Texas Instruments TI InterActive! User manual

TII_GettingStarted.doc Getting Started with TI InterActive! Karen Davis Revised: 6/15/04 2:00 PM Printed: 6/15/04 3:39 PM Page 1 of 63
Getting Started
with
TI InterActive!Ë
Microsoft, Windows, Abode, Acrobat, and Reader are trademarks of their respective owners.
LabPro is a registered trademark of Vernier Software & Technology.
TI InterActive! contains Formula One from Visual Components. Copyright 1994-1997. All
rights reserved.
Exercise 5 data provided by Michael J. Shepston & Associates, www.scottsdalelaw.com
Copyright © 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004 Texas Instruments Incorporated.

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Texas Instruments makes no warranty, either express or implied,
including but not limited to any implied warranties of
merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, regarding
any programs or book materials and makes such materials
available solely on an “as-is” basis.
In no event shall Texas Instruments be liable to anyone for
special, collateral, incidental, or consequential damages in
connection with or arising out of the purchase or use of these
materials, and the sole and exclusive liability of Texas
Instruments, regardless of the form of action, shall not exceed
the purchase price of this product. Moreover, Texas Instruments
shall not be liable for any claim of any kind whatsoever against
the use of these materials by any other party.
Important

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Introduction........................................................................................... 4
Installing TI InterActive!...................................................................... 5
Exercise 1: Performing Calculations in a Document.....................10
Exercise 2: Storing Values as Variables........................................... 18
Exercise 3: Creating a Function-Graphing Assignment ................ 27
Exercise 4: Creating a Report ...........................................................33
Exercise 5: Analyzing Data from a Web Site...................................40
Exercise 6: Reviewing Miscellaneous Functions ...........................46
Essential Skills for Using TI InterActive! ........................................50
Where Do I Go from Here?................................................................58
Texas Instruments Support and Service Information...................59
Texas Instruments (TI) End-User License Agreement.................. 60
Index.....................................................................................................62
Table of Contents
Use the hands-on exercises in this book to familiarize yourself
with the basic features of the TI InterActive!software.

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The interactive math objects in a TI InterActive! document set it
apart from the documents that you create with other Windows®
applications. Your documents can use data from the Internet,
TI data-collection devices, and supported TI graphing calculators.
Teachers can create:
 Compelling classroom activities — You can create
activities that encourage learning by discovery.
 Captivating lessons — You can design attractive lessons
that cover necessary information while allowing exploration.
 Homework that encourages learning — You can build
printed, conventional assignments or “live” assignments in
the form of TI InterActive! files that students can complete
and return.
Students can create:
 Informative reports — You or your teacher can create
preformatted labs and other types of reports.
 Attractive, clear homework papers — You can create
homework that shows the flow of your work with your results.
Introduction
TI InterActive!is a document-creation program with the math
features of a powerful TI graphing calculator. It lets you build
documents that contain not only text and pictures but also
dynamically connected graphing and calculation objects.
What makes a
TI InterActive!
document
different?
NOTE: Supported TI
graphing calculators are:
TI83, TI83 Plus,
TI83 Plus Silver Edition,
TI-84 Plus,
TI-84 Plus Silver Edition,
TI89, TI89 Titanium,
TI92, TI92 Plus,
Voyage™ 200.
What can I
do with
TI InterActive!?
Internet data
Math calculations
Data-collection devices
Graphing
calculator

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The computer that you use to run TI InterActive! must have:
• Microsoft® Windows® 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000, or
Windows XP.
• Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 or later must be installed as
an update to Microsoft Windows.
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 or later.
• Hard disk with 40 MB available for TI InterActive! (18 MB
required for installation).
• CD-ROM drive (if installing from a CD).
To use the Internet features of TI InterActive!:
Your computer must have a working Internet connection.
To read the electronic documentation:
Your computer must have Acrobat Reader 3.02 or later (16 MB
hard disk space).
To communicate with a supported device:
You can transfer programs and data between TI InterActive! and
a supported graphing calculator, or collect samples from a
supported data-collection device. Your computer must have:
•TI Connect™1.5 (50 MB harddisk space available; 32 MB
required for installation).
• An available USB port or a serial communication port
configured as Com 1, 2, 3, or 4.
• An appropriate TI Connectivity Cable — USB Computer
cable, USB Silver Edition cable, Serial for Windows cable
(black link), or Serial for Windows/Mac cable (gray link).
Installing TI InterActive!
TI InterActive!can be installed from a TI InterActive! CD-ROM
or from a file downloaded from the Web. Check the system
requirements below, and follow the steps for the installation
method that applies to you.
System
requirements
NOTE: Supported data-
collection devices are:
Calculator-Based
Laboratory™ (CBL™),
Calculator-Based
Laboratory 2™ (CBL 2™),
Calculator-Based
Ranger™ (CBR™),
Vernier LabProÍ.

