Texas Instruments TI-Nspire Guidebook

computer software for

math and science

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.

License

Please see the complete license installed in C:\Program Files\TI Education\TI-Nspire.

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

Contents

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

License......................................................................................ii

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

The TI-Nspire™ computer software for math and science .......... 1

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

Getting started .......................................................................3

Exploring the TI-Nspire™ desktop software................................. 3

Using menus and toolbar icons ..................................................... 4

Menu and toolbar options ..................................................... 4

Defining settings ............................................................................9

Changing language................................................................. 9

Understanding document settings....................................... 10

Changing library properties ................................................. 12

Understanding desktop views ..................................................... 12

Changing the desktop view.................................................. 12

Using the Normal view ......................................................... 13

Using the Handheld Screen view ......................................... 13

Using the Presentation view................................................. 14

Using the virtual keypad.............................................................. 15

Displaying the keypad ..........................................................15

Understanding the TI-Nspire™ tools........................................... 15

Using variables ...................................................................... 16

Using the catalog .................................................................. 16

Entering special characters or math templates................... 17

Taking and viewing screen shots.......................................... 18

Working with documents.....................................................21

Creating a new document ........................................................... 21

Saving documents ........................................................................ 21

Saving a document with a new name ................................. 22

Working with applications........................................................... 22

Adding an application to a page ......................................... 23

Using multiple applications on a page ................................ 25

Changing the page layout for multiple applications.......... 25

Swapping applications on a page........................................ 27

Working with problems and pages............................................. 28

Adding a problem to a document ....................................... 28

Adding a page to a problem................................................ 28

Selecting and moving pages with the Page Sorter............. 28

Deleting pages ...................................................................... 29

iii

Opening LearningCheck™ files ...................................................30

Types of LearningCheck™ items that can be converted .....30

Opening LearningCheck™ items..........................................30

Important information about converting items..................31

Printing documents ......................................................................32

Using print preview...............................................................33

Using Variables..................................................................... 35

Linking values on pages............................................................... 35

Creating variables..................................................................35

Special considerations for variables ..................................... 38

Checking a variable’s value using the

Calculator application .....................................................39

Using (linking) variables........................................................39

Removing a linked variable ..................................................42

Using Calculator ................................................................... 43

Getting started with the Calculator application......................... 43

Before you begin...................................................................48

Entering and evaluating math expressions.................................48

Options for entering expressions .........................................48

Entering simple math expressions........................................48

Controlling the form of a result...........................................49

Inserting items from the Catalog ......................................... 50

Using an expression template...............................................51

Creating matrices...................................................................52

Inserting a row or column into a matrix..............................53

Inserting expressions using a wizard....................................53

Creating a piecewise function..............................................54

Deferring evaluation.............................................................55

Working with variables................................................................ 55

Storing a value in a variable.................................................55

Alternative methods for storing a variable .........................56

Checking a variable’s value ...................................................56

Using a variable in a calculation...........................................56

Updating a variable...............................................................57

Types of variables ..................................................................57

Entering multiple statements on the entry line.................. 58

Rules for naming variables....................................................58

Reusing the last answer ........................................................59

Temporarily substituting a value for a variable...................60

Creating user-defined functions and programs..........................60

Defining a single-line function.............................................60

Defining a multiple-line function using templates .............61

Defining a multiple-line function manually ........................62

Defining a program .............................................................. 63

Recalling a function or program definition ........................ 64

Editing Calculator expressions..................................................... 64

Positioning the cursor in an expression............................... 64

Inserting into an expression in the entry line ..................... 65

Selecting part of an expression............................................65

Deleting all or part of an expression on the entry line ......65

Financial calculations ................................................................... 65

Using the Finance Solver....................................................... 65

Finance functions included...................................................66

Working with the Calculator history........................................... 67

Viewing the Calculator history............................................. 67

Reusing a previous expression or result............................... 68

Deleting an expression from the history .............................69

Clearing the Calculator history............................................. 69

Using Graphs & Geometry ....................................................71

Getting started with Graphs & Geometry................................... 71

Getting acquainted with Graphs & Geometry .................... 72

The Tool menu.............................................................................. 72

Using the context menu ....................................................... 81

The work area............................................................................... 82

The Graphing view................................................................82

The Plane Geometry view..................................................... 83

The analytic window.............................................................84

To remove the analytic window from the work area......... 85

Creating and manipulating axes.......................................... 88

Moving about the work area ............................................... 91

Turning the grid on or off ....................................................91

Attaching an object to the grid ........................................... 92

The Zoom feature .................................................................92

Checking page contents ....................................................... 96

The entry line................................................................................ 96

Additional Graphs & Geometry features .................................... 97

Keystroke shortcuts............................................................... 97

Using the tab and arrow keys .............................................. 97

Using Sliders .......................................................................... 98

Opening and exporting files .............................................. 101

Attribute settings................................................................ 101

Changing the thickness and style of a line/outline........... 104

Locking measured values and points................................. 104

Working with functions............................................................. 105

Using the entry line............................................................. 105

Using the entry line expand button................................... 106

Graphing a family of functions .......................................... 107

Using the Text tool to enter functions...............................108

Graphing inequalities..........................................................109

Renaming f(x) ......................................................................110

Editing functions .................................................................111

Hiding a function on the work area...................................112

Deleting a function ............................................................. 113

Clearing the work area...............................................................113

The Trace tools ............................................................................ 113

Using Graph Trace ...............................................................114

Using Geometry Trace .........................................................115

Using Erase Geometry Trace ...............................................116

Manually manipulating functions .............................................117

Manipulating a linear function ..........................................118

Manipulating a quadratic function.................................... 118

Manipulating a sine or cosine function .............................119

Working with multiple objects at one time..............................120

Selecting multiple objects...................................................120

Deleting multiple selections ...............................................121

Moving multiple selections.................................................121

Drawing and working with points and lines ............................121

Points...........................................................................................122

Creating a point...................................................................122

Creating a point on a specific object..................................122

Defining an intersection point(s)........................................123

Labeling (identifying) a point.............................................123

Naming a point ...................................................................124

Redefining a point...............................................................125

Linear objects..............................................................................126

Creating a line .....................................................................126

Creating a ray ......................................................................127

Creating a line segment......................................................127

Creating a line segment with defined midpoint...............128

Creating a parallel line........................................................129

Creating a perpendicular line.............................................130

Creating a vector .................................................................131

Moving a vector...................................................................132

Resizing a vector..................................................................132

Creating a tangent ..............................................................132

Creating and working with objects (shapes) ............................ 133

Creating a circle...................................................................133

Moving a circle.....................................................................134

Resizing a circle....................................................................134

Creating a triangle .............................................................. 137

Moving a triangle................................................................137

Reshaping a triangle ...........................................................138

Creating a rectangle............................................................138

Creating a polygon .............................................................139

Moving a polygon............................................................... 140

Reshaping a polygon .......................................................... 140

Creating a regular polygon ................................................ 141

Creating a circle arc............................................................. 142

Transferring Measurements....................................................... 143

Transferring a measurement .............................................. 143

Transferring a numerical text entry to an axis ..................144

Transferring a measurement onto a circle......................... 145

Measuring graphs and objects .................................................. 146

Identifying equations for circles and lines......................... 146

Measuring length................................................................ 146

Finding the area of a circle, polygon, rectangle or

triangle........................................................................... 148

Finding the perimeter of a circle, polygon,

rectangle or triangle ..................................................... 149

Finding the measure of an angle....................................... 149

Defining an angle with three points ................................. 150

Repositioning a measured value........................................ 151

Finding the slope of a line, ray, segment or vector........... 151

Adding text to the work area ............................................ 152

Moving text .........................................................................152

Using the Calculate tool ..................................................... 152

Exploring functions, graphs, and objects.................................. 154

Finding points of interest: zeroes, minima, maxima......... 154

Finding the definite integral of a function ....................... 155

Finding the derivative of a function at a point

(the slope)...................................................................... 156

Transformations.......................................................................... 157

Exploring symmetry ............................................................ 158

Exploring reflection ............................................................ 158

Exploring translation .......................................................... 159

Exploring rotation............................................................... 160

Exploring dilation................................................................ 161

Other investigations................................................................... 163

Bisecting a segment defined on a line............................... 163

Bisecting a segment ............................................................ 164

Bisecting an implied segment ............................................ 165

Bisecting an angle............................................................... 166

Bisecting an implied angle ................................................. 167

Creating a locus................................................................... 168

Animating objects ...................................................................... 170

Animating one point on an object .................................... 170

The animation control panel.............................................. 171

Changing the animation of a point in motion.................. 172

Pausing and resuming animation ...................................... 172

vii

Resetting animation............................................................172

Stopping animation.............................................................172

Plotting collected data............................................................... 173

Creating a scatter plot.........................................................173

Using Lists & Spreadsheet.................................................. 177

Getting started with tables........................................................177

Before you begin.................................................................181

Navigating in a spreadsheet ...............................................181

Inserting a cell range into a formula.................................. 182

Methods of entering data...................................................184

Entering a math expression, text, or spreadsheet

formula...........................................................................185

Working with individual cells ....................................................185

Creating absolute and relative cell references .................. 185

Inserting items from the Catalog .......................................187

Deleting the contents of a cell or block of cells................188

Copying a cell or block of cells ...........................................189

Filling adjacent cells ............................................................191

Sharing a cell value as a variable........................................191

Linking a cell to a variable..................................................192

Preventing name conflicts...................................................192

Working with rows and columns of data..................................194

Selecting a row or column ..................................................194

Resizing a row or column....................................................194

Inserting an empty row or column.....................................195

Deleting entire rows or columns ........................................195

Copying rows or columns.................................................... 196

Moving a column.................................................................197

Clearing column data .................................................................198

Sorting data ................................................................................199

Sorting a range of cells in a column...................................199

Sorting a rectangular region ..............................................201

Sorting entire columns........................................................202

Generating columns of data ......................................................203

Creating column values based on another column...........204

Generating a list of random numbers................................204

Generating a numerical sequence......................................205

Creating and sharing spreadsheet data as lists.........................207

Sharing a spreadsheet column as a list variable................ 207

Linking to an existing list variable......................................209

Inserting an element in a list..............................................210

Deleting an element from a list..........................................210

Graphing spreadsheet data........................................................210

Capturing data from Graphs & Geometry................................. 212

viii

Capturing data manually....................................................213

Capturing data automatically ............................................ 214

Creating function tables ............................................................ 216

Showing and Hiding function tables................................. 216

Generating a function table............................................... 217

Adding a function table from Graphs & Geometry .......... 218

Viewing values in a function table .................................... 219

Editing a function ............................................................... 219

Changing the settings for a function table....................... 220

Deleting a column in the function table ........................... 220

Using table data for statistical analysis..................................... 220

