Texas Instruments TI-85 Getting Started
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Texas Instruments TI-85 and TI-86 calculators
Overview: Your graphing calculator or computer is a powerful and flexible tool, which you would
probably be able to use fairly well without reading any instructions. It is important, however, to learn
how to take advantage of some of its not-so-obvious features and how to avoid making errors using it.
Study these instructions and be sure you can work the tune-up exercises at the end.
Topics:
• Basic operations
• Priority of operations in calculations
• The dangers of using improper parentheses
• Exact and approximate decimal values of functions
Basic operations
Press the
ON
key to start the calculator. Press
2nd
followed by the up cursor key
▲
to increase
display contrast and by ▼ to decrease it. Change the four AAA batteries as soon as the screen dims
when graphs are generated. Press
2nd
MODE
. The screen should show
Normal
Sci
Eng
Func Pol Param DifEq
Float 012345678901
Dec
Bin Oct Hex
Radian Degree
RectV
CylV
SphereV
RectC PolarC
dxDer1 dxNDer
The words printed in bold type here should be highlighted on the screen. If another item is highlighted or
you want to change a selection, use the cursor keys to move the flashing box to the correct item and press
ENTER . denotes normal notation for decimals; is for scientific notation; and
for engineering notation. With selected decimals are printed with twelve digits. Choosing an
integer instead of causes that many digits be shown after decimal points. (Use the second 0
for ten digits and the second 1 for eleven digits.) is for radians and for degrees.
is selected to generate graphs y = f(x) of functions. is for polar coordinates, is
used with parametric equations, and is for differential equations. The other selections will be
explained as needed.
Press
EXIT or
2nd
QUIT to return to the home screen and then
GRAPH for the first row of the
graph menu. Press
MORE to see the second row of the menu and then press
F3 for . The
screen should read
RectGC PolarGC
GridOff GridOn
CoordOn CoordOff
AxesOn AxesOff
DrawLine DrawDot
LabelOff LabelOn
SeqG SimulG
with the words in bold highlighted. With and selected, rectangular coordinates
are used and the coordinates of the cursor are displayed with graphs. Points on graphs are connected
if
is chosen and not with
. Use
(sequential graphs) to have two
or more graphs drawn one after the other, and (simultaneous graphs) to have them drawn
at the same time. If were selected, dots would be placed on the screen at the points whose
coordinates correspond to the tickmarks on the axes. The axes would not be shown with
and labels would be displayed with .
The key
2nd activates the yellow commands above the keys.
EXIT is used to return to a previous
screen and to remove menus.
2nd
QUIT returns you to the home screen where calculations are made.
CLEAR with the cursor on a blank line of the home screen clears the screen. In other cases it clears the
line with the cursor or removes a menu.
The key
ALPHA
puts the calculator in upper-case alpha mode, activating the blue letters and
1
TI-85/86 calculators, 2
other symbols above the keys. Pressing
ALPHA
ALPHA locks the calculator in upper-case alpha mode
and then pressing
ALPHA
or
ENTER takes it out of upper-case alpha-lock mode.
2nd
ALPHA
puts
it in lower-case alpha mode. Entering a number followed by
STO▶ , one or more letters, and
ENTER
assigns that number to the letter or letters. The number can then be recalled by entering the letter or
letters. The calculator is locked in alpha mode after
STO▶ is pressed.
If you make an error in a command or calculation, the type of error is given and a menu appears.
Select to go to the error to correct it or to cancel the incorrect command.
In the home screen,
2nd
ENTRY recalls the last expression that was evaluated so it can be edited,
if necessary, and used again. The
ON key stops the generation of graphs, the running of programs, and
other operations. The
ENTER key can be used to interrupt and resume the generation of graphs.
Refer to the owner’s manual for further information.
Priority of operations
The meaning of a formula involving functions, powers, sums, differences, products, and quotients depends
on how the formula is interpreted to determine the order in which the operations are performed. Texas
Instruments TI-86 calculators in most instances interpret formulas with the following rules, which are
those generally used in manual calculations.
Rule 1
Operations are performed from left to right, except as described in Rules 2 through 5 below.
Rule 2
Expressions inside parentheses are evaluated as soon as they are reached.
Rule 3
Addition and subtraction have the lowest priority. If an addition or subtraction is followed by
multiplication, division, a power, or a function, the addition or subtraction is postponed until another
addition or subtraction or the end of the expression is reached.
