Texas instruments TI-NSPIRE CAS Getting Started

CAS

Getting Started with the

TI-Nspire™ Handheld

This guidebook applies to TI-Nspire™ software version 1.4. To obtain the latest version of the documentation, go to education.ti.com/guides.

Important Information

Except as otherwise expressly stated in the License that accompanies a program, Texas Instruments makes no warranty, either express or implied, including but not limited to any implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, regarding any programs or book materials and makes such materials available solely on an "as-is" basis. In no event shall Texas Instruments be liable to anyone for special, collateral, incidental, or consequential damages in connection with or arising out of the purchase or use of these materials, and the sole and exclusive liability of Texas Instruments, regardless of the form of action, shall not exceed the amount set forth in the license for the program. Moreover, Texas Instruments shall not be liable for any claim of any kind whatsoever against the use of these materials by any other party.

FCC Statement

Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation.

If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Macintosh®, Windows®, Excel®, Vernier EasyLink®, EasyTemp®, Go!®Link, Go!®Motion, and Go!®Temp are trademarks of their respective owners.

Contents

Important Information................................................................... ii

Introduction ............................................................................1

The TI-Nspire™ CAS math and science learning handheld.......... 1

How to use this guidebook............................................................ 1

Getting Started .......................................................................3

TI-Nspire™ CAS handheld keys...................................................... 3

Keyboard shortcuts ........................................................................ 4

Initial startup ..................................................................................5

Replacing batteries.........................................................................5

Adjusting the contrast ................................................................... 6

Turning the handheld on and off.................................................. 6

Turning on your TI-Nspire™ handheld for the first time............. 7

The Home menu............................................................................. 8

The TI-Nspire™ handheld screen................................................... 9

Viewing status information.........................................................10

Viewing system settings...............................................................11

Document Settings....................................................................... 11

Changing document settings....................................................... 12

System settings ............................................................................. 13

Changing system settings ............................................................ 13

Handheld Status ........................................................................... 14

Checking available memory......................................................... 14

Freeing Memory ........................................................................... 14

Sharing files with a computer or another device....................... 15

Upgrading the operating system ................................................ 16

Resetting the memory.................................................................. 17

Displaying the About screen........................................................ 18

Viewing Hints ............................................................................... 18

Using the catalog ......................................................................... 19

Entering special characters .......................................................... 20

Entering Math expressions .......................................................... 20

Entering international language characters............................... 21

Working with Documents.....................................................23

Documents.................................................................................... 23

Page Sorter ................................................................................... 23

My Documents.............................................................................. 24

Creating documents..................................................................... 24

Creating a document with an application.................................. 25

Working with applications........................................................... 26

iii

Application menu ......................................................................... 26

Context menu ...............................................................................27

Page Tools menu...........................................................................28

Changing the page layout ...........................................................28

Repositioning applications on a page.........................................31

Adding a problem to a document............................................... 32

Adding a page to a problem........................................................32

Moving through pages in a document........................................33

Saving a document .......................................................................33

Viewing and reordering pages in a document ...........................34

Document settings........................................................................37

Managing documents...................................................................39

Linking values on pages...............................................................43

Libraries......................................................................................... 50

Program Editor..............................................................................51

Sending a document to another handheld................................. 51

Using Calculator ................................................................... 53

Getting started with the Calculator application......................... 53

Entering and evaluating math expressions.................................59

Editing Calculator expressions.....................................................63

Working with the Calculator history ...........................................64

Using Graphs & Geometry ................................................... 67

Getting started with Graphs & Geometry...................................67

The Tool menu ..............................................................................68

The work area...............................................................................77

The entry line................................................................................86

Animating objects.........................................................................89

Using Lists & Spreadsheet.................................................... 95

Getting started with tables..........................................................95

Working with individual cells ....................................................101

Working with rows and columns of data..................................107

Using Data & Statistics....................................................... 111

The Tool menu ............................................................................112

