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We discuss the use of the TI-92 ‘Supercalculator’ in enhancing the teaching and learning of
first-year ‘engineering mathematics’. Several illustrative examples are discussed which high-
light some of the essential features of the technology, and which can be used to develop basic
mathematical skills. In addition some of the educational implications of the existence of such
powerful hand-held technology is considered.
1. INTRODUCTION
The developments in computer technology are beginning, and will inevitably continue, to
alter the emphasis in the teaching of many scientific disciplines. In a mechanical engineering
context Perez and Blake [1] discuss the use of Maple as a teaching tool in an introductory
course on control systems. But it is not only mechanical engineers that are concerned with
computer-enhanced teaching of engineering students. Mathematicians are also keen to
embrace current technology, not only in the teaching of their own mathematics students, but
also in their service teaching for science courses in general, and engineering courses in
particular.
An alternative to using sophisticated software packages on PCs in ‘Engineering/
Mathematics/Computer Laboratories’ is now available in the form of the Texas Instruments
TI-92 calculator. The best overview we can give of the technology is to paraphrase Waits
and Demana [2]:
The TI-92 is the first example of another, and much more powerful, generation of super
calculators. In fact, it is difficult not to call the TI-92 a true computer. It is small,
inexpensive (£150), hand-held, user-friendly, and yet has a large screen display (240 by
128 pixels), and a QWERTY keyboard and, most importantly, contains a collection of
very useful and powerful integrated software packages for doing algebra, geometry,
calculus, statistics, and matrix algebra.
The built-in software on the TI-92 includes five graphing packages (including an
improved sequence grapher and a wonderful 3D grapher), computer interactive geometry
co-developed with the authors of CABRI Geometry, and a powerful computer algebra
In addition we may note the presence of a text editor, extensive toolbar facilities, and
around 200K of available memory; the latter feature is soon to be standard, rather than
requiring an ‘enhanced memory chip’.
Before continuing we wish to stress the following. Our aim is not to promote the TI-92 in
any commercial sense; we keep referring to the TI-92 specifically because there is no other
calculator on the market with anything like the same facilities. Indeed it is our hope that, by
bringing the inherent potential of such technology to a wider audience, other manufacturers
will be encouraged to produce similar (and hopefully superior) machines for student use.
Such competition can, in the long term, only be beneficial for all concerned.
For the past academic year the TI-92 has been used in a pilot project as an integral part of
the first-year mathematics course for a combined class of Energy with Environmental, and
Energy with Management, Engineers. This has been made possible by a substantial subsidy
from the Mathematics and MMSE (Mechanical, Manufacturing and Systems Engineering)
departments, allowing all the students to purchase a TI-92. It is intended that the machine
will be used extensively by the students for all three years of mathematics they are required
to study. (For the next academic session the class will further be combined with Mechanical
Engineering students.)
We may observe that one major reason for our use of the TI-92 is its portability and the
consequent need not to use any laboratory facilities. The use of the latter is a very significant
problem at Napier. But there is one feature in common. An overhead attachment on a TI-92
allows the students to see the calculator screen and follow the calculations on their own
machine. This allows a very interactive form of teaching, with the traditional distinction
between lectures and tutorials inevitably becoming somewhat blurred. In addition every
TI-92 can be connected to the overhead attachment, so that students can come to the front
and explain a computation on their own calculator. This is a very useful feature, and helps
build student confidence.
Reports on various mathematical aspects of the project can be found in references [3–5].
Here we consider some of the mathematical skills that the TI-92 can be used to enhance, and
attempt to ascertain the effectiveness of the technology in a teaching environment.
(a) Since the TI-92 is to be used by the class for three years, it is important that the basics
are well understood. With technology as sophisticated as this, there are a lot of
operating features that need to be appreciated if efficient and effective use is to be
attained.
(b) Applications are not fully appreciated unless they tie in with material in the appropri-
ate engineering courses. Applications must be taught, but they must not be rushed
into.
