Calculator guides for IB and IGCSE exams

Exam mode (Press-to-Test)

1. Turn the calculator off with 2nd on.
2. Hold ◄ and ► together, then press on. Release all three keys.
3. The reset screen lists what will be blocked. Leave ANGLE on the setting you want, then select OK with zoom.
4. Check: apps should show that apps are disabled. A test-mode banner appears on the home screen.
5. To leave Press-to-Test after the exam, send a list from another TI-84 or use TI Connect CE on a computer.

Exam tipYour exams coordinator decides which restrictions are ticked. Practise with Press-to-Test on before mocks so the menus look familiar.

Degrees, radians and display

1. mode › move to the RADIAN / DEGREE row › enter.
2. On the same screen: NORMAL / SCI sets standard form, FLOAT / 0–9 fixes decimal places.
3. Turn on STAT DIAGNOSTICS on the mode screen (scroll down on the CE) so regressions show r.

Graphs: zeros, intersections, max and min

1. y= › type the function in Y1 (and Y2) › graph. Use zoom › 0:ZoomFit if the curve is off-screen.
2. 2nd trace (CALC) › 5:intersect › enter for the first curve, enter for the second, move near the point, enter.
3. CALC › 2:zero › set Left Bound, Right Bound, then Guess.
4. CALC › 3:minimum or 4:maximum, with the same bound-and-guess steps.

Solving equations

1. math › scroll up to Numeric Solver (the last item; 0:Solver… on older systems).
2. Type the left side in E1 and the right side in E2 › OK (graph).
3. Put a starting guess for X near the answer you expect › SOLVE (graph).
4. Simultaneous equations: 2nd x⁻¹ (MATRIX) › EDIT › 1:A › enter the augmented matrix (2×3 or 3×4).
5. Home screen: 2nd x⁻¹ › MATH › B:rref( › 2nd x⁻¹ › 1:A › ) enter. The last column holds the solution.

Exam tipA solver finds one root at a time. Sketch the graph first so you know how many roots to look for.

Derivative at a point and definite integrals

1. math › 8:nDeriv( gives the template d/dx(□)|x=□. Fill in the function and the x-value.
2. math › 9:fnInt( gives the ∫ template. Fill in the limits and the function.
3. From a graph: CALC › 6:dy/dx at a chosen x, or 7:∫f(x)dx between two limits.

Statistics and regression (lab data too)

1. stat › 1:Edit › enter x-values in L1 and y-values in L2.
2. stat › ► CALC › 1:1-Var Stats › List: L1 › Calculate. Read x̄, Sx (sample) and σx (population).
3. stat › ► CALC › 4:LinReg(ax+b) › Xlist L1, Ylist L2 › Calculate. Read a (gradient), b (intercept) and r.

Common errorSx and σx are different. Use the one your question defines; IB Maths uses σx when it asks for the standard deviation of the data given.

Normal and binomial distributions

1. 2nd vars (DISTR) › 2:normalcdf(lower, upper, μ, σ). For no lower limit use −1E99, typing E with 2nd ,.
2. DISTR › 3:invNorm(area, μ, σ, TAIL). Area is the probability; choose LEFT, CENTER or RIGHT.
3. DISTR › A:binompdf(trials, p, x) for P(X = x); B:binomcdf(trials, p, x) for P(X ≤ x).

Common errorbinomcdf gives P(X ≤ x) only. P(X ≥ 3) is 1 − binomcdf(n, p, 2).

Finance (Maths AI)

1. apps › 1:Finance › 1:TVM Solver.
2. Enter N, I%, PV, PMT, FV, P/Y, C/Y. Money you pay out is negative, money you receive is positive.
3. Move the cursor to the unknown value › alpha enter (SOLVE).

Exam mode (Press-to-Test)

1. Turn the handheld off.
2. Hold esc and home/on together until the Press-to-Test screen appears.
3. Set the default angle. On a CAS model, set CAS mode to Off. Tick the restrictions your coordinator gives you.
4. Press tab to highlight Enter Press-to-Test › enter. A lock icon shows on the home screen.
5. To leave Press-to-Test, connect to another TI-Nspire or to the TI-Nspire software.

Exam tipOn the CX II CAS, check the home screen shows CAS Off before the exam starts.

Degrees, radians and display

1. doc › Settings › Document Settings.
2. Set Angle to Degree or Radian, and Display Digits to Float or Fix.
3. Press ctrl enter instead of enter to force a decimal answer.

Graphs: zeros, intersections, max and min

1. home › New › Add Graphs, or ctrl doc to add a Graphs page to a document.
2. Type f1(x) › enter. menu › Window/Zoom › Zoom – Fit if needed.
3. menu › Analyze Graph › Zero, Minimum, Maximum or Intersection.
4. Click the graph, then set a lower bound and an upper bound around the point you want.