Getting started with Data & Statistics .......................................120

Creating plots from spreadsheet data.......................................120

Using Notes......................................................................... 127

Getting started with the Notes application..............................127

The Notes tool menu..................................................................128

The Notes work area .................................................................. 129

Notes templates.......................................................................... 130

Inserting comments....................................................................131

Formatting Notes text................................................................ 132

Entering and evaluating math expressions .............................. 133

Using Question....................................................................135

Understanding the Question toolbar........................................ 135

Navigating in the Question application.................................... 135

Answering questions..................................................................135

Data Collection ...................................................................137

Compatible sensor interfaces .................................................... 137

Analyzing experimental data .................................................... 137

Launching the Data Collection Console.................................... 138

Getting started with the Data Collection Console ................... 141

Data Collection Console menus................................................. 143

Appendix: Service and Support .........................................147

Texas Instruments Support and Service..................................... 147

Battery Precautions .................................................................... 147

Index....................................................................................149

Introduction

The TI-Nspire™ CAS math and science learning handheld

This guidebook provides information about a powerful, advanced learning handheld available from Texas Instruments: the TI-Nspire™ CAS handheld.

Your learning handheld comes equipped with a variety of pre-installed software applications that have features relevant to different subjects and curriculums.

Extend the reach of your TI-Nspire™ CAS handheld with accessories, such as the TI-Nspire™ CAS computer software, TI-Nspire™ ViewScreen™ Panel and TI-Nspire™ Computer Link Software.

How to use this guidebook

This guidebook is intended to provide instruction for the basic operation of the TI-Nspire™ CAS handheld.

The chapters in this guidebook include: Getting Started - Provides start up information for the learning

handheld, and offers students and educators an overview of the basic operations of the TI-Nspire™ CAS handheld.

Working with Documents - Provides instruction for creating and working with documents.

Using Calculator- Provides an overview of the Calculator application. Using Graphs & Geometry - Provides an overview of the Graphs &

Geometry application. Using Lists & Spreadsheet- Provides an overview of the Lists &

Spreadsheet application. Using Data & Statistics - Provides instruction for using the Data &

Statistics application to analyze data created in other applications.

Using Notes- Provides an overview of the Notes application. Data Collection - Provides an overview of the Data Collection console. Service and Warranty Information - Includes service and warranty

information and contact information for technical support.

Introduction 1

Where to find more information

The remainder of the product information is available in electronic form. The comprehensive guidebook for using the TI-Nspire™ CAS handheld is included on the CD-ROM that came with your learning handheld. This guidebook is also available online as a free download at education.ti.com/guides.

2 Introduction

Getting Started

TI-Nspire™ CAS handheld keys

d Removes

menus or dialog boxes from the screen.

e Moves to the

next entry field.

/ Provides

access to the function or character shown above each key.

g Makes the next

character typed upper-case.

w Turns on the

TI-Nspire handheld.

cDisplays the

home menu.

bDisplays the

application or context menu.

. Clears

(erases) the entry line or deletes the selected object.

kDisplays the

catalog for entering commands.

· Evaluates an

expression, executes an instruction, or selects a menu item.

xClick button

Selects an object on the screen.

NavPad

Press 3, 4, 5,or6 to move the cursor.

Getting Started 3

/ + x

or Press and hold to display the grab cursor ÷ so you can grab an object on the screen.

Keyboard shortcuts

Use the following keyboard shortcuts to perform common

functions.

