Texas Instruments TI-Nspire User manual

Getting Started with the
TI-Nspire™ /TI-Nspire™ CAS
Handheld
This guidebook applies to TI-Nspire™ software version 3.6. To obtain the latest
version of the documentation, go to education.ti.com/guides.

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Important Information
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including but not limited to any implied warranties of merchantability and
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regardless of the form of action, shall not exceed the amount set forth in the
licence for the program. Moreover, Texas Instruments shall not be liable for any
claim of any kind whatsoever against the use of these materials by any other
party.
Vernier DataQuest™ is a trademark of its respective owner.
© 2006 - 2013 Texas Instruments Incorporated

Contents
Important Information 2
Getting Started with the TI-Nspire™ Handheld 7
About CAS 7
TI-Nspire™ Handheld Keys 7
Preparing the Handheld for Use 9
Turning On the TI-Nspire™ Handheld for the First Time 9
Using the TI-Nspire™ Touchpad 11
Using the Home Screen 12
Understanding the Scratchpad 15
The TI-Nspire™ Handheld Screen 15
Using Hints 16
Using Keyboard Shortcuts 18
Using the Scratchpad 23
Calculating with Scratchpad 24
Inserting Items from the Catalogue 25
Viewing the History 30
Editing Scratchpad Expressions 32
Graphing with the Scratchpad 32
Working with Variables in the Scratchpad 38
Saving the Scratchpad Contents 38
Clearing Scratchpad Contents 39
Working with Documents on TI-Nspire™ Handhelds 41
Opening a Document 41
Creating a New Document 42
Saving Documents 42
Working with Applications 44
Using the Application Menu 50
Context Menus 51
Working with Problems and Pages 52
Adding a Problem to a Document 52
Viewing and Reordering Pages in a Document 53
Copying, Pasting and Deleting Problems 57
Renaming a Problem 58
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Adding a Page to a Problem 58
Moving Through Pages in a Document 59
Managing Documents 59
Closing a Document 64
Understanding the TI-Nspire™ Tools 64
Working with Images 69
Working with Images on a Handheld 69
Working in a TI-Nspire™ Navigator™ Teacher Software Classroom 73
Logging In 73
Pausing a Class Session 74
Understanding File Transfers 74
Configuring Handhelds 77
Installing the AAA Batteries 77
Replacing AAA Batteries 79
Inserting the TI-Nspire™ Rechargeable Battery 80
Checking Battery Status 83
Recharging the Handheld 83
Changing Handheld Settings 84
Changing the Preferred Language 85
Customising the Handheld Setup 86
Customising Document Settings 87
Customising Graphs & Geometry Settings 92
Viewing Handheld Status 94
Using Wireless Communication Hardware 96
Connecting Handhelds and Transferring Files 99
Connecting Handhelds 99
Transferring Files to and from Handhelds 101
Transferring Files Between Computers and Handhelds 103
Handling Errors Resulting from Sending Folders 105
Memory and File Management 109
Checking Available Memory 109
Freeing Memory 110
Resetting the Memory 113
Updating the Handheld Operating System 115

What You Need to Know 115
Finding Operating System Upgrades 116
Upgrading the Operating System 118
Upgrading the OS on Multiple Handhelds 122
OS Upgrade Messages 122
Working in TI-84 Mode 125
Changing the Keypad 125
TI-84 Plus Mode Cables 127
Capturing Screens in TI-84 Mode 128
Upgrading the TI-84 Plus OS 128
Texas Instruments Support and Service 130
Service and Warranty Information 130
Precautions for Rechargeable Batteries 130
Index 131
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Getting Started with the TI-Nspire™ Handheld
The TI-Nspire™ handheld and the TI-Nspire™ CAS handheld are the second
generation handhelds in the TI-Nspire™ family of products. These handhelds
provide touchpad navigation, dynamic graphing and interactive computer
features.
The handheld 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-colour 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™ handheld and the TI-Nspire™ CAS
handheld. While they operate identically in many ways, there are a few
distinctions. If the TI-Nspire™ 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 recognise, 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.
TI-Nspire™ 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.
Getting Started with the TI-Nspire™ Handheld 7

8 Getting Started with the TI-Nspire™ Handheld
dRemoves
menus or dialogue
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.
/Provides
access to the
function or
character shown
above each key.
Also enables
shortcuts in
combination with
other keys.
gMakes the
next character
typed upper-case.
cTurns
on the
handheld. If
the handheld
is on, this
key displays
the home
screen.
~Opens
the
Document
menu.
b
Displays the
application
or context
menu.
.Deletes
the previous
character.
h
Displays
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.
Preparing the Handheld for Use
TI-Nspire™ handhelds are shipped with four alkaline AAA batteries and a
standard Amale to mini Bmale USB cable. Handhelds can also be powered
using the TI-Nspire™ Rechargeable Battery or an approved wall charger, which
are sold separately.
Before using the handheld, either install the AAA batteries or install and charge
the TI-Nspire™ Rechargeable Battery (if purchased). You can also connect your
handheld to an external power source if you have the wall charger.
Note: For more information about installing batteries, see Configuring
Handhelds .
Turning On the TI-Nspire™ Handheld for the First Time
1. Ensure that batteries have been installed or charged, or that the handheld
is connected to a power source.
2. Presscto turn on the handheld.
A progress bar displays while the operating system loads, and then you
are prompted to choose preferences for language and font size.
To turn the handheld off, press /c. The settings and memory contents
are retained.
Note: For more information about installing and charging batteries, see
Configuring Handhelds .
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 c
to turn the handheld on and return to the last document or menu accessed. To
change the default setting, press c53to 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™ Handheld 9

10 Getting Started with the TI-Nspire™ Handheld
1. Press ¢to open the drop-down list.
2. Press¤to scroll through the languages, and then press xor·to
select a language.
3. Presseto 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¤to highlight the font size, and then pressxor·to select it.
3. Presseto highlight the OK button, and then pressxor·to save
the selection and open the Welcome! screen.