Plotting statistical data....................................................... 221

Statistical calculations ................................................................ 222

Performing a statistical calculation.................................... 222

Supported Statistical Calculations...................................... 225

Distributions ...............................................................................229

Calculating distributions.....................................................230

Supported Distribution functions ...................................... 231

Confidence Intervals................................................................... 237

Supported Confidence Intervals......................................... 237

Stat tests...................................................................................... 240

Supported Statistical tests .................................................. 240

Statistics Input Descriptions....................................................... 247

Exchanging data with other computer software..................... 248

Example - copying data from TI DataEditor...................... 249

Example - copying cells from an Excel® spreadsheet ....... 250

Using Data & Statistics .......................................................253

The Tool menu............................................................................ 254

Getting started with Data & Statistics....................................... 262

Creating plots from spreadsheet data ...................................... 262

Plotting data using the Quick Graph tool .........................262

Plotting data on a new Data & Statistics page.................. 265

Numeric plot types ..................................................................... 269

Dot plots ..............................................................................269

Box plots ..............................................................................270

Histograms........................................................................... 276

Normal probability plots..................................................... 283

Scatter Plots......................................................................... 284

X-Y line plots ....................................................................... 286

Creating multiple plots....................................................... 287

Categorical plot types ................................................................ 288

Dot charts.................................................................................... 288

Creating a dot chart............................................................ 289

Bar charts............................................................................. 291

Pie charts..............................................................................292

Plotting data using a Categorical split...............................294

Exploring data.............................................................................297

Moving points or bins of data............................................297

Selecting multiple points ....................................................299

Selecting a range of points.................................................301

Changing plot type..............................................................304

Rescaling a graph ................................................................305

Adding a movable line........................................................308

Rotating a movable line...................................................... 309

Showing regression lines.....................................................312

Showing residual squares....................................................313

Showing a residual plot ......................................................314

Removing a residual plot....................................................315

Using Window/Zoom tools.........................................................316

Graphing Functions ....................................................................318

Graphing functions using the Plot Function tool ..............318

Entering functions from other applications ...................... 319

Editing a function................................................................322

Using Data & Statistics functions in other

applications....................................................................322

Using Show Normal PDF......................................................322

Using Shade Under Function ..............................................323

Using Graph Trace.......................................................................325

Using other Data & Statistics tools ............................................ 327

Inserting text........................................................................327

Hiding text ........................................................................... 328

Using Sliders.........................................................................328

Using Statistical Tools .................................................................332

Using Notes......................................................................... 333

Getting started with the Notes application..............................333

The Notes tool menu..................................................................334

Before you begin.................................................................335

The Notes work area .................................................................. 335

Notes templates..........................................................................336

Applying a Notes template.................................................336

Using the Q&A Template ....................................................336

Using the Proof Template ...................................................336

Inserting comments ....................................................................337

Formatting Notes text ................................................................337

Selecting text ....................................................................... 338

Applying a text format........................................................338

Inserting geometric shape symbols....................................338

Entering and evaluating math expressions...............................339

Entering an expression ....................................................... 339

Evaluating an expression....................................................339

Evaluating part of an expression ....................................... 339

Using Question....................................................................341

Understanding the Question toolbar........................................ 341

Navigating in the Question application.................................... 341

Answering questions.................................................................. 341

Answering single-answer questions................................... 342

Answering questions with multiple answers..................... 342

Working with TI-Nspire™ libraries.....................................343

What is a library?........................................................................ 343

Creating libraries and library objects........................................ 344

Private and Public library objects .............................................. 344

Using short and long names............................................... 345

Using library objects................................................................... 345

Using a public library object............................................... 346

Using a private library object ............................................. 346

Creating shortcuts to library objects......................................... 346

Included libraries........................................................................ 347

Restoring an included library .................................................... 347

Changing the designated library folder ................................... 348

Programming ......................................................................351

Overview of the Program Editor ............................................... 351

The Program Editor menu ......................................................... 352

Defining a program or function................................................355

Starting a new Program Editor .......................................... 355

Entering lines into a function or program ........................ 356

Inserting comments............................................................. 357

Checking syntax................................................................... 358

Storing the function or program ....................................... 358

Viewing an existing program or function................................. 358

Opening an existing function or program................................ 359

Importing a program from a library ......................................... 360

Creating a copy of a function or program................................ 360

Renaming a program or function ............................................. 361

Changing the library access level .............................................. 361

Finding text................................................................................. 362

Finding and replacing text......................................................... 362

Closing the current function or program ................................. 362

Running programs and evaluating functions........................... 362

Using short and long names............................................... 363

Using a Public library function or program ....................... 363

Using a Private library function or program......................364

Running a non-library program or function......................364

Interrupting a running program ........................................ 365

Getting values into a program...................................................365

Example of passing values to a program...........................366

Displaying information...............................................................366

Using local variables ................................................................... 367

Example of a local variable.................................................367

What causes an undefined variable error message?......... 367

You must initialize local variables ......................................368

Differences between functions and programs .........................368

Calling one program from another........................................... 369

Calling a separate program ................................................369

Defining and calling an internal subroutine .....................369

Notes about using subroutines...........................................370

Avoiding circular-definition errors ..................................... 370

Controlling the flow of a function or program........................370

Using If, Lbl, and Goto to control program flow......................371

If command..........................................................................371

If...Then...EndIf structures...................................................371

If...Then...Else... EndIf structures.........................................372

If...Then...ElseIf... EndIf structures......................................372

Lbl and Goto commands .....................................................372

Using loops to repeat a group of commands ...........................373

For...EndFor loops ................................................................ 374

While...EndWhile loops.......................................................375

Loop...EndLoop loops..........................................................376

Repeating a loop immediately ...........................................377

Lbl and Goto loops ..............................................................377

Changing mode settings ............................................................ 377

Setting a mode ....................................................................377

Debugging programs and handling errors ...............................377

Techniques for debugging..................................................378

Error-handling commands ..................................................378

Data Collection ................................................................... 379

Compatible sensor interfaces.....................................................379

Analyzing experimental data.....................................................379

Launching the Data Collection Console....................................380

Using Auto Launch ..............................................................380

Manually starting the Data Collection Console.................381

Getting started with the Data Collection Console ...................385

Using the Data Collection Console..................................... 385

Accessing the context menu ...............................................386

Data Collection Console buttons........................................386

xii

Data Collection Console menus................................................. 388

Running an experiment and collecting data............................ 391

Data Collection variable names.................................................394

Storing collected data................................................................ 394

Retrieving stored experimental results ..................................... 394

Troubleshooting the Data Collection Console.......................... 394

Appendix: Service and Support .........................................397

Texas Instruments Support and Service..................................... 397

For general information ..................................................... 397

Service and warranty information ..................................... 397

Index....................................................................................399

xiii

xiv

Introduction

The TI-Nspire™ computer software for math and science

This guidebook provides information about powerful, advanced software from Texas Instruments: the TI-Nspire™ computer software for math and science.

How to use this guidebook

The chapters in this guidebook include: Getting Started - Provides start up information and offers students and

educators an overview of the basic operations of the software. Working with Documents - Provides instruction for creating and

working with documents. Using Variables - Shows how to define variables that represent portions

of values and functions and use them across applications.

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. Working with TI-Nspire™ Libraries - Provides instruction for creating

and using Libraries. Using Program Editor - Provides instruction for creating and modifying

Programs using the Program Editor.

Data Collection - Provides an overview of the Data Collection tool. Service and Warranty Information - Includes service and warranty

information and contact information for technical support.

Introduction 1

2 Introduction

Getting started

Exploring the TI-Nspire™ desktop software

The desktop software provides the tools to create documents and work with problems. This screen illustrates the menu and toolbars, the page sorter, and the application work area.

À Á

À Menu bar - Provides tools for working with documents and

modifying system settings.

Á Toolbar - Provides quick access to tools for working with documents. Â Page Sorter - Provides a thumbnail view of each page in the

document.

Ã Application work area - Displays a single page in a document.

Getting started 3

Using menus and toolbar icons

Menus and toolbar icons help you create and edit documents and problems and modify system settings.

Menu and toolbar options

The following table lists the options available under each menu, what the option does, and a shortcut key or alternate access method, if one exists. As you work with the software, note that menu options may not always be available.

Toolbar icons are another way to perform tasks. Each application also has its own toolbar, providing functions unique to that application. Application-specific tools are discussed in each application chapter.

When you move your cursor slowly over a tool icon, a brief text description of it displays on the screen.

Toolbar Icon

File

Menu Option Purpose

New Document

Open Document

Close Closes the document. Ctrl + W (“ +

Save Document

Creates a new document. If another document is open, you are asked if you want to save it before starting a new document.

Displays a file browser window to let you open an existing TI-Nspireé file. LearningChecké and Cabrié II Plus files also can be opened with the Open Document option.

Saves the document currently in the work area.

Keyboard Shortcut

Ctrl + N (“ N on your Macintosh®)

Ctrl + O O on your Macintosh®)

W on your Macintosh®)

Ctrl + S (“ + S on your Macintosh®)

(“ +

4 Getting started

Toolbar Icon

Menu Option Purpose

Save As Saves the current

document in a new folder and/or under a new name.

Export Lets you export a file as a

Cabrié II Plus .fig file.

Keyboard Shortcut

Edit

Print Opens the Print dialog

box and enables you to print one or more pages in the open document.

Settings 8 Enables you to change

languages, modify and apply document settings to the system, or change library locations.

Exit Closes all applications and

prompts to save the currently active document.

Undo Cancels your latest action

and displays the work area as it was before the action.

Redo Re-applies the action

undone by the Undo command. Redo is not available unless you first perform an Undo command.

Ctrl + P

(“ +

P on your Macintosh®)

Alt + F4

Ctrl + Z

(“ +

Z on your Macintosh®)

Ctrl + Y (“ + Y on your Macintosh®)

Cut Removes the selected text

or objects on the active page that you want

Ctrl + X (“ + X on your Macintosh®)

removed.

Getting started 5

Toolbar Icon

Menu Option Purpose

Keyboard Shortcut

View

Copy Makes a copy of the

selected information.

Paste Inserts information, either

cut or copied, at a designated location.

Delete Deletes the selected

objects, text, applications, pages, or problems.

Select Application

Selects the application (border is highlighted to indicate that the application is selected)

Swap Application

Swaps the location of the selected application with the current application.

Normal The default work area

view.

Handheld Screen

Limits the work area to the space constraints of the handheld screen.

Ctrl + C (“ + C on your Macintosh®)

Ctrl + V

(“ +

V on your Macintosh®)

Ctrl + K (“ + K on your Macintosh®)

Presentation Removes the Page Sorter

from the display and displays pages at full size.