Editing Text

cut

copy

paste

undo

redo

/X

/C

/V

/Z

/Y

select application

save current document

Navigation

Home

End

Page Up

Page Down

Up a level in the hierarchy

/S

/£

Inserting Characters, Symbols

display character palette

not equal to

underscore

{

semi-colon (;)

display math template palette

/k

/=

/_

/>

/<

/:

/r

% /j

degree symbol

backslash ( \ )

Managing Documents

create new document

insert new page

/N

/I

Down a level in the hierarchy

Navigating in Documents

displays previous page

displays next page

displays Page Sorter

Wizards and Templates

add a column to a matrix

add a row to a matrix

integration template

derivative template

Modifying Display

increase contrast

decrease contrast

power off

/ 6

/¡

/¢

/£

g+

g-

/+

/-

/w

4 Getting Started

Initial startup

The TI-Nspire™ CAS math and science learning handheld uses four AAA batteries, which are provided with the product.

Installing batteries

1. Remove the battery cover from the back of the handheld.

2. Unwrap the four AAA batteries provided with your handheld and insert them into the battery compartment. Arrange the batteries according to the polarity (+ and -) diagram in the battery compartment.

3. Replace the battery cover. The cover should snap into place.

Replacing batteries

1. Save all documents and close all applications.

2. Remove the battery cover from the back of the handheld. Note: When you remove the battery cover, the handheld powers

down. You cannot operate the handheld with the battery cover removed.

3. First, remove the batteries and replace them with new AAA batteries. Arrange the batteries according to the polarity (+ and -) diagram in the battery compartment.

4. Replace the battery cover. The cover should snap into place.

Battery Precautions

Take these precautions when replacing batteries.

• Do not leave batteries within the reach of children.

Getting Started 5

• Do not mix new and used batteries. Do not mix brands, or types within brands, of batteries.

• Do not mix rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries.

• Install batteries according to polarity (+ and -) diagrams.

• Do not place non-rechargeable batteries in a battery recharger.

• Properly dispose of used batteries immediately.

• Do not incinerate or dismantle batteries.

• Seek medical advice immediately if a cell or battery has been swallowed.

Additional precautions for rechargeable batteries

• Use only the charger recommended for the cell or battery, or the one that was provided with the original equipment.

• Remove the cell or battery from the charger or alternating current adapter when not in use or being charged.

• Use of the battery in other devices may result in personal injury or damage to equipment or property.

For proper disposal of used batteries

• Do not mutilate, puncture, or dispose of batteries in fire. The batteries can burst or explode, releasing hazardous chemicals. Discard used batteries according to local regulations.

Adjusting the contrast

To lighten the display, press and hold / and tap -.

To darken the display, press

/ and tap +.

Turning the handheld on and off

To turn on the handheld, press w.

To turn off the handheld, press /w. The next time you turn on the handheld, it is in the same state as when you left it. The settings and

memory contents are retained.

Automatic Power Down

To prolong battery life, Automatic Power Down turns off the handheld after several minutes of inactivity. The next time you turn on the handheld, it is exactly as you left it.

6 Getting Started

Turning on your TI-Nspire™ handheld for the first time

f After installing the batteries, press w to turn on the handheld.

A progress bar displays while the operating system loads.

Choosing a language

After loading, the handheld prompts you to select a display language.

1. Press 6 until the desired language is highlighted, and then press

x or · to select it.

2. Press

e to highlight the OK button, and press x or · to select

it.

Choosing a font size

The handheld prompts you to select a display font size.

1. Press

Getting Started 7

6 until the font size you wish to display is highlighted, and

then press x or · to select it.

2. Press e to highlight the OK button, and press x or · to select it.

Note: You can reset the font size on your handheld at any time by changing the system settings.

When you have selected the font size, the This screen describes a few of the basics of using your new handheld.

Press 6 on the NavPad to scroll down through the document.

Once you have finished with the welcome screen, press e to highlight the OK button, then press x or · to display the home menu.

Welcome screen displays.

The Home menu

The Home menu provides a starting point for all activities on your handheld. Use the Home menu to perform the following tasks:

• Creating new documents

• Opening and managing existing documents

• Viewing and changing system and document settings

• Viewing hints for operating the handheld

Using the Home menu

The Home menu displays when you power on your handheld for the first time.

