TI-Nspire For Dummies

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.

Introduction 1

Part I: Getting to Know Your TI-Nspire Handheld 9

Chapter 1: Using TI-Nspire for the First Time 11

Chapter 2: Understanding the Document Structure 25

Chapter 3: Creating and Editing Documents 37

Chapter 4: Linking Handhelds 47

Part II: The Calculator Application 51

Chapter 5: Entering and Evaluating Expressions 53

Chapter 6: Working with Variables 69

Chapter 7: Using the Calculator Application with Other Applications 77

Chapter 8: Using the Calculator Application with TI-Nspire CAS 85

Part III: The Graphs Application 99

Chapter 9: Working with Graphs 101

Chapter 10: Using the Graphs Application to Do Calculus 131

Part IV: The Geometry Application 135

Chapter 11: Working with Geometric Objects 137

Chapter 12: Using an Analytic Window in the Geometry Application 159

Part V: The Lists & Spreadsheet Application 165

Chapter 13: Applying What You Already Know about Spreadsheets 167

Chapter 14: Working with Data 177

Chapter 15: Constructing Scatter Plots and Performing Regressions 189

Chapter 16: Manual and Automatic Data Capture 201

Part VI: The Data & Statistics and Vernier DataQuest Applications 209

Chapter 17: Constructing Statistical Graphs 211

Chapter 18: Working with Single-Variable Data 215

Chapter 19: Working with Two-Variable Data 227

Chapter 20: Data Collection 237

Part VII: The Notes Application 249

Chapter 21: The Why and How of Using Notes 251

Chapter 22: Taking Notes to a Whole New Level 255

Part VIII: TI-Nspire Computer Software 261

Chapter 23: Getting Started with TI-Nspire Computer Software 263

Chapter 24: File Creation and Display in Documents Workspace 271

Chapter 25: File Management with Content Workspace 287

Part IX: The Part of Tens 295

Chapter 26: Ten Great Tips and Shortcuts 297

Chapter 27: Ten Common Problems Resolved 305

Appendix A: Safeguarding in Press-to-Test Mode 311

Appendix B: Basic Programming 315

Appendix C: Working with Libraries 331

Index 337

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.

Learn to:

• Use all features of the new touchpad
• View graphical, algebraic, numeric, geometric, and written formats
• See and make connections among multiple representations at once
• Explore the new TI-Nspire CX full-color display

Your TI-Nspire has had a makeover! Learn to use all its amazing, updated features

Your TI-Nspire is simply one of the most fantastic math tools in existence. Now with color, touchpad control, and other upgrades, it has even more to offer! Whether you're a student or a teacher, this book will help you take advantage of every TI-Nspire feature. Learn TI-Nspire language, explore the software, and start solving problems today.

• Learn how it thinks — understand the philosophy behind the TI-Nspire and set up your device
• Calculate stuff — learn to use the Calculator application, entering and evaluating expressions and working with variables
• Get graphic — create a wide variety of graphs for visual representation, including 3D and differential equations
• The object is geometric — use the Geometry application to construct and measure objects
• Make a list — organize, analyze, and display your data with the Lists & Spreadsheet application
• Statistically speaking — work with the Data & Statistics application to manipulate single- and two-variable data
• Note that — customize documents for greater understanding using the Notes application
• Check out the software — see how to get TI-Nspire software for your computer, and why you should

Open the book and find:

• How to move and grab an object
• How multiple representations aid learning
• The keypad zones and how to use them
• Guidelines for conducting data collection experiments
• Tips for using CAS tools
• Hints for troubleshooting common problems
• Ten terrific shortcuts
• Special information for teachers