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TI-Nspire For Dummies
Author:
Published:
June 7, 2011
Overview
The updated guide to the newest graphing calculator from Texas Instruments
The TI-Nspire graphing calculator is popular among high school and college students as a valuable tool for calculus, AP calculus, and college-level algebra courses. Its use is allowed on the major college entrance exams. This book is a nuts-and-bolts guide to working with the TI-Nspire, providing everything you need to get up and running and helping you get the most out of this high-powered math tool.
- Texas Instruments’ TI-Nspire graphing calculator is perfect for high school and college students in advanced algebra and calculus classes as well as students taking the SAT, PSAT, and ACT exams
- This fully updated guide covers all enhancements to the TI-Nspire, including the touchpad and the updated software that can be purchased along with the device
- Shows how to get maximum value from this versatile math tool
With updated screenshots and examples, TI-Nspire For Dummies provides practical, hands-on instruction to help students make the most of this revolutionary graphing calculator.
The TI-Nspire device is the most sophisticated handheld graphing calculator available, allowing users to display and evaluate values symbolically, and to reuse the same equations across multiple applications. Because it’s so sophisticated, navigating its features can sometimes be confusing. It helps to know a variety of methods of achieving your aims with the device.
About The Author
Jeff McCalla teaches Algebra 2 and Pre-Calculus at St. Mary's Episcopal School in Memphis. He is a T3 instructor for Texas Instruments and co- founder of the TI-Nspire SuperUser group.
Steve Ouellette wrote the first edition of TI-Nspire For Dummies as well as CliffsNotes® Guide to TI-Nspire.
Articles From The Book
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Graphing Calculators
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Graphing in 3D on the TI-Nspire helps students to visualize what a function would look like in 3D (and you don’t need to wear uncomfortable glasses to see it). 3D Graphing allows you to enter an expression of the form z(x,y). To graph and explore in 3D, follow these steps:
Press [DOC]→Insert→Graphs.
Press [MENU]→View→3D Graphing.
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Any content that is saved on your computer can be accessed by using the Local Content shortcuts in the Resources panel of the TI-Nspire Teacher Software. By default, you are given two choices, Desktop or My Documents.
If you click either choice, the associated folders and files display in the panel in the upper-right part of the screen.
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Occasionally, things go wrong on the TI-Nspire. If your handheld doesn’t turn on, the key presses don’t respond properly, or the display is garbled, you need to take action. Try putting new batteries in first, but if that doesn’t work, follow these steps to access the Maintenance menu:
Remove the keypad and remove one battery from each column of batteries for 2–5 seconds.
Graphing Calculators
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To add a function table to a TI-Nspire graph, press [MENU]→View→Show Table. This action automatically splits the screen and adds a Lists & Spreadsheet application with, by default, x-values incrementing by 1 and their corresponding y-values. Use the
keys to scroll through the function table.
You have the option to change the table settings.
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The Tangent Line tool is a great option for exploring the instantaneous rate of change of a nonlinear function. Start with a fresh Graphs page and graph the equation f(x) = x3 – 3x2 – 2x + 6.
Here’s how it works:
Graph your function on the first available function on the entry line.
Adjust the window to reveal all your points of interest.
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Press [MENU]→Algebra to access the Algebra submenu from the TI-Nspire Calculator Application menu. The Numerical Solve command solves one-variable equations with ease. In the Catalog, the syntax for the Numerical Solve command is as follows:
nSolve(Equation, Var[=Guess], lowBound, upBound)
If you don’t specify the interval in which to look for a solution, TI-Nspire returns the value that’s closest to the origin.
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To graph a second box plot on the TI-Nspire containing the National League data, press [MENU]→Plot Properties→Add X Variable and choose nl to create the second box plot.
The second screen shows the second box plot representing the National League results. Notice that two outliers appear on this graph.
To hide outliers, press [MENU]→Plot Properties→Extend Box Plot Whiskers.
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In the Workspace Toolbar of the TI-Nspire Computer Software, press the circular Variable icon to quickly access any of the variables or functions that have been stored in the problem you are working in.
Press the Camera icon to take screen shots. Screen captures are also available from the Tools drop-down menu.
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As with a dot plot, you can change variables or use the Add/Remove Variable options located on the [MENU]→Plot Properties submenu on the TI-Nspire. Remember to use the Add/Remove tools to change your histogram from a vertical orientation to a horizontal orientation and vice versa.
The command =sum(randint(0,1,10) can be used to simulate guessing on 10 straight true/false questions.
Graphing Calculators
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You might decide that you really don’t want the Calculator page cluttering your TI-Nspire screen. Therefore, you want to go back to a layout that includes only two applications — the Graphs application and the Lists & Spreadsheet application.
Follow these steps to accomplish this task:
Move your cursor to the Calculator application and press [CLICK] to select the application.
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You can create a histogram on the TI-Nspire. Press [MENU]→Plot Type→Histogram (or right-click near the middle of the screen and choose Histogram) to display single-variable data as a histogram. The first screen shows a histogram of the total data.
The number of bins, the name given for the bars in a histogram, is determined by the number of data sets and the distribution of the data.
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TI-Nspire gives you the option of changing your graph’s line weight (thin, medium, thick), line style (continuous, dotted, dashed), label style, and whether the graph is continuous or discrete. Press [MENU]→Actions→Attributes, move your cursor over an object until an
appears, then click on the object. Alternatively, perform a right-click by moving your cursor to the graph and pressing [CTRL][MENU]→Attributes.
Graphing Calculators
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You have two ways to view a two-variable data plot in the TI-Nspire Data & Statistics application: as an x-y scatter plot or as an x-y line plot. The x-y line plot is identical to the scatter plot except that adjacent points on a scatter plot are joined with a segment.
Press [MENU]→Plot Type→XY Line Plot to switch to an x-y line plot.
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Sometimes when you're using a computer, you get into typing mode. Call it laziness if you want, but you might not really feel like accessing a symbol palette or catalog to insert the symbol or command that you need. Incidentally, the first seven shortcuts also work on the handheld:
To enter π, type pi.
To enter θ, type theta.
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Your stored variables are available for use in any application that is part of the same problem. You can use these variables to set up the TI-Nspire Lists & Spreadsheet page for data capture.
Before doing so, move to the Lists & Spreadsheet page and name column A Length_ and column B Area_. (The list can’t be named the same thing as a variable; adding an underscore symbol to the list name avoids this problem.
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TI-Nspire allows you to display up to four applications on one screen. Of course, you need to balance your desire to display several different representations of a problem with a need to keep the screen uncluttered.
Say you want to solve the equation x2 – x – 1 = 0 using the zero feature on a Graphs page and then confirm your answer using the Numerical Solve command in the Calculator application.
