How to Sort Data Lists on the TI-84 Plus

You can use your TI-84 Plus calculator to sort data lists and solve a typical standardized test question. Put the following set of numbers in order from least to greatest:

To sort a data list, follow these steps:

1. Press [STAT][ENTER] and enter the data in L₁.

   See the first screen. Notice, after entering the first number and pressing [ENTER], your calculator evaluates the square root and displays its approximate value, –1.414.

   If list L₁ is out of view, press [STAT][5][ENTER] to use the SetUpEditor command. If there is unwanted data in list L_1, use the arrow keys to place the cursor on the L₁ list name and press [CLEAR][ENTER].

   

2. Press [STAT].

3. Press [2] to sort the list in ascending order.

   SortA means sort ascending and SortD means sort descending.

4. Enter the list name.

   To sort a default named list such as L₁, press [2nd][1] to enter its name. If you’re sorting a list that you named, press [2nd][STAT] to access the List NAMES menu, use the up- and down-arrow keys to scroll to the list you want, and press [ENTER].

   An alternative method to type the name of a list you named is to press

   

   to insert the letter L and then enter the name of the list.

5. Press [ENTER] to sort list L₁.

   See the second screen.

6. Press [STAT][ENTER] to view list L₁.

   See the third screen. It is easy to see the answer to the question posed is:

   

In most cases, it is a good idea to keep the rows of data intact when sorting. Follow these steps to sort data lists while keeping the rows intact:

1. Press [STAT][ENTER] and enter the data in L₁.

   See the first screen.

   

2. Press [STAT].

3. Press [2] or [3] to sort the list in ascending or descending order, respectively.

4. Enter the list name that you want to sort on.

   To sort list such as L₂, press [2nd][2]. If you’re sorting a list that you named, press [2nd][STAT] to access the List NAMES menu, use the up- and down-arrow keys to scroll to the list you want, and press [ENTER].

5. Press [,] between the data lists you want to sort concurrently.

6. Enter the other list name that you want to sort concurrently.

   You may sort more than two lists concurrently; just keep putting commas between the list names you enter.

7. Press [ENTER] to sort the lists.

   See the second screen.

8. Press [STAT][ENTER] to view list L₁.

   See the third screen.