TI-83 CALCULATOR STUDENT REFERENCE GUIDE

2005-2006

BY BRANDON THORNTON PEER TUTOR DACC/HCC/ISU bldskillz@yahoo.com

The TI-83 calculator is a powerful tool for students to utilize in any class that uses mathematics and/or statistics. The purpose of this reference guide is to provide students with a simplified way to better understand some of the functions available on the TI-83. The best way of learning how to use your calculator is to read the TI-83 manual or view the CD-rom that comes with the calculator. You can also check out the TI-83 website at: www.education.ti.com. This reference guide will provide you with many functions that are used in mathematics and statistics classes. Classes such as Intermediate Algebra, College Algebra, Calculus I, and Introductory Statistics use the TI83 as an integral part of the class. This guide will cover a broad range topics; however, there are even more functions and tools the TI-83 can provide. Consult the manual if there is a specific topic not listed in this guide. Two notes regarding this guide: 1. Text that appears in [ ] is to be entered into the calculator. 2. Ex is short for example. Each function will have an example for you to try and see if your answers match up with the answers in the guide. Remember, practice makes perfect! Also, each example has an answer that should correspond with the calculator. (Ans is short for answer)

Table of Contents
BASIC CALCULATIONS and FUNCTIONS4
MODE MENU..4 MATH MENU..5 ADDITION...5 SUBTRACTION...5 MULTIPLICATION.....5 DIVISION. ...5 PARENTHESES.. 5 EXPONENTS.. 6 ORDER OF OPERATIONS 6 ABSOLUTE VALUES.6 SIN, COS, TAN... 6 x LOG,LN, e ..7 VARIABLE. 7 INTEGRATION...7 EXACT VALUE... ..8 DELETE.. 8 INSERT KEY...8

GRAPHING....9
Y-EDITOR...9 GRAPH SCREEN.... ...9 WINDOW SIZE .10 ZERO..11 MAX/MIN..12 INTERSECTION ...12 TABLE ...13 SPLIT SCREEN..14

PROBABILITIY.. 15
FACTORIAL ..15 COMBINATION.. ..16 PERMUATATION.16

STATISTICS17
NORMAL DISTRIBUTION ..17 NORMALCDF 17 INVNORMAL.. ..18 STAT MENU..19

Basic Calculations
This section will cover the basics of the calculator. Understanding the basic operations and functions will allow you to better understand the more complicated features of the calculator. Addition, Multiplication, Logs, and Math Menu are some of the topics covered in this section. Five notes regarding this section:
1. Most calculators have an equal key for completing calculations. The TI-83 does not have the standard equal key. Use the ENTER key in lieu of an equal key. ENTER is located on the bottom right hand corner of the calculator. 2. The subtraction, addition, multiplication, exponent and division keys are located on the far right column. 3. Make note of the yellow 2nd key which is located in the upper left corner of calculator. This key is used to reach different functions on the calculator. For example to get to a square root sign ( ), you must press the yellow 2nd, and then press the x
2

key.

4. The negative sign is located just to the left of the ENTER key. 5. Sometimes you might find yourself stuck on a screen. If this happens and you are not able to navigate out : 1. Press GRAPH key ( top row, far right ). 2. Press CLEAR key. This will clear the screen every time.

Mode Menu - - The MODE menu controls many important aspects of the calculator. The following list will highlight some of the important components of the MODE menu: - The Float option lets you choose how many decimal places your calculator shows. - Choose between degree or radian mode (very important in trigonometry and geometry).

- For regular Cartesian graphing (Rectangular Coordinates), make sure Graph is set to function. Math Menu - - The MATH menu contains many functions broken up into different mathematical categories. To locate the MATH menu: 1. Press MATH key ( located below green ALPHA key ). Take a look at what options are available in the MATH menu. Some of the functions in the MATH menu will be discussed later in the guide. Now lets take a look at some basic mathematic operations. Addition - Ex: 3 + 2 [ 3 + 2], press ENTER Ans: 5 Subtraction - Ex: 19 6 [19 6], press ENTER Multiplication - Ex: 5 * 6 [5 * 6], press ENTER Division - Ex: 75 / 15 [75 / 15], press ENTER Ans: 5 Parentheses - - The right and left parentheses are located above the 8 and 9 keys. Ex: 2 * (3+1) [ 2(3+1)], press ENTER Ans: 8 Ans: 30 Ans: 13

6 Note: There is implied multiplication if there is a number or variable in the front or back of the parentheses with no operation between them. Exponent - - The exponent key is the up arrow key ( ^ ) located on the far

right column. Ex: 3 2 [3^2], press ENTER Ans: 9

Note: Fractional and polynomial exponents require parentheses.
1 2

Ex: 2 [ 2^(-1\ 2) ], press ENTER Ans: .707. Order of operations - - - The TI-83 includes the orders of operations. Ex: 3 + 2 / 2 + 4 6 / 3 * 1 [ 3+2/2+4 6/3*1 ], press ENTER Ans: 6
Note: When in doubt, use parentheses to ensure that the orders of operations are followed, especially when using division.

