HELPS ON USING THE TI-NSPIRE CALCULATORS
Prepared by the Chemistry Department, USNA
29 August 2014
Press-to-Test (PTT) Mode for TI-nspire Calculators
In PTT mode, any saved documents, programs, or scratchpad (calculations) work will not be visible and
certain functions can be disabled (i.e., trig functions, solve function, some graphing capabilities, etc).
Anything done while in PTT will be erased upon exiting PTT. PTT mode is generally used for tests and
quizzes at your instructor’s discretion.
SUMMARY: To get IN "Press-to-Test" mode, the student has to hold the ESC and the ON keys
simultaneously when starting the calculator. The default mode does not allow the ‘solve’ function to be
used. To include the ‘solve’ function, you have to enable the last selection (titled "disable polynomial root
finder and simultaneous equation solver) before entering "Press-to-Test". When it restarts, hit OK.
One way to get OUT of the “Press-to-Test” mode is to connect the PTT calculator (via the mini USB
cable provided with the calculator issue) to a non-PTT mode calculator. Open the Home screen on the
PTT calculator, select “2”, then press the "doc" key, hit item “9” then item “1”.
When in PTT mode: If the LED indicator flashes yellow-yellow, one or more restrictions have been
deselected (‘solve’ function or other functions are enabled). If the LED indicator flashes green-green, all
restrictions are selected (no ‘solve’ function). If the battery is really low, there is an added "red" flash
before the other colors. When out of PTT mode, no colors should be flashing and all previous capabilities
should be restored.
ABBREVIATED INSTRUCTIONS:
To get IN “Press-to-Test” Mode
(with ‘solve’ function available)
To get OUT of “Press-to-Test” mode
(using the cable)
1. With the calculator off, press the ESC and ON
keys simultaneously.
2. Using the touch pad, scroll down to “Disable
Polynomial Root Finder and Simultaneous
Equation Solver” (last line) and Uncheck that
box by pressing the middle of the touch pad.
Leave the other boxes checked.
3. Select “Enter Press-to-Test”.
4. The calculator will reload. When it restarts, hit
OK.
5. A yellow light should be blinking. (An
additional red light may indicate a low battery.)
1. Connect 2 calculators with the cable (one
calculator must not be in PTT). Turn both on.
2. On the PTT calculator, on the Home screen,
press 2 (My Documents).
3. Press the “doc” key.
4. Press “9” – Press-to-Test.
5. Press “1” – Exit Press-to-Test.
6. Once it starts reloading, you may disconnect
the calculators.
7. You should now be out of PTT mode.
There is a way to get out of PTT mode using a
connection to your computer but the TI-nspire
Computer Link software must be downloaded and
setup on your computer:
http://education.ti.com/en-GB/uk/products/ti-nspire/tinspire-cx-handheld/exam-acceptance/press-to-test
Full instructions on PTT: http://education.ti.com/sites/US/downloads/pdf/webinar/Press-toTest_Guidebook.pdf
Calculator Check for Displaying Numbers
Perform these calculations on your TI-nspire CX CAS calculator:
1.
6 x 10-7 + 6 x 10-7 =
For the number 6 x 10-7,
type into your calculator:
6
EE
(-)
7
which should display
What is your answer?
(to do calculations, select Calculate from
home page)
If your answer was 3/2500000, your calculator is displaying
an exact value (a quotient). To fix this:
Press “esc” or Home/on key, to get to home page.
Select “Settings” under Documents.
Under “2: Settings”, select “1: General”, then “Enter”.
Set ‘Calculation Mode’ to “Approximate”. This will
output a numerical value which may be rounded.
Save as “Make Default”.
6E −7
on your calculator
screen.
The EE (exponential)
If your answer was 0.000001, your calculator is not
showing all of the valid digits. Your calculator is most likely
set to ‘Float 6’ which only shows 6 digits, in this case
truncating useful numerical information. To fix this:
Press “esc” or Home/on key, to get to home page.
Select “Settings” under Documents.
Under “2: Settings”, select “1: General”, then “Enter”.
Set ‘Display Digits’ to “Float”. This will set the # of
digits shown to the maximum value.
Save as “Make Default”.
If your answer was 1.2E-6, your calculator should be
configured properly.
These settings will be preserved until you change them.
2.
5.2e5 ÷ (57 x 105) x 10^2 =
5.2E5
57E5
What is your answer?
1E2 (NOT 10E2)
For E, use the EE button.
zEy = z x 10y 5E6 = 5 x 106
If your answer was 9.1228…, you are correct.
10^2 = 10 x 10 = 102 = 1 x 102 = 1E2 = 100
10^3 = 10 x 10 x 10 = 103 = 1 x 103 = 1E3 = 10E2 = 1000