Why does a laminated quick reference card help with a graphing calculator?

What problem does a reference card solve?

Often the math is not the hard part. The path to it is. You know you need the intersection of two graphs, but was it 2nd trace or 2nd graph? Which number in the menu? Where is normalcdf( hiding? Each of these small gaps costs time and breaks your concentration while you practice.

A reference card closes those gaps. It does not teach a topic from scratch; it reminds you of the exact keys once you know what you want to do. Because it is laminated, it survives daily use on the desk and in a backpack.

What is on the TI-84 Evo Reference Card?

The TI-84 Evo Reference Card is written for the Evo keyboard, with its home screen of icons, the n/d key, the toggle key ◄► and Points of Interest. Its six panels:

• Panel 1, first steps: a map of the keyboard zones, 2nd and alpha, typing and fixing mistakes, menus, the status bar, the cursor and the MODE settings.
• Panel 2, everyday math: the MATH menu, the number toolbox, MathPrint templates, variables, fractions with n/d, angles, complex numbers, true or false checks and a rescue box for error messages.
• Panel 3, graphing: from formula to graph in three steps, line styles, parametric, polar and sequence graphs, the window, ZOOM, FORMAT, TRACE and the table.
• Panel 4, analyzing and solving: the CALC recipes for value, zero, minimum, maximum, intersect, dy/dx and the integral, Points of Interest, graphing the derivative and the solvers.
• Panel 5, statistics and probability: counting and random numbers, lists, 1-Var and 2-Var Stats, stat plots, regression, the distributions and the TESTS menu.
• Panel 6, matrices, tools and exam day: matrices and rref(, the home screen tools such as the Polynomial Root Finder, the System Solver and the TVM Solver, programs and Python, exam preparation and file sharing.

What is on the TI-84 Plus CE Reference Card?

The TI-84 Plus CE Reference Card follows the same six-panel plan with the keys and menus of the CE. It works for every TI-84 Plus CE, including the Python edition:

• Panel 1, first steps: keyboard zones, the home screen, 2nd and alpha, the hidden shortcut menus, menus, the status bar, the cursor and the MODE settings.
• Panel 2, everyday math: the MATH NUM toolbox, MathPrint templates, variables, fractions, angles and DMS, complex numbers, true or false checks, memory and a rescue box for error messages.
• Panel 3, graphing: entering functions, line styles, the window, ZOOM, quick starting windows, parametric, polar and sequence graphs, FORMAT, TRACE and the table.
• Panel 4, analyzing and solving: the CALC menu, more calculus recipes and solving equations.
• Panel 5, statistics: counting and random numbers, lists, stat plots, data analysis, regression, the distributions and the TESTS menu.
• Panel 6, matrices and extras: matrices, the APPS menu, programs and Python, speed keys, exam preparation and the LINK menu.

What does a recipe on the card look like?

Each recipe is one short key sequence with a sentence or two around it. Here is the zero recipe from the Evo card:

Statistics works the same way. On the Evo, stat ► opens CALC, and 1: 1-Var Stats opens a form that already says LIST: L1. Press CALCULATE on zoom and you get the mean, the sample and population standard deviation (Sx and σx) and the five-number summary.

The rescue box on panel 2 works the other way around: you start from the error message. ERR:WINDOW RANGE on the CE, for example, means that Xmin is not smaller than Xmax (or Ymin not smaller than Ymax) in window.

Where do the two cards differ?

The panels cover the same topics, but several key sequences changed on the Evo. That is why there is a card for each model:

The CALC menu keeps the same seven entries and numbers on both models. The Evo adds Points of Interest, which label zeros, extrema and intersections while you trace.

How do I use a reference card when I study?

• Keep it open during homework. Fold it to the panel you need and leave it next to the calculator.
• Press the keys, do not just read them. Follow a recipe on your calculator with a real problem from class.
• Notice which recipes you still look up. Those are the ones to practice before the test.
• Go to the book for the why. When a step makes no sense, the matching chapter in the guidebook explains it with screenshots.

For test day itself, check your exam rules before you pack the card. Where notes are not allowed, the card still does its job in the weeks of practice before.

Reference card or guidebook: which one do I need?

The guidebook is for learning, the card for looking up. If you are new to the calculator, start with the TI-84 Evo Guidebook or the TI-84 Plus CE Guidebook. If you already know the basics and keep forgetting key sequences, the card alone may be enough. Both are listed on our books page.

Cards are currently available for the TI-84 Evo and the TI-84 Plus CE. For the black and white TI-84 Plus and the TI-Nspire CX II there is a guidebook but no card yet; see which calculator guide do I need.