Absolute Values - - abs( ) is the abbreviation for absolute value. Enter the value or expression into the parentheses of the absolute value. To locate abs( ): 1. Press MATH key. 2. Arrow over to NUM. 3. abs( ) is the first option. Ex: 52 [ abs(-52) ], press ENTER

Ans: 52

Sine, Cosine, Tangent - - These functions have their own keys and their inverses are located above them. To reach their inverses, press the yellow 2nd first, then select the one desired. Ex: sin(23) + cos(15)

[ sin(23) + cos(15) ], press ENTER Ans: 1.3566. LOG, LN, e x - - LOG and LN have their own keys located on the far left column near the bottom. To locate e x : 1. Press the yellow 2nd key. 2. Press LN key. 9 Ex: ln(12) + 3 [ ln(12) + (9/3) ] , press ENTER

Ans: 5.48489.

Variable - - The variable key ( the key has symbols x,t, ,n on it) is located just to the right of the green ALPHA key. Use this key when inputting variables in an equation. Integration - - Integrals with boundaries can also be calculated. The integration function is abbreviated to fnInt( ). To locate fnInt( ): 1. Press MATH key. 2. Under the MATH section in the MATH menu and choose option 9 ( fnInt( ) ). To use the integration function: fnInt( f(x) , x , a, b ) 1. Enter the function ( f(x) ). 2. Press the comma key ( , ). 3. Enter the variable used in the function ( x ) and press the comma key ( , ). 4. Enter the lower bound ( a ) and press the comma key ( , ). 5. Enter the upper bound ( b ) and end the parentheses.

f(x) dx

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7 2

Ex:

9x 2 5x dx

[ fnInt( 9x^2 5x, x, 2, 7 ) ], press ENTER Ans: 892.5 Exact Value - - The calculator automatically gives answers in decimal notation. To receive an exact or fractional answer, we must use the Fractional function (abbreviated to Frac ). To locate Frac: 1. Press MATH key. 2. Frac is the first option under the MATH section. Lets work through an example to see how to find an exact value using Frac. Ex: 1. Enter the following into your calculator and receive an answer. [ 17/102 ], press ENTER Ans: .166. 2. After getting the answer, press the MATH key and choose the Frac option by pressing ENTER. 3. Next, Frac should show on your screen. Press ENTER one more time and the answer 1/6 will appear on your screen. Delete - - The delete key deletes one item at a time as opposed to having to clear the entire screen. The delete key is abbreviated to DEL and is located next to the MODE key. Insert - - The insert option lets you insert one function or number into an expression. The insert key allows for quick editing when entering expressions into the calculator. Unlike the insert key on a computer, you must press the insert key each time you want insert a function or number. The insert key is abbreviated to INS. To locate the insert option: 1. Press yellow 2nd key. 2. Press the DEL key ( INS ).

To use the INS: 1. Arrow to the place in the expression where the editing is needed. 2. Navigate to and press the insert key. 3. Enter the number or function desired.

GRAPHING
The graphing capabilities of the TI-83 are probably the most attractive feature of the calculator. We will discuss the basics of graphing on the xy coordinate plane and other features such as Maximum, Intersections, and Split Screens.
Note: Be sure the Graph option is set to Func in the MODE menu.

Y-Editor - - The Y-editor is where the function that is to be graphed is entered. The Y-editor allows you to graph as many functions as desired. The Y-editor is abbreviated to Y = . The Y-editor key is located in the very top row and is the first key on the left. To enter a function into the Y-editor: y = f(x) 1. Enter the function ( f(x) ). 2. Press ENTER. The function you entered is saved and the cursor automatically moves down to the next line so another function can be entered. Graph Screen - - After entering the function into the Y-editor, view the graph by pressing the GRAPH key that is located in the top row on the far right. Ex: Enter y = x 2 into the Y-editor as indicated above then view the graph by going to the Graph screen. Ans: The graph should be a graph of the basic parabola.