Rule 4
Multiplication and division have medium priority. If a multiplication or division is followed by
a power or a function, the multiplication or division is postponed until the power or function has been
evaluated.
Rule 5
The taking of powers and evaluation of functions have the highest priority and are performed
as soon as they are reached.
Example 1
(a) Calculating 5 + 2
√
9 involves addition, multiplication, and the taking of a square
root. In what order are these operations perfomed? (b) Find the value of 5+2
√
9 with
your calculator.
Solution
(a) By Rule 5 above, finding the square root has the highest priority and is performed
first, yielding 5 + 2
√
9 = 5 + 2(3). Multiplication has the next priority, by Rule 4, and
gives 5 + 2(3) = 5 + 6. The remaining addition gives 5 + 6 = 11.
(b) Press
5
+
2
2nd
√
9 so the screen reads 5 + 2
√
9. Then press
ENTER
for the answer 11. □
Example 2
(a) What steps would you use to evaluate 3(4)
√
36
−
10
8 − 3? (b) Find the value of
3(4)
√
36
−
10
8 − 3 on your calculator.
Solution
(a) Working from left to right, you would first multiply the 3 and 4 to have
12
√
36
−
10
8 − 3. Then you would evaluate the square root, yielding 12
6 −
10
8 − 3. Dividing 12 by
6 would give 2 −
10
8 − 3. Next, you would perform the subtraction in the remaining
denominator to have 2 − 10
5 . Finally, you would divide 5 into 10 to obtain 2 − 2 and
subtract for the answer 0.
TI-85/86 calculators, 3
(b) Press
3
(
4
)
÷
2nd
√
(
3
6
)
−
1
0
÷
(
8
−
3
) so
the screen reads 3(4)/
√
(36) − 10/(8 − 3). Then press
ENTER for the value 0. □
The next example shows how using the negation symbol – for subtraction can lead to an error
message or give an incorrect result because a product is calculated instead of a difference.
Example 3
Evaluate the expressions 2π − π, 2π – π, 8 − 5, and 8 – 5, where − is the subtraction
symbol and
–
is the negation symbol. Explain the results.
Solution
The calculator gives 3.14159265359 .= π for 2π − π, which it obtains by subtracting
π from 2π. It gives −19.7392088022 .= −2π2 for 2π – π, which it interprets as 2π
multiplied by −π. The expression 8 − 5 equals 3, and you get −40 with 8 – 5, which the
calculator either interprets as the product of 8 and −5.
The need to use ∗
Because TI-85 and TI-86 calculators allow words to be used for variables, multiplication signs (∗) must
be used between letters that represent numbers to be multiplied.
Example 4
Evaluate AB with A = 5 and B = 2 by first storing the values of A and B.
Solution
Enter
5
STO▶
A
ENTER
2
STO▶
B
ENTER to store the values. Then enter
ALPHA
A
∗
ALPHA
B
ENTER for the answer A × B = 10. (Notice that using
ALPHA
A
ALPHA
B to write AB and then
ENTER yields an error message since
the variable AB has not been defined.) □
The dangers of using improper parentheses
TI-85 and TI-86 calculators interpret certain expressions in unexpected ways because they use the
following modification of Rules 3 through 5.
Rule 6
The taking of powers has priority over the evaluation of functions that appear before their
variables, such as the trigonometric functions, logarithms, ex,
√
, and negation. Also, the parentheses in
expressions such as sin(2) and e ∧ (2) are ignored.
Example 5
Evaluate sin3(2) = (sin(2))3.
Solution
The seemingly logical expression sin(2)∧3 will not work. By Rule 6, the parentheses are
ignored, leaving sin 2 ∧ 3. Then the taking of the cube has priority over the evaluation
of the sine function, and the calculator gives 0.989358246623 .= sin(23) = sin(8).†
For the correct answer, use an extra pair of parentheses by entering (sin(2)) ∧ 3.
This gives the correct value 0.751826944669. □
The TI-85 also uses the following two additional modifications of Rules 1 through 5
Rule 7
Multiplication by juxtaposition has priority over division and multiplication represented by ∗.
Example 6
Attempt to evaluate 1
5(10) = 2 by entering 1/5(10).
