Learn about the benefits of the Ti-Nspire CX’s Computer Algebra System (CAS) over the Ti-Nspire CX without CAS. Examples in Algebra and Calculus are given below. You may watch this brief Youtube Video on Ti-Nspire CX’s Computer Algebra System (CAS) below.
Computer Algebra System in Algebra:
Any graphing calculator can graph a function such as f(x)=2x-5 and find its x-intercepts numerically as shown below. The left side shows the graph, the right side shows the table of x and y values indicating an x-intercept of 2.5 . Notice, that this is a decimal answer which is typical for a non cas calculator.
The Nsolve command allows numerical solutions such as x=2.5 even within cas calculators. However, the solve command below is a cas-only command that provides analytical (non-numerical) solutions such as x=5/2. On top of that, cas allows general solution to equations such as mx+b=0 as x=-b/m . A non – cas would not be able to do that with its numerical engine.
CAS usage in Calculus:
The Integral of the standard parabola from 0 to 1 can be found numerically as .333 using a non cas calculator. See below.
A cas calculator however can find that same integral as an exact fraction 1/3, no numerical approximation to 100+ is needed here. In fact, the general evaluated integral can found when entering a and b as bounds instead. Lastly, we evaluated that general integral by assigning values to a and b – which again can only be done using CAS calculators.
Lastly, numerical integration on either cas or non cas calculators can be performed using the nInt command, where the n stands again for numerical.
Conclusion, if are going to buy a Ti-Nspire calculator make sure to buy a Ti-Nspire cx cas calculator: they can do a whole lot more than the Ti-Nspire cx calculator and yet are about equally priced. Btw the new Ti-Nspire ii cx cas calculator has the same cas engine as the previous Ti-Nspire cx cas calculator in addition to more memory, better battery management and a fancier look and feel.