Keypad View a virtual handheld

keypad you can use to manipulate objects and perform calculations, in the same way as the handheld keypad.

6 Getting started

Toolbar Icon

Menu Option Purpose

Collapse All Collapses all pages in the

Page Sorter so that only the problems for the open document are listed.

Expand All Expands the problems in

the Page Sorter so that all pages of all problems are listed.

Keyboard Shortcut

Insert

Takes you to the previous page in a document.

Next Page Takes you to the next

page in a document.

Insert Allows you to insert a

problem space, page, or add applications to the current page.

Layout 8 Lets you select one of

eight page layouts.

Problem Adds a new problem to

the current document.

Page Adds a new page to the

current problem.

Calculator Adds the Calculator

application to the selected page.

Ctrl + Left (“ + Left on your Macintosh®)

Ctrl + Right (“ + Right on your Macintosh®)

(“ + I

Ctrl + I on your Macintosh®)

Getting started 7

Toolbar Icon

Menu Option Purpose

Keyboard Shortcut

To ol s

Graphs & Geometry

Adds the Graphs & Geometry application to the selected page.

Lists & Spreadsheet

Adds the Lists & Spreadsheet application to the selected page.

Notes Adds the Notes

application to the selected page.

Data & Statistics

Adds the Data & Statistics application to the selected page.

Program Editor 8

Allows you to create, view, open, or import a program.

Data Collection

Lets you collect experimental data from a sensor and automatically display it in a list or graph for analysis.

Variables Allows you to link a

variable to another page in the current problem.

Ctrl + D

(“ +

D on your Macintosh®)

(“ +

Ctrl + L L on your Macintosh®)

Catalog Allows you to insert

functions, units, symbols, and expression templates.

Symbols Lets you insert symbols.

Math Templates

8 Getting started

Allows you to insert expression templates.

Toolbar Icon

Menu Option Purpose

Keyboard Shortcut

Help

Screen Shot 8Lets you take and view

screen shots of the current application work area.

Refresh Libraries

TI-Nspireé Help

Activate... Allows you to activate

About Displays information

Refreshes the list of libraries that have been stored and whose library documents have been saved.

Provides help information for this software.

your software if you are using a trial copy. This option is only available when using a trial version of the software.

about the TI-Nspire™ product.

Ctrl + J (“ + J on your Macintosh®)

Defining settings

You can change the settings your system uses, including language, document settings, and the library location.

Changing language

You specify the language for the software to display when you install it. You can change the language at any time by doing the following:

1. Select File > Settings > Change Language.

The Choose a Language dialog box displays.

Getting started 9

2. Use the drop-down menu to select the desired language. You must restart the application for the language change to take

effect.

Understanding document settings

You can change document settings for a specific set of problems. Document settings apply to the document you are working in, and can also be applied as the default settings for the system. When you customize these settings, the new options become the default settings for your work.

Document settings options

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

Field Values

Display Digits Float

Float1 - Float12 Fix0 - Fix12

Angle Radian

Degree Gradian

Exponential Format Normal

Scientific Engineering

Real or Complex Format Real

Rectangular Polar

Auto or Approximate Auto

Approximate

Vector Format Rectangular

Cylindrical Spherical

10 Getting started

Field Values

Base Decimal

Hex Binary

Unit System SI

Eng/US

Changing document settings

1. Select File > Settings > Document Settings. The Document Settings window displays.

2. Use the drop-down menus to view and select the desired option for each category.

3. When you have modified the settings to suit your needs, click OK to save the changes and close the window.

Applying document settings to the system

f Click Apply to System to apply the document settings to the entire

system. A prompt displays, asking you to verify that this is what you want to do.

Getting started 11

Changing library properties

To change the library location:

1. Click

2. Click

3. Navigate to the folder for the desired library location and click

4. Click

5. To return to the default library location, click

File > Settings > Library Properties. The Library Properties

dialog box opens.

Change. A Windows® Explorer dialog box opens.

The Windows® Explorer dialog box closes.

OK to accept the new library location.

Default > OK. The

default location is saved.

Understanding desktop views

You have a variety of options for viewing your work in the software:

•Normal

• Handheld Screen

• Presentation

Changing the desktop view

To change the desktop view:

f Click f To return to Normal view, click

View on the tool menu and select the desired view.

View > Normal View.

OK.

12 Getting started

Using the Normal view

The Normal view is the default view in your desktop software.

Using the Handheld Screen view

The Handheld Screen view allows you to preview documents as they will appear on the handheld screen. It limits your screen size to the limits you would have on the handheld.

Getting started 13

Using the Presentation view

The Presentation view displays pages without the navigation pane. This view is useful when displaying documents with a digital projector.

The Presentation view can be used with either the Normal view or the Handheld Screen view.

14 Getting started

Using the virtual keypad

The desktop software allows you to display and use a virtual keypad, which duplicates the behavior of the handheld keypad. Use the keypad to enter expressions and perform calculations with the desktop software, just as you do with the handheld.

Note: Many of the procedures in this guidebook include pressing

handheld keys. Some of these keys are available on your computer keyboard, but if you display and use the keypad, you will have access to much of the functionality and shortcuts available on the handheld keyboard.

Displaying the keypad

f To display the keypad, select View > Keypad or click .

The keypad displays.

Understanding the TI-Nspire™ tools

As you gain more experience working with documents, you will use the tools described briefly in this section: variables, catalog, symbols, math templates, and screen shot. This section gives a quick overview of the tools and their functions.

Getting started 15

Using variables

Variables can be any portion or attribute of an object or function created within an application. Examples of attributes that can become variables are the area of a rectangle, the radius of a circle, the value contained in a spreadsheet cell or the contents of a row or column, or a function expression. When you create a variable, it is stored in memory. Variable definitions are contained within a problem and do not carry over from problem to problem within a document.

You can find more information about variables in

Using Variables.

Using the catalog

Use the catalog to insert commands and functions, units, symbols and expression templates into your problems. The catalog window uses five tabs to categorize commands, special characters and templates:

contains all commands and functions, in alphabetical order

contains all math functions

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.

16 Getting started

Opening the catalog

1. Press the Catalog icon to open the catalog.

2. Select the tab that contains the function, symbol or expression you want to insert into your problem.

3. Use the scroll bar or down arrow to display the item, and click to select it.

4. Press

Enter or double-click to insert the item.

Note: Some functions have a wizard to help you enter function

arguments. If you prefer to enter the argument values directly on the entry line, you may need to click the wizard icon to disable it.

Entering special characters or math templates

There are two icons on the toolbar that give you quick access to symbols and templates:

provides a symbol palette for adding special characters.

contains math templates for creating two dimensional

objects, including square root, integral, and product sum.

Getting started 17

1. To access one of the palettes, click the desired icon to open the palette.

2. Use the scrollbar, arrow keys, or mouse click to highlight the item.

3. Press Enter or double-click to insert the item.

Taking and viewing screen shots

You can take a screen shot, or picture, of your active TI-Nspire™ page.

• The screen shot will show the active view.

• You can copy an image to the clipboard or save it as an image file.

• If you take multiple screen shots, you can view and use any of these images.

• If you want to save images for use later, be sure to save them before you end a TI-Nspire™ session. Unsaved images are discarded when you end the session.

• You cannot paste or insert images into a TI-Nspire™ document.

Taking a screen shot

To take screen shots, do one of the following:

• Click

• Type the shortcut Ctrl + J (“ + J on your Macintosh®).

Tools > Screen Shot > Take Shot.

• Click the Screen Shot toolbar icon.

Copying a screen shot to the clipboard

After you capture an image, the Screen Shot window opens. To copy the image directly to another application:

1. Select the image you want to copy.

2. From the

icon on the Screen Shot window.

3. Navigate to the area in the application where you want to copy the screen shot.

4. Select

18 Getting started

Screen Shot window, click the Copy Screen Shot toolbar

Paste or use the shortcut Ctrl + V (“ + V on your Macintosh®).

Saving a screen shot

You can save a screen shot in the following graphic formats:

•.gif

•.jpg (JPEG)

•.tif f Save and use the screen shot as you would any other image file in

the target application.

Taking and viewing multiple screen shots

You can take multiple screen shots as long as your current session is active.

• The limit on the number of screens you can capture depends on the size of each screen shot.

• You will receive a warning when you have reached this limit.

• After reaching the limit, you must delete some screen shots, or save your images first, then delete your screen shots from the active menu.

• To view multiple screen shots in Thumbnail view, click the

icon.

• To view multiple screen shots one at a time, click the

Thumbnail

Single Screen

Shot View

icon.

• From the Screen Shot window, click the green right and left arrows at the top of the window to scroll through the images. You may copy or save any of these images as long as the application is active.

Viewing a screen shot

• To view a screen that you have already shot during the active TI-Nspire™ session, click Tools > Screen Shot > View Shot.

• To zoom in an area , click on the

• To zoom out of an area, click on the

Getting started 19

Zoom in icon.

Zoom out icon.

20 Getting started

Working with documents

All work that you create and save with the desktop software is stored as a document. A document consists of one or more problems. Each problem contains one or more pages. A single page displays in the work area on your screen. All work occurs in the applications within pages.

Note: A TI-Nspire™ document can contain up to 30 problems, and each problem can contain a maximum of 50 pages.

Creating a new document

When you first open the desktop software, a blank document with one problem opens automatically. A blank page displays on the work area of the desktop. You can add applications and content to this page to create a document.

You can create a new document at any time using the following steps.

f Select

File > New or click .

The new document opens in the work area and displays a blank page.

Saving documents

To save a new document:

1. Select

File > Save Document, or press .

Working with documents 21

The Save TI-Nspire™ Document dialog opens. The default location for saving documents is My Documents\TI-Nspire.

2. Select (or create) a folder in which to store the document.

3. Type a name for the new document.

4. Click Save to save the document. Documents are saved with the extension .tns.

Saving a document with a new name

You can save a document in a new folder and/or with a new name. To do this:

1. Select

2. Type a new name for the document.

3. Click

File > Save As... .

The Save As ... dialog opens. Select (or create) a folder in which to store the document.

Save to save the document with a new name.

Working with applications

When you first open a new document, or add a new page to a document, you can click the page to display the application menu, and select an application to add to the page.

This illustration is an example of how an application appears on a page.

22 Working with documents

À Application tool bar - This area contains the tools and tool menus

specific to the application active on the page.

Á Problem/Page counter - The first value represents the problem

number of your active page, while the second value tells you the page number within the problem. For the example above, the counter reads 1.1, the first page of the first problem in the document.

Adding an application to a page

To add an application to a page:

1. Do one of the following:

• Click on the work area to display the application list.

Working with documents 23

• Select the Insert menu or click to display the application

list.