Solving equations

1. Calculator page: menu › Algebra › Numerical Solve. Type the equation, then a comma and x, e.g. nSolve(x³ − 2x = 1, x).
2. Add a guess or interval after x if the solver returns the wrong root.
3. menu › Algebra › Solve System of Linear Equations › enter the number of equations and fill the template.
4. menu › Algebra › Polynomial Tools › Find Roots of Polynomial for quadratics and cubics.

Derivative at a point and definite integrals

1. Calculator page: menu › Calculus › Numerical Derivative at a Point.
2. menu › Calculus › Numerical Integral, then fill in the limits.
3. On a graph: menu › Analyze Graph › dy/dx or Integral.

Statistics and regression (lab data too)

1. Add a Lists & Spreadsheet page. Name column A xs and column B ys in the top row, then type the data.
2. menu › Statistics › Stat Calculations › One-Variable Statistics › X1 List: xs.
3. menu › Statistics › Stat Calculations › Linear Regression (mx+b) › X List xs, Y List ys. Read m, b and r.

Normal and binomial distributions

1. Calculator page: menu › Probability › Distributions.
2. Normal Cdf: lower, upper, μ, σ. Use −1E99 or 1E99 for an open end.
3. Inverse Normal: area, μ, σ (area to the left).
4. Binomial Pdf for P(X = x); Binomial Cdf for a range of x-values.

Finance (Maths AI)

1. Calculator page: menu › Finance › Finance Solver.
2. Fill N, I(%), PV, Pmt, FV, PpY, CpY. Highlight the unknown and press enter.

Exam mode for IB

1. Turn the calculator off with SHIFT AC/ON.
2. Hold cos and 7, then press AC/ON.
3. Confirm the prompts with F1 (Yes), then F2 to enter the mode.
4. A flashing indicator in the status bar shows the mode is on. It switches off by itself after about 12 hours.

Common errorHolding U and K starts the UK examination mode. The calculator warns that this mode is not for IB exams. For IB, use cos 7.

Degrees, radians and display

1. SHIFT MENU (SET UP) › scroll to Angle › F1 Deg or F2 Rad.
2. Scroll to Display › Fix (decimal places), Sci (significant figures) or Norm.
3. EXIT to save.

Graphs: zeros, intersections, max and min

1. MENU › Graph › type the function in Y1 › EXE › F6 (DRAW).
2. SHIFT F3 (V-WINDOW) to change the viewing window.
3. SHIFT F5 (G-SOLVE) › F1 ROOT, F2 MAX, F3 MIN or F5 INTSECT.
4. Press ► to jump to the next root or intersection. F6 in G-SOLVE shows more: y-CAL, x-CAL and ∫dx.

Solving equations

1. MENU › Equation.
2. F1 SIMUL for simultaneous equations (choose the number of unknowns), F2 POLY for polynomials (choose the degree).
3. Enter the coefficients › F1 (SOLVE).
4. F3 SOLVER for any equation: type it, give a starting value for x, then F6 (SOLVE).

Derivative at a point and definite integrals

1. MENU › Run-Matrix › OPTN › F4 (CALC).
2. F2 d/dx: enter the function and the x-value.
3. F4 ∫dx: enter the function and the two limits.
4. From a graph: G-SOLVE › F6 › ∫dx, then set the lower and upper limits.

Statistics and regression (lab data too)

1. MENU › Statistics › enter x in List 1 and y in List 2.
2. F2 (CALC) › F6 (SET) to check the lists, then EXIT.
3. F1 1-VAR: read x̄, σx and sx.
4. F3 (REG) › F1 (X) › F1 ax+b: read a, b and r.

Normal and binomial distributions

1. MENU › Statistics › F5 (DIST) › F1 (NORM).
2. F2 Ncd: Data Variable, then Lower, Upper, σ, μ › EXE.
3. F3 InvN: Tail Left, Area, σ, μ › EXE.
4. F5 (BINOMIAL) › F1 Bpd for P(X = x) or F2 Bcd for P(X ≤ x).

Common errorCasio asks for σ before μ. Entering them the other way round gives a wrong answer with no error message.

Finance (Maths AI)

1. MENU › Financial › F2 (Compound Interest).
2. Enter n, I%, PV, PMT, FV, P/Y, C/Y. Payments out are negative.
3. Press the function key under the value you want to find.

Exam mode for IB

1. HOME › Exam Mode › Enter Exam Mode › OK.
2. Choose IB › OK, then OK again to confirm.
3. A green border and a flashing icon show the IB mode is on.
4. It ends after about 12 hours, or by USB link to a computer or to another calculator.