(c) Basic mathematical ideas must be understood.
Few mathematicians or engineers would argue with this last general sentiment, although
there may be differences in what concepts are considered basic. Lawson [6] gives what many
would consider a reasonable set of basic requirements, together with a discussion of student
weaknesses in these areas. In addition he very briefly considers the impact symbolic
calculators can be expected to have, together with the following ‘warning’: ‘Finally some
conclusions are drawn from the analysis and a warning note is given about relying too much
on new technology for an answer to some of the problems uncovered’.
We believe that, for example, the naive assignment
a conclusion in line with that of Perez and Blake [1]. Indeed, not only can algebraic skills be
enhanced, but also number skills, graphical skills, geometric skills, … .
The present paper can thus be viewed as a reply to Lawson’s rather dire warning.
Applications of the TI-92 will be considered in a future application [7].
An initial diagnostic test was conducted, a portion of which is given in the Appendix at the
end of this paper. Because the class size was small (roughly 20), and the test consisted of
only a small number of questions (30 in fact), we do not attach any great statistical signifi-
cance to the results. However, the following general features were very apparent:
In addition we did not attempt to run a diagnostic test at the end of the course to try and
assess any improvement in skills. This was felt to place too big a burden on students revising
for end-of-year exams. In addition, our major goal was to have the students actually using
the technology, hopefully with some proficiency, rather than overly concerning ourselves
with educational issues of secondary importance (at least to the students). We hope to
address the latter in future years of the course.
One should also note that the Scottish educational system has some significant
differences to that in England. Roughly speaking, A-level material will be covered in the
first year of a degree course.
One very notable feature of the TI-92 is that it permits students to investigate, and explore,
mathematical ideas for themselves, coupled, of course, with guidance from the lecturer. This
can be achieved even at a very elementary level, as we seek to show in this section. To do
this we consider some of the questions from the diagnostic test, and their various extensions.
For details of each of the following examples refer to the appropriate question in the
Appendix.
Example 1 (Question 2)
The manipulations of fractions seems to cause great difficulties for many students. The
TI-92 will perform such computations in a variety of ways. Most simply
1÷2+2÷3 Enter
gives
1 2 1.3 + 2.2 7
+ = = (1b)
2 3 2.3 6
We cannot quite do this, but Fig. 1 depicts some possibilities which all but demonstrate (1b).
The difficulty lies in the ‘automatic simplification rules’ the TI-92 employs: the expression
1.3 + 2.2 will always be simplified to 7. We may note the following:
(a) The Pretty Print feature of the TI-92 ensures expressions appear in ‘mathematical
format’ in the History area (where computations are displayed, evaluated and stored),
even though they may not do so on the entry line (where computations are input).
(b) The TI-92 will operate symbolically as well as numerically.
(c) By pressing ♦ Enter, rather than just Enter, in (1a) an answer in decimal form is
obtained. The TI-92 will operate in a variety of fashions, depending on the Mode
settings.
(d) The factor command, on the F2: Algebra toolbar, allows ‘factorization’ of expres-
sions. The precise effect of the command depends on both the (optional) ‘factoring
argument’ used (see Fig. 2), and on whether any ‘key simplification’ occurs.
(e) The expand command, again on the F2 : Algebra toolbar, functions roughly as the
‘inverse’ of the factor command.
(f) The ‘With’ operator , accessed directly from the keyboard, allows ‘temporary substi-
tutions’ in an expression. The logical operator and is found on the Math Test menu.
(g) Once an expression has been entered, and stored in the History area, it can be retrieved
in one of two ways, either by highlighting the entry using the appropriate cursor and
autopasting via Enter, or using 2nd ANS, termed the ‘last answer’ facility. See the
entry line of Fig. 1. In this way ‘complicated’ expressions need only be entered once,
and recalled if necessary.