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For more information regarding TI products and support:
• Visit the TI Education home page: education.ti.com
• Or search the TI-Cares™ KnowledgeBase and submit e-mail
inquiries: education.ti.com/support
• Or call toll-free: (800) TI-CARES [phone]
To install TI InterActive!:
1. Close all open programs.
2. Insert the TI InterActive! CD in your CD-ROM drive.
3. If the installer does not start automatically, click the
Windows Start button, and then click Run. Type
D:\setup.exe,and then press Enter. (Substitute the letter of
your CD-ROM drive if it is not D.)
4. Follow the displayed instructions. When the installer has
completed, it returns you to the Windows desktop. You may
need to restart the computer before using TI InterActive!.
Microsoft .NET Framework is installed automatically on
computers that don’t already have it.
After downloading the executable file, either:
• Double-click the file.
– or –
• Click Start Run and then type the file’s path name.
If your computer does not have Microsoft .NET Framework, you
can download Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 or later from the
Microsoft Web site (windowsupdate.microsoft.com).
You can keep your Windows operating system up-to-date by
downloading updates from Microsoft.
1. Make sure your computer has access to the Internet.
2. Use your Web browser to go to the Windows Update Web site
(windowsupdate.microsoft.com).
Installing from a
CD-ROM
TIP: If you currently
have Display set for
Large Fonts, change to
Small Fonts before
rebooting.
Installing from a
download from
the Web
NOTE: If you run
TI InterActive! before
installing Microsoft .NET
Framework, any
TI InterActive! operation
that requires the .NET
Framework will display
an error message when
you try to use it.

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3. Scan for available updates, and select Microsoft .NET
Framework.
4. Download and install the .NET Framework update, restart
your computer, and then install TI InterActive!.
After completing the installation, it’s a good idea to start
TI InterActive! and test the connections that you plan to use.
 There will be a new icon on your desktop. Double-click it.
Depending on your machine and its configuration, it may take
a few seconds for the application to open. TI InterActive! starts
with the cursor at the top of a blank document.
– or –
 Click the Windows Start button, point to Programs,
TI InterActive!, and then click TI InterActive!.
Starting
TI InterActive!
TIP: You can open a
saved TI InterActive!
document from the
Windows Explorer by
double-clicking the
document.

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The buttons on the TI InterActive! toolbar give you quick access
to the program’s main features.
Performs calculations and defines
variables and functions.
Performs statistical tests and
intervals.
Specifies the mode settings for
each object.
Inserts a slider that lets you change
variable values.
Graphs functions and plots
statistical data.
Transfers data to/from a connected
TI calculator.
Generates a table of values for
defined functions.
Captures the screen of a connected
TI calculator.
Enters and/or edits lists of data. Collects data from a CBL™, CBL 2™,
CBR™, or Vernier LabProÍ.
Enters and/or edits matrices. Browses the Web and extracts data
directly from Web pages.
Performs typical spreadsheet
operations.
Sends e-mail attachments of your
current document.
Performs statistics regression
calculations on lists of data.
Perform this test to see if your Internet connection is working.
1. On the toolbar, click the Web Browser button . The
built-in Web browser displays the TI InterActive! home page.
2. Click the browser’s Close button . The test is complete.
TI InterActive!
toolbar
Testing your
Internet
connection
NOTE: Before you can
use the Internet features
of TI InterActive!, your
PC must have a working
Internet connection.

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If you have problems completing this test, verify that you are
connected to an Internet Service Provider. On a local area
network (LAN), see if you can access other areas of your
network or server. On a dial-up connection, see if your modem is
working properly.
Many Web sites contain a button or block of text that you can
click to send an e-mail message. Perform this test to make sure
your e-mail program is registered as your e-mail client.
1. Click the Windows Start button, and then click Run.
2. In the text box, type mailto: followed by your e-mail address.
3. Click OK. Your e-mail software should start up and open a
blank message with your address shown as the recipient.
4. Type some text in the body of the message, and send it. When
you receive the message, the e-mail test is complete.
If you have problems completing this test, verify that you have an
e-mail client installed. If you do not, contact your Internet Service
Provider for assistance.
From the menu, click File Exit. When you exit TI InterActive!,
you are prompted to save any unsaved changes that you have
made. Click the No button if you do not want to save the changes.
What to do if
the test fails
Testing your
e-mail
connection
What to do if
the test fails
Exiting
TI InterActive!
TIP: You can also exit
by pressing Alt+F4 or
clicking the Close
button .

