Considering how often you need to find those points in a calculus class, this is a big advantage. All you have to do is use the trace feature and the Nspire CX CAS will “lock in” on those important points. With graphing, I love the fact that there are fewer commands to learn in order to find extrema and intercepts. In terms of inputting expressions, there are templates for summations, integrals, and just about anything else you’d encounter in calculus (see screen shot below). The TI-Nspire CX CAS has a lot of advantages over the TI-89, especially with inputting expressions and graphing. Like all versions of the TI-Nspire CAS, its menu system and command structure borrows heavily from the TI-89. The CX is a color version of the TI-Nspire CAS. The TI-Nspire CAS had been on the market for just a few years when the TI-Nspire CX CAS was announced in early 2011. However, when you’re learning summations and integrals, it is one more thing to worry about, and it can be hard to remember what each term in the list of inputs represents. If you’re a calculus student, that’s probably not a big deal to you with exponents or radicals. Unfortunately, you can’t do the inputs that way (see right). Apparently it’s been very popular because the menu system on the TI-Nspire CAS has a lot in common with it.Ī big drawback with the TI-89 is its lack of “mathprint” inputting, also known as pretty print. You can set the calculator up so that when you press enter, your work will be reformatted to look like what you see in the book. The TI-89 has a drop down menu system that I really like. In pretty much anything involving graphing at this point, the TI-Nspire CX CAS has the edge. Since TI-Nspire OS 3.0 was released, all TI-Nspire models are capable of 3D graphs, taking away the biggest advantage. When I originally wrote this article, the TI-89 Titanium had one big advantage over the TI-Nspire CAS–3D graphing. Since it’s been on the market for many years, there are many programs and apps available for the device, a lot of which are available on the Texas Instruments website at no cost. The TI-89 has been around for a while, and the Titanium Edition is the latest version. That makes these calculators a popular choice for calculus classes, but if you’re planning to take the ACT you may want to consider the non-CAS version of the Nspire CX. They are not allowed on the ACT, although most models, including all versions of the TI-89 and TI-Nspire CAS models, are just fine for the SAT and AP tests. While these features are awesome, you need to be careful when buying a CAS enabled calculator. Of course, this is just the beginning, as the CAS can handle all kinds of algebraic manipulations from factoring to differential equations. That means you can enter variables like x or y, and the calculator is capable of performing operations such as simplifying expressions or solving equations (think x + x = 2x). Computer Algebra Systemsįirst off, you need to understand that both of these calculators feature a Computer Algebra System, or CAS. For those of you who have the patience for a more detailed review, please read on. If you need the Cliff Notes version, let me tell you that in the year 2012, the TI-Nspire CX CAS is the clear cut winner. I’ve used both of these calculators extensively with the math team I coach.
![ti nspire cas ti nspire cas](https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/H5aea28140e12401fb619d3032deac419S/LTGEM-Waterproof-EVA-Hard-Case-for-Texas-Instruments-TI-Nspire-CX-II-CAS-Color-Graphing-Calculator.jpg)
They are the most popular Texas Instruments graphing calculators with that have the computer algebra system. If you’re heading into calculus, there’s a good chance you’re wrestling with the question of the TI-89 Titanium vs.
TI NSPIRE CAS UPGRADE
Then, this summer, they release OS 3.2, a free upgrade to the TI-Nspire platform that works on every version of the CAS, even the original “clickpad.”
TI NSPIRE CAS UPDATE
Texas Instruments has continued to update the TI-Nspire CAS platform, a year ago releasing the TI-Nspire CX CAS, a color version of the CAS. I wrote a post on this topic a couple of years ago, but with each passing year it has to be updated. In addition to this article, you may want to check out my standalone TI-Nspire CX CAS Review and my TI-89 Titanium Review. Once again a new school year is upon us, and that requires a fresh look at the TI-Nspire CX CAS vs. To see the TI-Nspire CX CAS price on Amazon.