high-resolution color screens, with the Casio's screen being slightly larger.
  • πŸ’Ύ Neither calculator has a CAS (Computer Algebra System), making them suitable for standard tests like the ACT.
  • πŸ“˜ The Casio excels in providing exact answers, including simplified radical forms and fractions.
  • πŸ” The Casio's menu system can be less intuitive due to its use of abbreviations and smaller screen space for menus.
  • ⏱️ The Casio outperforms the TI-84 Plus CE in speed tests for both calculation and graphing.
  • πŸ“ˆ The Casio's graphing capabilities include 3D graphing, a feature not available on the TI-84 Plus CE.
  • πŸ› οΈ Both calculators offer robust programming interfaces and a variety of apps for different mathematical functions.
  • πŸ“š The TI-84 Plus CE is more widely used and often required in high school math classes, while the Casio is a capable, albeit less known, alternative.

Q & A

  • What is the main focus of the comparison between the TI-84 Plus CE and the Casio fx-CG50?

    -The main focus of the comparison is to highlight the important differences between the two calculators, including hardware, software, operating systems, and performance in various calculations and graphing tasks.

  • What are the hardware differences mentioned between the TI-84 Plus CE and the Casio fx-CG50?

    -The hardware differences include the thickness of the calculators, with the TI-84 Plus CE being slimmer due to its built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery, versus the Casio fx-CG50 which uses four AAA batteries. The Casio is also slightly thicker and has a fake carbon fiber pattern on the panel behind the buttons, while the TI-84 Plus has plain matte plastic.

  • Which calculator has the ability to give exact answers and how does it work?

    -The Casio fx-CG50 has the ability to give exact answers. It can provide simplified radical forms for square roots, simplest form for fractions, and exact values for common trigonometric functions. Users can toggle between decimal and exact forms by pressing a specific button.

  • Why might the TI-84 Plus CE be preferred for certain educational settings?

    -The TI-84 Plus CE is often preferred in educational settings because it is widely used and many high school math classes require it. It is also allowed on almost every standard test, such as the ACT, which does not allow calculators with a Computer Algebra System (CAS).

  • What is the main advantage of the Casio fx-CG50 in terms of general calculation speed?

    -The main advantage of the Casio fx-CG50 in terms of general calculation speed is its faster processing time for integrals, summations, and graphing functions compared to the TI-84 Plus CE.

  • How do the menu systems of the TI-84 Plus CE and the Casio fx-CG50 differ?

    -The TI-84 Plus CE uses a list-based menu system that takes up the entire screen, making it easier to see options and select items. The Casio fx-CG50, on the other hand, uses a smaller menu with contextual buttons and more abbreviations, which can be more confusing.

  • What is the performance difference between the two calculators when graphing functions?

    -The Casio fx-CG50 finishes graphing functions much quicker than the TI-84 Plus CE, which can be slow and require waiting for the screen to redraw after zooming in or out.

  • What unique feature does the Casio fx-CG50 have that the TI-84 Plus CE does not?

    -The Casio fx-CG50 has a unique 3D graphing feature, allowing users to graph up to three functions at a time in 3D, which is not available on the TI-84 Plus CE.

  • How do the programming interfaces of both calculators compare?

    -Both calculators have capable and comparable programming interfaces, allowing users to create their own programs with ease.

  • What additional features do both calculators offer beyond basic calculations and graphing?

    -Both calculators offer a variety of additional features including spreadsheet apps, graphing conic sections, table of values apps, equation solver apps, financial function apps, unit conversion apps, and full periodic tables.

Outlines

00:00

πŸ“± Hardware Comparison of TI-84 Plus CE and Casio FX CG50

This paragraph compares the hardware of two graphing calculators, the TI-84 Plus CE and the Casio FX CG50. Both calculators have similar sizes and button layouts, but the TI-84 Plus CE is slimmer due to its built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery, while the Casio uses AAA batteries, making it bulkier and heavier. The TI-84 Plus CE offers a rechargeable option that may not last as long per charge as AAA batteries but eliminates the need for buying new batteries. Both calculators feature high-resolution color screens with the Casio's being slightly larger, and they are made of plastic with different aesthetic designs. The TI-84 Plus CE is available in various colors, including a gold version.

05:01

πŸ” Software and Performance Evaluation of Two Calculators

The second paragraph delves into the software and operating systems of the TI-84 Plus CE and the Casio FX CG50. It highlights that neither calculator has a computer algebra system, meaning they cannot perform operations with letter variables or solve equations without numeric answers, suggesting alternative calculators for such tasks. The Casio has an advantage in providing exact answers, such as simplified radical forms and fractions, which the TI-84 Plus CE does not. The menu systems of both calculators are discussed, with a preference for the TI-84 Plus CE's full-screen list over the Casio's smaller, more abbreviated menu. Speed tests demonstrate the Casio's superior performance in calculation and graphing speed, with significant time differences observed. Both calculators offer similar graphing capabilities, including the ability to show maximum, minimum values, and intersections, but the Casio's graphing speed is notably faster.