Solution
The TI-85 evaluates 1/5(10) as 1/(50) = 0.02 because it uses Rule 7 and multiplies the
10 and the 5 before performing the division. Enter 1/5 ∗ 10 or (1/5)(10) instead.
The TI-86 gives 1
5(10) = 2, as expected, because it does not use Rule 7. □
Rule 8
Multiplication represented by juxtaposition, where the second term is a number or a variable,
has priority over the evaluation of functions that appear before their arguments.
†If you obtained 0.13917310096 here, then your calculator is using degrees instead of radians. Press 2nd
MODE , put the
cursor on and press ENTER to select radian mode. Press 2nd
QUIT
2nd
ENTRY to return to the home screen
and recall the last typed line, and then ENTER for the correct answer.
TI-85/86 calculators, 4
Example 7
Attempt to evaluate
√
4π by entering
√
4π
Solution
The TI-85 calculator reads
√
4π as
�
(4 ∗ π) .= 3.54490770181 because it uses Rule 8
and multiplies the 4 and the π before taking the square root. Enter (
√
4)π or
√
4 ∗ π
instead to obtain the correct value 6.28318530718.
The TI-86 yields (
√
4)π = 2π .= 6.28318530718, as expected, because it does not use
Rule 8. □
Example 8
Atempt to evaluate sin(5)(10) by entering this expression in the calculator.
Solution
The TI-85 gives the wrong value sin(50) .= −0.262374853704 because it uses Rule 8
and does the multiplication before evaluating the sine. Use sin 5 ∗ (10) or (sin 5)(10)
instead.
The TI-86 yields the correct answer 10 sin(5) .= −9.58924274663 because it does not
use Rule 8. □
Exact and approximate decimal values of functions
Since some but not all numbers can be represented exactly as finite decimals, it is important to distinguish
exact expressions, such as 1
3 and π, from decimal approximations, such as 0.33333 and 3.14159. You also
need to recognize when coordinates obtained from graphs generated by calculators and computers are
approximations.
Example 4
Use your calculator to complete the table below of ten-digit values of 5x1/3 =
5 3√x at x = −27, −30, 4, 6, 8, and 10. The value 5(−27)1/3 = 5(−3) = −15 is
exact, but −15.53616253 is only a decimal approximation of 5(−30)1/3, which cannot
be represented by a finite decimal. Its value to 20 decimal places, for example, is
−15.53616252976929433439. Which y-values in the completed table in addition to −15
do you recognize as exact?
x
y = 5x1/3 .=
x
y = 5x1/3 .=
−27
−15
−30
−15.5361625298
4
10
6
8
Solution
You can do these calculations more efficiently by storing the formula for the function.
Press
GRAPH
F1
to access the y(x) = menu and
CLEAR
to erase any previous
formula for y1. Press
5
x−V AR
∧
(
1
÷
3
) to have y1 = 5x ∧ (1/3).
To find the value of the function at x = −27, press
2nd
QUIT
to return to
the home screen and press
(–)
2
7
STO▶
x−V AR
2nd
:
2nd
ALPHA
Y
ALPHA
ALPHA
1
so the screen reads −27 → x: y1. The colon (above the period
key) separates the two commands on the one line. Then press
ENTER for the value
−15 of y1 at x = −27.
Press
2nd
ENTRY to display the last line again, use ◀ to move the cursor to
the 2 and press
3
0 to have −30 → x: y1. Press
ENTER for the approximate decimal
value −15.5361625298 of y1 at x = −30.
Press
2nd
ENTRY
to display the last line again, use ◀
to move the cursor
to the minus sign and press
4
DEL
DEL to have 4 → x: y1. Press
ENTER for the
approximate decimal value 7.93700525984 of y1 at x = 4.
Press
2nd
ENTRY to display the last line again, use ◀ to move the cursor to
the 4 and press
1
2nd
INS
0 to have 10 → x: y1. Press
ENTER for the approximate
decimal value 10.7721734502 of y1 atx = 10.
TI-85/86 calculators, 5
Repeat this process for the other two values in the table below. Only the values
at −27 and x = 8 are exact because only −27 and 8 of the
x-values are perfect cubes.
x
y = 5x1/3 .=
x
y = 5x1/3 .=
−27
−15
−30
−15.5361625298
4
7.93700525984
10
10.7721734502
6
9.08560296416
8
10
Exercises
Use your calculator or computer to find the approximate decimal values of the expressions in Exercises T1
through T8. Do not simplify the expressions before entering them and be sure your machine is in radian
mode for the trigonometric function in Exercise T1. In some cases extra parentheses are needed to express
numerators, denominators, and exponents.