Example 2 (Question 5)
(a) If a calculation does not lead to a ‘simplification’, the TI-92 indicates this by produc-
ing a more complicated-looking formula for the result. In this way one is led to
choosing, at each stage, the ‘correct’ way of proceeding. For example, the next to last
line in Fig. 2 reflects the computation
1 1 1 v+u
= + = (2)
f v u vu
Example 3 (Question 9)
Graphical analysis on the TI-92 is particularly impressive and powerful, and this is a
wonderful feature for the many students who are more comfortable with problems they can
‘visualize’. The graphical solution of Question 9 is depicted in Fig. 3(a), and we note the
following points:
(a) We have used a split-screen to show both the curves themselves and the associated
scales (window variables). Tick marks along either axis can be shown, and their
spacing is controlled by the values of xscl and yscl. It is possible to suppress all this
information if desired.
(b) The value of xres (x-resolution) controls the ‘smoothness’ of the curve by specifying
at which pixels points are plotted. This in turn affects how quickly the plots are
produced. If one wishes to obtain a ‘quick impression’ of the shape of a curve, a large
value of xres is used.
(c) Different curves can easily by distinguished by drawing them in different styles—the
options Line and Thick are used in Fig. 3(a). The F6 : Style toolbar is available for this
purpose when using the Y = Editor to specify the curves to be plotted.
(d) The labelling of the curves in Fig. 3(a) can be done directly on the screen using the
Text option of the F7 toolbar depicted at the top of the screen.
Students should be familiar with the graphical distinction between even and odd powers
both as an aid to appreciating the shapes polynomial curves can take, but also for later work
on Fourier series. For sketching purposes a sequence of powers can be very compactly
entered using lists. On the TI-92 lists have many applications, but this is probably the
simplest.
Since the location of the intersection point in Fig. 3(a) is easily guessed, we now modify
the problem to that of determining the intersection point(s) of the curves
The graphs of Fig. 3(b) indicate three such points, and we can proceed to locate them
precisely in two distinct ways:
(i) Graphically: Using the F3 : Trace toolbar allows us to move along a curve to obtain
‘approximate’ intersection points. To obtain more precise information we use the
F2 : Zoom toolbar which permits cursor movement anywhere on the Graph screen.
Using 2 : ZoomIn, repeatedly if necessary, can then be used to locate the intersection
as accurately as required.
(ii) Algebraically: There are various possibilities here using the F2 : Algebra toolbar and
the ‘solve’, ‘zeros’ and ‘factor’ options. See Fig. 3(c) for details. Here the two
functions in (3) have been entered in the Y = Editor as y10 and y11 respectively.
Then, for example, the intersection points in (3) are computed via
solve(y10(x) = y11(x), x)
(1) To appreciate the great ease with which the results of Fig. 3 can be obtained really
requires one to see the TI-92 in action. The very user-friendly nature of the technology
is a major asset in encouraging students to explore material for themselves.
(2) There are many options available on the TI-92, and this in turn allows many problems
to be solved in a variety of ways. For example, the intersections in Fig. 3(c) can also
be located using the F5 : Math toolbar with 5 : Intersections. Not only does this enable
checks to be made on computations, it also helps give students a flavour of the
interconnected nature of mathematical ideas and techniques.
(a) Draw a circle, as in Fig. 4(a), using the F3 toolbar and 1 : Circle. Use the appropriate
cursors to move the ‘+ screen cursor’ to the desired centre of the circle and press
Enter. The ‘across’ cursor → is then used to control the radius of the circle.
(b) Construct a diameter of the circle using the F2 toolbar and 5 : Segment. Use ← or →
to locate the end points of the segment, and Enter to define them.
(c) Repeat (b) twice more to construct the remaining two sides of the triangle, as in Fig.
4(b). An alternative is to use the F3 toolbar and 3 : Triangle.
