Texas Instruments TI-Nspire Manual

TI-Nspire™ Data Collection
and Analysis Guidebook
This guidebook applies to TI-Nspire™ software version 3.1. To obtain the
latest version of the documentation, go to education.ti.com/guides.

ii
Important Information
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action, shall not exceed the amount set forth in the license for the
program. Moreover, Texas Instruments shall not be liable for any claim of
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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.
© 2011 Texas Instruments Incorporated
Mac® and DataQuest™ are trademarks of their respective owners.

Contents
iii
Important Information................................................................... ii
Getting Started .......................................................................1
About Vernier DataQuest™........................................................... 1
Exploring the Screens..................................................................... 2
Learning about Collection Devices................................................ 5
Performing an Experiment.....................................................9
Starting a Document ...................................................................... 9
Connecting Sensors ...................................................................... 10
Modifying Sensor Settings ........................................................... 10
Setting the Collection Mode........................................................ 12
Collecting Data ............................................................................. 16
Storing a Data Set ........................................................................ 21
Saving an Experiment .................................................................. 21
Working in the Graph View ..................................................23
Displaying Graphs......................................................................... 23
Customizing the Graph ................................................................ 28
Analyzing the Data in Table View ........................................41
Defining Column Options ............................................................ 41
Creating a New Data Set.............................................................. 42
Changing a Data Set Name.......................................................... 42
Adding a New Column................................................................. 43
Adding a New Calculated Column .............................................. 45
Striking and Restoring Data ........................................................ 47
Analyzing Data in Graph View .............................................51
Viewing Data for Analysis............................................................ 51
Interpolating the Value Between Two Data Points.................... 53
Finding the Slope ......................................................................... 53
Finding the Area Under a Data Plot............................................ 54
Removing Analysis Options ......................................................... 60
Using Advanced Data Collection Options ...........................63
Setting Up Offline Sensors........................................................... 63
Setting Up a Remote Collection Unit .......................................... 64
Setting Up the Sensor for Triggering .......................................... 65
Using the Manual Trigger to Start the Collection ...................... 67
Using a Delay to Start the Collection .......................................... 68

iv
Retrieving Remote Data ............................................................... 70
Working with Advanced Analysis Features ........................ 71
Replaying the Data Collection .....................................................71
Adjusting Derivative Settings....................................................... 73
Drawing and Clearing a Predictive Plot ......................................74
Using Motion Match..................................................................... 75
Printing Data ........................................................................ 77
Selecting Print All Options ........................................................... 77
Printing Data Views ...................................................................... 77
Using the Sensors and Data with Other Applications........ 79
Collecting Data in Other Applications......................................... 79
Opening the Sensor Console Application Menus ....................... 80
Viewing Existing Data ..................................................................81
Analyzing Data in the Data & Statistics Application ..................83
Compatible Sensors ............................................................. 85
TI-Nspire™ Lab Cradle .......................................................... 89
Exploring the Lab Cradle.............................................................. 90
Setting up the Lab Cradle for Data Collection............................ 91
Using the Lab Cradle ....................................................................91
Learning About the Lab Cradle ...................................................92
Viewing Data Collection Status ................................................... 94
Managing Power .......................................................................... 95
Charging the Lab Cradle ..............................................................97
Upgrading the Operating System................................................98
Appendix: Service and Support ......................................... 103
Texas Instruments Support and Service .....................................103
Service and Warranty Information ............................................ 103
Precautions for Rechargeable Batteries .................................... 104
Index ................................................................................... 105

Getting Started 1
Getting Started
The Vernier DataQuest™ application is built into the TI-Nspire™ software
and the operating system (OS) for handhelds. Use the Vernier
DataQuest™ application to collect, view, and analyze data.
To use the Vernier DataQuest™ application, the TI-Nspire™ handheld OS
must be 3.0 or higher. To update the OS, go to education.ti.com.
About Vernier DataQuest™
• Run the application on either a TI-Nspire™ handheld or a Windows™
or Mac™ computer.
• Choose from multiple sensor interfaces and sensors, such as the
TI-Nspire™ Lab Cradle, to collect data.
• Collect data with up to five connected sensors (three analog and two
digital) using the TI-Nspire™ Lab Cradle. For a complete list of
compatible sensors, see Compatible Sensors.
Important: The TI-Nspire™ CM-C Handheld is not compatible with
the Lab Cradle and only supports the use of a single sensor at a time.
• Collect data either in the classroom or at remote locations using
collection modes such as time-based or event-based.
• Select and focus on a subset of collected data.
• Collect several data runs for comparison.
• Create a graphical hypothesis using the Draw Prediction feature.
• Play back the data set to compare the outcome to the hypothesis.
• Analyze data using functions such as interpolation, tangential rate, or
modeling.
• Display results in a graph or a table.
• Customize the way results are displayed.
• Link the data to other TI-Nspire™ applications.
Using Vernier DataQuest™ Data in Other TI-Nspire™
Applications
Data obtained during a data collection run is written to the graph and
table views in the Vernier DataQuest™ application and can be used in
these TI-Nspire™ applications:
•Calculator
•Graph

