Understanding the TI-Nspire™ Tools

This section provides an overview of the tools used when working with TI-Nspire™ documents on a handheld, including variables, catalog, symbols, and math templates.

Creating TI-Nspire™ Variables

Variables can be any portion or attribute of an object or function created within an application. Examples of attributes that can become variables are the area of a rectangle, the radius of a circle, the value contained in a spreadsheet cell or the contents of a column, or a function expression. When you create a variable, it is stored in memory within the problem. You will find more information about variables in the chapter titled Using Variables.

Using the Catalog

Use the catalog to access a list of TI-Nspire™ commands and functions, units, symbols and expression templates. Commands and functions are listed alphabetically. Commands or functions not beginning with a letter are found at the end of the list (&, /, +, -, and so on). To open the catalog:

1. From an open document, press k to open the catalog.

2. Press the number key corresponding to the appropriate tab.

For example, press 2 to show a list of math functions.

3. Press 6 until the item you want to insert is highlighted.

A syntax example for the selected item is displayed at the bottom of the screen.

Note: To see additional syntax examples of the selected item, press e, and then press · to maximize or minimize the Help. To move back to the selected item, press g e.

4. Press · to insert the item.

About the Catalog Window

The catalog window uses these tabs to categorize commands, special characters, and templates in documents:

Contains all commands and functions, in alphabetical order

Contains all math functions

Provides the values for standard measurement units

Provides a symbol palette for adding special characters

Contains math templates for creating two dimensional objects, including product, sum, square root, and integral

Shows public library (LibPub) objects.

Using Wizards

Some catalog functions have a wizard to help you enter function arguments. To use a wizard, press e until the Wizards On box is highlighted. Press x or · to select the check box.

Entering Special Characters

The symbol palette contains a subset of the objects found in the catalog. To open the symbol palette:

1. In an open document, press / k.

2. Press ¡, ¢, £, or ¤ to select a symbol.
3. Press · to insert the symbol.

Entering Math Expressions

Use math expression templates to create two-dimensional objects such as summation, integral, derivative, and square root. To open the math expressions palette:

1. In an open document, press t.

2. Press ¡, ¢, £, or ¤ to select an expression.
3. Press x or · to insert the expression.

Entering International Language Characters

Use the ; key to enter specially accented or punctuated characters in applications such as Notes that allow text input.

1. Open an application such as Notes that allows text input.
2. Type the desired text.
3. Position the cursor after the letter that you want to accent. For example, “e” while in the French locale.
4. Press ; on the keypad. Notice that the “e" changes to “é.“ Keep pressing ; until you find the accented version of e that you want. Press _ or the next letter of your text to accept the character and continue typing.