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On the TI-Nspire, you can use the Calculator application to copy, paste, and edit expressions and answers. When a previous answer or expression is highlighted from the calculator history by pressing the
key, you can press [CTRL][C] to copy the answer or expression to local memory. You can then use [CTRL][V] to paste this copied item as often as you want in future calculations.
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On the TI-Nspire, you can use the Custom Split tool to see whether you can improve upon the device's space utilization. The first screen adds a third application — Lists & Spreadsheet — to the current screen. To add this third application, press [DOC]→Page Layout→Select Layout→Layout 7.
The goal here is to generate a rather famous sequence to see how it might relate to the solution to the equation x2 – x – 1 = 0.
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Click the first icon on the Workspace toolbar in the TI-Nspire Computer Software to create a new document and select New TI-Nspire Document (press Ctrl+N). If you want to open an existing document, click the folder icon and use the drop-down menus to locate and select the file that you would like to open.
If you would like to limit your search to .
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A number of options are available on the TI-Nspire to quickly edit or manipulate existing documents. Cut, Copy, and Paste can be used in each of the three document views.
You can access My Documents view in two ways — by pressing [ON]→My Documents or by pressing
twice from Full Page view (or once from Page Sorter view).
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From within Page Sorter view on the TI-Nspire, you can use Cut, Copy, and Paste to perform a variety of edits. Page Sorter view is accessed by pressing
once from Full Page view. Alternatively, you can press [DOC]→View→Page Sorter. However, this second option is more time-consuming and not worth the effort.
You can cut (or copy) any page by highlighting the page and pressing [CTRL][X] (or [CTRL][C] to copy).
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Cut, Copy, and Paste work the same way from within Full Page view on the TI-Nspire as they do within other views. To cut or copy text, a mathematical expression, and so on, hold down the Shift key and press the Touchpad arrow keys until you select what you want.
Press [CTRL][X] to cut the selected region (or [CTRL][C] to copy) and save it to the Clipboard.
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The Vernier DataQuest application on the TI-Nspire has many features that make it easy to collect and analyze data. Here’s a brief overview of how to conduct a data collection experiment:
Attach a compatible sensor to a TI-Nspire device or a computer running TI-Nspire Computer Software.
The Vernier DataQuest application automatically starts, inserting a page into your current document.
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The Calculator application and the Graphs application are a perfect fit. You can define functions in the TI-Nspire Calculator application and graph them in the Graphs application.
Use the Define command to define area(r).
In the first screen, the circle area formula is used.
Press [CTRL][I] and open a new Graphs page.
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The Derivative, Integral, and Limit commands form the cornerstone of the Calculus submenu on the TI-Nspire CAS. Press [MENU]→Calculus→Derivative to open the Derivative command. A template containing two fields is pasted to the entry line.
The current active field (as indicated by the blinking cursor) allows you to type the variable that you are finding the derivative with respect to.
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You have many reasons for working strictly in the TI-Nspire Graphs application or the Geometry application. Sometimes, however, it’s to your advantage to work in an environment that contains the best of both worlds.
Objects behave differently in the analytic window. Here, you see two circles that have the same radius, but look quite different.
Graphing Calculators
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One of TI-Nspire’s most powerful features is its ability to grab and move objects, enabling you to observe changes happening dynamically in real time. This is especially true of constructions, including those containing measurements and calculations.
Did you notice what happens when you drag a point on a ray? Try moving it both above and below the line.
Graphing Calculators
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You can use the Lists & Spreadsheet application on the TI-Nspire to enter data to construct a scatter plot. Before you perform a regression, it’s almost imperative that you view a scatter plot of the data to assist you in deciding on an appropriate model. An inspection of a scatter plot can reveal this information efficiently.
Graphing Calculators
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With the TI-Nspire, you can evaluate mathematical expressions directly from the primary keys (as defined by the functions or characters located directly on the keys themselves) and the secondary keys (as defined by the colored functions or characters located toward the top of some keys).
For example, [x2] is the primary key for squaring an expression and the secondary key for taking the square root of an expression.
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TI-Nspire’s primary and secondary keys, application menu, and Catalog provide for a lot of power when working in the Calculator application. The combination of all the keys and menus also means you often have many ways to complete a task.
Earlier, you evaluated the expression log5 25. Turns out, you can evaluate this expression several ways.
Graphing Calculators
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The Factor command from the TI-Nspire CAS Algebra submenu factors numerical and algebraic expressions. Choose [MENU]→Algebra→Factor to open the Factor command. Take a look at the first two lines of the first screen. TI-Nspire CAS attempts to factor any expression as much as possible with linear, rational, and real factors.
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TI-Nspire CAS returns results in symbolic form. That is, results are given as exact values — the way you typically see them in textbooks or other printed materials. Check out the first screen where some expressions have been entered by using a combination of primary and secondary keys. On the third line of this same screen, you can see that TI-Nspire CAS attempts to display algebraic expressions in simplified form.
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TI-Nspire gives you the option of adding geometric objects (points, perpendicular lines, circles, polygons, and so on) to your Graphs page. These objects can add some type of functionality to your graph or serve as a way of enhancing the overall look of the Graphs page.
Here is how the Perpendicular tool can be used to investigate slope:
Open a new Graphs page by pressing [DOC]→Insert→Graphs.
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Many functions can be graphed by accessing commands commonly used in the TI-Nspire Calculator application. The greatest integer function, y = int(x), is one such graph, which you create by following these steps:
Position the cursor next to the first available function line.
Open the Catalog.
If necessary, press [1] to activate the first category containing the alphabetical listing of all commands, functions, and symbols.
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TI-Nspire offers a convenient way to copy and paste an expression in order to perform similar calculations. Consider that you want to use the quadratic formula to solve the equation x2 + 3x – 9 = 0. For starters, access the Fraction template, a secondary function located on the
key, which pastes the Fraction template to the entry line with a blank numerator field and a blank denominator field.
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The last three icons on the Workspace toolbar of the TI-Nspire Computer Software are for adjusting the color of text, objects, and lines. These are easy tools to use, just highlight the text, object, or line and then click on the tool icon to change the color.
The icon that looks like a paint can will highlight text with a background color.
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On the TI-Nspire, you can manually adjust the XMin, XMax, YMin, and YMax values by pressing [MENU]→Window/Zoom→Window Settings. Remember to press [TAB] to move through each field, and press [ENTER] at any time to close the dialog box.
TI-Nspire does a great job of coming up with a good initial window to fit a data set.
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After you have both graphical and numerical results available on the TI-Nspire, you can analyze them to discover find and graph an equation to model a scatter plot or to sort the data to find the length that produces a maximum area, among other things.
Find and graph an equation to model the scatter plot. An inspection of the scatter plot suggests that a quadratic equation can be used to model the data.
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The Vernier DataQuest application for TI-Nspire has many built-in tools that allow you to analyze the data. The Infobox on the left side of the screen shows the Analyze tools that you have chosen to activate.
