Texas Instruments ti nspire cx Manual

Getting Started with the
TI-Nspire™ CX/
TI-Nspire™ CX CAS Handheld
This guidebook applies to TI-Nspire™ software version 4.2. To obtain the latest version
of the documentation, go to education.ti.com/guides.

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Important Information
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claim of any kind whatsoever against the use of these materials by any other party.
FCC Statement
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class
B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to
provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference
to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not
occur in a particular installation.
If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception,
which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged
to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer could void the user’s
authority to operate the equipment under FCC rules.
Vernier DataQuest™ is a trademark of its respective owner.
© 2010 - 2016 Texas Instruments Incorporated

Contents
Important Information 2
Getting Started with the TI-Nspire™ CX Handheld 7
About CAS 7
TI-Nspire™ CX Handheld Keys 8
Preparing the TI-Nspire™ CX Handheld for Use 8
Turning On the TI-Nspire™ Handheld for the First Time 9
Adjusting the Brightness of the Backlighting 11
Using the TI-Nspire™ Touchpad 11
Understanding the Scratchpad 12
Using the Home Screen 12
The TI-Nspire™ CX Handheld Screen 14
Using Hints 15
Using Keyboard Shortcuts 16
Using the Scratchpad 21
Opening and Closing the Scratchpad 21
Calculating with Scratchpad 22
Inserting Items from the Catalog 23
Viewing the History 26
Editing Scratchpad Expressions 27
Graphing with the Scratchpad 28
Working with Variables in the Scratchpad 32
Saving the Scratchpad Contents 33
Clearing Scratchpad Contents 33
Working with Documents on TI-Nspire™ Handhelds 35
Opening a Document 35
Creating a New Document 35
Saving Documents 36
Working with Applications 38
Using the Application Menu 43
Context Menus 44
Working with Problems and Pages 44
Adding a Problem to a Document 45
Viewing and Reordering Pages in a Document 45
Copying, Pasting, and Deleting Problems 48
Renaming a Problem 49
Adding a Page to a Problem 49
Moving Through Pages in a Document 50
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Managing Documents 50
Closing a Document 54
Understanding the TI-Nspire™ Tools 54
Working with Images 59
Working with Images on a Handheld 59
Working in a TI-Nspire™ CX Navigator™ Teacher Software Classroom 63
Using Wireless Communication Hardware 63
Connecting to the TI-Nspire™ CX Navigator™ System 67
Understanding File Transfers 69
Configuring Handhelds 71
Checking Battery Status 71
Recharging the Handheld 71
Changing Handheld Settings 72
Changing a Preferred Language 73
Customizing the Handheld Setup 73
Customizing Document Settings 74
Customizing Graphs & Geometry Settings 78
Viewing Handheld Status 80
Replacing TI-Nspire™ Rechargeable Batteries 81
Connecting Handhelds and Transferring Files 83
Connecting Handhelds 83
Transferring Files between Handhelds 84
Transferring Files Between Computers and Handhelds 86
Handling Errors Resulting from Sending Folders 87
Memory and File Management 89
Checking Available Memory 89
Freeing Memory 89
Resetting the Memory 92
Updating the Handheld Operating System 95
What You Need to Know 95
Finding Operating System Updates 96
Performing the OS Update 97
Updating the OS on Multiple Handhelds 100
OS Upgrade Messages 101

General Information 103
Texas Instruments Support and Service 103
Service and Warranty Information 103
Precautions for Rechargeable Batteries 104
Korean Class A Warning Statement 105
Index 107
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Getting Started with the TI-Nspire™ CX Handheld
The TI-Nspire™ CX handheld and the TI-Nspire™ CX CAS handheld are the newest
handhelds in the TI-Nspire™ family of products. Featuring a backlit color display and a
slimmer form, the handhelds provide touchpad navigation, dynamic graphing, and
interactive computer features.
The handhelds and the TI-Nspire™ software share the same functionality, enabling you
to transfer class assignments from the handheld to the computer or transfer
documents to the handheld when you need to be mobile. Start assignments at school,
and then finish the work at home to take advantage of the software’s full-color display
and easy-to-use navigation. Use the software to download the latest software and
handheld operating system updates as they become available to ensure you have the
latest enhancements.
This guide covers both the TI-Nspire™ CX handheld and the TI-Nspire™ CX CAS
handheld. While they operate identically in many ways, there are a few distinctions. If
the TI-Nspire™ CX CAS handheld has additional functionality, it is pointed out and the
CAS operation is described.
About CAS
With CAS, or the Computer Algebra System, you can:
• Perform both symbolic and numeric calculations.
• Factor and expand expressions and solve for common denominators.
TI-Nspire™ CAS technology makes it possible to recognize, simplify, and calculate math
expressions, preserving the symbols including variables and terms such as “e” and p.
This ability to enter and view equations and expressions on screen as they appear in
textbooks is especially useful for step-by-step, arithmetic, algebraic, and calculus
calculations.
Getting Started with the TI-Nspire™ CX Handheld 7

