Using the TI-83/84: 1 - Introduction

If you want to get straight into it, you can skip this video and go straight to the second video:

2 - Key Layout and Basic Arithmetic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POnWDyNHbb0

3 - Order of Operations
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyQXeTNd6yo

4 - Menus and Functions
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2QObVJGUwI

5 - Complex Arithmetic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euE1_g2bw-M

6 - Storing Values as Letters
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dqhrysggwM

6.1 - Basic Programming with Change of Base Formula
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLjLzEneMsI

7 - Basic Graphing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYZI_NoA2sw

7.1 - Graphing Tools: More Zooming, Finding Extrema, Solving for Zeros, Solving for Intersections (Advanced, Optional)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LW623Sf3crE

7.2 - Equation Solver (Advanced, Optional)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZS8F6o1e38

8 - Matrices
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7txwObfzGyE

9 - Linear Regression, Quadratic Regression, etc. (Advanced)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49W01QLhKw4


This particular series is going to focus on the TI-83/84 series. I will be using an 83+ in my examples merely because that happens to be the device that I own, but these instructions *should* apply to the 83+, 83 standard, 83+ silver edition, 84+, or 84+ silver edition. They may also partially apply to TI-80, 81, 82, 85, and possibly 86, because the operating systems are very similar, but there are some notable differences.

This series may very soon be largely obsolete because TI is pushing their new fantastic calculator series called the TI-NSpire, but I'm still seeing very few people using these, and I have yet to need one for myself, so I think it is more prudent to focus on the 83/84 series in these videos.

Here is the scientific calculator that I recommend in the video in case you cannot use a grapher: http://www.amazon.com/Texas-Instruments-TI-30X-Scientific-Calculator/dp/B0000...

The TI-30X IIS's basic operation is actually not very dissimilar from the 83/84 series except for the obvious differences for anything involving graphing or programming. The 30X IIS has a list price of about $20, and as I write this, it is listed as $15 on Amazon, and there is a good chance that you'll find it at your local Walmart, Target, Staples, or Office Depot. If you're on a tight budget, and especially if you're only going to have one math class in college, you might consider using this calculator even if you are allowed to use a grapher. There will be a few times that you'll struggle without the graphing capabilities, but it's up to you if it's worth the $100 difference.

There are other calculators that Texas Instruments make that look very similar at first glance but are actually very different. The TI-30Xa, for example, will definitely get you through college algebra, but it doesn't have the same display, and I personally don't care much for it. Don't curse it if you already have it, but try to avoid it if possible.

Also, don't think that just because a calculator is more expensive then it's better. Calculators like the BA II Plus Financial calculator and especially the BA II Plus *Professional* Financial Calculator, both of which say "Business Analyst" somewhere on them, are more expensive because they have specialized functions that you will never need in a college algebra class, and they can be very confusing to use. Only get something like that if you plan on going into finance. If you already have the BA II Plus *Professional* Financial Calculator and you're only planning on going through college algebra, I would strongly suggest that you replace it with the 30X IIS. The regular BA II Plus Financial calculator isn't as hard to use, but it might be difficult at times.

I hate to be mean about this, but if you leave a comment, I might not be able to respond or even read it. I'm leaving comments open in case commenters want to discuss and help each other out, but this series is a summer project of mine, and I won't be able to answer many questions after the semester starts.

Finally, there are some good free calculator programs out there for smartphones, but not the pre-installed ones. The pre-installed ones are terrible. On Android, for simple calculations I prefer CalcBuddy and MathDroid. HandyCalc is a pretty popular one that can do some more advanced calculations (including graphing), but I personally don't like the user interface. For more advanced users, a great one is Addi, and if you have an internet connection you can use Wolfram Alpha. An interesting but fairly complicated new one is MathScript Calculator. And this just scratches the surface. These are programs that are good for homework, but you will not be allowed to use your phones on a test.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• TI
• Texas Instruments
• 83
• 83+
• 84
• 84+
• calculator

[s2pidmonkey]

you are awesome, thank you