Note: To return to the Home menu from any other location, press

8 Getting Started

1. Press the arrows on the NavPad (3, 4, 5,or6 ) to move among the

options on the Home menu. A brief description of each option displays at the bottom of the

screen. Note: Options that are unavailable currently are grayed out.

2. Press

x or · to select a highlighted option, or press the number

associated with the option.

For example, press

To learn more about applications and documents, see the Working with Documents chapter.

6 to open a new document.

The TI-Nspire™ handheld screen

The handheld screen provides information about the active document, system settings, and status. The following example illustrates the main elements of the handheld screen. A description of each element follows.

Getting Started 9

Ê Page tabs - indicate the problem number followed by the page

number.

Ë System settings - display the system settings in use, what modifier

keys are in use, and provides a snapshot of battery status.

Ì Status icons - indicate whether any modifier keys are active, and

display battery and memory status.

Viewing status information

The icons at the top of the handheld screen provide a quick look at the operating status. Icons show:

• Any active modifier keys

• The current page number and the total page number

• Battery status and low memory

Icon Indicator Action

Active key

critical

good

low

10 Getting Started

Battery status Indicates battery life.

Indicates whether / or g keys are active.

Viewing system settings

The system information menu allows you to view the following system information:

• Document settings

• System settings

• Handheld status

• About screen Not all options are accessible at all times. For example, if no document is

open, you cannot view document settings. Options that are currently unavailable are grayed out.

Document Settings

Document settings control how the handheld displays and interprets information in each document. All numbers, including elements of matrices and lists, display according to the document settings.

Document Settings Options

The following table lists the document settings and their possible values.

Field Values

Display Digits Float

Float1 - Float12 Fix0 - Fix12

Angle Radian

Degree Gradian

Exponential Format Normal

Scientific Engineering

Real or Complex Real

Rectangular Polar

Exact or Approx. Auto

Exact Approximate

Getting Started 11

Field Values

Vector Format Rectangular

Cylindrical Spherical

Base Decimal

Hex Binary

Unit System SI

Eng/US

Changing document settings

1. Press /c16to open the Document Settings dialog box.

2. Press

3. When you reach the desired setting, press

4. Press the

e to move through the list of settings. Press 3 to move back

through the list. A bold line around a box indicates it is active.

6 to expand the selection

list.

5 and 6 keys to highlight the desired option, and press

x or · .

5. Press the

6. Press

Note: To apply the new settings to the device, highlight

System

12 Getting Started

4 key to highlight OK.

x or · to apply the new document settings.

Apply to

and press x or ·.

System settings

System settings apply default settings to all documents on the handheld. When you create a new document, it uses the system settings, by default, to control how the document displays and interprets information. Document settings applied to an individual document override the system settings. System settings also control the language and the font size for the handheld.

Changing system settings

1. Press c82to open the System Settings window.

2. Press e until the desired category is highlighted.

3. Press

4. Press

5. Press

Getting Started 13

6 to display the list of possible settings.

6 to highlight the desired setting.

x or · to select the new setting.

6. When you have changed all the settings to suit your needs, press

e until OK is highlighted, and press x or · to apply your

changes.

Note: Click

Defaults to return the handheld to the factory settings.

Handheld Status

The Handheld Status screen shows the amount of memory (in bytes) used by all documents and variables on your TI-Nspire™ CAS handheld. The Handheld Status screen displays the following information:

• Storage Capacity

•Space Used

• Free Space

• Battery Status

Checking available memory

1. Press c83.

2. Press x or dor · to dismiss the Handheld Status screen.

Freeing Memory

If you have insufficient memory to store documents on your handheld, you must free memory to create the space you need. To free memory, you must delete documents and/or folders from memory. To keep the documents and folders for use later, back them up to another handheld or to a computer.

14 Getting Started

Deleting items from memory

If you have unnecessary documents stored, you can delete them from memory to create additional space.

Before you delete documents, consider restoring sufficient available memory by copying files to another handheld.