(d) Measure the appropriate angle using the F6 toolbar and 3 : Angle. The three points
defining the angle are selected in turn, using the cursors and pressing Enter, and the
required value of the angle is returned. This leads to Fig. 4(c), where the angle is
given in degrees since this was the current angle mode setting of the TI-92. (See also
Question 10 of the Appendix in this connection.)
(e) Repeat the computations of (d) for another triangle. This is easily accomplished by
‘dragging’ a vertex of the original triangle, which entails using the F1 toolbar and
1 : Pointer to ‘point’ to the vertex to be dragged. Then hold down the ‘dragging hand’
on the keyboard and use the cursors to drag the vertex to the desired position.
(f) In both (d) and (e) we obtain an angle of 90.00°. We can use the F6 toolbar and
8 : Check Property to formally verify that we have a right-angle. This is achieved by
showing the two sides enclosing the suspected right-angle are perpendicular, and
3 : Perpendicular accomplishes this as in Fig. 4(d). Each segment is chosen in turn via
the cursors and Enter. After the second is selected we obtain the statement
‘Perpendicular to this segment’ to establish the result.
We can solve this ‘with the push of a couple of buttons’ on the TI-92. See the top line of
Fig. 5(a). Further standard derivatives are just as easily calculated, together with derivatives
involving the ‘standard rules’ of differentiation, i.e. Chain, Product and Quotient rules—see
Fig. 5(a). Integration can also be accomplished easily, as depicted in Fig. 5(b).
Of course such calculations are, by themselves, not suitable as a teaching aid. However,
as in Example 2, we can ‘break up’ the computations to produce intermediate results which
are of great importance in a teaching situation. Fig. 6(a) provides a simple example of this in
the context of differentiation from first principles, a process usually found rather difficult by
most students. We note the following:
(a) We can use the TI-92s ability to define functions to make the computation quite
compact. In addition the usual textbook convention, of using δx to denote a small
increment in x, can be adhered to since the TI-92 is equipped with a Greek alphabet
(as well as many further character types).
(b) The calculation can be further ‘streamlined’ as in the top two lines of Fig. 6(b) and,
once sufficient proficiency has been attained, use can be made of 3 : Limit on the
F3 : Calc toolbar. This is shown in the third entry in Fig. 6(b) and, although somewhat
unnecessary, the limit command can also be used to ‘complete’ the calculation in Fig.
6(a).
(c) Derivatives of trigonometric functions in degree mode, together with the differentia-
tion of log10 x, usually cause difficulties for many students. The TI-92 yields these
directly, although again first principles can be invoked for teaching purposes. See the
last entry in Fig. 6(b).
As well as aiding on the ‘technical’ side of calculus, the TI-92 also provides for a much
more geometrical approach to these ideas. Fig. 7 provides an illustration based on the
following question used in a Calculus Test with the TI-92 class:
Test question
Here hand computations are asked for since both the tangent lines themselves and their
equations (together with many other facilities) are available from the Graph Math menu.
This is the F5 : Math toolbar available when in a ‘graphical application’. In addition we may
recall (Example 3) that graphs can be labelled using the Text option on the F7 toolbar, and
this can be a great aid in subsequent computations. See Fig. 7.
5. CONCLUSIONS
We have only considered a few aspects of the types of ideas that can be, and indeed have
been, investigated with the TI-92 at an ‘elementary’ level. The three most important points
we wish to make in conclusion are the following:
(1) The five examples we have considered involve the following topic areas: Arithmetic,
Algebra, Graphs, Geometry, Calculus. A single hand-held calculator suffices for all
these topics, and we have not even discussed the (very extensive) programming
features, nor the Data/Matrix editor.
(2) Although one cannot expect TI-92, and its inevitable successors, to provide a
universal panacea for the effective teaching of mathematics, one can, with ‘proper
use’, expect the TI-92 to aid substantially in this goal. Relying too much on the
technology is an ever-present danger but, once appreciated, such pitfalls can be over-
come. The gains to be made from using the technology vastly outweigh the dangers.