1.O
(a)
√
6 cos(9/7) (b) 6 cos(π/73) (Edit the expression from part (a).)
2.O
(−5 − 1.63 × 10−2)−1
3.O
2 + 8
4 − 6 − 35−1
4.O
A + BCD with A = 7, B = 6, C = 5, and D = 4 (Store the values first.)
5.O
1
2 log10(7)
6.O
1.34 × 106 − 4 × 105
7.12 × 10−8
7.O
√
4 + 78−10
8.O
(−32)4/5
Outlines of solutions
1a.
0.688885143177 • (If your result is 2.44887304686, your calculator is not in radian mode.) •
Press
2nd
√
6
cos
(
9
÷
7
)
to have the screen read
√
6 cos (9/7). Then press
ENTER for the answer.
1b.
5.999748331 • If your last operation was the calculation of
√
6 cos (9/7), press
2nd
ENTRY
to put it back on the screen. If you performed other calculations, type
√
6 cos (9/7) again. Press
◀ until the cursor is over the square root sign and press
DEL to delete it. Move the cursor
to the 9 and press
2nd
π to replace the 9 with π. Put the cursor on the close parenthesis and
press
2nd
INS . Press
∧
3
to insert ∧ 3 before the close parenthesis, so the screen reads
6 cos(π/7 ∧ 3), and press
ENTER for the answer.
2.
−0.199350118613 • Press
(
(−)
5
−
1
.
6
3
EE
(−)
2
)
2nd
x−1
to display
(–5 − 1.63e–2)−1. (A e n stands for A × 10n.) Press
ENTER for the answer. Notice that
(−) is
for negation,
− is for subtraction, and
x−1 is for taking reciprocals.
3.
−86 • Use
(
2
+
8
)
÷
(
4
−
6
)
−
3
∧
(
5
−
1
)
to display
(2 + 8)/(4 − 6) − 3 ∧ (5 − 1). Press
ENTER for the answer.
TI-85/86 calculators, 6
4
3757
•
To put the commands on one line for possible later editing, press
7
STO▶
A
ALPHA
2nd
:
6
STO▶
B
ALPHA
2nd
:
5
STO▶
C
ALPHA
2nd
:
4
STO▶
D
ALPHA
2nd
:
ALPHA
A
+
ALPHA
B
×
ALPHA
C
∧
ALPHA
D so the screen
reads 7 → A : 6 → B : 5 → C : 4 → D : A+B∗C∧D. Press
ENTER to store the values of A, B, C
and D and calculate the answer. The colon (above the period key) separates two commands on
one line. The
ALPHA keys are needed because
STO▶ locks the calculator in upper-case alpha
mode.
5.
0.422549020007 • Use
(
1
÷
2
)
LOG
(
7
)
ENTER .
6.
1.3202247191 × 1013 • Use
(
1
.
3
4
EE
6
−
4
EE
5
)
÷
(
7
.
1
2
EE
(–)
8
)
ENTER .
7.
2.00509554966 • Use
2nd
√
(
4
+
7
∧
(
8
−
1
0
)
)
ENTER .
8.
16 • TI-85 and TI-86 calculators evaluate x1/n for negative x and odd integers n, but do
not always give the correct, real value of xm/n with negative x, odd n, and m an integer
> 1. It is generally best to write xm/n as (xm)1/n for odd n. The keys
(-)
3
2
∧
(
4
÷
5
)
ENTER
give the wrong result(−16) since the negation is perfomed after the
power. The symbols
(
(-)
3
2
)
∧
(
4
÷
5
)
ENTER
probably yield, on a TI-
85, (−12.94427191, 9.40456403668) representing −12.94427191 + 9.40456403668 i, which is the
approximate decimal value of one of the complex four-fifth roots of −32, rather than the real
four-fifth root 16. These symbols, however, give the correct result on a TI-86. The expressions
(
(-)
3
2
)
∧
4
∧
(
1
÷
5
)
ENTER and
(
(-)
3
2
)
∧
(
1
÷
5
)
∧
4
ENTER give the correct result, since for any positive odd integer n and negative x, the
calculator interprets x ∧ (1/n) as the negative nth root of x.