10:04

πŸ“Š Advanced Features and 3D Graphing of Casio FX CG50

The final paragraph focuses on the advanced features of the Casio FX CG50, particularly its 3D graphing capability, which is absent in the TI-84 Plus CE. The Casio allows for the graphing of up to three functions simultaneously and provides templates for entering functions or for graphing generic 3D functions and parametric 3D functions. Examples of 3D graphs, such as a helix, a sphere, and a complex function, are given to illustrate the Casio's graphing prowess. The paragraph concludes by summarizing the comparison, noting that while the TI-84 Plus CE is more widely used in high school math classes, the Casio FX CG50 is presented as a capable, faster, and potentially cheaper alternative.

Mindmap

Keywords

πŸ’‘TI-84 Plus CE

The TI-84 Plus CE is a graphing calculator produced by Texas Instruments. It is known for its high-resolution color screen and a wide range of mathematical functions, including algebraic and graphing capabilities. In the video, it is compared with the Casio fx-CG50, highlighting its slimmer design due to a built-in rechargeable battery, which is a key differentiator between the two models.

πŸ’‘Casio fx-CG50

The Casio fx-CG50 is a graphing calculator that competes with the TI-84 Plus CE. It is noted for its thicker frame, which accommodates four AAA batteries as its power source. The video emphasizes its ability to provide exact answers in simplified radical form and fractions, distinguishing it from the TI-84 Plus CE in terms of calculation precision.

πŸ’‘Hardware

In the context of the video, 'hardware' refers to the physical components and design of the calculators, such as size, shape, button layout, and power source. The comparison highlights the differences in thickness and battery types between the two calculators, which affects their portability and convenience.

πŸ’‘Rechargeable Battery

A rechargeable battery is a type of battery that can be charged and discharged multiple times. The TI-84 Plus CE features a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which contributes to its slim design. However, it requires recharging and can be inconvenient if the battery is depleted during use.

πŸ’‘AAA Batteries

AAA batteries are a standard size of dry cell batteries commonly used in portable electronic devices. The Casio fx-CG50 uses four AAA batteries, which offer the advantage of being easily replaceable if they run out, but also adds to the calculator's bulk and weight.

πŸ’‘Color Screen

Both calculators are equipped with high-resolution color screens, which enhance the visual presentation of graphs and data. The screens are a key feature for graphing calculators, allowing for better visualization of mathematical functions and results.

πŸ’‘Software and Operating Systems

The software and operating systems of the calculators refer to the programs and interfaces that allow users to perform calculations and graphing. The video discusses the user interfaces of both calculators, noting differences in menu systems and the types of calculations they can perform.

πŸ’‘Computer Algebra System (CAS)

A Computer Algebra System is a type of software that allows for symbolic mathematics, including operations with variables and solving equations. The video mentions that neither calculator has a CAS, which means they are limited to numeric calculations and are allowed on most standard tests.

πŸ’‘Exact Answers

Exact answers refer to results that are presented in their simplest form, such as simplified radicals or fractions, rather than decimal approximations. The Casio fx-CG50 is highlighted for its ability to provide exact answers, which is an advantage over the TI-84 Plus CE for certain types of mathematical problems.

πŸ’‘Graphing Speed

Graphing speed is the time it takes for a calculator to render and display a graph of a mathematical function. The video includes a speed test comparing the two calculators, showing that the Casio fx-CG50 is significantly faster at graphing compared to the TI-84 Plus CE.

πŸ’‘3D Graphing

3D graphing is the ability to visualize and analyze three-dimensional mathematical functions. The Casio fx-CG50 has a built-in 3D graphing app, which is a feature not available on the TI-84 Plus CE, offering an additional capability for users who need to work with three-dimensional data.

Highlights

Comparison between the TI-84 Plus CE and Casio fx-CG50 graphing calculators.

Similar hardware size and shape with different button layouts.

TI-84 Plus CE is slimmer with a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery.

Casio fx-CG50 uses four AAA batteries and is slightly thicker.

Both calculators have high-resolution color screens with slightly different dimensions.

Casio features a fake carbon fiber pattern, while TI-84 Plus has plain matte plastic.

TI-84 Plus comes in various colors, including a gold version.

Neither calculator has a CAS for operations involving letter variables and solving equations.

Casio excels in providing exact answers, including simplified radical and fraction forms.

Casio's ability to toggle between decimal and exact forms for trigonometric functions.

Menu systems comparison, with TI-84 Plus having a more user-friendly interface.

Casio's speed advantage in integral calculations over TI-84 Plus.

Significant time difference in summation calculations, with Casio being faster.

Graphing speed test results show Casio fx-CG50 as faster than TI-84 Plus CE.

Both calculators have comparable features for graphing, including maximum, minimum values, and intersects.

Casio's 3D graphing feature, absent in TI-84 Plus CE.

Casio fx-CG50 as a capable and cheaper alternative to the widely used TI-84 Plus CE.