1. Open My Documents.

c7.

Press

2. Press

3. Press

4. Press

£ or ¤ to select the folder or document you want to delete.

x or · to confirm that you want to delete the file.

Note: Press

d to cancel the deletion. Press /Z to cancel.

Sharing files with a computer or another device

You can connect your TI-Nspire™ handheld to a computer or another device with a USB Computer Cable. This allows you to share files. Your handheld comes with two different USB Computer Cables.

Connecting your handheld with a USB cable

You can use USB cables to connect two TI-Nspire™ CAS handhelds, to connect a TI-Nspire™ CAS handheld to a computer.

TI-Nspire™ USB connection cable to connect handheld to a computer using TI-Nspire™ Computer Link software.

TI-Nspire™ unit-to-unit USB cable to connect two TINspire™ handhelds

Backing up files to another handheld

To back up files to another TI-Nspire™ CAS handheld, follow the steps below. Complete instructions for connecting two handhelds are included in the electronic version of the handheld guidebook, provided on the CD that came with your handheld.

Getting Started 15

Connecting two TI-Nspire™ CAS handhelds with the USB unit-to-unit cable

The TI-Nspire™ CAS handheld USB A port is located at the center of the top of the handheld.

1. Firmly insert either end of the USB unit-to-unit cable into the USB A port.

2. Insert the other end of the cable into the receiving unit’s USB A port.

Sending a document

1. Press c7 to open My Documents on the sending unit.

2. Press the 5 and 6 keys to highlight the document you want to send.

3. Press

4. When the file transfer is complete, a message displays on the

/c15 to select Send from the document menu.

receiving unit.

Upgrading the operating system

You can upgrade the OS on your TI-Nspire™ CAS handheld using your computer and TI-Nspire™ Computer Link software. You can also transfer the OS from one handheld to another.

OS upgrade operations do not delete user documents. If there is not enough room on the receiving handheld for the upgrade, the sending handheld is notified. The only time documents can be affected by an OS installation is if the receiving handheld has a corrupted OS. In this situation, documents may be affected by OS restoration. It is a good practice to back up your important documents and folders before installing an updated operating system.

See the important information below concerning batteries before performing an OS upgrade.

Important Operating System download information

You should always install new batteries before beginning an OS download.

16 Getting Started

When in OS download mode, the Automatic Power Down feature does not function. If you leave your handheld in download mode for an extended time before you begin the downloading process, your batteries may become depleted. You will then need to replace the batteries with new batteries before downloading.

(APD)

Where to get Operating System upgrades

For up-to-date information about available OS upgrades, check the Texas Instruments web site at http://education.ti.com.

You can download an OS upgrade from the Texas Instruments web site to a computer, and use a USB computer cable to install the OS on your TI-Nspire™ CAS handheld.

For complete information, refer to the instructions in the chapter on TI-Nspire™ Computer Link software.

Backing up files to a computer

Use the TI-Nspire™ Computer Link software to back up the contents of your handheld to a computer. TI-Nspire™ Computer Link software is available on the product CD that came with your handheld.

Resetting the memory

The Reset button on the underside of the handheld resets all memory. This function restores RAM and Flash memory to factory settings. All files will be deleted. All system variables are reset to default settings.

Caution: Before you reset all memory, consider restoring sufficient available memory by deleting only selected data.

To reset all memory on the handheld, follow these steps.

1. Use a paper clip or ball point pen to press the Reset button on the

underside of the handheld.

2. Hold for three seconds and release.

Getting Started 17

Handheld memory is cleared.

When you clear memory, the contrast sometimes changes. If the screen is faded or blank, adjust the contrast by pressing

/+ or /-.

Displaying the About screen

The About screen displays information about theTI-Nspire™ CAS handheld type, the operating system (OS) version, and product ID.

To dis play the About screen, press

For information regarding OS updates, see the chapter Transferring Files in the electronic version of the handheld guidebook. This guidebook is available on the CD that came with your handheld, or on the Texas Instruments web site: http://education.ti.com/guides.

c84.

