Texas instruments make various calculators but are often similar, such as TI-Nspire CX II Vs TI-Nspire CX II CAS. These graphing calculators are the company’s current flagship, and you can choose any of the two while maintaining all basic functions. However, they are not identical so let’s see what else the two can offer and which fits you best.
In this comparison, we will talk about:
- What is the Use of Graphing Calculator
- What are TI-Nspire CX II and TI-Nspire CX II CAS
- How is the Design of TI-Nspire CX II and TI-Nspire CX II CAS
- How is the CAS in TI-Nspire CX II and TI-Nspire CX II CAS
- How is the Graphing Function in TI-Nspire CX II and TI-Nspire CX II CAS
- How is the App in TI-Nspire CX II and TI-Nspire CX II CAS
- How is the Programming in TI-Nspire CX II and TI-Nspire CX II CAS
- TI-Nspire CX II Vs TI-Nspire CX II CAS
Using a Graphing Calculator
Graphing calculator is still widely used by millions of middle school and high school students in America. You can use the calculator for many purposes, such as trigonometry, engineering, computer programming, finance, and statistics. You can solve trigonometry problems like figuring out a standard graph’s amplitude, period, and phase shift. There will be 5 – 10% ACT math problems, and 20% SAT problems related to trigonometry. Engineering students can use the basic calculation features and enjoy the large screen or the ability to store data on their devices.
| TI-Nspire CX II | TI-Nspire CX II CAS | |
|---|---|---|
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| Product Dimensions | 0.62 x 3.42 x 7.5 inches | 0.62 x 3.42 x 7.5 inches |
| Shipping Weight | 12.8 ounces | 11.7 ounces |
| Best offer | Check price | Check price |
About TI-Nspire CX II and TI-Nspire CX II CAS
Like many learning tools, a graphing calculator is not a must but can save you a lot of time and even help you understand the concepts. Choosing the ideal calculator is vital because not every test allows just any calculator. We suggest checking the guide before investing in a graphing calculator, as the device can be expensive. Texas Instruments make various calculators, which mainly revolve around education. The company still dominates the market and is always a safe choice if you are unsure what brand or calculator to buy. Read also: Casio FX-CG500 Vs TI Nspire CX CAS.
The TI-Nspire CX II and TI-Nspire CX II CAS are the current flagship graphing calculators from the company. These calculators are a popular iteration of the Nspire series, and Texas Instruments always renews its lineup from time to time to keep up with the technology. Many seem curious about which model they should get because, depending on the test, you may not be allowed to use the CAS variant. The main difference between these calculators is the CAS feature, meaning this calculator won’t be allowed for the ACT.
Other than CAS, all essential functions in TI-Nspire CX II and TI-Nspire CX II CAS are identical, so that you can perform the same calculations on both calculators. Unlike most calculators, the interface and overall system may take some time to get used to, but everything will make sense once you are familiar with the mechanism. We suggest the regular CX II if you use the calculator for the ACT, while the CAS is if you only use it for SAT, AP, and IB.
TI-Nspire CX II and TI-Nspire CX II CAS Design
Texas Instruments always have good build quality but note that the calculator is still plastic which means it may be prone to damage from bumps or accidental drops. Many also complain about the overall build quality, as plastic can feel cheap. These calculators have an identical design, similar to the previous Nspire lineup, so they differ from the TI-84 Plus. The calculators have a cover, the rear houses a battery cover, and a reset button. You can find a port at the bottom for connecting the calculator to an external device.
TI-Nspire CX II and TI-Nspire CX II CAS Computer Algebra System
Let’s dive into the main difference between TI-Nspire CX II and TI-Nspire CX II CAS, the CAS or Computer Algebra System. This feature is probably the most exciting part of the calculator as it allows you to do symbolic math or math with variables and gives the exact simplified answers. Many other graphing calculators can only give you decimal answers or evaluate numeric expressions, while the CAS calculator can offer more. The CAS model can perform factoring, expanding solving polynomials, and other algebraic operations.
The calculator’s engine is also capable of college-level math to handle advanced calculations. The CAS allows you to do tasks like simplifying trig identities and finding indefinite integrals. Overall, the CAS ability lets you do almost any operation you may have to do manually. Thus, it gives you more time to focus on the problem.
TI-Nspire CX II and TI-Nspire CX II CAS Graphing
The CX II doesn’t have the CAS but can do everything else. The TI-Nspire CX II and TI-Nspire CX II CAS are graphing calculators so that they can draw the graph for you. You can find the Graphing page on the Home Screen below the “Calculate” menu. Once in the graphing interface, you can bring the function to the input list and then enter the equation; the calculators can graph instantly to save time. Press the Menu key from any graphing interface to show the options for customizing the graph.
Selecting the Graph analysis gives you minimums, maximums, and intersections. The calculators can show the integrals or calculate the area between curves. A new additional feature on these calculators is a graph animation or the feature to show you the graphing of a line step by step with an arrow key or a fluid motion. If you want to view the area outside the window, we can use the cursor to pan around like when using a smartphone.
TI-Nspire CX II and TI-Nspire CX II CAS Apps
The TI-Nspire CX II and TI-Nspire CX II CAS also have Apps. But, whenever you open the app from Home Screen, you must open a document on the calculator. For example, if you open a geometry app and then need to open the spreadsheet app, you will have two documents to save or discard later. The process is more complicated than other graphing calculators, but it is advantageous because you can store information and data that many other calculators can’t offer. This document UI is also suitable for multitasking.
TI-Nspire CX II and TI-Nspire CX II CAS Programming
The TI-Nspire CX II and TI-Nspire CX II CAS are programmable calculators, and you can program them on the device. However, the language is slightly different from the popular TI-84 Plus, and the interface may look unfamiliar. You must run the program on the same document where the program was created, which can be a little bit inconvenient if you will use the program regularly. Recently, Texas Instruments made Python available on these calculators to help students get familiar with the more widely used programming language.
TI-Nspire CX II Vs TI-Nspire CX II CAS
Both calculators are very similar; as the name suggests, the non-CAS mode doesn’t have this feature. Non-CAS calculators are allowed on the ACT as they can’t do algebraic manipulations, unlike the Nspire CX II CAS. The calculators have similar hardware and overall functionalities. The CAS model has several menus and submenus missing on the non-CAS variant.
Conclusion
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The decision is yours because not everyone needs the same calculator. We suggest the non-CAS variant if you will be using the calculator for the ACT and the CAS variant if you won’t. Both calculators have the same basic graphing, apps, and programming features. The design and build quality are also identical.