TI Nspire CX CAS tutorial --- not comprehensive; expect should be similar / identical to TI Nspire CX II CAS

Vectors (i.e. linear algebra / multivariable calculus)

1. Find magnitude and angle of a vector, given it’s components

ex. vector = 3i + 4j; it’s magnitude = 5 & angle ~ 53.1º

Ctrl [3,4.] enter

Doc Settings & Status 2: Document settings Angle: Degree OK

Menu 7: Matrix & vector C: Vector 4:convert to polar enter ---- express in polar coordinate; i.e. magnitude & angle

2. Vector addition (or subtraction)

Ex. a = 3i + 4j or 5, ∠53.1301b = 2i + 2j or 2.82843, ∠ 45

use keyboard to enter: [3.,4]+[2,2] enter

or use keyboard to enter: [5, ∠53.1301]+[ 2.82843, ∠ 45]

to get angle symbol, click on: catalog icon “4: = ∞βº” key to get ∠ enter . . . complete entering info

enter

Menu 7: Matrix & vector C: Vector 4:convert to polar enter ---- express in polar coordinate; i.e. magnitude & angle

Example of vector subtraction

3. Given a vector’s magnitude and angle, find its componentsas above, enter vector enter; e.g.

4. Vector multiplication – dot product

Menu 7: Matrix & vector C: Vector 3 Dot Product enter vectors enter

Calculus

1. Derivative (symbolic)

Menu 4: Calculus 1. Derivative use keyboard to enter an expression

ex 1. ; use keyboard to enter an expression;

ex. 2. Use fraction icon (ctrl then ÷), to get template

2. Derivative (numeric)

Menu 4: Calculus 2. Derivative at a point fill-in dialog box OK fill-in expression enter

3. (indefinite) Integral (symbolic)

Menu 4: Calculus 3. Integral fill-in expression enter

; fill-in expression enter

4. (definite) Integral (numeric)

as above, but fill-in the limits of integration

alternatively, add a decimal point in the coefficient

5. “solving” a differential equation; e.g. find N(t), where dNdt

=−k N ( t)

Method 1: set-up appropriate integrals using your knowledge to solve a differential equation, i.e.

dNdt

=−k N ( t)

“rearranging”,

dNN (t)

=−k dt

“taking the integral”,

∫ dNN (t)

=−∫ k dt

which would lead to the “answer”

N (t )=No e−k t ------------ equation 1

Using the calculator (see preceding instructions in finding the integral)

where further “math” would lead to the solution (equation 1).

Method 2. Use calculator’s “differential equation solver”

Menu 4 Calculus D Differential Equation Solver …

To access the “prime” symbol, click on the “?!” button, which generates the dialog box on the right – select the “prime” symbol

Alternative method – include information to solve for c1 (in the preceding solution)

Algebra

1. Solve single variable, single equation

To access “=” symbol

Ex. 1. Menu 3: Algebra 1. Solve write equation enter

;

Ex. 2. Menu 3: Algebra 6. Numerical Solve write equation enter

Ex. 3. Use fraction icon

Solve a system of linear equationsMenu 3: Algebra 7. Solve system of equations 2. Solve System of Linear

Equations

Fill-in dialog box OK

write equations enter

2. Solve a system of non-linear equations

As above, except select: 2 Solve System of Equations …

Graphing

Turn “on” calculator click on Graph enter

Enter equation … enter

To enter another graph: menu 3 Graph Entry / Edit Function

Enter 2nd function to graph … enter

;

To change axles scale: Menu 4 Window / Zoom 1 Window Settings…

Fill-in dialog box … OK

Unit conversion

enter value to be converted

click on “catalog” icon “3 ºC \ ºF” Conversion Assistant

select appropriate unit category drop-down menu, then remaining units OK enter

Clear scratch pad content

doc B

Miscellaneous

1. Textbook; pp.221-222 -- elastic collision in 1 dimension

a. Solve / derive eqn 9-67 and 9-68: menu algebra solve system of equations

b. Derive eqn 9-70: menu calculus limit

oops; 2nd answer disagrees with textbook; note: there’s a difference between: “m2 >> m1” versus “m2 ∞”; i.e. don’t blindly depend on the calculator.

Caveats: have not extensively explored features, so unaware of limitations.