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This exercise shows you how to:
 Enter and format ordinary text.
 Access and use the Math Palette.
 Use a Math Box object to perform simple calculations in a
document.
 Enter math and other special functions symbols.
 Save a TI InterActive! document.
Exercise 1: Performing Calculations in a Document
You perform many calculations in TI InterActive!documents by
inserting a Math Box object. Data that you store and functions
that you define in a Math Box can be used by subsequent
objects, such as graphs, tables, and other Math Boxes.

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Entering text in a TI InterActive! document is similar to entering
text in most text editors and word processors. For this exercise,
you enter a page title and then change the font and point size.
1. Type
Homework on the first line of your document.
2. Highlight the typed text and select a different font type and
size from the font dialog box (Format Font).
3. Place the cursor at the end of the line and press the Enter key
on the computer keyboard to start a new line.
Suppose you want to evaluate an expression such as 28• 43
12 and
display both the expression and its result within the document.
1. Click the Math Box button on the TI InterActive! toolbar.
An empty Math Box is inserted, accompanied by the TI Math
Palette.
Entering and
formatting text
Evaluating a
math expression
The Math Box looks like
this while you are editing.
Math Palette

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2. Type
2^8*43Â12 into the Math Box. Press the Enter key on
the computer keyboard or click on the Math Palette to
evaluate the expression. TI InterActive! evaluates the
expression, displays the result, and creates another Math
Box.
3. Press the Esc key on the computer keyboard to close the
unused Math Box.
You might expect to see a decimal result instead of 2752Â3in the
preceding example. A close decimal equivalent is 917.33333..., but
that’s only an approximation. By default, TI InterActive! retains
the more precise form: 2752Â3.
You can, however, change the form of any Math Box result by
setting the Computation Mode of the box.
1. Click anywhere in the existing Math Box to select it. A solid
border appears around the Math Box to show that it is
selected.
2. Click the Mode Settings button on the TI InterActive!
toolbar.
TIP: Make sure you
insert a Math Box for
the expression.
TI InterActive! cannot
evaluate expressions
that you type as
ordinary text.
TIP: You can also close
the Math Box by
selecting on the
Math Palette, or by
clicking anywhere in the
document.
Setting the form
of results
TIP: You can also right-
click on the Math Box
and select Mode from
the drop-down menu.
Expression is evaluated when you press the
Enter key on the computer keyboard, click
on the Math Palette, or click outside
of the Math Box.
Result
Empty math box for next calculation

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Note the three options available under Computation Mode:
Automatic Uses
Exact where possible, but uses
Approximate when your entry contains a
decimal point. Also, certain functions may
display Approximate results even if your entry
does not contain a decimal point.
Exact Any result that is not a whole number is
displayed in a fractional or symbolic form (1Â2,
S, 2, etc.). This mode reduces rounding errors
that could be introduced by intermediate
results in chained calculations.
Approximate All numeric results, where possible, are
displayed in decimal form.
3. Click the
Approximate option to select it, and click OK. The
result in the Math Box becomes a decimal approximation.
4. Click the Mode Settings button again, and change the
Computation Mode back to Automatic, the original setting,
and click OK.
This chart compares the Computation Mode settings.
Entry
Automatic
Result
Exact
Result
Approximate
Result
8Â4 2 2 2.
8Â6
4
34
3
1.33333
8.5ù3 25.5
51
2
25.5
sqrt(2)Â2
2
22 2
.707107
Sù2 2⋅S2
⋅S6.28319
Sù2. 6.28319
2⋅S6.28319
TIP: In Automatic mode,
you can force a decimal
result by using a
decimal in the entry.
The decimal point
in the entry forces
the Automatic
result to a decimal.

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The TI Math Palette resembles a calculator keyboard. If you
prefer to use the mouse instead of the keyboard, you can click
the buttons on the palette.
1. Click to the right and below the Math Box that you have
already entered, and press Enter. This places the cursor at
the end of the document.
2. Click the Math Box button . An empty Math Box is
inserted beneath the previous one.
3. On the Math Palette, click Xªµ¶d. The entry looks
like this:
4. Click . TI InterActive! displays the result and presents a
new empty Math Box, ready to receive an entry.
5. Press the Esc key on the computer keyboard to close the
unused Math Box, or click anywhere in the document.
Entering an
expression from
the TI Math
Palette
TIP: If you type cos in
the Math Box, you have
to also type the opening
parenthesis (.