Use the Statistics feature to display information about the data. Press [MENU]→Analyze→Statistics to display your results in the Infobox on the left side of the screen, including number of samples, minimum, maximum, mean, and standard deviation.
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In the Geometry application on the TI-Nspire, you can animate a point (or multiple points) on a line, ray, axis, vector, graph, segment, or circle. Assume that you want to animate point a on a circle. As you do so, point a rotates in a counterclockwise direction about the circle and, consequently, the polygon rotates about point p.
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Maybe you want to work with only one part of your data. You can be more selective when working with data on the TI-Nspire. For example, you can isolate one parabola from a data experiment involving a bouncing-ball.
To get a better view of the Position graph, press [MENU]→Graph→Show Graph→Graph 1. Follow these steps to select part of your data:
Select the region you would like to work with.
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In the Notes application on the TI-Nspire, you can customize math boxes by accessing the Attributes menu. Here are the steps to follow to open the Attributes menu:
Type the expression using the Math Box tool ([CTRL][M]).
Press [MENU]→Math Box Options→Math Box Attributes, or save time by right-clicking, [CTRL][MENU]→Math Box Attributes.
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Besides changing the attributes of a graph, you can also change the attributes of a geometry object on the IT-Nspire. Press [MENU]→Actions→Attributes to invoke the Attributes command. Then, move to the object whose attributes you want to change and press [CLICK] or [ENTER]. Alternatively, move your cursor to the object whose attributes you want to change and press [CTRL][MENU]→Attributes.
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Before you can make the most of your TI-Nspire, you must configure the settings. To access the settings, press [ON]→Settings. The first screen shows six choices. Choosing Handheld Setup is a good place to start. The second and third screens show some of the resulting choices you have.
To conserve battery life, consider changing the Power Standby field (which turns off your handheld after the specified time of inactivity), the Hibernate field (similar to a computer, it will take an extra-long time to turn on your handheld because you must reboot the OS), and the Auto Dim field (the screen will not turn off, but will dim slightly to save power after a specified time of inactivity).
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Creating a geometric construction can provide a rich mathematical experience, especially when used with the dynamic click-and-drag feature of TI-Nspire. To access the Construction menu, press [MENU]→Construction.
How to construct perpendicular lines on the TI-Nspire
To construct a perpendicular line, you must already have a segment, line, or ray.
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When you're working in the Lists & Spreadsheet application on the TI-Nspire, you can create column data based on another column. Assume that you're interested in finding the sum of the dice for each trial. You can use the header row to accomplish this task.
Just move to the formula cell for column C, type =a[]+b[], and press [ENTER].
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When working with categorical data, you have the option of creating a dot chart. In the first screen is a variation of a two-dice sum example. The first column (called first_die) uses the command =randint(1,6,50) to simulate rolling one die 50 times.
The second column (labeled second_die) represents the outcome of rolling a second die 50 times, and the third column (labeled total) represents the sum of the first two columns.
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PublishView is not really a view, it is a document type. Using PublishView, you can place multiple dynamically linked TI-Nspire pages on the same sheet along with objects like text boxes, hyperlinks, and even video! To open a new PublishView document, choose File→New PublishView Document (or press Ctrl+Shift+N).
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On the TI-Nspire, you can create an x-y statistical plot using two-variable data sets. In this document, the year and U.S. population data is entered into the first two columns of a Lists & Spreadsheet page. The first column, titled year, represents years after 1900. The second column, titled us_pop, gives the corresponding U.
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To see an expanded view of this syntax (or any command or symbol in the Catalog), press [TAB] to highlight the bottom portion of the screen and then press [ENTER] to expand this area (see the second screen). Notice that the bottom of the screen shows the syntax associated with the rounding command, Round. Depending on the command that you have highlighted, you may see several rows of syntax.
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In the TI-Nspire Notes application, you can evaluate expressions using interactive math boxes. Press [MENU]→Insert→Math Box to type a mathematical expression in the TI-Nspire Notes application. Alternatively, press the shortcut key sequence [CTRL][M] to access the Math Box option.
Pressing some keys, such as [10x], automatically opens a math expression box.
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A range of font styles and symbols can be added to your TI-Nspire Notes pages. Many symbols that are used in Notes can be found in the Symbol palette
How to select text in TI-Nspire Notes
Standard text is the default font, but you can also format text to be bold, italics, subscript, or superscript.
Perhaps you have typed some text and you want to go back and change a word or phrase to add emphasis.
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You can use the Lists & Spreadsheet application on the TI-Nspire to generate sequential data. The first two values of the famous Fibonacci sequence are both 1. The remaining values are found by adding the two previous values.
To create this sequence, move the cursor to the formula cell for column A and follow these steps:
Press [MENU]→Data→Generate Sequence or right-click, [CTRL][MENU]→Generate Sequence.
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A function has an infinite number of antiderivatives. In the example given here, you look at a particular antiderivative on the TI-Nspire and then see how to use a slider to investigate an entire family of curves defined by an antiderivative.
Use the TI-Nspire definite integral template
To graph the antiderivative of y = x3 – 3x2 – 2x + 6, follow these steps:
Press [CTRL][G] to open the entry line, then graph y = x3 – 3x2 – 2x + 6.
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The study of calculus should include a focus on the four key mathematical representations: algebraic, geometric, numeric, and verbal. The TI-Nspire Graphs application stands ready to take care of the geometric representation of calculus concepts. The Calculator application takes care of the algebraic piece, the Lists & Spreadsheet application takes care of the numeric piece, and the Notes application can take care of the verbal piece.
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Graphing differential equations is new feature on TI-Nspire. You can set the initial condition(s), customize the slope field, and choose your solution method (Euler or Runge-Kutta). Oh, yeah, and you can grab the initial condition and change it right on the graph screen.
Follow these steps to graph a differential equation:
Press [DOC]→Insert→Problem→Add Graphs.
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Functionality built into TI-Nspire enables you to graph and analyze functions, inequalities, parametric equations, polar equations, dynamic sequences, phase plots, differential equations, piecewise functions, and 3D graphing.
Press [CTRL][I]→Add Graphs to insert a new Graphs page into a current document. Or, open a new document and press [MENU]→Add Graphs.
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With the Graphs application on the TI-Nspire, you can graph a single inequality or multiple inequalities. To graph a single inequality, follow these steps, and to graph multiple inequalities, repeat Steps 1 through 3:
Press [CTRL][G] to open the entry line and position the cursor to the right of the first available function.
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Press [MENU]→Graph Type→Parametric to switch to parametric graphing mode. Alternatively, move to the entry line and press [CTRL][MENU]→Parametric. Next, follow these steps:
Type the x-component equation, using t as the independent variable.