2. Click to select the application you want to add to the page. The application displays with its specific toolbar.

24 Working with documents

Using multiple applications on a page

You can use up to four applications on each page. This example shows a page with three applications.

When you have multiple applications on a page, the tool bar for the application in use displays. Using multiple applications involves two steps:

• Changing the page layout to accommodate multiple applications

• Adding the applications You can add multiple applications to a page even if you already have an

application active on the page.

Changing the page layout for multiple applications

By default, each page contains space to add one application. Click Insert

> Layout

Working with documents 25

, or click to display the page layout menu.

1. Highlight the layout you wish to add to the page, and click to select it.

The page displays the new layout.

2. Select an application for each new section on the page.

26 Working with documents

Swapping applications on a page

To change the position of applications on a page with multiple applications, you can do so by "swapping" the positions of two applications.

1. Click

Edit > Swap Application.

Note: The last active application you worked on is automatically

selected as the first application to be swapped.

2. Click on the second application to swap. This action performs the swap.

Note: When there are only two work areas, the selected application automatically swaps position with the other application on the work area.

To cancel a swap, press Esc.

Deleting an application from a page

1. Click the application you want to delete.

2. Select Edit > Select Application or use the shortcut Ctrl + K on your Macintosh®).

The selected application blinks on the page.

(“ + K

3. Click or select

Working with documents 27

Edit > Delete.

Working with problems and pages

Adding a problem to a document

A document can contain up to 30 problems. To add a new problem:

f Select Insert > Problem, or click the toolbar icon and select

Problem.

A new problem with one new page is added to your document.

Adding a page to a problem

Each problem can contain up to 50 pages. To add a new page to a problem, do one of the following:

• Select

• Press Ctrl + I (“ + I on your Macintosh®).

Insert > Page, or click the toolbar icon and select

Page.

A new page displays. Select an application to add to the page.

Selecting and moving pages with the Page Sorter

The Page Sorter is the area on the left side of the screen. It displays thumbnail views of all pages in the document. Use the Page Sorter to move to different pages in your document, and to quickly move and rearrange pages.

28 Working with documents

À Page Sorter - Displays thumbnail sketches of all pages in all

problems in the current document. Use the scroll bar to view pages off the screen.

Á Active page - The page currently highlighted in the Page Sorter and

active in the work area.

Â Problem/Page counter - Displays the problem number followed by

the page number.

Selecting pages

The Page Sorter always indicates the active page in the work area.

• If you are working on a page in the work area, this page is indicated in the page sorter by a bold black border.

• If you are actively using the Page Sorter, the active page displayed in the work area has a blue border in the Page Sorter pane.

Clicking on any page in the Page Sorter makes it the active page, and it displays in the work area.

Rearranging pages

Use the Page Sorter to change the order of pages within a problem.

1. Click to select the thumbnail view of the page in the Page Sorter.

2. Hold down the mouse button and drag the page to the desired position, and release to drop it in the new location.

Deleting pages

You can delete an entire page using the delete tools on the tool bar.

1. Select the page you want to delete.

2. Select

Working with documents 29

Edit > Delete or click the Delete icon .

Opening

TI-Nspire™ can convert many of the question types created in LearningCheck™ Creator. After opening a LearningCheck™ file, the system converts the LearningCheck™ items to the TI-Nspire™ Question application format and saves it as a TI-Nspire™ document.

With some LearningCheck™ files, you may need to define certain characteristics of the file as you normally would when saving a TI-Nspire™ document. If your LearningCheck™ file name is too long, for example, the software prompts you to rename it.

LearningCheck™

files

Types of LearningCheck™ items that can be converted

• Open response and multiple choice items will convert to corresponding TI-Nspire™ Question type documents.

• The following fill-in-the-blank items convert in the TI-Nspire™ Question application as described here:

– Numeric and text items convert into Open Response type. – Pull-down items will convert into Multiple Choice type.

• The system will attempt to convert the LearningCheck™ math syntax into TI-Nspire™ format. Be sure to review the text after conversion.

If a correct answer or suggested response existed in the LearningCheck™ item, it will be converted and stored with the Question application.

Opening LearningCheck™ items

1. To convert a LearningCheck™ file, click File > Open Document. The file browser dialog opens.

30 Working with documents

2. Click the Files of type drop-down box to select the LearningCheck™ file type.

3. Navigate to the folder where the file is located.

4. Select the file and click Open. The file converts to a TI-Nspire™ document.

Important information about converting items

• Some LearningCheck™ items cannot be converted. These files will display a Notes page stating that the item was not converted:

– Fill-in-the-blank items – Sequencing items – Choice on image items

• Images in LearningCheck™ items are not converted. In items that contain an image, a Notes page lets you know that the image was not converted.

• TI-Nspire™ documents can contain 30 problems (sections), with 50 pages per problem. The software will not open LearningCheck™ files that are larger than this.

Note: On a Macintosh™ computer, you cannot open a Cabri II Plus™ .fig

file or a LearningCheck™ .edc file. You also cannot export a TI-Nspire™ .tns document as a .fig file.

Working with documents 31

Printing documents

If your computer is connected to a printer, you can print the contents of an open document. To access the print dialog, do one of the following:

• Select

• Press

• Click the Printer icon in the tool bar. The Print Document dialog enables you to select:

• The printer service that will do the printing.

• A range of problems to be printed, including all problems in the

• The number of copies to be printed.

• The size of the paper in your printer. The default is Letter in the US

• The orientation of the printout: portrait or landscape. Landscape is

• Page scaling, if desired. The default is None. In this case, the printer

• You can preview the printout by clicking the Print Preview button. Once you have selected the print job parameters, select Note: If you do not change any print settings, the default is that all

pages in the document will be printed.

File > Print.

Ctrl + P (“ + P on your Macintosh®).

document.

and A4 in Europe.

the default option.

tries to print the entire page on the selected size paper, but some cropping may occur. The second option, Print Screen, prints what is visible on the current TI-Nspire™ page.

Print.

32 Working with documents

Using print preview

This option enables you to see how your document printout will appear before you enter a print request. You can move from page to page in this view to see all the pages in your print request.

Working with documents 33

34 Working with documents

Using Variables

Linking values on pages

Variable linking is a powerful tool for building and exploring mathematical models. Values and functions created or defined in one application can interact with other applications to share data. (The relationship between Graphs & Geometry and Data Collection is a special one and is discussed in the Data Collection chapter.)

There are a few features to keep in mind when using linked items:

• Values can be linked between applications on one page or between different pages of the same problem.

• Since all applications are linked to the same actual data, if you delete it from any application, all references to the data are lost.

• If the linked value is changed in the original application, the change is reflected in all linked usages.

Each application allows you to define a value or function as a variable. Defining a variable is the first step in linking values.

Creating variables

Types of variables

You can store the following data types as variables:

Data type Examples

Expression 2.54 1.25E62p xmin/10 2+3i (xN2)

List {2, 4, 6, 8} {1, 1, 2}

Matrix

123

This can be entered as:

[1,2,3;3,6,9]

369

Character string “Hello” “xmin/10” “The answer is:”

Function myfunc( arg ) ellipse( x, y, r1, r2 )

Measurement area, perimeter, length, slope, angle

Using Variables 35

Creating a variable from a Graphs & Geometry value

1. Click to select the value to store as a variable.

2. Do one of the following:

• Select the Variables tool .

• Press

• Select Tools > Variables. The Variables options are displayed with Store highlighted.

3. Press This is the default variable name. Type over VAR with the variable

name you want to give the value.

Ctrl + L (“ + L on your Macintosh®).

Enter. VAR := appears before the selected value.

4. When the variable name is typed, press Enter.

36 Using Variables

The value is saved to that variable name, and the stored value or its name appears in bold text to indicate it is a stored value.

Note: You can also share a Graphs & Geometry axis end value with other applications. If necessary, click display the end values on the horizontal and vertical axes. Click the number for an end value to highlight it in the entry field. Name the variable and store it for use with other applications by using any method described in Step 2.

Actions, Show/Hide Axes End Values to

Creating a variable from a Lists & Spreadsheet cell value

You can share a cell value with other applications. When defining or referring to a shared cell in Lists & Spreadsheet, you precede the name with an apostrophe (‘).

1. Click the cell that you want to share.

2. Press

3. Replace the letters “var” with a name for the variable, and press

Note: If a variable with the name you specified already exists in the current problem space, Lists & Spreadsheet displays an error message.

A formula is inserted into the cell with var as a placeholder for a variable name.

·.

The value is now available as a variable to other applications within the same problem.

Creating Calculator variables

As alternatives to using h, you can use “:=” or the Define command. All of the following statements are equivalent.

5+8

& num

num := 5+8 Define num=5+8

Using Variables 37

Special considerations for variables

Rules for naming variables

Variable and function names that you create must meet the following naming rules.

Note: Avoid defining variables that use the same names as those used for statistical analysis. In some cases, an error condition could occur. Variable names used for statistical analysis are listed in the Appendix of Functions, under the StatMatrix entry.

• You can use 1 to 16 characters consisting of letters, digits, and the underscore character (_). Letters can be U.S. or Greek letters (but not Π or p), accented letters, and international letters.

• You can use uppercase or lowercase letters. The names AB22, Ab22, aB22, and ab22 all refer to the same variable.

• The first character cannot be a digit.

• Do not use spaces.

• If you use an underscore as the first character, the variable is considered a type of unit, such as _m, _ft, and _in. Units do not allow subsequent underscores in the name.

• You cannot use a preassigned variable or function name, such as ans

min.

or Note: For a complete list of TI-Nspire™ functions, refer to the

TI-Nspire™ Reference Guide.

Here are some examples:

Variable name Valid?

Myvar Yes

My var No. Contains a space.

a Yes

Log No. Name is preassigned to the

Log1 Yes

3rdTotal No. Starts with a digit.

log( ) function.

Preventing name conflicts

A shared variable can have the same name as a table cell or column letter. To help you prevent name conflicts in your table formulas, Lists & Spreadsheet provides syntax rules.

38 Using Variables

• To refer to a variable whose name could conflict with the name of a cell (such as A1), precede the variable name with an apostrophe (‘A1).

• To refer to a table column (such as A) without conflicting with a single-letter variable name A, follow the column letter with a pair of brackets (A[]).

Use this syntax: To refer to: Remarks

myvar The shared variable

myvar.

A1 The table cell at

column A, row 1.

‘A1 The shared variable A1. The apostrophe makes this a

A The shared variable A. This syntax never refers to column

A[] Column A of the

current table.

No special syntax is needed, because this name does not conflict with a cell or column reference.

This syntax always refers to table cell A1—never to variable A1.

reference to variable A1—never to table cell A1.

