So I am preparing to take the SATs in a few weeks and some of the problems require you to plug in an large exponent such as 3^70 and get the answer in scientific notation…. the only problem is every time I try to do this on my Ti-nspire it gives me the full 30-somthing digit number instead of scientific notation. Can I do anything about this? Is there a "convert to scientific notation" button?
btw I have the new operating system.
I am not familiar with the TI-NSpire, but is there a special key (like a 'star' key) that you can press and then press Enter? On my TI-89, this forces an approximate calculation instead of an exact calculation. If the number is large, it is returned in scientific notation format. On the other hand, you could manually convert to scientific notation. For example, 34 goes to 3.4*101, 341→3.41*102, 3411→3.411*103, et cetera.
Z80 Assembly>English>TI-BASIC>Python>French>C>0
Unfortunately I do not have a star key… Also I believe the "star" key in this case is just a multiplication key….but thanks for you help :)… Maybe someone else will solve my problem.
Oh, it is definitely not the multiplication key that I was referring to. It is like the [2nd] and [Alpha] modifier keys.
Is there a command called 'approx()' by any chance?
Z80 Assembly>English>TI-BASIC>Python>French>C>0
3^70 is returning and exact result. Instead of pressing ENTER, do CTL ENTER, this will give you the approximate result with scientific notation.
Another way to force the approximate result is to include a decimal point in your input, 3.^70 returns the approximate result.
Try this in a program (or function)
Define display(waarde)=
Prgm
setMode(1,16) © fixed 2, choose 17 for fixed 3, etc.
setMode(3,2) © scientific notation, may be omitted
setMode(5,2) © approximation mode, mandatory!
Disp waarde
EndPrgm
Then, in the calc page type:
display(6^47)
3.74EE36
Done
Without the line setMode(5,2) this doesn't work (the Reference Manual doesn't mention this) and outside a program one cannot use the setmode(n,v) command (the Reference Manual doesn't mention this either).
Probably, this is an undocumented feature (in other words, a bug). But the display program above works fine.
Perform all calculations on the large number as necessary, then call the Display program to display the sci result.
NOTE: the Reference Manual states that the setmode(n,v) command works within a program but looses context outside.
Therefor, a function that returns a value waarde instead of Displaying it will probably not work. However, I didn't check that.
See also the Reference Manual on the education-ti page.
From the home screen:
Press 5 for Settings
Press 2 for Settings
Press 1 for General
3rd option from top is Exponential Format, choose "Scientific"
Note: This will display all answers in scientific notation.