Can the TI-Nspire calculator solve Geometry problems?

[marku612]

I'm trying to decide whether to buy the TI-89 Titanium or the TI-Nspire, so far I'm leaning in favor of the 89 because there are so many more programs available. I was wondering if the TI-Nspire's geometry features are actually useful when it comes to solving simple geometry problems, such as the ones at http://thinkzone.wlonk.com/MathFun/Triangle.htm . I borrowed a friend's Nspire and I've done a few tutorials, and while it's great for things like showing that all the angles of a triangle will add up to 180 wherever your drag the corners, it seems like the inability to specify an angle would be really limiting.

I've been very impressed with solving algebra using CAS features - can this calculator do the same for Geometry? Is there an Nspire user who has experience w/ the geometry features?

Thanks!

 

[Mrspi]

I'm trying to decide whether to buy the TI-89 Titanium or the TI-Nspire, so far I'm leaning in favor of the 89 because there are so many more programs available. I was wondering if the TI-Nspire's geometry features are actually useful when it comes to solving simple geometry problems, such as the ones at http://thinkzone.wlonk.com/MathFun/Triangle.htm . I borrowed a friend's Nspire and I've done a few tutorials, and while it's great for things like showing that all the angles of a triangle will add up to 180 wherever your drag the corners, it seems like the inability to specify an angle would be really limiting.

I've been very impressed with solving algebra using CAS features - can this calculator do the same for Geometry? Is there an Nspire user who has experience w/ the geometry features?

Thanks!

Gee, I don't know if the TI-Nspire can solve geometry problems....and I don't really care if it can! If you depend on a calculator to "solve" problems for you in algebra, geometry, or whatever, you are depriving yourself of the JOY of solving problems on your own! And, you are depriving yourself of the knowledge it takes to tackle problems using your own brain power, which is far greater than any calculator ever invented.

I took a look at the problems on the website you posted, and took great pleasure in being able to solve them using only paper and pencil (and it took NO difficult arithmetic, either!)

I think a calculator that does trig functions, graphing, and basic probability/statistic calculations is MORE than sufficient for a serious math student who is looking for a computational tool rather than a "magic" problem solver.

Just my opinion, of course.

 

[marku612]

Any TI-Nspire users out there?

 

[galactus]

I use a Voyage 200. As far as I am concerned that is all one needs if they want a top of the line calculator.

I am sorry, but I have never played with the Inspire. From what I hear it lacks some of the capabilities the Voyage 200 has.

It is more intended for classroom use, in that it hooks up to the computers and all that?.

 

[mmm4444bot]

… it's great for things like showing that all the angles of a triangle will add up to 180 wherever your drag the corners …

I've never seen a calculator that dynamically changes geometrical data while manipulating an object on the screen, but there are geometry software that do this.

(I want to say that one such program is called Carpri, but I'm not sure about it; use Google, if you're interested in this.)

Can you get the manual for the TI-Nspire from your friend? TI does a good job of organizing user information. I think you could find an answer to your question in that book, or use the customer-service telephone number, and ask TI direct.