TI-Nspire uses the notation x1(t) for the first x-component, x2(t) for the second x-component, and so on.
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Press [MENU]→Graph Type→Function to switch to function graphing mode on the TI-Nspire. Alternatively, move to the entry line and press [CTRL][MENU]→Function. Two different piecewise function templates are available.
The Piecewise template (2-piece) allows you to create expressions and conditions for two restricted functions.
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When graphing on the TI-Nspire, the initial condition (or term) is always graphed with a green point which can be grabbed and moved to investigate the behavior in terms of the initial condition or term.
To demonstrate the dynamic nature of sequence graphs, in this example enter two sequences that represent the population of rabbits and foxes.
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Several types of functions have graphs that can be directly manipulated on the TI-Nspire screen. To accomplish this task, simply press [CTRL][CLICK to grab the graph and then use the Touchpad keys to perform a transformation.
As an example, create the graph of y = x2. Two different options are possible:
Perform a translation.
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You can graph a scatter plot of your data on the TI-Nspire; you can collect data automatically or manually. If you are ready to configure a scatter plot of already entered data, here’s what you need to do:
Move back to the Geometry page and press [TAB] to activate the entry line (as indicated by a blinking cursor located next to the first available function).
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You can view the graph of a regression equation on the TI-Nspire Graphs page and even change the data and have the TI-Nspire update the equation automatically. To view the graph of your regression equation, follow these steps:
Move back to the Graphs page. If you hid the entry line, press [CTRL][G] to bring it back into view.
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If you decide you don’t want two TI-Nspire applications on the same page, you can use the Ungroup command to separate a split page into two separate pages. The Group and Ungroup commands can be accessed from two views — Page Sorter view and Full Page view. To change the view to Page Sorter, press
Use the Touchpad to highlight the page that you want to ungroup.
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You can conduct data experiments easily on the TI-Nspire. Consider that you want to collect data on a bouncing ball. Your interest is in observing the successive heights of each bounce of the ball. Following image illustrates the physical setup of this activity.
After setting up the physical configuration, follow these steps to collect data from the experiment:
Connect the CBR 2 motion detector to the TI-Nspire device using a USB cable.
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After you have entered data to construct a scatter plot, you can inspect the scatter plot in the Graphs application of the TI-Nspire. Here’s what you do:
Press [CTRL][I] and select Add Graphs. Alternatively, press [ON] and select Graphs.
The cursor should be in the entry line located at the bottom of the screen, indicating that the entry line is currently active.
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The TI-Nspire allows you to add labels to any object. Use these steps to label the vertices of an equilateral triangle, A, B, and C:
Press [MENU]→Actions→Text to open the Text tool.
Move the cursor to the object (a point, line, rectangle, and so on) until the object starts blinking and its name appears. Press [CLICK] to open a text box.
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TI-Nspire allows two-way manipulation of data, which means that you can change values in the Lists & Spreadsheet application and watch a Data & Statistics graph update automatically. Likewise, you can click and drag dot plot points, histogram bins, and box plots and observe updates in the corresponding numerical data.
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As with single-variable data on the TI-Nspire, you have the option of changing data values in the Lists & Spreadsheet application and dragging points directly on a scatter plot. Keep in mind that the two-way communication established between these two applications allows changes in one environment to be reflected in the other.
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You can move or resize any object on the TI-Nspire. However, you face some constraints based on the type of drawing you have constructed. For example, consider an equilateral triangle. This object can be grabbed and moved or resized, but because of the way that this triangle was built, you are limited in what can be grabbed.
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Recall that a dark outline designates your current location in a spreadsheet. The TI-Nspire Lists & Spreadsheets app is no different. To enter data or a formula, simply start typing and press the [ENTER] key when you have finished. This moves you to the cell beneath the one where you are currently located.
Alternatively, press the [TAB] key after entering data or a formula in a cell.
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To open a file on the TI-Nspire, you must be in the My Documents view. Simply highlight a specific file and press [ENTER] or [CLICK]. You can also highlight a file and press [MENU]→Open (or [CTRL][O]). The first page of the new document is displayed. To go back to the My Documents view, press [ON]→My Documents.
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If a cubic polynomial is a good fit for the data on a scatter plot, you need to perform a cubic regression. You can do this in the TI-Nspire Lists & Spreadsheets application. To perform a regression, follow these steps:
Press
to move back to the Lists & Spreadsheet page containing the data needed.
Press [MENU]→Statistics→Stat Calculations→Cubic Regression.
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Assume that you have used a set of data on the TI-Nspire to create a scatter plot and perform a regression. Perhaps you want to construct a second scatter plot and associated regression on the TI-Nspire. Use the data from the table provided.
United States Immigrant Population Since 1900
Years Since 1900
Immigrant Population (in millions)
U.
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As with single-variable data sets, on the TI-Nspire you can plot a value on a scatter plot that is displayed as a vertical line perpendicular to the x-axis at a point equal to the specified value. To access the Plot Value feature, press [MENU]→Analyze→Plot Value. At the prompt, type the value (or expression that yields a numerical value) and press [ENTER] to draw the vertical line associated with the value.
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On the TI-Nspire, you can plot a value on a histogram that displays as a vertical line perpendicular to the horizontal axis at a point equal to the specified value. In the third screen, press [MENU]→Analyze→Plot Value. At the prompt, type mean(correct) and press [ENTER]. (See the third screen.)
You can plot a single number or an expression that equals a number.
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After a variable has been stored in any TI-Nspire application, you will inevitably want to recall the variable for use in a command, expression, or other application.
Type a variable name in TI-Nspire
If you know the name of the variable you want to use, feel free to type the variable name using the alphanumeric keys.
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You can reference rectangular blocks of cells when working in the Lists & Spreadsheet application on the TI-Nspire. To do this, type the cell reference for the upper-left corner of the rectangular block of cells, press
to select :(colon), and type the cell reference for the lower-right corner of the rectangular block of cells.
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On the TI-Nspire, it is easy to replay a data experiment. This is a great feature! You can see an instant replay of your experiment. What a great tool to use in the classroom! To replay an experiment, follow these steps:
Press [MENU]→Experiment→Replay→Playback Rate.
Use one of the preset playback rates, or enter your own.
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You can resize columns in the Lists & Spreadsheet application on the TI-Nspire. Notice that the list name subscription is truncated. TI-Nspire offers four different options for changing the width of a column.
Move your cursor to the appropriate column and press [MENU]→Actions→Resize→Resize Column Width or right-click to locate the Resize tool.
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Very soon after you create a new document on the TI-Nspire, it’s a good idea to save the file. The quickest and easiest way to save your new file is to press [CTRL][S] (shortcut for [DOC]→File→Save). Because this file wasn’t saved previously, a dialog box opens, giving you complete control over the filename and the folder in which to save.
