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 .

2
Important Information
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Instruments, regardless of the form of 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 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.
© 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 17
Using the Scratchpad 23
Calculating with the Scratchpad 24
Inserting Items from the Catalog 25
Viewing the History 29
Editing Scratchpad Expressions 30
Graphing with the Scratchpad 31
Working with Variables in the Scratchpad 36
Saving the Scratchpad Contents 36
Clearing Scratchpad Contents 37
Working with Documents on TI-Nspire™ Handhelds 39
Opening a Document 39
Creating a New Document 40
Saving Documents 40
Working with Applications 42
Using the Application Menu 47
Context Menus 49
Working with Problems and Pages 49
Adding a Problem to a Document 50
Viewing and Reordering Pages in a Document 51
Copying, Pasting, and Deleting Problems 54
Renaming a Problem 55
Adding a Page to a Problem 55
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Moving Through Pages in a Document 55
Managing Documents 56
Closing a Document 59
Understanding the TI-Nspire™ Tools 59
Working with Images 65
Working with Images on a Handheld 65
Working in a TI-Nspire™ Navigator™ Teacher Software Classroom 69
Logging In 69
Pausing a Class Session 70
Understanding File Transfers 70
Configuring Handhelds 73
Installing the AAA Batteries 73
Replacing AAA Batteries 75
Inserting the TI-Nspire™ Rechargeable Battery 75
Checking Battery Status 77
Recharging the Handheld 77
Changing Handheld Settings 78
Changing the Preferred Language 79
Customizing the Handheld Setup 80
Customizing Document Settings 81
Customizing Graphs & Geometry Settings 85
Viewing Handheld Status 87
Using Wireless Communication Hardware 88
Connecting Handhelds and Transferring Files 91
Connecting Handhelds 91
Transferring Files to and from Handhelds 93
Transferring Files Between Computers and Handhelds 94
Handling Errors Resulting from Sending Folders 96
Memory and File Management 99
Checking Available Memory 99
Freeing Memory 100
Resetting the Memory 103
Updating the Handheld Operating System 105

What You Need to Know 105
Finding Operating System Updates 106
Updating the Operating System 107
Updating the OS on Multiple Handhelds 112
OS Upgrade Messages 112
Working in TI-84 Mode 115
Changing the Keypad 115
TI-84 Plus Mode Cables 116
Capturing Screens in TI-84 Mode 117
Upgrading the TI-84 Plus OS 117
Support and Service 118
Texas Instruments Support and Service 118
Service and Warranty Information 118
Precautions for Rechargeable Batteries 119
Index 121
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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-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™ 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 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.
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 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.
/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
Handheld s.
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 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™ 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.