TI-Nspire CX -- How to change the format of answer?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around how to change the format of answers provided by the TI-Nspire CX calculator, specifically regarding converting degrees to radians and obtaining results in exact form rather than decimal form. Participants explore the functionality of the calculator in both CAS and non-CAS modes, and share their experiences and challenges with the settings.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Debate/contested, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks assistance on how to format answers in the scratchpad to show exact values like ##\frac{59\pi}{60}## instead of decimal approximations.
  • Some participants suggest that the ability to change the answer format may depend on whether the calculator is a CAS model or not, with references to choosing Exact Mode for CAS.
  • Another participant reports that despite following suggested methods, they receive an undesired result of ##\frac{5949124}{1925761}## instead of the expected exact form.
  • There is mention of the limitations of the non-CAS version, particularly in the context of standardized testing restrictions.
  • Several participants share links to external resources that may provide additional insights, although they express frustration that these do not directly address the settings issue.
  • One participant expresses a sense of disappointment regarding the calculator's performance relative to its cost, suggesting that manual calculations may be necessary.
  • There are repeated acknowledgments of the challenges posed by language barriers in understanding external resources.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on how to effectively change the answer format. Multiple competing views and experiences are presented, with some participants expressing uncertainty about the capabilities of their calculators.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include unclear instructions on how to access specific settings, potential misunderstandings regarding the differences between CAS and non-CAS versions, and the reliance on external resources that may not provide comprehensive solutions.

ProfuselyQuarky
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Does anyone know how to change the format of the answers given in the scratchpad? For example, when converting degrees to radians, ##177^{\circ}(\frac{\pi}{180})##, I want the calculator to give me ##\frac{59\pi}{60}## instead of 3.08923. Any help would be appreciated! This has been really annoying me...
 
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It depends on how your calculator works. What happens when you input \pi?
 
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mathman said:
It depends on how your calculator works. What happens when you input \pi?
I get 3.14159. And, of course, I can change the decimal places given with settings.
 
Psinter said:
I don't have this calculator, but a quick search revealed some answers:

If your is not CAS you can do it as it says here:

If it is CAS you can do it as it says here by choosing Exact Mode.

Here is a preview of difference between CAS and not CAS: https://education.ti.com/en/us/prod...held/tabs/overview#lightbox=nspire-cas-noncas
Thanks @Psinter I tried that already. However, instead of ##\frac {59\pi}{60}##, I get ##\frac {5949124}{1925761}##.

Yeah, I didn't get CAS because CAS is "computer algebra systems" and it's not allowed in major tests like the SAT whereas the CX is...
 
ProfuselyQuarky said:
However, instead of 59π60\frac {59\pi}{60}, I get 59491241925761\frac {5949124}{1925761}.
To add to that, ##\frac {5949124}{1925761}## is just ugly and I first thought it had to do with radians (not sure why), but no.
 
Nobody knows how? :(
 
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Psinter said:
A quick search revealed: https://tiplanet.org/forum/archives_voir.php?id=1884&play=

If you check the gif sequence of screenshots you see that for cos^{-1}(-\frac{1}{2}) it gives the result in exact form \frac{2\pi}{3} and in approximate form 2.09...

It is in another language though.
You know, forums like that just make me appreciate PF so much more :smile:

Thanks for the link, Psinter, although it does not really show how to change the settings. I think I just have to do resort to doing those conversions with paper and pen. It's shame, though. For the price its worth, you'd think that the thing would clean for you.
 
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ProfuselyQuarky said:
You know, forums like that just make me appreciate PF so much more :smile:

Thanks for the link, Psinter, although it does not really show how to change the settings. I think I just have to do resort to doing those conversions with paper and pen. It's shame, though. For the price its worth, you'd think that the thing would clean for you.
I think that's because it's a library that you load there, not something that becomes part of the operating system. But once again, I don't have that calc. I think the gif shows how to make it work.
ProfuselyQuarky said:
:DD

(sorry, I just love that redundancy)
Meh, that happens. :biggrin:
 
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Psinter said:
I think that's because it's a library that you load there, not something that becomes part of the operating system. But once again, I don't have that calc. I think the gif shows how to make it work.
Ok, I'll look into it more. The Spanish made me dizzy...
 

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