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You may want to select multiple objects within the TI-Nspire Geometry application for two reasons. First, multiple selected objects can be translated. Second, all selected objects can be deleted by pressing the [DEL] key once.
To move all objects on a screen, move your cursor to open space and press [CTRL][CLICK].
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Your TI-Nspire Handheld comes with two USB cables. One cable has a standard USB connector on one end and a small Mini-A USB connector on the other end. This cable is used to communicate between the TI-Nspire Handheld and the computer.
The other cable has the small Mini-A USB connector on both ends. This unit-to-unit cable can be used to transfer files between two TI-Nspire Handhelds.
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After you install the batteries and get your TI-Nspire device up and running, you'll need to run through the initial setup. To turn on your TI-Nspire device, press the [ON] key.
After pressing [ON] for the first time, you see a progress bar indicating that the operating system is loading. Eventually, you are greeted by a screen that prompts you to choose a language, giving you your first experience with a dialog box featuring drop-down menus.
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TI-Nspire enables you to view the residual squares on a moveable line. Press [MENU]→Analyze→Residuals→Show Residual Squares to view the residual squares of a movable line. Each square has sides whose length equals the difference between the y-value of a given data point and the corresponding y-value on the movable line.
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You can sort data when working in the Lists & Spreadsheet application on the TI-Nspire. Perhaps you want to sort the data that’s contained in column C from the two-dice experiment to see how the sums are distributed. Follow these steps and refer to the screen images.
Select columns A, B, and C.
Move the cursor to the column/list name area located at the top of the column and press the
key once to select the column.
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When working on the TI-Nspire, many situations might arise that require you to investigate a geometric object numerically and algebraically. Take, for example, the situation in which you want to determine the maximum area enclosed by a rectangle with a fixed perimeter.
To analyze this situation, open a Geometry page and press [MENU]→View→Show Analytic Window.
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When working with TI-Nspire, keep in mind that variables are shared among applications within the same problem. You might want to store a variable for a variety of reasons. Here’s a list of some of those reasons:
Store a number: You may want to store a number to a variable if you expect that you’ll need to use the number in subsequent calculations.
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The TI-Nspire (Touchpad or Clickpad) can operate with two different keypads (not at the same time): the TI-Nspire keypad and a TI-84 Plus Keypad. When the TI-Nspire keypad is installed, you are using TI-Nspire. When the TI-84 Plus Keypad is installed, your handheld device works exactly like any TI-84 Plus Silver Edition device.
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The transition from working on your TI-Nspire handheld to working on your computer is quite seamless. Here are some of the key differences. However, you should open a new document and start playing around with it. You’ll likely find these key differences for yourself in short order. And you’ll see that these differences allow you to complete tasks with the Computer Software even more efficiently than on a handheld device.
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You can update variables on the TI-Nspire and delete them from within the Calculator application. Say you just stored a variable with a certain value (or function, matrix, or list). If you store the variable again with a new value (or function, matrix, or list), the variable takes on this new value.
You can also use the variable itself to define the same variable with a new value.
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When working in the Lists & Spreadsheet application on the TI-Nspire, you sometimes want to reference the same cell in a formula, even if you copy the formula to other cells, which is an example of using an absolute cell reference.
For example, imagine that you want to convert heights to centimeters. Follow these steps:
Type the conversion factor for inches to centimeters, 2.
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The last part of the TI-Nspire Resources panel is only available when handhelds are connected via USB cables. The Belkin USB hubs come with the Connect-to-Class Teacher Software to connect up to seven handhelds to your computer at a time.
(Actually, you could successfully connect more handhelds at once, but it gets a little crowded when more than seven students are standing around a computer.
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You can use relative cell references in the Lists & Spreadsheet application on the IT-Nspire. Here’s how to take the heights of a random group of students and perform a conversion:
Type the heights (in feet and inches) in rows 2 through 5.
Go to cell C1 and press [CTRL][CLICK].
This action selects the cell and allows copying, as indicated by the dashed box.
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TI-Nspire allows you to generate lists of sequential data very quickly in the Lists & Spreadsheet application. And the analysis of these data sets can be performed quickly and efficiently as well. If you are familiar with spreadsheets, you can draw on this past experience.
A recursive formula is a formula that is used to determine the next term in a sequence by using one or more of the preceding terms.
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Each time you perform a calculation, the result is stored to TI-Nspire’s local memory as the Ans variable. As a result, you can quickly access this stored variable and use it in subsequent calculations.
Consider, for example, that you want to teach students how to evaluate an algebraic expression, such as 2x2 + 1 for x = –8.
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The TI-Nspire's Scratchpad consists of two parts: Calculate and Graph. Pressing the Scratchpad key, which looks like a small calculator, once accesses one part, and pressing it again toggles to the other part. Alternatively, pressing [CLICK] on the tabs at the top of the Scratchpad to toggle from one to the other.
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The fourth tab in the TI-Nspire Computer Software Documents Toolbox houses the following utilities: Math Templates, Symbols, Catalog, Math Operators, and Libraries. If you need a template, symbol, or access to a command in the Catalog, choose this tab in the Documents Toolbox. Each of these five utilities is represented in the Catalog on the handheld.
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Press [MENU]→Measurement to access the TI-Nspire Measurement menu. On this menu, you will find the Length, Area, and Angle tools, which enable you to measure angles, hide the scale, and change the default settings.
How to measure angles on the TI-Nspire
To measure one of a pair of linear angles, follow these steps:
Press [MENU]→Measurement→Angle to open the Angle measurement tool.
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The TI-Nspire Measurement Transfer tools allow you to transfer the result of a calculation, a numeric text value, or a measurement to a circle, ray, or vector. You can also use this tool to transfer a measurement to an axis. To transfer a slope measurement to the y-axis, follow these steps:
Press [MENU]→Construction→Measurement Transfer to invoke the Measurement Transfer tool.
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The Transformation menu provides five different transformations: Symmetry, Reflection, Translation, Rotation, and Dilation. Here’s a brief description of what four of the transformation tools can do and what you do to perform the transformation:
Symmetry: This transformation gives the image of an object with a 180-degree rotation about a point.
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On the TI-Nspire, you can create box plots. Consider that you want to investigate the major-league home run leaders between the years of 1988 and 2002. Although this topic is somewhat controversial, from a data standpoint, the results are quite interesting!
In the first screen, enter the data in column A (named al for American League) and column B (named nl for National League).
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In the TI-Nspire Lists & Spreadsheet application, you have the option of entering numbers, text, and mathematical expressions into a cell. You can also access a variety of formulas and commands from the Catalog menu.
How to enter numbers and type text
To enter a number in a cell, simply select the cell, type the number, and press [ENTER] to move to the next cell in the column.