(3) The portability of the TI-92 encourages its constant use and this in turn lets the
students develop a more investigative view of their mathematics. This must be benefi-
cial, not only for students, but also for teachers and the general health and well-being
of the subject.
Student reactions to the course were, after some initial apprehension, very positive and
encouraging [3, 9]. Certainly none of the students wished to sell their TI-92s back to us at the
end of the year! It remains to be seen in later years of the course whether this translates into
enhanced skills, or at least more confidence in their mathematical ability, and increased
mathematical maturity. However, for both students and teacher alike, be warned:
Once you start using the TI-92 you will not want to look at any other calculator,
nor will you want to teach without it. I certainly don’t.
For anybody thinking about employing the technology, in either a teaching capacity, or
merely for personal use, we give a brief indication of some of the possible options by listing
a few of the toolbars available. See Fig. 8.
Some applications of the TI-92, suitable with first-year engineering classes, will be
considered in reference [7].
REFERENCES
[1] Perez, R. A., and Blake, J., ‘Using symbolic algebra to enhance the learning environment of
dynamic systems’, International Journal of Mechanical Engineering Education, 24(3), 207–225
(1996).
[2] Waits, B. K., and Demana, F., ‘TI-92, the hand-held revolution in computer enhanced maths
teaching and learning’, CTI Centre for Mathematics and Statistics Newsletter, 6(2), 2–10 (1995).
[3] Short, L., ‘The TI-92 Pilot Engineering Mathematics Project at Napier’, Scottish Mathematical
Council Journal, 27, 39–44 (1998).
[4] Short, L., ‘Some teaching implications of the TI-92. Part I: The Napier Pilot Project’, International
Journal for Mathematical Education in Science and Technology (unpublished).
[5] Short, L., ‘Teaching and learning with the TI-92’, Scottish Mathematical Council Journal, 27, 45–
52 (1998).
[6] Lawson, D. A., ‘How well prepared are students for undergraduate engineering mathematics?’,
International Journal of Mechanical Engineering Education, 23(4), 352–362 (1995).
[7] Short, L., ‘Engineering mathematics teaching via the TI-92. Part II: First year applications’,
International Journal of Mechanical Engineering Education (to be submitted).
[8] Townend, M. S., Unified reciprocals, Teaching Mathematics and its Applications, 14, 67–70
(1995).
APPENDIX
The questions are arranged according to topic, and not according to difficulty. The students
are told not to waste time over those they cannot do, and to answer [E] rather than guessing.
Arithmetic
Algebra
4. A pen costs £P and a refill for such a pen is p pence. If you buy 5 pens, each with a refill,
you pay, in pence,
[A] 5P + 100
5
p 5
[B] 100 P + 5p [C] − 5P + 500 p
[D] 500P + 5p [E] I don’t know
1 1 1
5. Transforming the formula = + to make v the subject of the equation gives
f u v
fu 1
[A] f–u [B] [C] +f
u–f u
u−f
[D] [E] I don’t known
uf
6. The expression
[A] is always negative [B] is always positive
[C] is sometimes
zero
[D] can be positive or negative, depending on the value of x [E] I don’t know
Graphs
7. The straight line joining the points (–3, –11) and (2, 4) has equation
[A] one point [B] two points [C] three points [D] no points
[E] I don’t know
Trigonometry
10. In radian measure 45 degrees is
π π π π
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E] I don’t know
2 3 4 6
11. The Sine and Cosine Rules apply
[A] to any triangle [B] to any triangle with no angle greater than a right-angle
[C] only to right-angled triangles [D] only to isosceles triangles
[E] I don’t know
Geometry
[A] 90 [B] 180 [C] 270 [D] 360 [E] I don’t know
13. The angle in a semicircle, in degrees, is
[A] 90 [B] 180 [C] 270 [D] 360 [E] I don’t know
Calculus