Texas Instruments TI-83 Plus Silver Edition User manual

(8/16/01) ©2001 Texas Instruments
ti
TI-83 Plus Science Tools
Application
How to…
Use Significant Figures Calculator
Use Unit Converter Tool
Use Data & Graphs Wizard
Use Vector Calculator
Examples
Significant Figures: Rules
Significant Figures: Add, Subtract, Multiply, Divide, Powers
Unit Converter: Converting a Value
Data/Graphs Wizard: Entering and Editing Data
Data/Graphs Wizard: Plotting Data
Vector Calculator: Creating a Vector
Vector Calculator: Add, Subtract, and Multiply Vectors
More Information
Error Messages Customer Support

TI-83 Plus Science Tools Application Page 2
Important Information
Texas Instruments makes no warranty, either expressed 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
any applicable purchase price of this item or material. Moreover,
Texas Instruments shall not be liable for any claim of any kind
whatsoever against the use of these materials by any other
party.
Graphing product applications (Apps) are licensed. See the
terms of the license agreement for this product.
TI-GRAPH LINK and TI-Cares are trademarks of Texas Instruments.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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What Is the Science Tools Application?
The Science Tools application consists of four tools:
•Use the Sig-Fig Calculator tool to:
-Display the significant figures of entered values
-Perform mathematical operations using either decimal or
scientific notation, and display the result with the correct
number of significant figures
-Convert entries in decimal notation to scientific notation,
or vice versa
•Use the Unit Converter tool to:
-Display the numerical value and default units of pre-
defined constants
-Convert displayed constants into other consistent units
-Convert any numerical value from one pre-defined unit to
another consistent unit
-Export displayed or converted values to the calculator
home screen

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•Use the Data/Graphs Wizard tool to:
-Enter, view, or edit data
-View and analyze data graphically
-Find a best-fit function for data
-Perform basic statistical analysis of data
•Use the Vector Calculator tool to:
-Construct vectors
-Perform basic vector operations

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What You Need
To install and run the Science Tools application, you need:
•A TI-83 Plus calculator with version 1.13 or later of the
operating system software to optimize the performance of your
calculator and the application. You can download a free copy
of the latest operating system software from
education.ti.com/softwareupdates.
•TI-GRAPH LINK™ computer-to-calculator cable. If you do not
have this cable, call your educational dealer, or order the
cable online from TI's online store.
•9-pin to 25-pin cable adapter (required only if you are
connecting to a 25-pin serial port on the computer).
•TI-GRAPH LINK software that is compatible with the
TI-83 Plus. You can download a free copy of this software
from education.ti.com/softwareupdates.
Where to Find Installation Instructions
Detailed instructions on installing this and other applications are
available at education.ti.com/guides. Follow the link to Flash
installation instructions.

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Sig-Fig Calculator Tool
Calculations that involve measurements include a certain
amount of error. The precision of the measurement determines
which digits (known as significant digits or significant figures)
should be included when you report measurement results.
However, you will often encounter measurement values reported
with arbitrary precision. The Sig-Fig Calculator tool lets you:
•Display the significant figures of entered values.
•Perform mathematical operations using either decimal or
scientific notation and display the result with the correct
number of significant digits.
•Convert entries in decimal notation to scientific notation.
•Convert entries in scientific notation to decimal notation.
Selecting the Sig-Fig Calculator Tool
If the Science Tools application is not already running:
1. Press
nto display a list of applications on your calculator.
2. Use the arrow keys to highlight SciTools, and then press
¯to select it. The information screen is displayed.

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3. Press any key to continue. The SELECT A TOOL menu is
displayed.
4. Press
¯to select SIG-FIG CALCULATOR. The SIG-FIG
CALCULATOR screen is displayed.
If the Science Tools application is already running:
1. If necessary, press \until the SELECT A TOOL menu is
displayed.
2. Press
¯to select SIG-FIG CALCULATOR. The SIG-FIG
CALCULATOR screen is displayed.
If the Fundamental Topics in Science application is running:
1. Select
UP as many times as necessary to display the
SCIENCE CHAPTERS screen.
2. Select
SCIENCE TOOLS.
3. Press
¯to select SIG-FIG CALCULATOR. The SIG-FIG
CALCULATOR screen is displayed.
Note
If you have the international version of Science Tools installed on
your calculator, you must exit Fundamental Topics in Science,
and then use the nmenu to select Science Tools.

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Sig-Fig Calculator Tool Features
The Sig-Fig Calculator performs calculations using addition,
subtraction, multiplication, division, and by raising a value to a
power. You can use scientific or decimal notation.
If an operation contains more than 15 operands, you have to
divide it into separate operations to calculate it. Rounding is
performed at the end of each operation. If a long operation is
divided into many sub-operations, rounding is performed multiple
times, which has an impact on the final result.
You cannot use parentheses in the Sig-Fig Calculator tool. See
Example 2 under Combined Operations for instructions on
performing calculations that require parentheses.
Like any other real-life measuring or calculating instrument, the
Sig-Fig Calculator tool has limited precision. The final result of a
calculation is displayed with the correct number of significant
figures up to the maximum of 16 characters, which includes the
decimal point, negation sign(s), E (denotes scientific notation),
and exponents.
See the Significant Figure Rules used to round the final result.