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You can use the Slider feature on the TI-Nspire to explore a graph of y = abx., where a and b can take on any range of values. The function y = eax + b+ c is one type of function that can be transformed. To perform the transformation of an exponential function with a base other than e, follow these steps:
Press [CTRL][I]→Add Graphs to insert a new Graphs page.
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The Integral command is one of the most significant commands on the TI-Nspire CAS Calculus submenu. Press [MENU]→Calculus→Integral to open the Integral command. A template containing four fields is pasted to the entry line. The two leftmost fields are where you specify the lower and upper limits of integration.
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As with any TI-Nspire application, you have the option of launching the Data & Statistics application by inserting a new page and selecting Data & Statistics from the seven available choices.
However, because the purpose of the Data & Statistics application is to graph numerical (and sometimes categorical) data, it makes sense to start with the Lists & Spreadsheet application.
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Before purchasing TI-Nspire Computer Software, download a free 30-day trial of the TI-Nspire Student Software from TI’s website. Click the Downloads & Activities drop-down menu, and choose Apps, Software & Updates. Two more drop-down menus appear. For Technology, choose TI-Nspire, and for View, choose Math & Science Computer Software (click the Find button to submit).
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You use the Limit command on the TI-Nspire CAS Calculus submenu to evaluate the limits of an expression. Press [MENU]→Calculus→Limit to invoke the Limit command. A template containing four fields is pasted to the entry line.
Type the variable in the leftmost field. Type the approaching value of the variable in the next field.
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You can manually adjust the scale on the TI-Nspire Graphs page. By default, the axes tic labels are shown on the coordinate plane in close proximity to the origin. These can be accessed by pressing [MENU]→Window/Zoom→Window Settings.
Press [TAB] to navigate to XScale. The default setting is Auto. While the word is highlighted, type the scale that you would like to set for the x-axis.
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The window settings clearly do not effectively reveal the graph on the TI-Nspire. The x-values of the function represent the width of the rectangle, and the y-values represent the area. The y-values are positive. Therefore, it makes sense to focus on the first quadrant only.
To grab the entire coordinate plane, move the cursor to some open space and press [CTRL][CLICK].
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With TI-Nspire's Length Measurement tool, you can measure the perimeter of a polygon, the circumference of a circle, the length of a segment, or the distance between any two points. For this example, you will construct an equilateral triangle ABC with side lengths of 10 inches.
First, draw a horizontal segment on a new Geometry page.
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Is the display on your TI-Nspire too bright, not bright enough, or need to be turned off? These shortcuts will modify the display on your TI-Nspire quickly:
Increase contrast: Ctrl-+
Decrease contrast: Ctrl-–
Power off: Ctrl-On
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You can move to the work area or hide the entry line on a graph you have created on the TI-Nspire. After you press [ENTER] to graph an equation, a movable cursor appears in the work area and the entry line closes.
Move from the entry line to the work area
If your cursor is in the entry line and you would like to move to the work area, you have a few options.
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The My Documents menu on the TI-Nspire differs slightly depending on whether you have a folder or file highlighted. To access the My Documents menu, press the [MENU] key. Here are the menu options available for a highlighted folder (first screen) and a highlighted file (second screen).
Notice that the My Documents menu contains an alternate way to expand or collapse folders.
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In the TI-Nspire Lists & Spreadsheet application, each column already has a letter reference that can be used to perform mathematical computations on columns of data. To reference a column in a formula, simply type the letter of the column followed by a set of brackets ([CTRL][ ( ]).
Additionally, TI-Nspire offers you a way to name your columns with a word that helps to convey what the data represents.
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Shortcuts are available to help you quickly navigate documents on your TI-Nspire, allowing you to move from problem to problem, page to page, application to application, and even to change your view. They are as follows:
Display previous page: Ctrl-◄
Display next page: Ctrl-►
Switch between applications
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On the TI-Nspire, you scan perform some basic statistical functions on a single data set. Assume that you’ve entered the first-semester averages for two Algebra II classes in a column titled algebra2, and you’re interested in performing a one-variable statistical analysis on this data.
Here are the steps:
Press [MENU]→Statistics→Stat Calculations→One-Variable Statistics.
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Of all the applications on TI-Nspire, the Vernier DataQuest application has the greatest capacity to be customized. The Options submenu provides more options and settings that can be tweaked to fit your needs, including the following:
Point Options: The default point option is to have regional points that are connected.
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Calculations can be used to make sense of the measurements that were taken. The TI-Nspire Attach feature is a handy way to display the results of the calculations and measurements. You can use these tools to prove that two angles that form a linear pair are supplementary.
Follow these steps to perform a calculation:
Place some text for your calculation.
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Virtually any number that appears on your TI-Nspire Graphs page is eligible to be part of a calculation, including the coordinates of graphed points. You can find the slope of the function by calculating the quotient of the change of the y-coordinate and the change of the x-coordinate.
To perform a calculation, you must use the Text tool to type an expression to be evaluated.
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You can perform a regression on data contained in the TI-Nspire Lists & Spreadsheet application from within the Calculator application. In the first screen, a Lists & Spreadsheet page is used to put five data points into x_list and y_list lists. This figure also shows a Quick Graph of the data, which suggests that an exponential model is a good choice.
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Data contained within the TI-Nspire Lists & Spreadsheet application can be analyzed from within the Calculator application. For example, you might be interested in viewing the one-variable statistical results of the Total list from the two-dice sum experiment. Follow these steps:
Press [MENU]→Statistics→Stat Calculations→One-Variable Statistics.
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On the TI-Nspire, begin a new document and add a Geometry page (press [ON]→New Document→Add Geometry). The Line, Segment, Vector, and Ray tools are all drawn using nearly identical methods. Here are the steps for drawing a line and a ray:
Press [MENU]→Points & Lines→Line to access the Line tool.
Move your cursor anywhere on the screen and press [CLICK] to mark a point through which the line will pass.
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You can print the contents of a TI-Nspire document. Choose File→Print and customize to fit your needs. Following are three items that you might like to customize when you print a TI-Nspire document:
Select an option from the Print What field:
Viewable Screen: Prints the viewable window with no scrolling.
Print All: Prints any text or data that you have to scroll to see.
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A few TI-Nspire products are worth mentioning here. The functionality of TI-Nspire Computer Software has been expanded in recent years to include the functionality of some of these other Texas Instruments products:
TI-Nspire Computer Link Software: Now obsolete, this software enables your handheld to communicate with your computer and take screen shots directly from the handheld.
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The Question application for the TI-Nspire is important if you are teaching in a classroom. The Question application is not an available choice if you add a page — it can be accessed only from the Insert drop-down menu. Using the Question application, questions can be embedded in your TI-Nspire document. The Question application is available only in TI-Nspire Teacher Software.
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On the TI-Nspire, categorical data can be represented in two modes of statistical plotting, raw data and summary data. Raw data is contained in one list. Summary data contains separate lists. In this first example, you will use raw data to plot the favorite seasons of a group of students.