2 Getting Started
• Geometry
• Lists& Spreadsheet
• Data & Statistics
This graphic shows how data can be shared among the applications.
Exploring the Screens
The Vernier DataQuest™ application screen is identical in the handheld
and the TI-Nspire™ software. The following graphic shows the
application screen.
Lists & Spreadsheet Data & Statistics
Vernier DataQuest™
Sensor Data in
Calculator Graphs Geometry Notes
Insert a Notes page to add
notes about a data set,
experiment, and so on.
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Getting Started 3
Learning About Menus
Like other TI-Nspire™ applications, the Vernier DataQuest™ application
has its own application and context menus.
When you first open a document or problem, insert the Vernier
DataQuest™ application to open the application menu.
Click Insert > Vernier DataQuest.
The Vernier DataQuest™ application opens with the Meter view
active and the application menu open.
Important! If you connect a sensor before starting the Vernier
DataQuest™ application, the connected sensor automatically
launches the Vernier DataQuest™ application screen.
ÀVernier DataQuest™ application view tabs. The
application provides three views:
•Meter. Displays the list of sensors connected or set up to
use offline.
•Graph. Displays collected data in a graphical
representation, or displays the prediction before a data
collection run.
•Table. Displays collected data in columns and rows.
ÁData Set selection tool. This tool is displayed in the Graph
view only and lets you choose which data set to graph.
ÂView Details area. This area contains information about the
data appropriate for the current view.
ÃData work area. The primary display of the data. The type
of data displayed depends on the view.
ÄData collection controls. Use these buttons to start and
stop collections, store data sets, and capture data points.

4 Getting Started
ÀWorkspace Selector. In the TI-Nspire™ Teacher Software,
click these tabs to switch from the Content Workspace to the
Documents Workspace. These tabs are not shown in the
student software.
ÁToolbar. Contains shortcuts to tools used to create folders,
save files, create lesson bundles, send files to handhelds, and
copy/paste. Options available from the toolbar change
depending on which workspace is open.
ÂApplication menu. Contains commands specific to the
Vernier DataQuest™ application. Use these commands to
collect and analyze data, set up sensors, view data in a graph
or table, and so on.
ÃContext menu. Provides access to the tools most commonly
used with the selected objects. Different options can appear
on the context menu depending on the active object or the
task you are performing.
Open the context menu by right-clicking an object or a work
area.
Handheld: Move the cursor to the desired object, and then
press /b.
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Getting Started 5
Exploring the Status Bar
Learning about Collection Devices
You can select from a variety of sensors and interfaces to collect data
while running the Vernier DataQuest™ application with TI-Nspire™
software.
ÄStatus bar. Provides information about the active document
and allows you to switch between the handheld view and the
computer view.
ÀProblem and page number. Displays the current page
number and problem number in an active document.
ÁSettings. Displays the current settings. Click here to change
General or Graphs & Geometry settings.
ÂHandheld: Lets you view documents as they appear on a
handheld screen. The screen size is limited as it would be on
the handheld.
Click to activate the handheld view.
ÃComputer: Lets you view documents as they appear in the
software. Computer is the default view in the software.
Click to activate the computer view.
ÄScale. A slider that lets you manage contrast (computer) or
the size of the document (handheld).
• Used in the computer view to make the lines lighter or
darker. Slide left to decrease the boldness. Slide right to
increase the boldness.
• Used in the handheld view to change the size of the
document and work area. Slide left to make the document
smaller. Slide right to make the document larger.
ÀÁ ÂÃÄ

6 Getting Started
Multi-Channel Sensor Interfaces
Multi-channel sensor interfaces let you connect more than one sensor at
a time.
Single-Channel Sensor Interfaces
Single-channel sensor interfaces can only connect to one sensor at a time.
These sensors have either a mini-USB connector for use with a handheld
or a standard USB connector for use with a computer. For a complete list
of compatible sensors, see Compatible Sensors.
Sensor Interface Description
Texas Instruments
TI-Nspire™ Lab Cradle
This sensor is used with handhelds,
computers, or as a stand-alone sensor.
This sensor interface allows you to connect
and use one to five sensors at the same time.
It can be used in the lab or at a remote
collection location.
The Lab Cradle supports two digital sensors
and three analog sensors.
The Lab Cradle also supports high-sample
data collection sensors, such as a hand-grip
heart rate monitor or a blood pressure
monitor.
When used as a remote sensor, you can
download data to either a handheld or a
computer.
For more information, see the TI-Nspire™
Lab Cradle Guidebook.
Sensor Interface Description
Vernier EasyLink®
This sensor interface is used with
handhelds. It has a mini-USB connector
so it can be plugged directly into the
handheld.
Connect sensors to Vernier EasyLink® to:
• Measure barometric pressure.
• Measure the salinity of a solution.
• Investigate the relationship between
pressure and volume (Boyles’ Law).