Brackets make this a reference to column A—never to variable A.

Checking a variable’s value using the Calculator application

You can check the value of an existing variable by entering its name on the Calculator entry line.

f On the Calculator entry line, type the variable name num and

press

Enter.

The value most recently stored in num displays as the result.

Using (linking) variables

Sharing, or linking, the variables you create is a powerful tool for math exploration. The display of linked variables is automatically updated when the variable’s value changes.

In the following two examples, two data lists were created in Lists & Spreadsheet and then plotted in Graphs & Geometry.

Using Variables 39

When the values are altered in Lists & Spreadsheet, they are automatically updated in Graphs & Geometry.

Linking to shared variables

To use a stored variable:

1. Display the page and select the location or object to which you want to link a variable.

2. Do one of the following:

• Select the Variables tool .

• Press

40 Using Variables

Ctrl + L (“ + L on your Macintosh®).

• Select Tools > Variables. The Variables options are displayed with Store highlighted.

3. Use 9 and : to scroll the list, or type part of the variable name. As you type, the system displays a list of variables that begin with the

letters you typed. Typing part of the name enables you to locate a variable more quickly if the list is long.

4. When you locate and highlight the name of the variable you want to use, click the name or press

Enter.

The selected variable value is linked.

Linking a Lists & Spreadsheet cell to a variable

When you link a cell to a variable, Lists & Spreadsheet keeps the cell value updated to reflect the current value of the variable. The variable can be any variable in the current problem and can be defined in Graphs & Geometry, Calculator, or any instance of Lists & Spreadsheet.

Note: Do not link to a system variable. Doing so could prevent the variable from being updated by the system. System variables include ans, StatMatrix, and statistics results (such as RegEqn, dfError, and Resid).

1. Click the cell that you want to link to the variable.

2. Click , and click The VarLink menu displays.

Using Variables 41

Cell.

3. Under Link To, scroll to the name of the variable and click it. The cell shows the value of the variable.

Removing a linked variable

1. Select the linked variable.

2. Do one of the following:

• Select the Variables tool .

• Press Ctrl + L (“ + I on your Macintosh®).

• Select Tools > Variables. The Variables options display.

3. Select

Unlink.

The link is removed from the value, and the value displays without any bolding.

42 Using Variables

Using Calculator

Getting started with the Calculator application

The Calculator application gives you a place to enter and evaluate math expressions. You can also use it to define variables, functions, and programs. When you define or edit a variable, function, or program, it becomes available to any TI-Nspire™ math and science learning technology application—such as Graphs & Geometry—that resides in the same problem.

You can also use Calculator to define library objects, such as variables, functions, and programs, which are accessible from any problem of any document. For information on creating library objects, see the “Libraries” section of the documentation.

Using Calculator 43

À Calculator menu – This menu is available anytime you are in the

Calculator work area. The menu in this screen snapshot may not exactly match the menu on your screen.

Á Calculator work area

– You enter a math expression on the entry line and then press

Enter to evaluate the expression.

– Expressions display in standard mathematical notation as you

enter them.

– Entered expressions and results show in the Calculator history.

Â Example of Calculator variables used in another application

The Calculator tool menu

The Calculator tool menu lets you enter and evaluate a variety of math expressions.

Menu Name

Actions

Number

Menu Option Function

Define Inserts the Define command.

Recall Definition Lets you view, reuse, or modify

a function or program that you have defined.

Delete Variable Inserts the

Clear a-z Deletes all variables with

single-letter names.

Clear History Deletes all expressions in the

Calculator history.

Insert Comment Lets you insert text.

Library Lets you refresh all libraries, set

LibPub or LibPriv access, insert a “\” character, or create a library shortcut.

Convert to Decimal

Inserts

delVar command.

¢Decimal command.

Factor Inserts factor().

44 Using Calculator

Menu Name

Menu Option Function

Least Common Multiple Inserts lcm().

Greatest Common Divisor Inserts

Remainder Inserts

gcd() function.

remain().

Fraction Tools Lets you select

getNum(), getDenom().

Number Tools Lets you select

fPart(), sign(), mod(), floor(),

or ceiling().

Complex Number Tools Lets you select

imag(), angle(), ¢Polar, ¢Rect,

or the absolute value template.

Calculations

Inserts

nSolve().

nfMin().

Numerical Solve Inserts

Numerical Function Minimum

Numerical Function

Inserts

nfMax().

Maximum

Numerical Derivative Inserts

Numerical Integral Inserts

nDeriv().

nInt().

Finance Solver Starts the Finance Solver.

Probability

Factorial (!) Inserts !.

Permutations Inserts

Combinations Inserts

nPr().

nCr().

propFrac(),

round(), iPart(),

conj(), real(),

Random Lets you select

randInt(), randBin(), randNorm(), randSamp(), or RandSeed.

Using Calculator 45

rand(),

Menu Name

Statistics

Menu Option Function

Distributions Lets you select from several

distributions, such as Normal

, Binomial Cdf, and

Pdf Inverse F.

Stat Calculations Lets you select from several

statistics calculations, such as one-variable analysis, twovariable analysis, and regressions.

Stat Results Inserts the stat.results variable.

List Math Lets you select from several list

calculations, such as minimum, maximum, and mean.

List Operations Lets you select from several list

operations, such as sorting, filling, and converting to a matrix.

Distributions Lets you select from several

distributions, such as

, Binomial Cdf, and

Pdf Inverse F.

Normal

Confidence Intervals Lets you select from several

confidence intervals, such as

tinterval and zinterval.

Stat Tests Lets you select from several

Matrix & Vector

tests such as

test

ANOVA, t test, z

Transpose Inserts T.

Determinant Inserts

Row-Echelon Form Inserts

Reduced Row-Echelon

Inserts

det().

ref().

rref().

Form

46 Using Calculator

Menu Name

Menu Option Function

Simultaneous Inserts simult().

Create Lets you select from several

matrix-creation options, such as construct matrix, identity, diagonal, submatrix, and others.

Norms Lets you select

rowNorm(), or colNorm().

Dimensions Lets you select

rowDim(), or colDim().

Row Operations Lets you select

rowAdd(), mRow(), or mRowAdd().

norm(),

dim(),

rowSwap(),

Element Operations Inserts “dot” operators such as

.+ (dot add) and .^ (dot power).

Advanced Inserts

Vector Inserts

trace(), LU, QR, eigVl(),

eigVc(), or charPoly(),

unitV(), crossP(), dotP(),

8Polar, 8Rect ,8Cylind, or 8Sphere.

Functions & Programs

Program Editor Lets you view, open for editing,

import, or create a new program or function.

Func...EndFunc Inserts a template for creating a

function.

Prgm...EndPrgm Inserts a template for creating a

program.

Local Inserts the

Using Calculator 47

Local command.

Menu Name

Menu Option Function

Control Lets you select from a list of

function and program-control templates, such as

If...Then...EndIf, While...EndWhile, Try...E lse...End Try, and others.

Transfer Inserts transfer commands

Return, Cycle, Exit, Lbl, Stop,

or Goto.

Disp Displays intermediate results.

Mode Inserts commands for setting or

reading modes, such as display digits, angle mode, base mode, and others. Also lets you get the current language information.

Add New Line Starts a new line within a

function or program definition.

Before you begin

f Open the computer software, and add the Calculator application to

a document.

Entering and evaluating math expressions

Options for entering expressions

Calculator lets you enter and edit expressions through several methods.

• By clicking keys on the virtual keypad, including the Catalog ( key. (To display the virtual keypad, click

• By selecting items from the Calculator menu.

• By pressing shortcut keys on the computer keyboard.

View > Keypad.)

Entering simple math expressions

Note: To enter a negative number on the handheld, press v. To enter a

negative number on a computer keyboard, press the hyphen key (

48 Using Calculator

-).

Suppose you want to evaluate

1. Select the entry line in the Calculator work area.

2. Type

2^8 to begin the expression.

3. Press

4. Press Enter to evaluate the expression.

Note: If a result does not fit on the same line with the expression, it displays on the next line.

¢ to return the cursor to the baseline, and then type *43/12.

The expression displays in standard mathematical notation, and the result displays on the right side of the Calculator.

Controlling the form of a result

You might expect to see a decimal result instead of 2752/3 in the preceding example. A close decimal equivalent is 917.33333..., but that’s only an approximation.

By default, Calculator retains the more precise form: 2752/3. Any result that is not a whole number displays in a fractional form. This reduces rounding errors that could be introduced by intermediate results in chained calculations.

You can force a decimal approximation in a result:

• (Windows®) By pressing

• (Macintosh®) By pressing “+Enter to evaluate the expression.

Ctrl+Enter to evaluate the expression.

Pressing

Using Calculator 49

· forces the approximate result.

• By including a decimal in the expression (for example, 43. instead of

43).

• By wrapping the expression in the

• By changing the document’s

approx() function.

Auto or Approximate mode setting to

Approximate. –On the File menu, select Document Settings. Note that this method forces all results in all of the document’s

problems to approximate.

Inserting items from the Catalog

You can use the Catalog to insert system functions and commands, symbols, and expression templates into the Calculator entry line.

1. Click to open the Catalog.

Note: Some functions have a wizard that prompts you for each argument. If you prefer to enter the argument values directly on the entry line, you may need to disable the wizard.

50 Using Calculator

2. Click the tab for the category of the item.

Contains all commands and functions, in alphabetical order.

Contains all math functions.

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.

3. Click to select the item that you want to insert.

4. Press

Enter to insert the item into the entry line.

Using an expression template

The Calculator has templates for entering matrices, piecewise functions, derivatives, products, and other math expressions.

For example, suppose you want to evaluate

1. Click to display the Template palette.

2. Select to insert the algebraic sum template. The template appears on the entry line with small blocks

representing elements that you can enter. A cursor appears next to one of the elements to show that you can type a value for that element.

Using Calculator 51

3. Use the arrow keys to move the cursor to each element’s position, and type a value or expression for each element.

4. Press Enter to evaluate the expression.

Creating matrices

1. Click to display the Template palette.

2. Select . The Create a Matrix dialog box displays.

3. Type the

Number of rows.

4. Type the Number of columns, and then select OK. Calculator displays a template with spaces for the rows and columns. Note: If you create a matrix with a large number of rows and

columns, it may take a few moments to appear.

5. Type the matrix values into the template, and press

Enter to define

the matrix.

52 Using Calculator

Inserting a row or column into a matrix

f To insert a new row, hold down Alt and press Enter. f To insert a new column, hold down

Shift and press Enter.

Inserting expressions using a wizard

You can use a wizard to simplify entering some expressions. The wizard contains labeled boxes to help you enter the arguments in the expression.