Categorical data requires the use of string values.
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With the TI-Nspire Vernier DataQuest application, you can repeat a data experiment and display multiple runs on the same graph. To repeat an experiment, follow these steps:
Store the data from your previous run by pressing the Store Latest Data Set icon (it looks like a file cabinet) near the bottom of the screen or press [MENU]→Experiment→Store Data Set.
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A variety of variables (26 in all) are stored by TI-Nspire after a regression. To view this list, add a Calculator page and press [VAR]. Using the
keys, you can scroll through this list and paste a variable into the entry line on the Calculator page.
For example, the second screen shows the variable stat.resid pasted to the entry line.
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To open a new Lists & Spreadsheet page on the TI-Nspire, press [CTRL][DOC] and select Add Lists & Spreadsheet from the list. Alternatively, press [ON] and select the Lists & Spreadsheet icon from the available options.
Each Lists & Spreadsheet page contains a total of 26 columns. Each column is labeled with a letter, starting with A and ending with Z.
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You may wonder why you would ever use the TI-Nspire Graphs application to graph and analyze two-variable data. Here are two reasons why you may choose to use the Graphs application over the Data & Statistics application:
Function graphing and analysis: Although the Data & Statistics application offers several tools to analyze graphed functions (for example, Graph Trace and Shade Under Function), the Graphs application offers several additional options not available in Data & Statistics.
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In the Lists & Spreadsheet application on the TI-Nspire, you can perform a variety of editing tasks — such as cutting, copying, or pasting — on entire rows or columns. To do so, you must first highlight the rows or columns with which you want to work. Here’s how:
Select column. You have three choices to select an entire column:
Move the cursor to the column/list name area located at the top of the column and press the
key once more to select the column.
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It’s always a good idea to periodically check whether you have the latest operating system (OS). If you do, you can take advantage of any new features that TI has come up with for your TI-Nspire handheld.
You can transfer the TI-Nspire operating system from one handheld to another. For starters, connect the two handheld devices with the unit-to-unit cable.
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The TI-Nspire handheld device has seven applications from which to choose — Calculator application, Graphs application, Geometry application, Lists & Spreadsheets application, Data & Statistics application, Notes application, and Vernier DataQuest.
Calculator application: In this application, you perform calculations.
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A TI-Nspire file that holds problems and pages is a document. You can manage your TI-Nspire documents with these shortcuts or use them to access the Document and Context menus:
Access the Documents menu: Doc
Access the Context menu (right-click): Ctrl-Menu
Open Document: Ctrl-O
Close Document: Ctrl-W
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The TI-Nspire CAS capabilities found in the Algebra submenu are nothing short of amazing. The Solve command returns the solution(s) to an equation or inequality. Choose [MENU]→Algebra→Solve to open the Solve command.
Using the Solve and cSolve commands.
The first screen shows how the Solve command can solve a single equation or an inequality, with solutions displayed in symbolic form.
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The TI-Nspire Calculator application contains a variety of commands that are useful in generating lists of data that can be stored in the Lists & Spreadsheet application. One such example is the Sequence command, accessed by pressing [MENU]→Statistics→List Operations→Sequence.
The syntax for this command is seq(Expression, Variable, Low, High[, Step].
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One interesting feature of the TI-Nspire is that categorical data can be represented with a summary plot. A summary plot is an excellent way to compare two data sets side by side. A group of students were asked to share their favorite food; the results can be found in the first screen. Notice that the data is separated into boy and girl categories.
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On the TI-Nspire, you can use a mixed view with an analytic window open on a Geometry page to explore the formula for the area of a circle. You also can use the Automatic Data Capture feature to generate a scatter plot of the area-versus-radius data. This approach is a bit complicated. However, this option has the benefit of adding numeric data to a Lists & Spreadsheet page.
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The Solve, Factor, and Expand commands form the cornerstone of the Algebra submenu. However, several other items contained on the Algebra submenu are worth mentioning.
In the first screen, the Solve a System of Equations tool is accessed, which automatically starts a wizard. Use this tool to solve systems of equations.
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In the Calculus submenu of the TI-Nspire CAS, the CAS technology allows symbolic manipulation of algebraic expressions as well as numerical calculations just like in the Algebra submenu. The Derivative, Integral, and Limit commands form the cornerstone of the Calculus submenu. Here are some other items contained on the Calculus submenu that are worth mentioning, including a brief description of what they do:
Tangent Line (& Normal Line): The syntax for this command is tangentLine(Expression, Variable, point).
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Even if you aren’t in a calculus class, you may find some of the tools in the TI-Nspire Calculator Application menu's Calculus submenu helpful. Using the Numerical Function Minimum tool, you can find the minimum of a function without graphing it. The Sum template finds the sum of a sequence, and the Product template finds the product of a sequence.
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Access the Catalog in the TI-Nspire Calculator application. Press [MENU]→Matrix & Vector to access the Matrix commands. Many of the items contained in the Matrix & Vector menu work with a matrix that you must first define.
Pressing [MENU]→Matrix & Vector→Determinant to pastes the Det command to the entry line.
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The TI-Nspire Computer Software Documents Toolbox has five different parts that perform functions vital to the creation of any document. Use the tabs near the top of the Documents Toolbox panel to choose the part of the Documents Toolbox that you would like to access.
How to access the Application menu
The Application menu should look extremely familiar.
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In the TI-Nspire Computer Software, the Insert drop-down menu is one of tools easily accessible from the Workspace toolbar (right below the menu bar at the top of the screen). Here is a brief description of each of the items that can be inserted:
Insert page: Choose Insert→Page (or use the shortcut key sequence Ctrl+I) to insert a new page after the current active page.
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When using TI-Nspire Computer Software, two different views are available. They can be accessed by clicking the View drop-down menu and choosing Handheld View or Computer View. You have a few other ways to access these views.
For Handheld view, press Alt+Shift+H or click the small Handheld icon near the lower-right corner of the screen.
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The TI-Nspire device is the most sophisticated handheld graphing calculator available, allowing users to display and evaluate values symbolically, and to reuse the same equations across multiple applications. Because it’s so sophisticated, navigating its features can sometimes be confusing. It helps to know a variety of methods of achieving your aims with the device.
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The TI-Nspire's redesigned keypad is organized into three zones: Navigation, Math & Numeric Keys, and Alpha Keys. Keeping this in mind may help you as you get acquainted with TI-Nspire. A basic understanding of the TI-Nspire keypad helps you understand how to start navigating through documents quickly and efficiently.
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The TI-Nspire's Notes application includes three templates from which to choose. Here is a description of each of these templates and some reasons why you might use each template with your TI-Nspire graphing calculator.
How to use the Notes Default template
From within an existing document, press [CTRL][DOC]→Add Notes to open a new Notes page.