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The number of significant figures displayed in brackets to the
right of the processed result matches the number of significant
figures actually displayed in the final processed value.
The exponent function of the Sig-Fig Calculator tool is intended
for integer exponents only. Entering non-integer exponents may
produce unexpected results.
Addition and Subtraction
To add or subtract numbers in the Sig-Fig Calculator:
1. Enter the numbers and operators in the order the operations
should be performed.
2. Press
¯to calculate the result. The result is rounded to
the correct number of significant figures.
Result based on your entries,
followed by the result rounded
to the correct number of
significant figures
Number of
significant figures
Exact value
designator
Operands and the operations
performed on them (add,
subtract, multiply, divide, raise
to a power)

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Example: A force of 15.8 newtons and another force of 10.357
newtons are acting in the same direction. Find the sum of
these two forces.
Multiplication and Division
To multiply or divide numbers in the Sig-Fig Calculator:
1. Enter the numbers and operators in the order the operations
should be performed.
2. Press
¯to calculate the result. The result is rounded to
the correct number of significant figures.
For addition and subtraction, the rounded result
has the same decimal-place precision as the
least precise term. In this case, 15.8 is precise
to tenths, so the result is also precise to tenths.

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Example: Power (in watts) in an electrical circuit is found by
multiplying voltage (in volts) with the current (in amperes). Find
the power developed in a circuit with a current of 0.0225
amperes and a voltage of 1.765 volts.
Raising a Value to a Power
To raise a value to a power, use the carat symbol (press }) for
the operator. The power is automatically set as an exact value,
and does not affect the number of significant figures that are
displayed.
For multiplication and division, the
rounded result has the same
number of significant figures as the
factor with the least number of
significant figures.
For powers, the rounded result has
the same number of significant
figures as the base.
Use integer exponents only. Non-integer
exponents may produce unexpected
results.

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Combined Operations
You can use any combination of addition, subtraction,
multiplication, division, and raising a value to a power in the
Sig-Fig Calculator. Multiplication and division are performed first,
and then addition and subtraction are performed.
Example: Compute 1.001 + 3.4 425.7947.
Since the calculation contains
no parentheses, 25.7947 43.4
is computed first, then 1.001 is
added to the result.

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You cannot use parentheses in the Sig-Fig Calculator. To perform
calculations that would normally include parentheses, you must
perform the operations separately.
Example: An electric circuit has three resistances: 14.2 ohms,
101.23 ohms, and 4.65 ohms connected in series. The current,
I, through the circuit is 3.55 amperes. Find the voltage drop
across the three resistors, V = IR.
First, add the
ohms to find the
cumulative
resistance.
Next, press .
The result from
the previous
screen is pasted
into a new
screen. Multiply
the result by the
current to find the
voltage.

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Significant Figures Options
Several options are displayed across the bottom of the Sig-Fig
Calculator screen. To select an option, press the graphing key
directly under the option.
Option
Lets you:
EXACT
Set a value as “exact” so that it will not be subject to rounding.
EE
Enter a value in scientific notation.
DEC or
SCI
Specify whether results are displayed in decimal notation (DEC)
or scientific notation (SCI).
EDIT
Edit the previous calculation.
RSTUV

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Setting a Value as Exact
Some values, such as defined or counted quantities, are exact.
They should not be rounded and should not affect the rounding
of other numbers.
To set a value as exact:
1. Enter the value in the Sig-Fig Calculator.
2. Select
EXACT.
Example: 1K of computer memory consists of exactly 1024
bytes. How many bytes are there in a 256K computer?
If you set 1024
and 256 as
exact, the
answer is not
rounded.
If you do not
use exact
values, the
answer is
rounded to 3
significant
figures.

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Entering a Value in Scientific Notation
1. Enter the number.
2. Select
EE. An Eis displayed on the screen to denote
scientific notation.
3. Enter the exponent.
Tip
Although you can enter a number in scientific notation at any
time, if the current mode setting is DEC, that number is displayed
in decimal notation. Also, numbers between 0 and 1 are always
displayed in scientific notation.
Example: Enter the number 2.56 410/8

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Displaying Results in Decimal or Scientific Notation
DEC (decimal) or SCI (scientific) is highlighted to indicate the
current mode. Press either Tor Uto change the mode.
The mode change does not apply to a calculation currently
displayed; it applies to the next entry you make.
Example
Display
Multiply
1234567891 by exactly 1.
Be sure to select EXACT after typing 1.
Decimal notation is retained.
Multiply
12345678901 by exactly 1.
Number is converted to scientific notation
because the entry exceeds the number
of characters that can be displayed.
Multiply
0.0123 by exactly 1.
Any number 01<x<1, except 0, is
always displayed in scientific notation,
regardless of the display mode

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Example: Calculate 1.74 x 372564 in scientific notation.
1. Select
SCI.
2. Enter
1.74 372564, and then press ¯.
To convert a calculation from one notation type to the other, use
the EDIT option as follows.

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Example: Change the display of the previous calculation to
decimal notation.
1. Select
EDIT. The cursor moves to the end of the top line of
the calculation.
2. Select
DEC and then press ¯. The calculation is
displayed in decimal notation.
Editing a Calculation
You can correct mistakes using the EDIT option, even after the
calculation has been performed.
1. Select
EDIT. The result is removed and the cursor moves to
the end of the top line.
2. Refer to the table below to correct the mistake. Numbers or
characters at the cursor location are overwritten when you
enter a new number or character.

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3. Press
¯to perform the calculation.
Use the following key sequences as needed to correct mistakes.
Press …
To do this:
`or h
Move to the line that contains the error.
aor _
Move to the location of the error within the line.
`
Enter edit mode after a calculation has been
performed. The result is deleted and the cursor
moves to the end of the top line.
_from the leftmost digit
Move the cursor to the operator.
afrom the operator
Move the cursor to the number field.
\when the cursor
is in the number field
Turn insert mode on. Insert mode remains on
until you press \again or use the arrow
keys to move the cursor.
\when the cursor
is on an operator
Insert a new line above the line the cursor is
on. The initial value of the new line is + 0.
\_
Jump to the leftmost digit in the number field.
\a
Jump to the rightmost digit in the number field.