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Window Size - - This feature allows the user to change size of the graph to enhance the viewing. The WINDOW screen is located in the top row second from the left. The main options to change the window size of the graph are xmin, xmax, ymin, and ymax. To change the values, scroll down and adjust as needed. Most times to get the perfect fit, changing the window size two or three times is normal. Proceed through an example to see how use the WINDOW feature. Ex: 1. Go to the WINDOW screen and make the following adjustments xmin= -10 xmax= 10 ymin= -10 ymax= 10 and leave the other options as is. 2. Go to the Y-editor and enter the functions y = x 2 and y = x into two different lines. 3. Then go to the GRAPH screen and view the graph. 4. Go back to the WINDOW screen and make these adjustments xmin= 0 xmax= 1 ymin= 0 ymax= 1 and leave the other options as is. 5. Now go to the GRAPH screen and view the graph. Do you see the difference? Does that even look like the same graph? Well, it is, just on a smaller scale. The beauty of the Window feature is that you can focus in on a particular region of a graph by narrowing your x and y coordinates or broadening your view by widening your x and y coordinates. So if you graph a function and you do not like the view, try adjusting the Window size to make a better fit.

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Graphing Calculations - - When viewing a graph in the GRAPH screen, functions are available to help you calculate the Zeros, Max and Min, and intersection of functions. All the functions are located in the CALC menu. To locate the CALC menu: 1. Press yellow 2nd. 2. Press the TRACE key (located in the top row second from the right).

Zero function - - This function finds the graphs x-intercept or when the
graph crosses the x-axis (very important in college algebra and calculus). Lets proceed through an example to see how to use this function. Ex: 1. Go to the Window screen and make these changes xmin= -10 xmax= 10 ymin= -10 ymax= 10 and leave the other options as is. 2. Go to the Y-editor enter and the function y = -x 2 + 2. 3. Go to the GRAPH screen and view the graph (a parabola concave down). Notice the graph crosses the x-axis in two places. 4. While viewing the graph, go to the CALC MENU. 5. Go down to option 2 ( Zero ) and press ENTER. 6. The prompt asks for lower bound where the graph crosses the x-axis on the far left. Move the cursor below that point using the left arrow key and press ENTER. 7. Now the prompt asks for upper bound using the same x-intercept on the far left. Use the right arrow key to move the cursor above that same point and press ENTER. The prompt now says guess. Simply press the ENTER key one more time to receive an answer.

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8. The answer is x-coordinate: -1.414. Now, the other x-intercept is positive 1.414. Its important that you follow the same steps to see if the answer is indeed correct. The only difference in finding the other x-intercept is that the lower bound is above the x-intercept and the upper bound is below the xintercept. The basic idea behind the lower bounds and upper bounds is that the lower bound is to the left of the point in consideration and upper bound is to the right of that point. Keep this in mind, and it will help you easily find the bounds when using the Zero function and other functions in this same menu. Max/Min - - The maximum and minimum functions find the max or min point of an equation. This feature allows us to find the vertex of parabolas. Here is an example of how to use this function. 1. Use the same Window size and graph, y = -x 2 + 2 as we did the previous exercise. Go to the GRAPH screen and view the graph. The graph should be a parabola concave down. We can visually see the vertex of the function. 2. While in the GRAPH screen, go to the CALC menu, choose option 4 (Maximum). 3. The prompt asks for the lower bound. Move the cursor to the left of where we can visually see the vertex and press ENTER. 4. Next, the prompt asks for the upper bound. Move the cursor to the right of the vertex and press ENTER. The prompt now says guess. Simply press the ENTER key one more time to receive an answer. 5. The answer is x-coordinate:- 2.4237 E -6 and y-coordinate: 2. So to approximate, the vertex is at the point (0,2).
Note: The x-coordinate answer may vary, however (0,2) is the correct answer.

Follow the same steps to get the Minimum of a function. Intersection - - Many times we are interested in where two functions intersect. The Intersection function can find the intersection point for us. Again, lets use an example.