8 Getting Started with the TI-Nspire™ CX Handheld
TI-Nspire™ CX Handheld Keys
Use the TI-Nspire™ Touchpad as you would a laptop touchpad. You can also press the outer edges to
move right, left, up, and down.
dRemoves menus
or dialog boxes from
the screen. Also stops a
calculation in progress.
»Opens the
Scratchpad for
performing quick
calculations and
graphing.
eMoves to the next
entry field.
gMakes the next
character typed upper-
case.
/Provides access to
the function or
character shown above
each key. Also enables
shortcuts in
combination with other
keys.
cTurns on the
handheld. If the
handheld is on, this
key displays the
home screen.
~Opens the
Document menu.
bDisplays the
application or
context menu.
.Deletes the
previous character.
hDisplays stored
variables.
·Evaluates an
expression, executes
an instruction, or
selects a menu item.
Note: A¢symbol on a key indicates access to multiple options. To access an option, press º
repeatedly or use the arrow keys on the Touchpad. Press ·or click to select the option.
Preparing the TI-Nspire™ CX Handheld for Use
The TI-Nspire™ CX handheld comes equipped with a Li-ion rechargeable battery. The
handheld also comes with the following accessories:

• Standard mini-A to mini-B USB cable for transferring files to another handheld
• Standard A to mini-B USB cable for transferring files to and from a computer and
for charging the battery
Charging the Handheld
▶Using one of the following options, charge the battery for at least four hours to
ensure optimum performance.
- Connect the handheld to a computer using a standard A to mini-B USB cable.
To download software that includes a driver, go to education.ti.com/software.
- Connect to a wall outlet using a TI wall adapter (sold separately in Europe and
Asia).
- If in a classroom setting, place the handheld or multiple handhelds in a
TI-Nspire™ CX Docking Station or a TI-Nspire™ Docking Station.
Note: The TI-Nspire™ CX handheld may have a Deep Sleep feature to maximize battery
life. Handhelds with this feature have a blue reset button. To wake the handheld from
Deep Sleep mode, press cfor at least 4 seconds or apply USB (computer or wall
adapter) or Docking Station power. After waking the handheld, you can turn it on
anytime by pressing c. To maximize battery life during extended storage periods,
enable Deep Sleep mode. To put the handheld in Deep Sleep mode, press and hold
down the reset button on the back of the handheld for at least 4 seconds.
Note: For more information about recharging batteries, see Configuring TI-Nspire™
Handhelds.
Turning On the TI-Nspire™ Handheld for the First Time
▶After charging the battery, presscto turn on the handheld.
A progress bar is displayed while the operating system loads. Next, choose
preferences for language and font size when prompted.
Note: To turn the handheld off, press / c. The settings and memory contents
are retained.
Using Automatic Power Down™
To prolong battery life, the Automatic Power Down™ (APD™) feature turns off the
handheld after three minutes of inactivity. When this happens, press cto turn the
handheld on and return to the last document or last menu accessed. To change the
default setting, press c 5 3 to access the Handheld Setup screen where you can
change the Power Standby setting.
Note: For more information about setting up the handheld, see Configuring Handhelds.
Choosing a Language
After the OS is loaded, select a preferred language.
Getting Started with the TI-Nspire™ CX Handheld 9

10 Getting Started with the TI-Nspire™ CX Handheld
1. Press ¢to open the drop-down list.
2. Press6to scroll through the languages, and then press xor·to select a
language.
3. Presseto highlight the OK button, and then press xor·to save the
language selection.
Choosing a Font Size
Next, select a font size for the display.
1. Press ¢to open the drop-down list.
2. Press6to highlight the font size, and then press xor·to select it.
3. Presseto highlight the OK button, and then press xor·.
The Welcome! screen opens.