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For this operation: Type this: Or click this:
×(multiply) *p
÷Âe
–(subtract or negate) –(hyphen) |
xsqrt(x)i
x2x^2x2
x–1 x^–1 x–1
yxy^xZ
ex#e^(x)ex
Spi S
i(imaginary number) #i i
Let variable x= value yx:=y:=
Store value yto variable xyÀx
or
y=:x
§
Using the TI Math Palette, you can change the appearance
properties of the entry and the result independently. You can
even hide the entry or its result.
Some of the properties you can control include:
 The font, size, and color used for the entry or result.
 Whether the result is displayed on the next line or the same
line as the entry.
 Whether the entry or result is displayed in text format,
such as (x^2)/(4y), or in math format, such as x2
4y.
 Whether the entry or result is shown or hidden. You cannot
hide both.
Keystroke and
Math Palette
equivalents
TIP: Click the Catalog
button on the
Math Palette for a list
of all TI InterActive!
functions and
symbols.
TIP: Click the D
drop-down menu to
find the Tcharacter.
This character is
also available from
the X key.
Appearance of
items in a Math
Box

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In this example, you can change the appearance of items in a
Math Box. Suppose you want to hide the expression or the result.
1. Click the down arrow next to the default option in the
Input box. Click Hide Input.
2. To hide the result, click the down arrow next to the
default option in the Output box. Click Hide Output.
Changing the
appearance of
a Math Box
TIP: Once you evaluate
the expression, the Input
and Output settings
return to the default
settings.

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3. Click (or on the Math Palette menu, click Edit Properties)
to modify properties such as scaling factors, font type, size, and
color.
TI InterActive! uses a .tii extension to identify its documents.
1. On the TI InterActive! toolbar, click the Save button .
Because you have not yet saved this document,
TI InterActive! displays the Save As dialog box.
2. If necessary, navigate to the folder where you want to store
the document.
3. In the File name box, type a name (such as first report) for
the document.
4. Click Save.
Note: You can also export a document to other formats. Choose
Export from the File menu. The options are Html Web Page, Word
Compatible, Rich Text Format, and Plain Text.
Saving a
TI InterActive!
document

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This exercise shows you how to:
 Define a variable and assign a value to it.
 Display a variable’s value in a document.
 Remove a variable.
 Perform symbolic calculations.
 Reposition TI InterActive! objects in a document.
 Reset all variables.
Exercise 2: Storing Values as Variables
You can store a value as a named variable and then use the name
to refer to that value in subsequent Math Boxes and graphs. When
TI InterActive!evaluates an expression containing the name, it
substitutes the value stored under that name.

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This example creates a variable named num and stores the result
of the expression 5+83in that variable.
1. On the TI InterActive! toolbar, click the New button to
start a new, blank document.
2. Click the Math Box button to insert a new Math Box.
3. Type the variable name num and then type := (both
characters are required from the keyboard), or click on
the Math Palette.
num :=
4. Type the expression 5+8^3. The result—not the expression—
will be stored in num.
num := 5+8^3
5. Press Enter on the computer keyboard. TI InterActive!
creates the variable num and stores the result there.
You can check the value of a variable by entering its name as the
entry in a subsequent Math Box.
1. Click the Math Box button to insert a new Math Box, if
necessary.
2. Type the variable name num and press Enter on the computer
keyboard. The value currently stored in num is displayed as
the result.
Storing a value
in a variable
TIP: If you have
changed a document
and then attempt to
create a new document,
TI InterActive! gives you
the option to save the
first document before
proceeding.
Checking a
variable’s value
This means: Let the variable “num”
equal the result of 5+83.

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After storing a value in a variable, you can use the variable name
in an expression as a substitute for the stored value.
1. Click the Math Box button to insert a new Math Box, if
necessary.
2. Type
4*25*num^2 in the Math Box, and press Enter.
TI InterActive! substitutes 517, the value assigned to num, and
evaluates the expression.
3. Type
4*25*nonum^2 in a Math Box, and press Enter.
Because the variable nonum has not been defined, it is treated
algebraically in the result.
If you want to update a variable with the result of a calculation,
you must store the result explicitly.
Entry Result Comment
a := 2 2
a^3 8 Result not stored in variable a.
a2
a := a^3 8Variable a updated with result.
a8
a^2 1> a 64 Variable aupdated with result.
a64
Using a variable
in a calculation
Updating a
variable