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1. As in the previous examples, use the same window size and enter the function y = -x 2 + 2 into the Y-editor. Also, enter the function y = x into the Y-editor. Go to the GRAPH screen and view the graph. 2. Notice where the intersection point is between the two functions. Now, lets change window size to get a better look. Go to the WINDOW screen and make the following changes: xmin= 0 xmax= 5 ymin= 0 ymax= 5 and leave the other options as is. Next, go the GRAPH and view the graph. Now, with the enlargements we just made we can see the intersection better. 3. While in the GRAPH screen, go the CALC menu and choose option 5 (Intersection). 4. The first prompt asks you to choose the 1st curve. Usually we only graph two lines at a time, but there are times when we could have more than two lines. When that is the case, choose the two lines in which you are looking for the intersection. However, in our case, we only have two lines, so the cursor will go to those two lines automatically. Choose the first line by pressing ENTER. 5. The second prompt asks for the 2nd curve; press ENTER to choose the second line. The prompt now says guess. Simply press the ENTER key one more time to receive an answer. 6. The answer is the point (1,1). Intersections are used in Economics to find equilibrium points and in calculus to find the areas between curves. Table - - The TABLE feature generates the table of functions that are entered into the Y-editor. To locate TABLE: 1. Press yellow 2nd. 2. Press GRAPH key.

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TableSetup - - Through the Table Setup feature or TblSet (for short) we can format our table. The first option is tblStart. tblStart allows the table to be started from any x-coordinate. The second option, table change ( tbl ), controls how the table is incremented. The table can be incremented by 1, 2, .5, or 10. To locate TBLSET: 1. Press yellow 2nd. 2. Press WINDOW key. Lets explore the Table feature through an example. Ex: 1. As in previous examples, enter the function y = -x 2 + 2 into the Yeditor. 2. Navigate to the TABLE screen and view the table. 3. Go to TBLSET and make the following changes: tblStart = 10 tbl = .1 4. Now go back to the TABLE screen and view the changes in the table. The TABLE feature allows you to generate the table for all the functions entered into the Y-editor. So you can compare the tables of two functions or as many as desired. This capability comes in handy when verifying inverses of a function or testing the symmetry of a function. Split Screen - - The split screen option splits the screen into two parts. Some of the screens available for the split screen option are: HOME, Yeditor, WINDOW, GRAPH, and TABLE. The screen can be split into topbottom. The GRAPH and TABLE screens are available for left-right split screen. To locate the split screen option: 1. Press MODE key.

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2. Arrow all the way down to very bottom and choose either Horiz or G-T for the left-right split screen of GRAPH and TABLE. To choose which applications go into the Horizontal split screen: 1. Go to the GRAPH screen. The GRAPH screen should be in the upper part of the screen. 2. To choose the other application, simply navigate as normal to the desired screen. Try this example for a little practice. Ex: 1. Go the MODE menu and choose the Horiz option by pressing ENTER. 2. Next, press the GRAPH key. The graph should be in the upper part of screen. 3. Press the Y= for the Y-editor screen. The Y-editor should be in the bottom part of the screen. With this option, we can view our graph while we enter it into the Yeditor or change our window size while still viewing the graph. Use this feature to your advantage, especially when graphing.

PROBABILITY
Probability goes hand in hand with statistics. In this section, we will discuss Factorials, Combinations, and Permutations. Factorials - - To locate the factorial symbol ( ! ): 1. Press the MATH key. 2. Go over to the PRB menu. 3. ! is the fourth option.

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To use !: 1. Enter the number or expression. 2. Insert the factorial symbol ( ! ) at the end. Ex: 5! [ 5! ], press ENTER Ans: 120 Combinations - - Combinations are used in many Probability functions such as Binomial and Hypergeometric functions. To locate the Combination function ( nCr ): 1. Press the MATH key. 2. Go over to the PRB menu. 3. nCr is the third option. To use nCr:

(n r)

n nCr r 1. Enter the total number of objects ( n ). 2. Go into the MATH menu and choose nCr. 3. Enter the number of objects chosen at a time ( r ) and press ENTER. Ex: John has 10 good friends. John wins a trip to Hawaii, and he can only take 4 friends. How many different combinations of friends can John take? The answer is 10 choose 4. In other words, out of 10 friends, how many different combinations of 4 friends can be chosen. To enter this into the calculator: [ 10 nCr 4 ], press ENTER Ans: 210 combinations. There are 210 different combinations of friends that John can take. Permutations - - Permutations are done exactly the same as Combinations, so follow the same directions.

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To locate Permutations (nPr): 1. Press the MATH key. 2. Go over to the PRB menu. 3. nPr is the second option.