For example, suppose you want to fit a y=mx+b linear regression model to the following two lists:

{1,2,3,4,5} {5,8,11,14,17}

1. Click to open the Catalog.

2. Click to show an alphabetic list of functions.

3. Press

4. Press

5. If the Use Wizard option is not checked, click it.

6. Press

7. Type {1,2,3,4,5} as X List.

8. Press Tab to move to the Y List box.

9. Type {5,8,11,14,17} as Y List.

¤, and then press L to jump to the entries that begin with “L.”

¤ as necessary to highlight LinRegMx.

Enter.

A wizard opens, giving you a labeled box to type each argument.

Using Calculator 53

10. If you want to store the regression equation in a specific variable,

Tab, and then replace Save RegEqn To with the name of the

press variable.

11. Select OK to close the wizard and insert the expression into the entry line.

Calculator inserts the expression and adds a statement to display the variable stat.results, which will contain the results.

LinRegMx {1,2,3,4,5},{5,8,11,14,17},1 : stat.results Calculator then displays the stat.results variables.

Note: You can copy values from the stat.results variables and paste them into the entry line.

Creating a piecewise function

1. Begin the function definition. For example, type the following.

Define f(x,y)=

2. Click to display the Template palette.

3. Select . The Piecewise Function dialog box displays.

54 Using Calculator

4. Type the Number of Function Pieces, and select OK. Calculator displays a template with spaces for the pieces.

5. Type the expressions into the template, and press Enter to define the function.

6. Enter an expression to evaluate or graph the function. For example, enter the expression f(1,2) on the Calculator entry line.

Deferring evaluation

You don’t have to complete and evaluate an expression as soon as you begin typing it. You can type part of an expression, leave to check some work you did on another page, and then come back to complete the expression later.

Working with variables

When you first store a value in a variable, you give the variable a name.

• If the variable does not already exist, Calculator creates it.

• If the variable already exists, Calculator updates it.

Variables within a problem are shared by TI-Nspire™ math and science learning technology applications. For example, you can create a variable in Calculator and then use or modify it in Graphs & Geometry or Lists & Spreadsheet within the same problem.

Exception: Variables created with the defined function or program are not accessible outside that function or program.

Local command within a user-

Storing a value in a variable

This example creates a variable named num and stores the result of the expression 5+83 in that variable.

1. On the Calculator entry line, type the expression

Using Calculator 55

5+8^3.

2. Press ¢ to expand the cursor to the baseline.

3. On the virtual keypad, click name

num.

This means: Calculate 5+8

/h and then type the variable

and store the result as a variable named

num.

4. Press Enter. Calculator creates the variable num and stores the result there.

Alternative methods for storing a variable

As alternatives to using & (store), you can use “:=” or the Define command. All of the following statements are equivalent.

5+8

& num

num := 5+8

Define num=5+8

Checking a variable’s value

You can check the value of an existing variable by entering its name on the Calculator entry line.

f On the Calculator entry line, type the variable name

Enter.

The value most recently stored in num displays as the result.

num and press

Using a variable in a calculation

After storing a value in a variable, you can use the variable name in an expression as a substitute for the stored value.

1. Type

56 Using Calculator

4*25*num^2 on the entry line, and press Enter.

Calculator substitutes 517, the value currently assigned to num, and evaluates the expression.

2. Type

4*25*nonum^2, and press Enter.

Because the variable nonum has not been defined, the expression returns an error message.

Updating a variable

If you want to update a variable with the result of a calculation, you must store the result explicitly.

Entry Result Comment

a := 2

a := a

& a

8 Result not stored in variable a.

2 8Variable a updated with result.

64 Variable a updated with result.

Types of variables

You can store the following TI-Nspire™ math and science learning technology data types as variables:

Data type Examples

Expression 2.54 1.25E6 2p 2+3i

List {2, 4, 6, 8} {1, 1, 2}

Matrix

123

This can be entered as:

[1,2,3;3,6,9]

369

Using Calculator 57

Data type Examples

Character string “Hello” “xmin/10” “The answer is:”

Function myfunc(arg) ellipse(x, y, r1, r2)

Entering multiple statements on the entry line

To enter several statements on a single line, separate them with a colon (“:”). Only the result of the last expression is shown.

Rules for naming variables

Note: In the unlikely event that you create a variable with the same

name as one used for statistical analysis or by the Finance Solver, an error condition could occur. If you begin entering a variable name that is already in use in the current problem, the software shows the entry in

bold to let you know.

• Variable names must be in one of the forms xxx or xxx.yyy. The xxx part can have 1 to 16 characters. The yyy part, if used, can have 1 to 15 characters. If you use the xxx.yyy form, both xxx and yyy are required; you cannot start or end a variable name with a period “.”

• Characters can consist of letters, digits, and the underscore character (_). Letters can be U.S. or Greek letters (but not Π or p), accented letters, and international letters.

• Do not use name such as c1 or n12. These may appear to be letters, but they are treated internally as special symbols.

• You can use uppercase or lowercase letters. The names AB22, Ab22, aB22, and ab22 all refer to the same variable.

• You cannot use a digit as the first character of xxx or yyy.

• Do not use spaces.

• If you want a variable to be treated as a complex number, use an underscore as the last character of the name.

• You cannot use an underscore as the first character of the name.

• You cannot use a preassigned variable, function, or command name, such as Ans, min, or tan.

Note: For a complete list of TI-Nspire™ functions, refer to the Reference Guide.

c or n from the symbol palette to construct a variable

58 Using Calculator

• Library documents and library objects are subject to additional naming restrictions. For details, see the “Libraries” section of the documentation.

Here are some examples:

Variable names Valid?

Myvar, my.var Yes

My var, list 1 No. Contains a space.

a, b, c Yes

Log, Ans No. Preassigned to a system function or variable.

Log1, list1.a, list1.b Yes

3rdTotal, list1.1 No. xxx or yyy starts with a digit.

Reusing the last answer

Each instance of Calculator automatically stores the last calculated result as a variable named Ans. You can use Ans to create a chain of calculations.

Note: Do not link to Ans or any system variable. Doing so could prevent the variable from being updated by the system. System variables include statistics results (such as Stat.RegEqn, Stat.dfError, and Stat.Resid) and Finance Solver variables (such as tvm.n, tvm.pmt, and tvm.fv).

As an example of using Ans, calculate the area of a garden plot that is 1.7 meters by 4.2 meters. Then use the area to calculate the yield per square meter if the plot produces a total of 147 tomatoes.

1. On the Calculator entry line, type

1.7*4.2, and press Enter.

2. Type

As a second example, calculate and then add

3. Type

Using Calculator 59

147/ans, and press Enter to find the yield.

2*log(45).

3.76/(-7.9+sqrt(5)), and press Enter.

4. Type ans+2*log(45), and press Enter.

Temporarily substituting a value for a variable

Use the “|” (such that) operator to assign a value to a variable for just a single execution of the expression.

Creating user-defined functions and programs

You can use the Define command to create your own functions and programs. You can create them in the Calculator application or in the Program Editor and then use them in other TI-Nspire™ applications.

For information on programming with the Program Editor, see the “Programming” and “Libraries” sections of the documentation.

Defining a single-line function

Suppose you want to define a function named cube() that calculates the cube of a number or variable.

1. On the Calculator entry line, type

Enter.

Define cube(x)=x^3 and press

The message “Done” confirms that the function has been defined.

2. Type

60 Using Calculator

cube(2) and press Enter to test the function.

Defining a multiple-line function using templates

You can define a function consisting of multiple statements entered on separate lines. A multiple-line function may be easier to read than one with multiple statements separated by colons.

Note: You can create multiple-line functions only by using the command. You cannot use the

:= or & operators to create multiple-line

definitions. The Func...EndFunc template serves as a container for the statements.

As an example, define a function named g(x,y) that compares two arguments x and y. If argument x > argument y, the function should return the value of x. Otherwise, it should return the value of y.

1. On the Calculator entry line, type

Enter yet.

Define g(x,y)=. Do not press

Define

2. On the

Functions & Programs menu, select Func...EndFunc.

Calculator inserts the template.

3. On the

If...Then...Else...EndIf.

Functions & Programs menu, select Control, and then select

Calculator inserts the template.

4. Type the remaining parts of the function, using the arrow keys to move the cursor from line to line.

Using Calculator 61

5. Press Enter to complete the definition.

6. Evaluate g(3,-7) to test the function.

Defining a multiple-line function manually

Note: To start each new line without completing the function definition,

you hold down As an example, define a function

cumulative sum of integers from 1 through x.

1. On the Calculator entry line, type

Enter yet.

Alt and press Enter.

cum_sum(x) that calculates the

Define cum_sum(x)=. Do not press

2. On the

Functions & Programs menu, select Func...EndFunc.

Calculator inserts the template.

3. Type the following lines, pressing

62 Using Calculator

Alt+Enter at the end of each line.

4. After typing Return tmpsum, press Enter to complete the definition.

5. Evaluate cum_sum(5) to test the function.

Defining a program

Defining a program is similar to defining a multiple-line function. The

Prgm...EndPrgm template serves as a container for the program

statements.

As an example, create a program named arguments. Based on the comparison, the program should display the text “x greater than y” or “x not greater than y” (showing the values of x and y in the text).

1. On the Calculator entry line, type

Enter yet.

g(x,y) that compares two

Define prog1(x,y)=. Do not press

2. On the

Functions & Programs menu, select Prgm...EndPrgm.

Calculator inserts the template.

3. On the

If...Then...Else...EndIf.

Functions & Programs menu, select Control, and then select

Calculator inserts the template.

4. Type the remaining parts of the function, using the arrow keys to move the cursor from line to line. Use the Symbol Palette to type the ““ symbol.

Using Calculator 63

5. Press Enter to complete the definition.

6. Execute prog1(3,-7) to test the program.

• Note: (Windows®) To stop a program or function manually, hold

down the

Pause/Break key for several seconds.

Recalling a function or program definition

You might want to reuse or modify a function or program that you have defined.

1. On the A dialog box appears with a list of defined functions and programs.

2. Select the name from the list. The definition (for example,

entry line for editing.

Actions menu, select Recall Definition.

Define f(x)=1/x+3) is pasted into the

Editing

Although you cannot edit an expression in the Calculator history, you can copy all or part of an expression from the history and paste it to the entry line. You can then edit the entry line.

Calculator

expressions

Positioning the cursor in an expression

f Press Tab to cycle through the parameters of a template.

– or –

¡, ¢, £, or ¤ to move the cursor through the expression. The

Press cursor moves to the closest valid position in the direction that you

press.

64 Using Calculator

Note: An expression template may force the cursor to move through its parameters, even though some parameters may not be exactly in the path of the cursor movement. For example, moving upward from the main argument of an integral always moves the cursor to the top limit.

