Texas Instruments TI-Nspire Series User manual

Getting Started with the
TI-Nspire™ CX/
TI-Nspire™ CX CAS
Handheld
This guidebook applies to TI-Nspire™ software version 3.2. To obtain the
latest version of the documentation, go to education.ti.com/guides.

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Important Information
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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 - 2012 Texas Instruments Incorporated

Contents
iii
Important Information................................................................... ii
Getting Started with the TI-Nspire™ CX Handheld...............1
About CAS....................................................................................... 1
TI-Nspire™ CX Handheld Keys....................................................... 2
Preparing the TI-Nspire™ CX Handheld for Use .......................... 3
Turning On the TI-Nspire™ Handheld for the First Time............. 3
Adjusting the Brightness of the Backlighting .............................. 5
Using the TI-Nspire™ Touchpad .................................................... 5
Understanding the Scratchpad...................................................... 6
Using the Home Screen.................................................................. 6
The TI-Nspire™ Handheld Screen.................................................. 8
Using Hints.................................................................................... 10
Using the Scratchpad ............................................................11
Opening and Closing the Scratchpad.......................................... 11
Calculating with Scratchpad ........................................................ 12
Inserting Items from the Catalog ................................................ 13
Viewing the History...................................................................... 17
Editing Scratchpad Expressions ................................................... 19
Graphing with the Scratchpad .................................................... 19
Working with Variables in the Scratchpad ................................. 25
Saving the Scratchpad Contents.................................................. 25
Clearing Scratchpad Contents ..................................................... 26
Working with Documents on TI-Nspire™ Handhelds..........27
Opening a Document................................................................... 27
Creating a New Document .......................................................... 28
Saving Documents ........................................................................ 29
Working with Applications.......................................................... 30
Using the Application Menu........................................................ 35
Context Menus ............................................................................. 36
Working with Problems and Pages ............................................. 37
Adding a Problem to a Document .............................................. 37
Viewing and Reordering Pages in a Document.......................... 38
Copying, Pasting, and Deleting Problems................................... 41
Renaming a Problem.................................................................... 42
Adding a Page to a Problem........................................................ 42
Moving Through Pages in a Document ...................................... 43
Managing Documents.................................................................. 43

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Closing a Document...................................................................... 47
Understanding the TI-Nspire™ Tools...........................................47
Working with Images ........................................................... 53
Working with Images on a Handheld .........................................53
Working in a TI-Nspire™ Navigator™ Teacher Software
Classroom ....................................................................... 57
Pausing a Class Session .................................................................57
Logging In to Class........................................................................ 57
Connecting to the TI-Nspire™ Navigator™ System....................58
Understanding File Transfers .......................................................60
Configuring Handhelds ........................................................ 63
Checking Battery Status ...............................................................63
Recharging the Handheld ............................................................63
Changing Handheld Settings .......................................................64
Changing a Preferred Language..................................................65
Customising the Handheld Setup ................................................ 66
Customising Document Settings ..................................................67
Customising Graphs & Geometry Settings ..................................71
Viewing Handheld Status............................................................. 73
Replacing TI-Nspire™ Rechargeable Batteries............................74
Using Wireless Communication Hardware..................................75
Connecting Handhelds and Transferring Files.................... 79
Connecting Handhelds .................................................................79
Transferring Files to and from Handhelds...................................81
Transferring Files Between Computers and Handhelds .............82
Handling Errors Resulting from Sending Folders........................ 84
Memory and File Management ........................................... 87
Checking Available Memory ........................................................87
Freeing Memory............................................................................ 88
Resetting the Memory..................................................................90
Updating the Handheld Operating System......................... 93
What You Need to Know ............................................................. 93
Finding Operating System Updates.............................................94
Updating the Operating System.................................................. 95
Updating the OS on Multiple Handhelds....................................99
OS Upgrade Messages ................................................................ 100

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Using Keyboard Shortcuts..................................................103
Keyboard Shortcuts .................................................................... 103
Appendix: Service and Support .........................................107
Precautions for Rechargeable Batteries.................................... 107
Texas Instruments Support and Service..................................... 108
Service and Warranty Information............................................ 108
Index ....................................................................................109

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Getting Started with the TI-Nspire™ CX Handheld 1
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.

2 Getting Started with the TI-Nspire™ CX Handheld
TI-Nspire™ CX Handheld Keys
dRemoves menus
or dialog boxes from
the screen. Also stops
a calculation in
progress.
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.
»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 ºrepeatedly or use the arrow keys on the Touchpad. Press ·or click to
select the option.

Getting Started with the TI-Nspire™ CX Handheld 3
Preparing the TI-Nspire™ CX Handheld for Use
The TI-Nspire™ CX handheld comes equipped with an Li-ion
rechargeable battery. Like a cell phone or other similar device, charge the
battery for at least four hours to ensure optimum performance. The
handheld also comes with the following accessories:
• Standard mini-B 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
Use one of the following options to charge the battery in the TI-Nspire™
CX handheld:
• Connect the handheld to a computer using a standard A to mini-B
USB cable. If the driver is not found when the handheld is connected
to the computer, insert the CD to install the correct driver. 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).
• Place the handheld or multiple handhelds in a TI-Nspire™ CX Docking
Station or TI-Nspire™ Docking Station.
Note: For more information about recharging batteries, see Configuring
Handhelds.
Turning On the TI-Nspire™ Handheld for the First
Time
After charging the battery, press cto 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.

4 Getting Started with the TI-Nspire™ CX Handheld
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
c53to 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.
1. Press ¢to open the drop-down list.
2. Press 6to scroll through the languages, and then press xor ·
to select a language.
3. Press eto highlight the OK button, and then press xor ·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.