STATISTICS
Statistics is probably the most applicable subject of mathematics. From political and opinion polls to taste tests, statistics is a part of everyday life. The TI-83 has extensive statistics capabilities. In this section, we will only introduce some of the basic statistics functions. Normal Distribution - - The Normal distribution functions and others located in the Distribution (DISTR) menu. To locate the DISTR: 1. Press yellow 2nd. 2. Press VARS KEY. We will discuss the second option (normalcdf( ) ) and the third option ( invNorm( ) ). The other options in the DISTR menu are very useful statistic functions. Take note of them and consult the manual if you wish to use any of them. normalcdf - - This function calculates the cumulative probability or area under the Normal curve for a Normal distribution.
Note: Infinity and negative infinity are often needed when calculating these types of probabilities. To get an approximation for infinity, use 1E99 and 1E99 for negative infinity. To enter Infinity into your calculator: 1. Press 1 key. 2. Press yellow 2nd. 3. Press comma key (EE).

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4. Press 9 twice for 99. For negative infinity, simply enter the negative sign first.

To use normalcdf( ): normalcdf( lowerbound, upperbound, , ) 1. Enter the lowerbound and press the comma key. 2. Enter the upperbound and press the comma key. 3. Enter the mean and press the comma key. 4. Enter the standard deviation and end the parentheses. If no mean or standard deviation is entered, the calculator automatically defaults the mean and standard deviation to 0 and 1 respectively. By these defaults, if you standardize your Normal distribution, just enter the Z-scores into the appropriate lower and upper bound to receive your probability. Ex: What is the area to the left of the Z-score 1.4 ? [ normalcdf(-1E99, 1.4) ], press ENTER Ans: .9192 Ex: What is the area in between the Z-scores of -.59 and 1.6 ? [ normalcdf(-.59, 1.6) ], press ENTER Ans: .667 Ex: IQs are normally distributed with mean 100 and standard deviation of 15. What is the probability that a person selected at random will have an IQ greater than 120 ? [ normal cdf(120, 1E99, 100, 15 ) ], press ENTER Ans: .09, meaning that there is a nine percent chance that a person selected a random will an IQ of 120 or higher. invNorm - - This function computes the inverse of a cumulative Normal distribution. This function always computes the area to the left of whatever point you are looking for. Once again, if no mean or standard deviation is entered, the defaults are 0 and 1.

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To use the invNorm( ): invNorm( proability or area, , ) 1. Enter the probability or area and press the comma key. 2. Enter the mean and press the comma key. 3. Enter the standard deviation and end the parentheses Ex: What Z-score has an area of .70 to the left of it? [ invNorm(.7 ) ], press ENTER Ans: .52 Ex: Scores on the SAT verbal test in recent years follow a normal distribution with mean 505 and standard deviation 110. How high must a student score in order to place in the top 10% of students taking the SAT ? If the student is in the top 10%, then the area to the right is .10. To receive an answer from our calculator we need the area to the left. To get the area to the left, we need to subtract the area to the right from 1, 1 .1 = .9. Now we can input the data into our calculator. [ invNorm(.9, 505, 110) ], press ENTER Ans: 645, meaning the student must have a score 645 or higher to place in the top ten percent. Stat Menu - - The STAT menu contains most of the statistical functions and has a LIST option for entering data. The STAT key is located just below the DEL key. Below we highlight some of the options in the STAT menu. LIST This option allows you to enter data into different Lists. Up to six different Lists can be entered. Lists can be graphed using the STATPLOT option. Most of the statistical functions can use the data from Lists to provide statistical information. To enter data into a List: 1. Press the STAT key. 2. Choose the first option Edit. Edit is where the Lists are located. To enter data into the different lists, arrow over to the desired list, start entering the data and after each entry,

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press enter to input. If you need to clear a List, go to the top of List where it shows L1, L2, and so on. Go to the desired List, press CLEAR and then press ENTER. CALC- In the STAT menu, the CALC section has several useful options. 1Var and 2-Var Stats evaluate Lists entered and outputs important statistical information such as mean, standard deviation, and five number summary. On page 12-29 of the TI-83 calculator manual, definitions of all the abbreviations for 1-Var and 2-Var Stats are listed. Linear, Quadratic, and other types of Regression can be calculated. The functions for the Regression analysis are in the CALC section. Once again, the analysis is done by using information taken from a List. TESTS- 16 different statistical tests are located in this menu. One and two sample Z-test, one and two sample T-test, and Chi squared analysis are just a few of the tests available. This menu also holds the function for computing Z-Confidence Intervals. These functions have great prompts for inputting data. Data entered in a List can also be tested in most of these functions. If you have any questions regarding the TI-83 calculator, any comments regarding this guide, or even just a general math question, feel free to contact me. My contact information: Brandon Thornton bldskillz @yahoo.com