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Within the TI-Nspire Shapes menu, you find the Circle, Triangle, Rectangle, Polygon, and Regular Polygon tools. Here are the steps to use the Circle tool:
Choose [MENU]→Shapes and select Circle from the list.
Hover over the Circle icon in the upper-left corner of the screen. See the first screen.
Move the cursor to the vertex of the angle and press [CLICK] to mark the starting point.
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You find two types of TI-Nspire computer software: TI-Nspire Student Software and TI-Nspire Teacher Software. The TI-Nspire Student Software now comes free with the purchase of a TI-Nspire Handheld. Of course, both can be purchased at instructional dealers or the TI online store.
The two types of software are extremely similar.
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The Documents menu on the TI-Nspire, accessed by pressing [DOC], is the one menu that is available no matter where you are in TI-Nspire. Furthermore, the Documents menu options never change. For example, you can access the Documents menu from a Graphs page or from within the My Documents view, and you see the same menu choices.
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With the Swap Applications tool located in the TI-Nspire Page Layout menu, you can swap the position of applications on your screen. Although the Custom Split tool can help a bit with the layout, sometimes it’d be even better to swap the position of the applications.
Follow these steps:
Press [CTRL][TAB] until one of the applications you want to swap is active (as indicated by the dark box surrounding the application).
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This tool is easy to use! If you want to get a file from your computer to your TI-Nspire handheld (or vice versa), you can use the last tab in the Documents Toolbox, Content Explorer. Connect your handheld to your computer using a USB–to–mini-USB cable.
Almost immediately, the Handheld File browser, located in the lower half of the Content Explorer panel, will recognize your handheld with an icon.
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The real beauty of math boxes in the TI-Nspire Notes application is their ability to seamlessly interact with other applications. In this investigation, you are going to use a Notes page to interact with a Graphs page.
Here are the steps to follow to set up the split page:
Insert a Notes page. Press [CTRL][I]→Add Notes.
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Mathematical concepts can be represented in multiple ways, and TI-Nspire does a great job of accommodating these different representations. The Notes application allows the written or verbal representation of mathematical concepts. The Calculator application is well-suited for algebraic representations. The Graphs, Geometry, and Data & Statistics applications provide graphical and geometric representations.
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On the TI-Nspire, it is sometimes easier to automatically set your window on a Graphs page. There are eight different automatic zoom tools. To access the zoom tools, press [MENU]→Window/Zoom and choose your tool:
Zoom User: Try this one first. It saves your current window settings so that you can recall the settings after using the other zoom tools.
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You can use an alternative method to graph a function on the TI-Nspire. Before doing so, insert a new Graphs page by pressing [DOC]→Insert→Graph or press [CTRL][I]→Add Graphs. You also can press [CTRL][G] to hide the entry line.
Here's how to perform an alternative method to graph the function y = 0.2x4 – 2x2:
Move your cursor to some open space and right-click by pressing [CTRL][MENU]→Text to open the Text tool.
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Another way of detecting points of interest on a TI-Nspire Graphs page is to use the Analyze Graph tool. Use the tool to find a local maximum by pressing [MENU]→Analyze Graph→Maximum. The on-screen prompt asks, “lower bound?” Move the cursor and press [ENTER] to choose the lower bound of the search region.
Another prompt asks, “upper bound?
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After you have found the slope of a function, you can use the TI-Nspire Measurement tool to enhance a slope problem. Before you try this, you might need to clean up your screen.
Sometimes the screen gets too cluttered. When this happens, take the following steps:
Move your cursor so that it is hovering over either axis.
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Some of the more common analyses that are performed on a graphed function on the TI-Nspire include evaluation, finding local maximum and minimum values, and locating zeros. The Point On tool offers a convenient way to accomplish each of these tasks. Here are the steps for using the Point On tool:
Press [MENU]→Points & Lines→Point On to open the Point On tool.
Graphing Calculators
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The TI-Nspire Transformation menu provides five different transformations: Symmetry, Reflection, Translation, Rotation, and Dilation. The Rotation tool is a good choice for creating a triangle with specific angle requirements.
The angle of rotation can be defined by three points that lie on an angle or by a number.
Graphing Calculators
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The third tab in the TI-Nspire Computer Software Documents Toolbox is the TI-SmartView Emulator (or virtual keypad). You have a number of different ways to display the keypad (nine in TI-Nspire Student Software). Using the drop-down menu near the top of the keypad, you can choose which calculator to display: TI-Nspire CX, TI-Nspire with Touchpad, or TI-Nspire with Clickpad.
Graphing Calculators
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The TI-Nspire Define command offers yet another way to store a variable. Here’s an example of how you can create your own function in the Calculator application using the Define command:
Press [MENU]→Actions→Define to paste the Define command to the entry line.
Type the name of your function using function notation.
Graphing Calculators
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The TI-Nspire Geometry application offers Lock and Pin features. If a point is pinned, it can’t be moved unless it is unpinned. Other geometric objects and text can also be pinned, which is a nice feature, because it prevents someone from accidentally moving the wrong point or grabbing and moving a label instead of a point.
Graphing Calculators
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The TI-Nspire Locus tool and Geometry Trace provide two options for “seeing” an entire function given by the path of a point (x,y) as the point on the x-axis is dragged.
Here’s how to use the Locus tool to investigate this new function:
Press [MENU]→Construction→Locus to invoke the Locus tool.
Move the cursor to point (x,y) (the point whose path you're interested in viewing) and press [CLICK].
Graphing Calculators
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You have the option of using the Trace tool to perform an analysis on your TI-Nspire graph. First, change the function on the Graphs page to f1(x) = (x4 – 4x3 + 3x2) / (x – 1). A graph label can be edited on a graph page by moving the cursor over the label and pressing [ENTER] twice.
If you are having trouble clicking on the graph label, press [TAB] until the word label appears, then double-click.
Graphing Calculators
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If you’re familiar with the TI-84 graphing calculator, very large and very small results are often automatically put into scientific notation; that’s not necessarily true, however, when using TI-Nspire.
Take, for example, the calculation
(five-halves raised to the 74th power). The first screen shows the exact result as a stacked fraction in excruciating detail!
Graphing Calculators
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TI-Nspire offers three different ways to view your documents: Full Page view, Page Sorter view, and My Documents view. Each view has certain advantages, and when used in combination, these views can allow you to complete a variety of tasks quickly and efficiently.
Full Page view on the TI-Nspire
The Full Page view allows you to see one complete page at a time.
Graphing Calculators
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Quick Graph on the TI-Nspire reconfigures your page layout to display a Data & Statistics graph on the current screen (unless your current page layout contains four applications). To view a Data & Statistics graph on a separate page, press [ON]→Data & Statistics (or press [CTRL][I] and select Add Data & Statistics from the available choices).