Viewing Hints

Hints provide helpful information for navigating the handheld. To view Hints, press c9.

18 Getting Started

Using the catalog

Use the catalog to access a list of TI-Nspire™ commands and functions, units, symbols and expression templates. Commands and functions are listed alphabetically. Commands or functions not beginning with a letter are found at the end of the list (&, /, +, -, and so on.).

The catalog window uses six tabs to categorize commands, special characters, and templates:

Contains all commands and functions, in alphabetical order

Contains all math functions

Provides the values for standard measurement units

Provides a symbol palette for adding special characters

Contains math templates for creating two dimensional objects, including product, sum, square root and integral

Shows public library (LibPub) objects

Opening the catalog

1. Press k to open the catalog.

2. Press the number key corresponding to the appropriate tab.

For example, press

3. Press

Getting Started 19

6 until the item you want to insert is highlighted.

4 to show a table of symbols.

A syntax example for the selected item displays at the bottom of the screen.

Note: To see additional syntax examples of the selected item, press

e, and then press · to maximize or minimize the Help. To move

back to the selected item, press

ge.

4. Press

Using wizards

Some functions have a wizard to help you enter function arguments. To use the wizard, press

· to insert the item.

e until the Use Wizard box is highlighted. Press

x or · to select the check box.

Entering special characters

The symbol palette contains a subset of the objects found in the catalog.

1. To display the symbol palette, press

2. Press 3, 4, 5oor 6 until the desired symbol is highlighted.

/k.

3. Press

· to insert the symbol.

Entering Math expressions

Math expression templates help you create two-dimensional objects including partial, product, sum, square root, and integral.

1. To display the math expressions palette, press

20 Getting Started

/r.

2. Press 3, 4, 5oor 6 until the item you want to insert is highlighted.

3. Press

x or · to insert the item.

Entering international language characters

The ; key allows you to enter specially accented or punctuated characters in applications that allow text input.

1. Open an application that allows text input.

2. Type the desired text.

3. Position the cursor after the letter that you want to accent. For example, "e" while in the French locale.

4. Press

; on the keypad. Notice that the "e" changes to "é." Keep

pressing Press continue typing.

; until you find the accented version of e that you want.

_ or the next letter of your text to accept the character and

Getting Started 21

22 Getting Started

Working with Documents

The TI-Nspire™ CAS handheld lets you save your work in documents, which you can share with other handheld users, and those using the desktop software. In fact, all of the work you do with the TI-Nspire™ handheld is contained in one or more documents. The three main components involved in organizing and saving work on your handheld are:

•Documents

• Page Sorter

• My Documents

Documents

The TI-Nspire™ document model is simple and easy to use when you understand its structure.

• Each document is divided into one or more problems.

• Each problem contains one or more pages.

• Each page can be divided into as many as four work areas.

• Each work area can contain any of the TI-Nspire™ math and science learning technology applications (Calculator, Graphs & Geometry, Lists & Spreadsheet, Data & Statistics and Notes).

Page Sorter

Although the handheld typically displays the pages in your document one at a time, the Page Sorter lets you see all of the problems in your document and all pages within each problem in thumbnail format. You can use the Page Sorter to rearrange and delete pages, and copy a page from one problem and paste it in another.

Working with Documents 23

My Documents

My Documents is a file manager where you store and organize your documents. Documents are stored in folders.

Creating documents

There are two methods for creating a document. You can create a blank document and then add applications and apply a layout, or if no document is currently open, you can create a document containing a single application.

Creating a blank document

f Press c6 to open a document from the home menu, or use the

shortcut keys. Shortcut keys: /N

A new document opens and displays a blank page with the Add Application menu.

Note: The tab at the top left of the screen indicates that this is the first page of the first problem.

24 Working with Documents

+ 130 hidden pages