Common errorIf a warning appears after you choose a mode, you picked a country mode. Select Cancel and choose IB.

Degrees, radians and display

1. SETTINGS › Angle › Degree or Radian.
2. In SETTINGS, set the display format (fixed decimals or significant figures) before long calculations.

Graphs: zeros, intersections, max and min

1. HOME › Graph&Table. On the Function tab, type the function in y1 › EXE.
2. Press the tab key to move to the Graph tab, check the View Window, select Draw › OK.
3. TOOLS › Graph Solve › Root, Maximum Value, Minimum Value or Intersection.
4. Use ◄ and ► to move to the next solution. BACK to leave.

Solving equations

1. HOME › Equation.
2. Choose Simultaneous Equations, Polynomial, or Solver for any equation.
3. Enter the coefficients or the equation and press EXE to solve.

Derivative at a point and definite integrals

1. Integral: on the graph, TOOLS › Graph Solve › ∫dx › ∫dx. Type the lower limit › OK, the upper limit › OK.
2. Derivative: SETTINGS › Derivative On. Then TOOLS › Trace, type the x-value › OK. dy/dx shows with the coordinates.
3. The same functions are in the Calculate app through CATALOG.

Statistics and regression (lab data too)

1. HOME › Statistics. Enter data in List 1 (and List 2) on the List Editor tab.
2. Tab to Setup › Calculate Summary Statistics › OK.
3. Choose 1-Variable, or Linear Regression (ax+b). Check the XList and YList.
4. Tab again (or Execute) to see x̄, σx, sx, or a, b, r and r².

Normal and binomial distributions

1. HOME › Distribution › Normal or Binomial › OK.
2. Set Tail: X ≤ x, Lower ≤ X ≤ Upper, X ≥ x, or X = x (binomial only).
3. Data: Variable. Enter μ and σ (or Numtrial and p) › Execute.
4. Inverse normal: on the Results tab, highlight p, type the probability, and the boundary value is recalculated.

Finance (Maths AI)

1. HOME › Financial › choose compound interest.
2. Fill n, I%, PV, PMT, FV, P/Y and C/Y, then solve for the unknown.

Exam mode for IB

1. Update the calculator from numworks.com before term ends.
2. Home › Settings › Test mode › Exam mode › Activate IB exam mode.
3. An icon at the top of the screen shows the mode is on. Connect to a computer to leave it.

Exam tipPress-to-test is a different setting. Choose the IB exam mode entry.

Degrees, radians and display

1. Settings › Angle measure › Degrees or Radians.
2. Settings › Display mode › Decimal, Scientific or Engineering.

Graphs: zeros, intersections, max and min

1. Home › Grapher. On the Expressions tab type f(x) › OK.
2. Go to the Graph tab, select the curve with OK › Calculate.
3. Choose Zeros, Maximum, Minimum, Intersection or Integral.

Solving equations

1. Home › Equations (called Solver on newer software).
2. Add one equation, or several for a linear system › Solve.
3. For non-polynomial equations, set the search interval when asked.

Derivative at a point and definite integrals

1. In Calculation, press the toolbox key › Calculus.
2. diff(f(x), x, a) gives the derivative at x = a.
3. int(f(x), x, a, b) gives the definite integral from a to b.

Statistics and regression (lab data too)

1. Home › Statistics. Enter values in V1 (and frequencies in N1), then open the Stats tab: mean, σ and s.
2. Home › Regression. Enter X1 and Y1, open the Graph tab › Regression › Linear.
3. The Stats tab shows the equation coefficients and r.

Normal and binomial distributions

1. Home › Inference (Probability on older software) › Probability.
2. Choose Normal or Binomial and enter μ, σ or n, p.
3. Pick the interval shape, P(X ≤ a), P(a ≤ X ≤ b) or P(X ≥ a), and type the bound.
4. To work backwards, type the probability instead and the bound is recalculated.

Finance (Maths AI)

1. Home › Finance › Compound interest.
2. Choose the unknown, fill the other values, then Next.

Reset and settings

1. Reset before an exam: SHIFT 9 › 3: Initialize All › = › AC.
2. SHIFT MENU (SETUP) › Angle Unit › Degree or Radian.
3. SETUP › Number Format › Fix (decimal places), Sci (significant figures) or Norm.
4. SETUP › Input/Output › MathI/DecimalO if you want decimal answers straight away.

Standard form and answer formats

1. Use the ×10ˣ key for powers of ten: 3.0 ×10ˣ 8 is 3.0 × 10⁸.
2. S⇔D switches between fraction or surd and decimal.
3. ENG shows the answer as a power of ten in steps of three, which matches prefixes such as k, M, m, μ.

