Calculator User Manual
Chapter 1: Operating the TI
-
86
25
01OPER.DOC TI-86, Chap 1, US English Bob Fedorisko Revised: 02/13/01 2:18 PM Printed: 02/13/01 2:59 PM Page 25 of 2201OPER.DOC TI-86, Chap 1, US English Bob Fedorisko Revised: 02/13/01 2:18 PM Printed: 02/13/01 2:59 PM Page 25 of 22
Using Functions in Expressions
A function returns a value. Some examples of functions are
÷
,
L
,
+
,
‡
, and
log
. To use
functions, you usually must enter one or more valid arguments.
When this guidebook describes the syntax of a function or instruction, each argument is in
italics. For example:
sin
angle
. Press
=
to enter
sin
, and then enter a valid
angle
measurement (or an expression that resolves to
angle
). For functions or instructions with
more than one argument, you must separate each argument from the other with a comma.
Some functions require the arguments to be in parentheses. When you are unsure of the
evaluation order, use parentheses to clarify a function’s place within an expression.
Using an Instruction
An instruction initiates an action. For example,
ClDrw
is an instruction that, when executed,
clears all drawn elements from a graph. You cannot use an instruction in an expression.
Generally, the first letter of each instruction name is uppercase on the TI
-
86. Some
instructions take more than one argument, as indicated by an open parenthesis (
(
) at the
end of the name. For example,
Circl(
requires three arguments,
Circl(
x
,
y
,
radius
)
.
Entering Functions, Instructions, and Operators
You can enter a function, instruction, or operator in any of three ways (
log 45
, for example).
♦
Paste it to the cursor location from the keyboard or a menu (
<
45
).
♦
Paste it to the cursor location from the
CATALOG
(
-
w
&
ã
L
ä
&
&
b
45
).
♦
Enter it letter by letter (
-
n
1
ã
L
ä
ã
O
ä
ã
G
ä
¤
1
1
45
).
As you can see in the example, using the built-in function or instruction typically is easier.
In this guidebook, optional
arguments are shown in
brackets
(
ã
and
ä
)
. Do not
include these brackets when
you enter the arguments.
The A to Z Reference
describes all TI
-
86 functions
and instructions, including
their required and optional
arguments.
In the
CATALOG
, to move to
the first item beginning with a
letter, press that letter (as in
ã
L
ä
in the example).