Inserting into an expression in the entry line

1. Position the cursor at the point where you want to insert additional elements.

2. Type the elements that you want to insert.

Note: When you insert an open parenthesis, Calculator adds a temporary close parenthesis, displayed in gray. You can override the temporary parenthesis by typing the same parenthesis manually or by entering something past the temporary parenthesis (thereby implicitly validating its position in the expression). After you override the temporary gray parenthesis, it is replaced with a black parenthesis.

Selecting part of an expression

1. Click a starting point in the expression.

2. Press and hold the Shift key and press ¡, ¢, £, or ¤ to select.

– or –

Drag through the expression to select.

Deleting all or part of an expression on the entry line

1. Select the part of the expression to delete.

2. Press Delete.

Financial calculations

Several TI-Nspire™ functions provide financial calculations, such as time value of money, amortization calculations, and return on investment calculations.

The Calculator application also includes a Finance Solver. It lets you dynamically solve several types of problems, such as loans and investments.

Using the Finance Solver

1. On the Calculations menu, select Finance Solver. The solver displays its default values (or previous values, if you have

already used the solver in the current problem).

Using Calculator 65

2. Enter each known value, using Tab to cycle through the items. – The help information at the bottom of the solver describes each

item.

– You might need to temporarily skip the value that you want to

calculate.

– Make sure to set PpY, CpY, and PmtAt to the correct settings (12,

12, and END in this example).

3. Press Tab as necessary to select the item that you want to calculate, and then press Enter.

The solver calculates the value and stores all the values in “tvm.” variables, such as tvm.n and tvm.pmt. These variables are accessible to all TI-Nspire™ applications within the same problem.

Finance functions included

In addition to the Finance Solver, TI-Nspire™ built-in finance functions include:

66 Using Calculator

• TVM functions for calculating future value, present value, number of payments, interest rate, and payment amount.

• Amortization information such as amortization tables, balance, sum of interest payments, and sum of principal payments.

• Net present value, internal rate of return, and modified rate of return.

• Conversions between nominal and effective interest rates, and calculation of days between dates.

Notes:

• Finance functions do not automatically store their argument values or

results to the TVM variables.

• For a complete list of TI-Nspire™ functions, refer to the Reference

Guide.

Working with the

As you enter and evaluate expressions in the Calculator application, each entry/result pair is saved in the Calculator history. The history gives you a way to review your calculations, repeat a set of calculations, and copy expressions for reuse in other pages or documents.

Calculator

history

Viewing the Calculator history

The history of the expressions you have entered accumulates above the entry line, with the most recent expression at the bottom. If the history does not fit in the Calculator work area, you can scroll through the history.

Note: You may notice a processing slowdown when the history contains a large number of entries.

f Press

£ or ¤.

– or –

Drag the scrollbar slider.

Using Calculator 67

À Scrollbar buttons Á Scroll position indicator Â Current entry/total entries

Reusing a previous expression or result

You can copy an expression, subexpression, or result from the Calculator history and paste it into the entry line or into other TI-Nspire™ applications.

1. Scroll to the item that you want to copy.

2. Select the item.

Note: The float setting for the current document may limit the number of decimal places displayed in a result. To capture the result in its full precision, select it either by scrolling with the up and down arrow keys or by triple-clicking it.

3. (Windows®) Press

4. (Macintosh®) Press “+

5. Select the location where you want the copy.

6. (Windows®) Press Ctrl+V to paste the copy.

7. (Macintosh®) Press “+

68 Using Calculator

Ctrl+C to make the copy.

C to make the copy.

V to paste the copy.

Note: If you copy an expression that uses variables into a different

problem, the values of those variables are not copied. You must define the variables in the problem where you paste the expression.

Deleting an expression from the history

When you delete an expression, all variables and functions defined in the expression retain their current values.

1. Drag or use the arrow keys to select the expression that you want to delete.

2. Press

Delete.

The expression and its result are removed.

Clearing the Calculator history

When you clear the history, all variables and functions defined in the history retain their current values. If you clear the history by mistake, use the undo feature.

1. On the All expressions and results are removed from the history.

Actions menu, select Clear History.

Using Calculator 69

70 Using Calculator

Using Graphs & Geometry

Getting started with Graphs & Geometry

The Graphs & Geometry application enables you to:

• Graph and explore functions.

• Create and explore geometric shapes.

• Animate points on objects or graphs and explore their behavior.

• Graph data collected by the Data Collection tool.

• Explore graphical and geometric transformations.

• Explore and investigate concepts of calculus.

• Link to data created by other applications and utilize it in Graphs & Geometry.

Windows:



Â



Ä

À Graphs & Geometry toolbar (displays when a Graphs & Geometry

work area is active)

Á Problem/Page Number

Using Graphs & Geometry 71

Â Graphs & Geometry units indicator (sample display is centimeters) Ã Sample Graphs & Geometry work area in Graphing View, with

Analytic Window and tooltip for triangle shown

Ä Sample Graphs & Geometry entry line (line for function entry shown)

Getting acquainted with Graphs & Geometry

f Open the TI-Nspireé computer software, and add the Graphs &

Geometry application to your page.

When you add Graphs & Geometry to a page, your work area contains the x and y axes for a graph, as well as a function entry line and Graphs & Geometry-specific tools.

The basic components of the Graphs & Geometry application are the:

•Tool menu

• Work area (which contains the axes)

• Entry line.

The Tool menu

The Graphs & Geometry tool menu appears immediately above the work area on the screen. It displays icons for menus that contain tools which enable you to graph and explore different types of functions, draw and explore geometric structures, as well as other capabilities which will be covered in this chapter.

The following tables contain a brief summary of what each menu contains or tool enables you to do within the Graphs & Geometry work area.

Menu Option List Overview of Tool Actions

Actions Provides tools to access the pointer, hide or

show various graph features, add text, delete all objects in the work area, access the calculate tool, and access the attributes for an object or function.

View Provides tools to manipulate the work area

features and display.

72 Using Graphs & Geometry

Menu Option List Overview of Tool Actions

Graph Type Enables you to select the type of graph to

plot in the work area: function, parametric, polar, or scatter plot. The entry line below the work area shows the notational conventions to use to specify a function for the selected graph type.

Window Provides different Zoom settings as well as

the ability to define the x- and y-axis minimums and maximums.

Trace Creates and activates a trace on the graph.

Sets the trace increment and enables you to create and remove geometric trace.

Points & Lines Provides tools for drawing various types of

points, lines, segments, rays, tangents, vectors, and circle arcs.

Measurement Provides tools for measuring angles, lengths,

areas, integrals, and slope.

Shapes Provides tools for drawing circles, triangles,

rectangles, and polygons.

Construction Provides tools to define perpendicular and

parallel lines, bisectors, midpoints, locus, compass, and perform measurement transfers.

Transformation Provides tools for symmetry, reflection,

translation, rotation, and dilation.

Action Menu Tools

Tool name Tool function

Pointer Selects, moves, and manipulates

objects.

Select Enables you to select the objects in

part of the work area by placing a dashed-line box around them.

Hide/Show Enables you to hide or display any

object, function, or feature on the work area.

Using Graphs & Geometry 73

Tool name Tool function

Attributes Enables you to change the attributes

of a selected object in the work area. Attributes vary depending upon the object selected.

Delete All Removes all objects and graphed

functions from the page.

Text Places user-created alpha-numeric

values on the page. Numerical values can be applied to objects. The tool can be used to enter a function and graph it.

Coordinates and Equations

Calculate Opens the calculate tool to perform

Redefine Redefines a previously defined point

Insert Slider Lets you easily modify the value of a

Displays the coordinates of a point or the equation of a line or circle.

calculations using measurements, numerical values, or calculation results. This tool is different from the Calculator application.

to a new location. For example, it can define a point in free space to a location on an object or from one object to another object.

numeric variable.

View Menu Tools

Tool name Tool function

Graphing View Places the work area in graphing mode.

When you add Graphs & Geometry to a page the Cartesian axes displays in the work area with a function entry line below.

Plane Geometry View Places the work area in geometry mode.

Geometry scale displays, but no axes, grid, or entry line displays until you choose Show Analytic Window.

74 Using Graphs & Geometry

Tool name Tool function

Hide (Show) Analytic Window

Hide (Show) Axes Hides the axes if they are currently

Show (Hide) Grid Turns the grid on or off on the page.

Hide (Show) Entry Line Hides or displays the entry line on the

Show (Hide) Scale Toggles between showing and hiding the

Opens a small graphing window on a plane geometry work area. Places the Graphs & Geometry work area in modeling mode. This tool can be used only after Plane Geometry is selected.

displayed on the page. Displays the axes if none are displayed on the page.

Objects can be attached to the grid when the grid is displayed.

page.

scale legend on the work area. When the scale is shown, the value and/or units can be changed to desired values/units. This applies only to geometric constructions.

Show (Hide) Axes End Value

Add Function Table Launches the Lists & Spreadsheet

Toggles between showing and hiding the lowest value and highest value on the horizontal and vertical axes.

function table. When launched from Graphs & Geometry, it is pre-populated with all functions defined in the problem with the exception of hidden functions. More information on using Function Tables is available in the Lists & Spreadsheet chapter of this document.

Graphing Type Menu Tools

Tool name Tool function

Function Displays the function mode entry line at

the bottom of the work area.

Using Graphs & Geometry 75

Tool name Tool function

Parametric Displays the parametric mode entry line

at the bottom of the work area. This display shows the t-min, t-max, and t-step values. The defaults are 0-2p for t-min, tmax, and p/24 for t-step.

Polar Displays the Polar mode entry line at the

bottom of the work area. This display shows the q-min, q-max, and q-step values. The defaults are 0-2p and q-max, and p/24 for q-step.

Scatter Plot Displays the Scatter Plot mode entry line

at the bottom of the work area.

for q-min

Window Menu Tools

Tool name Tool function

Window Settings Lets you specify the minimum and

maximum values for the x-axis and yaxis. You can also set the axis scaling increment between tics.

Zoom - Box Enables you to define an area that

you want to enlarge.

Zoom - In Enables you to define the center

point of the zoom in location. The Zoom In factor is approximately 2.

Zoom - Out Enables you to define the center

point of the zoom out location. The Zoom Out factor is approximately 2.

Zoom - Standard Automatically sets x-min, x-max, y-

min, and y-max to center the origin. The x and y scale factors are equal. This is the default axes setting when Graphs & Geometry is first added to a page.

Zoom - Quadrant 1 Automatically sets x-min, x-max, y-

min, and y-max to emphasize the first quadrant. The x and y scale factors are equal.

76 Using Graphs & Geometry

Tool name Tool function

Zoom - User If you have modified any window

settings (such as x-min), Zoom-User saves the present settings. If you have not modified any window settings since last selecting ZoomUser, Zoom-User restores those settings.

