I was at a math workshop today, and from a participant I learned a great calculator skill that left me saying, "where have you been all my TI-83/4/silver edition/titanium life?".
Suppose you're graphing, and suppose you simultaneously want to see the graph and the table screens. Well: mode > G-T, and poof, when you hit graph, voila, split screen. Then you can toggle between the 2 parts by hitting the "table" or "graph" button, and then you can do whatever you want on that part of the screen.
Also, you can split the screen horizontally (mode > horiz ...) and then you can show the graph and either the main window or the lists or a table, etc.
Ooh, aah.
I never knew this either! And I've been using a graphing calculator since 8th grade!
ReplyDeleteThanks...now I've learned something for the day!
-MathTeacher44
Pulled out my calculator to try it. Oooh, ahhh. And why didn't we know this before?
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
I concur -- oooooh ahhhh! I can't believe that I never knew that. I'm almost inspired to pull out the TI83 manual and see what other gems are there.
ReplyDeleteI know that on my TI-85 I had a lot of functionality that I have no idea how to do on the 83... Like modular arithmetic, using the solver capability, and a polynomial solver (e.g. enter the coefficients of a 6th degree polynomial, and it will solve it for you).
Okay, I'm officially inspired! GEE WIZ!
Whew! I'm not the only one that was left out of the loop. Oh well, I guess when we're "ready" for the learning, it will come ... or something like that.
ReplyDeleteMs. Cookie
The casio classpad is the algebraic calculator with graphical capabilities that I use - it works well in a similar mode (equation / graph splitscreen). You can even link one to the other, so any changes you make to one effect both. How good are the T-I machines?
ReplyDeleteThe TI calculators are great, but I guess it's what you're used to. Every school I've taught in, uses TI, so that's what I'm familiar with.
ReplyDeleteMs. Cookie
Guess so. I'm getting a lot out of reading your blog, despite being a reasonably experienced teacher. Thanks! I'm from New Zealand, by the way.
ReplyDeleteSuper Cool. Are y'all on break right now in NZ.... no, I guess you'd be in the middle of your school year.
ReplyDeleteMs. Cookie
NZ nearing the end of school, Ms Cookie. Oldest students have six weeks - two this term, four next - of school left, then exams. Younger ones have five more after that.
ReplyDeleteBut I make time to read your blog whether I'm working or not!
Wow! TRACE in this mode is way cool, too. The table moves along with the point on the graph!
ReplyDelete