Texas Instruments TI-36X Pro Engineering/Scientific Calculator | 9.7 Inch | Black.

I love this calculator. I grew up with a TI-83 Plus and believe the TI-36x Pro is the best one for the FE Exam. I tried the Casio fx-115ES Plus for 9 months, per the advice of an excellent prof (mechanical and civil background), and while it has certain advantages I find the 4 line display on the TI-36x Pro alone is reason enough to use it instead. I can complete complex problems more efficiently and with less errors than with the Casio - it is easier to backtrack, check what was entered before, and select equations/numbers from previous lines to be carried into new calculations. With the Casio I would often accidentally clear the screen with the on button, out of habit, which deletes the previous entries from memory; even when this was not the case I found it difficult (impossible?) to paste prior entries into current calculations. Also, the Casios list of less-common scientific constants must be referenced to a numerical list of symbols (no names given) on the cover, while the TI-36x Pro lists constants with symbols/names spelled out in the menu itself - much more convenient. This calculator can accept up to 3x3 matrices and can solve systems of linear equations with three unknowns using the entry [A]^(-1)[B]. The way it handles complex numbers is also very convenient, allowing for easy conversion between rectangular and polar form. The only major downside Ive discovered so far is, in matrix mode, the TI-36x Pro cannot accept imaginary numbers as inputs. This is true of many other calculators as well (including the Casio fx-115ES Plus). Its problematic when analyzing AC electrical circuits using mesh (KVL) or nodal analysis (KCL). [Update: The TI-89 Titanium can handle these complex systems with cSolve (but is not FE approved).] One annoying aspect: there is only one button for storing answers as variables, so if you want your entry to be stored as anything other than x, you have to press the variable button repeatedly until the desired letter shows up (for example, for b, you have to press the button 6 times, which cycles x > y > z > t > a > b). [Update: Discovered 2nd -> Recall lists all variables - much faster for recalling them than cycling is. As far as I can tell, however, first-time storage (###->var) does require cycling as stated above.] This is only a minor qualm though; the overall benefits of this calculator easily outweigh the few negative aspects.

Satisfactory

It worked well for me some keys you gotta ask the teacher about

I bought this calculator for my upcoming FE Exam in October 2013. I have been using it for the past couple of months to get acquainted and to study. When I was in school I used the TI-89 Titanium religiously. Unfortunately thats not permitted on the FE exam so I chose this one. Upon using it I must say that for a non-graphic calculator its fantastic. The shortcut keys (for exponents, powers of 10, fractions, etc.) are a nice touch. The built in equation solver, polynomial equation solver, system of equation solver certainly shave a lot of time off of my calculations concerning static equilibrium, quadratic equations and circuits. This calculator also does Matrices, up to 3x3 and vectors in three dimensions. It even has popular constants (permittivity, Boltzmann, Ideal Gas, standard atm, etc) built in along with a whole conversion menu. On top of that it does numerical integration and numerical derivatives and plenty of other things Im probably not going to mention. I consider it to be more user friendly than the TI-89 Titanium because of the shortcut keys and nice interface. For example, to calculate a determinant on the TI-89 you must press 2nd, MATH then scroll to Matrix, then select Det( and press enter. Then you have to remember the syntax which is det([a1, a2, a3][b1, b2, b3][c1, c2, c3]) and finally press enter. On the Ti-36X Pro all you have to do is press 2nd, Matrix and scroll to edit and enter how many columns and rows you want in the specified matrix, press enter and then put in your values. Then once the values are saved you go back to the Matrix menu and select Determinant and put in the name of the matrix where you saved the information. Pretty slick for a smaller calculator. The four line display provides enough room to see what your doing and the text is fairly large which I like. With the bigger calculators you usually have to squint to see some numbers, especially in low-light situations. This calculator also features Mathprint. This means that fractions, integrals and most other mathematical notation shows up as its supposed to. However if you dont like this there is a feature to turn it off. This is especially useful for when youre calculating something like a parallel resistance circuit and you want to see that big fraction to make sure you didnt make a mistake. Of course no review is complete without listing the gripes. Theres not too many problems with this calculator however there are something that really bug me. The first one being that there is no option to toggle insert like the TI-89 has. Usually I find myself needed to edit an equation that I just entered. Therefore I have to press second, then insert and put whatever I needed into the equation. Not a big deal but can get annoying at times. Second, I dont like the chrome arithmetic buttons. At times I find myself hitting the subtract button when I wanted to do some addition. However I solved this problem by running a fine-tipped sharpie over the buttons and rubbing off the excess on the surface. Now the symbols have a black color in contrast with the chrome. Much easier to see and I suggest this method if anyone else has this problem. Third, you must press a button multiple times to get what you need. For example say I want to type a complex number (3+5i) on the screen. I press 3, +, 5 and then I have to press the pi, e, i key three times just to get the i symbol. Can be a bit annoying/frustrating and you might make a mistake if youve had way too much caffeine as I normally do. Although I suppose they had to do this to consolidate space in the design process so I can respect that. Just a little annoying but I guess it comes with the territory. This can add a bit of time to the learning curve if youre not used to these multipress buttons. Thats basically it. For a non-graphing calculator I give it a 9/10. Comparing budget calculators, Ive had the TI-30Xa and the Ti-30XIIS before and this one blows them out of the water obviously, hence the name TI-36X PRO. Ive never had a Casio calculator so I cant compare. With this many features and usability at the price of $17 or so its certainly an exemplary buy. A great budget engineering calculator and certainly the best to use on the FE exam in my opinion. Go with this one!

Ordered this for my other half. Said that her previous one lasted over 4 years. No problem and seems well made.

I hate math with a passion, but I am so glad I have this calculator.

Great for what you need it for.. it’s barebones but works for 99% of standardized testing and college math/chemistry classes.

I personally would rather use a graphing calculator for my work but this is the best calculator for the NCEES FE Exam in my opinion.

I had used a TI-83+ for about 8 years. When I signed up to take my Fundamentals of Engineering review, they limit which calculators can be used and the one I was used to wasnt allowed. However, this one was. I had such an easy transition to using this one and it saved me on multiple occasions during the exam (especially the definite integral and matrices features).

This calculator calculates numbers correctly.