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

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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.