Graphing Calculator Hints

for the TI-86 calculator
The TI-86 graphing calculator (or a lower version) is approved for use on hour tests.  Here are a few  processes for the TI-86 involving calculus 2 topics that may be useful on homework and hour tests.
The calculus the TI-86 graphing calculator is found on the 2nd Calc menu.

To evaluate the expression  x^2+3x  at  x=1, 
   press F1 and complete   evalF( x^2+3x, x, 1)             Answer: 4

To evaluate the first derivative  of   x^2+3x  at  x=1 (using a built-in numerical method)
   press F2 and complete  nDer( x^2+3x,x,1)                Answer: 4

To evaluate the first derivative of   x^2+3x  at  x=1, 
   press F3 and complete   der1( x^2+3x, x, 1)             Answer: 4

To evaluate the second derivative of  x^2+3x  at  x=1, 
   press F4 and complete   der2( x^2+3x, x, 1)             Answer: 2

To evaluate the definite integral of   x^2+3x  from  x=1 to x=4, 
   press F5 and complete   fnInt( x^2+3x, x, 1,4)             Answer: 43.5
To plot the parametric curve,  x=5+t, y=4-t^2, for -2<t<2  (an upside down parabola)  we do the following:

2nd Mode,  select param (down arrow, down arrow, down arrow, down arrow, right arrow, right arrow, Enter, Exit )
Graph, F1, x1= 3+5t,  y1= 2-t^2.  ("t" is found on F1.)
Graph, F2, tMin=(-)2, tMax=2, tStep=0.1, xMin=(-)10, xMax=10, xScl=1, yMin=(-)10, yMax=10, yScl=1
Graph
To plot the polar curve,   r=3+3cos( theta ), for  0 <= theta <= 2 pi  (a cardioid) we do the following:

2nd Mode,  select pol (down arrow, down arrow, down arrow, down arrow, right arrow,  Enter, Exit )
Graph, F1, r1= 3+3cos( theta).  ("theta" is found on F1.)
Graph, F2, thetaMin=0, thetaMax=2 pi, thetaStep=0.1, xMin=(-)6, xMax=6, xScl=1, yMin=(-)6, yMax=6, yScl=1
Graph
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