Common errorTyping × 10 ^ 8 instead of ×10ˣ breaks when you divide: 1 ÷ 2×10^8 is read as (1 ÷ 2) × 10⁸.

Solving equations

1. Any equation: type it using ALPHA CALC for the = sign and x for x.
2. SHIFT CALC (SOLVE) › give a starting value › =.
3. MENU › A: Equation/Func › 1: Simul Equation (choose 2 or 3 unknowns) or 2: Polynomial (degree 2 to 4).

Derivative at a point and definite integrals

1. Integral: the ∫ key gives a template with two limits.
2. Derivative at a point: SHIFT ∫ (d/dx), fill in the function and the x-value.

Statistics and regression (lab data too)

1. MENU › 6: Statistics › 1: 1-Variable or 2: y=a+bx.
2. Type the data down the column(s), pressing = after each value, then AC.
3. OPTN › 1-Variable Calc or Regression Calc. Read x̄, σx, sx, or a, b and r.

Common errorOn this calculator y = a + bx, so b is the gradient and a is the intercept. On most GDCs it is the other way round.

Normal and binomial distributions

1. MENU › 7: Distribution.
2. Normal CD: Lower, Upper, σ, μ. Use a very large number such as 1 ×10ˣ 99 for an open end.
3. Inverse Normal: Area (to the left), σ, μ.
4. Binomial PD or Binomial CD: choose Variable, then x, N and p.

Tables, constants and conversions

1. MENU › 9: Table gives values of f(x) for a start, end and step. Use it to check graph points.
2. SHIFT 7 (CONST) holds physical constants; SHIFT 8 (CONV) holds unit conversions.

Exam tipIn Physics, use the constant values printed in your data booklet or question. Built-in constants have more digits and can change the last figure of your answer.

Reset and settings

1. Reset: SETTINGS › Reset › Initialize All.
2. SETTINGS › Calc Settings › Angle Unit › Degree or Radian.
3. SETTINGS › Calc Settings › Number Format › Fix, Sci or Norm.
4. SETTINGS › Calc Settings › Input/Output › MathI/DecimalO for decimal answers.

Standard form and answer formats

1. Use the ×10ˣ key for powers of ten.
2. FORMAT converts the answer you have: Standard, Decimal, Engineering, prime factors and more.

Solving equations

1. HOME › Equation › OK.
2. Choose Simul Equation, Polynomial, or Solver for any single equation.
3. Enter the coefficients or the equation and press EXE.

Exam tipOn the CW models SOLVE has moved into the Equation app. Students switching from older Casios often look for it on CALC.

Derivative at a point and definite integrals

1. CATALOG › Func Analysis › Derivative(d/dx) for the gradient at a point.
2. CATALOG › Func Analysis › Integration(∫) for a definite integral.

Statistics and regression (lab data too)

1. HOME › Statistics › 1-Variable or y=a+bx › OK.
2. Enter the data, pressing EXE after each value.
3. Press OK and choose 1-Variable Results or Regression Results to read x̄, σx, sx, or a, b and r.

Common errorAs on the fx-991EX, b is the gradient in y = a + bx.

Normal and binomial distributions

1. HOME › Distribution › OK.
2. Normal CD: Lower, Upper, σ, μ. Inverse Normal: Area, σ, μ.
3. Binomial PD and Binomial CD: enter x, N and p.

Tables

1. HOME › Table. Define f(x) (and g(x)), then set start, end and step.

Reset and settings

1. mode › DEG or RAD.
2. On the same screen: NORM, SCI or ENG for number format, FLOAT or 0–9 for decimal places.
3. To reset before an exam, press on and clear together, then confirm.

Standard form and answer formats

1. Use the ×10ⁿ key for powers of ten.
2. The answer toggle key switches between fraction, surd or π form and decimal.

Solving equations

1. The three solvers are second functions. Press 2nd, then the key labelled num-solv, poly-solv or sys-solv above it.
2. num-solv: enter the left and right sides, a starting value, then solve.
3. poly-solv: quadratic or cubic coefficients. sys-solv: 2×2 or 3×3 linear systems.

Derivative at a point and definite integrals

1. math › nDeriv( for the derivative at a point.
2. math › fnInt( for a definite integral.

Statistics and regression (lab data too)

1. data › type x-values in L1 and y-values in L2.
2. 2nd data (STAT-REG) › 1-Var Stats or LinReg ax+b › choose the lists › CALC.
3. Read x̄, Sx, σx, or a, b and r.

Normal and binomial distributions

1. 2nd data › move to the DISTR tab.
2. Normalcdf, invNormal, Binompdf and Binomcdf each prompt for their values.