Zoom - Trig Automatically sets x-min and x-max

to integer multiples of p. The x and y scale factors are equal.

Zoom - Data Redefines the axes so that all

statistical data points are displayed.

Zoom - Fit Recalculates y-min and y-max to

include the minimum and maximum y values of all functions between the current x-min and x-max. Hidden functions are not included.

Zoom - Square Recalculates y-min and y-max so that

the vertical scale is the same as the horizontal scale.

Trace Menu Tools

Tool name Tool function

Graph Trace Activates a trace point on the graph,

enabling you to trace functions.

Trace Setting Enables you to set the increment

between points touched by Graph Trace automatically, or by specifying a numeric trace step value.

Geometry Trace Enables you to view the pathway of a

geometric or analytic object (such as a function graph) on the work area. The pathway has a delayed fade. As more movement occurs on the work area, older portions of the pathway fade. If you temporarily halt movement, a portion of the trace path remains displayed.

Using Graphs & Geometry 77

Tool name Tool function

Erase Geometry Trace Halts geometric trace and erases all

persistent pathways on the work area.

Points and Lines Menu Tools

Tool name Tool function

Point Constructs a point defined in free space,

on an object, or at the intersection of two objects.

Point On Constructs a point defined on an object.

When the object is a function graph, the coordinates are displayed.

Intersection Point(s) Constructs a point at each intersection of

two selected objects.

Line Constructs an infinite line defined by

two points or by a point and a direction. If you press Shift while creating the line, you limit its orientation, relative to the x-axis or the horizontal aspect of the screen, by 15- increments.

Segment Constructs a segment, defined by two

end points, which may be created or defined in free space or on a defined object.

Ray Constructs a ray, defined by two points

or by a point and a direction, extending infinitely. If you press Shift while creating the ray, you limit its orientation, relative to the x-axis or the horizontal aspect of the screen, by 15- increments.

Tangent Creates a tangent line.

Vector Constructs a vector with magnitude and

direction defined by two points.

Circle arc Creates an arc based on three points.

78 Using Graphs & Geometry

Measurement Menu Tools

Tool name Tool function

Length Displays the distance between two

selected points or the length of a segment, perimeter, circumference, or radius.

Area Displays the area of a selected polygon

or circle.

Slope Displays the slope of a selected line or

segment. A vertical slope is represented by %.

Angle Displays the measure of an angle or an

angle defined by three selected points.

Integral Calculates and displays the numerical

value of the integral of a selected function, and shades the area between the curve and the x-axis from point a to point b.

Shapes Menu Tools

Tool name Tool function

Circle Constructs a circle. The center point is

defined by the first click on the page and the radius is determined by the second click.

Triangle Constructs a triangle, defined by three

points (vertices), which may be created or defined in free space or on a defined object.

Rectangle Constructs a rectangle.

Polygon Constructs an n-sided polygon. Each click

defines a vertex, and the polygon is completed by clicking the initial vertex or by pressing

Regular Polygon Constructs an n-sided regular polygon.

Using Graphs & Geometry 79

Enter.

Construction Menu Tools

Tool name Tool function

Perpendicular Constructs a line perpendicular to a

selected line, segment, ray, vector, axis, or side of a polygon, and passing through a created or selected point.

Parallel Constructs a line parallel to a selected

line, segment, ray, vector, axis, or side of a polygon, and passing through a created or selected point.

Perpendicular Bisector Constructs a perpendicular line that

bisects two points, a segment, or side of a polygon.

Angle Bisector Constructs a line that bisects an angle

identified by three selected points where the second point is the vertex.

Midpoint Constructs a midpoint of two selected

points, a segment, or side of a polygon.

Locus Constructs the locus of a point or

object defined by the movement of a driver point along a pathway. Pathways are geometric shapes and function graphs.

Compass Constructs a circle from a center point

with a radius defined by a selected segment or the distance between two points.

Measurement transfer Transfers an entered or measured

value to a selected object, axis, or function graph. If the original value changes, the change is also reflected in the transferred measurement.

Transformation Menu Tools

Tool name Tool function

Symmetry Creates the image of an object rotated

- around a point.

180

80 Using Graphs & Geometry

Tool name Tool function

Reflection Creates the image of an object reflected

across a line, segment, ray, vector, axis, or side of a polygon.

Translation Creates the image of an object translated

by a specified vector.

Rotation Creates the image of an object rotated

around a point by a specified angular value.

Dilation Creates the image of an object dilated

from a point by a specified factor.

Note: When you select a tool to use, that tool’s icon displays in the upper left corner of the Graphs & Geometry page. It is there to remind you which tool is currently active.

Using the context menu

The context menu provides the tools most commonly used with the selected object, function, or axes.

To display the context menu for an object:

f (Windows) Right-click the object. f (Macintosh) Hold “ and click the object.

The first two options on the context menu are:

Recent: lists the 9 most recent tools you used. This is a session-level

• listing. The tools used on any Graphs & Geometry page are shown, regardless of the document in which they are used.

• Attributes: enables you to access the attributes appropriate for a selected function, object, or work area.

Additional options that are appropriate for your selection also display on the menu. For example, the context menu for a triangle also contains the Hide/Show, Delete, Length, and Area options.

The following examples show the context menu for a function and a circle.

Using Graphs & Geometry 81

Context menu for a function (analytic object)

Context menu for a geometric object

The work area

There are two work area views available:

• Graphing View

• Plane Geometry View

The Graphing view

The Graphing view is the default Graphs & Geometry work area display. It contains:

• the default Cartesian axes in the Zoom Standard format (1:1 scale).

• the entry line from which you can graph up to 100 functions.

Axes, entry line, and grid can all be displayed or hidden, but in this view, no scale for any drawn shapes (e.g. Circle, etc.) can be displayed. All objects created in this view are analytic objects. Therefore, their displayed size and proportion are affected only by the scale of the axis system (the command "Show Scale" has no effect).

82 Using Graphs & Geometry

The Plane Geometry view

The plane geometry view removes the axes and entry line from the work area to enable you to draw geometric shapes and explore them. In this view, you can display and set a scale for your drawings.

To change to Plane Geometry view:

1. From the

2. The display refreshes to clear the axes and entry line and display a default scale. Any graphs or drawings created in graphing view are not displayed on the plane geometry area.

To return to Graphing view:

View menu, select Plane Geometry View.

f From the

View Menu, select Graphing View.

The display refreshes to show the axes and entry line. Note: Any geometric constructions created while in the plane

geometry view are retained and displayed along with any previouslycreated graphs.

Using Graphs & Geometry 83

The analytic window

The analytic (graphing) window is available in the Plane Geometry view. It adds an analytic (graphing) window on top of a portion of the plane geometry work area. This provides a combination work area that enables you to use both work area types without toggling the view between them.

To open the analytic window:

1. Ensure that the work area is in Plane Geometry view.

2. From the

View menu, select Show Analytic Window .

3. A reduced size graphing window opens on the lower left corner of the plane geometry space.

Graphing area

Modeling view - shows the previous two views and the work done on both.

84 Using Graphs & Geometry

Plane Geometry area

You can alter the work area, without changing the view, to temporarily:

• Hide the axes. Any graphs or objects remain displayed on the work area.

• Show or hide axis end values and show or hide a grid in the graphing window.

• Hide the entry line.

• Hide the scale.

• Resize the axes using the zoom tools or by dragging tic marks.

To display more of the plane geometry work area, pan the screen.

To remove the analytic window from the work area

1. From the View menu, select Hide Analytic Window .

Object behavior in different views

When you create an object in the graph area, it is called an analytic object, and all points of the object reside on the graph plane. When you change the axes scale, you automatically affect the appearance of the object. If you calculate a value associated with the object such as the area, only generic units are assigned (u for unit). These objects remain associated with the coordinate plane until you delete them or redefine them to the plane geometry area. When working with a modeling view work area, you cannot move an analytic object onto the plane geometry area.

When you create an object in the plane geometry area, it is a geometric object. These objects can have an assigned scale, such as miles or centimeters, instead of u for units. You can lock a point, such as one vertex of a triangle, on the work area, but since the object is not tied to a coordinate plane, you cannot display coordinates for that vertex. When working with a modeling mode work area (Plane Geometry view with analytic window), you can move a geometric object into the graphing work area. The object remains a geometric object, and is not associated with the axes.

The examples below show a modeling work area and the two types of objects: A is an analytic object while B is a geometric object.

Using Graphs & Geometry 85

While the two circles appear identical, they do not behave in the same way. Analytic objects are impacted when the graph area is altered. In the next example, the axes were altered. Notice that only Circle A’s appearance is affected by the change.

If you construct an object while the axis is hidden, the object created will be a geometric object. However, if you construct an analytic object and later hide the axis, the object remains an analytical one.

86 Using Graphs & Geometry

Texas Instruments TI-Nspire Guidebook

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Important Information

License

Introduction

The TI-Nspire™ computer software for math and science

How to use this guidebook

Getting started

Exploring the TI-Nspire™ desktop software

Using menus and toolbar icons

Menu and toolbar options

Defining settings

Changing language

Understanding document settings

Changing library properties

Understanding desktop views

Changing the desktop view

Using the Normal view

Using the Handheld Screen view

Using the Presentation view

Using the virtual keypad

Displaying the keypad

Understanding the TI-Nspire™ tools

Using variables

Using the catalog

Entering special characters or math templates

Taking and viewing screen shots

Working with documents

Creating a new document

Saving documents

Saving a document with a new name

Working with applications

Adding an application to a page

Using multiple applications on a page

Changing the page layout for multiple applications

Swapping applications on a page

Working with problems and pages

Adding a problem to a document

Adding a page to a problem

Selecting and moving pages with the Page Sorter

Deleting pages

Types of LearningCheck™ items that can be converted

Opening LearningCheck™ items

Important information about converting items

Printing documents

Using print preview

Using Variables

Linking values on pages

Creating variables

Special considerations for variables

Checking a variable’s value using the Calculator application

Using (linking) variables

Removing a linked variable

Using Calculator

Getting started with the Calculator application

Before you begin

Entering and evaluating math expressions

Options for entering expressions

Entering simple math expressions

Controlling the form of a result

Inserting items from the Catalog

Using an expression template

Creating matrices

Inserting a row or column into a matrix

Inserting expressions using a wizard

Creating a piecewise function

Deferring evaluation

Working with variables

Storing a value in a variable

Alternative methods for storing a variable

Checking a variable’s value

Using a variable in a calculation

Updating a variable

Types of variables

Entering multiple statements on the entry line

Rules for naming variables

Reusing the last answer

Temporarily substituting a value for a variable