USING THE TI - INSPIRE CAS CX - QUADRATIC ALGEBRA

THE FOLLOWING PROCESSES ARE ACCESSED WHEN THE CALCULATOR IS IN

CALCULATOR MODE.

GOTO THE HOME SCREEN

SELECT CALCULATE

PURPOSE
DEFINE
Used to store a
function in the
memory that can
be recalled and
worked with. It
avoids entering the
same function lots
of times.

THE MENU BUTTON

IS USED A LOT

BUTTON SEQUENCE

EXAMPLE

menu - 1: Actions - 1: Define

Define

Type in the function using the keyboard

3 x 2 6 ctrl - sto y
To find the answer type in y | x 4
Type:

The ctrl = buttons gives the command |

Clear a - z
Used to clear any
stored functions
which can be a
nuisance in later
calculations.

h( x ) 3 x 2 6
Typing in h(4) gives an answer of 42 as
h(4) 3(4) 2 6 48 6 42

Find the value of y for y 3x 2 6

where x 4

Answer: 42

menu - 1: Actions - 4: Clear a - z

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Clear History
This clears all
previous sections
of the screen wipes the whole lot
clean.

Solve
Used to solve
equations in exact
or approximate
form.

menu - 1: Actions - 5: Clear History

menu - 3: Algebra - 1:Solve

Type in the equation then comma then
the variable, in this case x ... the CAS
needs to be told what variable to solve
for !!!
Use ctrl - enter to express as
approximate decimal answer.

Factor
Used to express
polynomials in
factorised form.
Expand
Used to expand
brackets or
multiply brackets
out.
x-intercepts
Used to find the xintercepts of any
function

menu - 3:Algebra - 2:Factor

Solve

3 x 2 6 0 giving exact solutions.

Solve 3 x 2 6 0 giving approximate

(decimal) solutions.

Factorise

3x 2 6 x

Type in the function using the keyboard

menu - 3:Algebra - 3:Expand

menu - 3:Algebra - 4:Zeros

Expand

( x 3)(2 x 5)

Find the x-intercepts of the function

f ( x ) 3x 2 12

Type in the function then comma then the

variable, in this case x ... the CAS needs
to be told what function to find the zeros
for !!!

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QUADRATIC ALGEBRA AND GRAPHING JP/IB

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Complete the
Square
Used to express
quadratics in
TURNING POINT
FORM
to find the turning
point of a
quadratic.

Simultaneous
Equations
Used to find the
point or points
where curves
cross.

menu - 3:Algebra - 5: Complete the

Square

Find the turning point of the quadratic

x 2 2 x 11 by completing the square.

The coordinates are (1, -12)

menu - 3:Algebra - 7: Solve Systems of

Equations - 1:Solve System of Equations

Solve the equations:

y x 2 4 and y 2 x

simultaneously.

Follow the prompts to give the number of

equations - in this case 2
and the variables used in the equations in this case x and y.

The equations need to be entered

reading, y =
in each case.

The solutions are:

x ( 5 1) and y 2( 5 1)
x 5 1 and y 2( 5 1)

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QUADRATIC ALGEBRA AND GRAPHING JP/IB

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Graphing Parabolas on the TI-nspire CX CAS

PURPOSE
GRAPHING
MODE

INSTRUCTIONS & BUTTON

SEQUENCE
Goto HOME screen and select GRAPH
icon

EXAMPLE

Setting the
calculator
into

Drawing a
graph

Example: Show the graph of

y x 2 4 x 8 on the CAS
The bottom of the screen shows
f3(x)=
( this the same as y = )
2
Type f 3 ( x) x 4 x 8 in the bottom of
the screen.

Press enter when finished.

The graph of the parabola is shown but

vertex (turning point) of the graph can't
be seen.
The default screen is x from -10 to 10
and y from 6.67 to -6.67
To see the vertex the window size needs
to be changed.

read on to see how

the viewing
window can be
changed

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QUADRATIC ALGEBRA AND GRAPHING JP/IB

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Setting the
viewing
window size
(ie changing
the scale on
the axes).
This is done
when the
values on the
default axes
are not
suitable for
the graph
being drawn.

Menu 4:Window/Zoom 1: Window To get a better view of the graph choose the
settings
following window settings.
Use the tab button to jump between each
setting
tab

Xmin = -8
Xmax = 12
Xscale =
Auto
Ymin =
-10
Ymax = 5
Yscale =
Auto

The viewing window still

needs improving as the
vertex (turning point) still
can't be seen !!!!

Type in new axis values for the viewing

window. [This may need to be done
more than once to show the best/most
useful graph].

Try the following window settings to

improve the view of the parabola.

Xmin = -8
Xmax = 12
Xscale =
Menu 4:Window/Zoom 1: Window Auto
settings
Ymin = -15
Ymax = 5
Use the tab button to jump between each Yscale =
setting
Auto
tab

This viewing window is the

best one as the whole
graph, including the vertex
(turning point) can now be
seen.

Finding special points on a graph

Finding the

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QUADRATIC ALGEBRA AND GRAPHING JP/IB

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coordinates
of the x-axis
intercepts
(when y = 0 )

Menu 6: Analyse graph 1:Zero - Example: Use the CAS to find the x-intercepts of
Enter
the graph of y x 2 4 x 8 .

The first of two screens show.

Use the to choose a point to the
lower (left) and upper (right) side of
the x-intercept pressing enter each
time.
Once the word zero shows on the
screen near the vertex press enter.
The coordinates of the x-intercept will
appear.
The lower x-intercept is shown as (-1.46,0)

The first of two screens show.

Use the to choose a point to the
lower (left) and upper (right) side of
the x-intercept pressing enter each
time.
Once the word zero shows on the
screen near the vertex press enter.

The coordinates of the x-intercept

will appear.
Finding the

Menu 6:Analyse graph

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The upper x-intercept is (5.46,0)

Example: Find the coordinates of the turning point

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coordinates 2:Minimum
of the
TURNING
POINT or
VERTEX
a) Minimum
for a
parabola of The first of two screens show.
Use the to choose a point to the
the type
lower (left) and upper (right) side of
y x2
the turning point pressing enter each
time.
Once the word minimum shows on
(as the
parabola is the screen near the vertex press enter.
rightway up
then the
turning
The coordinates of the vertex will
point must appear.
be a
minimum)

for y x 2 4 x 8 .

The coordinates of the vertex are: (2,-12)

Example: Find the coordinates of the turning point
for y x 2 4 x 8 .

b)
Maximum
for a
parabola of
the type

Menu 6:Analyse graph

3:Maximum

y x2
(as the
parabola is
upside
down then
the turning
point must
be a
maximum)

The first of two screens show.

Use the to choose a point to the
lower (left) and upper (right) side of
the turning point pressing enter each
time.
Once the word minimum shows on
the screen near the vertex press enter.
The coordinates of the vertex will
appear.

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The coordinates of the vertex are: (-2,12)

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