Texas Instruments has developed a revolutionary instructional tool for high-school and college mathematics that combines the power of a computer lab and the independence of a calculator. The portable, handheld, cost-effective TI-92 delivers many capabilities that had been available only in expensive computers and mathematics software. The device also gives teachers the ability to connect mathematics disciplines in ways that have not previously been available.

Using the features and functions of the TI-92, teachers in a variety of mathematics courses can effectively turn any classroom into a computer lab at a fraction of the traditional cost. TI is introducing the TI-92 this week in Boston at the annual conference of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM).

Developed after years of consultation with classroom teachers and leading educators, the TI-92 fully supports the NCTM Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics. The unit handles a broad range of mathematics from algebra through calculus including interactive geometry, symbolic manipulation, statistics and 3D graphing. It incorporates all the features of the popular TI-82 Graphing Calculator.

The TI-92 is also compatible with TI's Calculator-Based Laboratory™ (CBL™) System. Together these products give students the ability to analyze real-world data and connect math and science.

"Now teachers have a tool that students can use to explore and visualize a number of math disciplines," said Dr. Bert Waits, Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at The Ohio State University. "What's more, they can use the TI-92 to discover the connections between disciplines. Even expensive computer software packages haven't provided that link between the branches of mathematics.

Powerful capabilities for a variety of high-school and college math courses

TI developed the interactive geometry features of the TI-92 jointly with the creators of Cabri Geometry II [tm] software at the Université Joseph Fourier. Students can use interactive geometry to explore Euclidean, transformational and analytic geometry. The software makes it easy to build geometric constructions interactively using points, lines, triangles, polygons, circles, arcs and other basic shapes. These objects then can be translated, rotated and dilated.

TI developed the TI-92's symbolic manipulation features for algebra and calculus in a joint effort with the authors of the DERIVE® computer algebra system produced by Soft Warehouse, Inc. Once students understand the methods of factoring, they can explore expressions that otherwise would have been difficult and time-consuming.

The TI-92 graphs functions, parametric equations, polar equations, recursively defined sequences and 3D surfaces. It also performs a variety of matrix operations.

The device incorporates pretty print technology that makes even complicated mathematical equations easy to read. Rational expressions, radicals, exponents, complex numbers and absolute values appear just as they would in a printed textbook. The built-in text editor has scripting capability so users can embed mathematical information in text.

Versatile TI-92 is easy to learn, easy to use

Educators in a variety of high-school and college math courses tested the TI-92 in pilot programs during the fall of 1994. Jim Kozman, who heads the math department at Franklin Heights High School in Columbus , Ohio , is one of the instructors who was involved in the program. "The TI-92 is easy to learn and easy to use," Kozman said. "It's the next logical step for the many students and teachers who have used the TI-82 graphics calculator."

The TI-92 employs a friendly graphic user interface (GUI) like those familiar to users of Macintosh® computers and IBM® -compatible personal computers running Microsoft® Windows™.

The unit has a large, 240 x 128-pixel display that shows windows, icons, menus and pointers with high resolution (72 dots per inch). A user can split the display into separate windows to view two applications simultaneously. Users can split the display side-to-side or top-to-bottom; the two resulting windows can be sized in 1:1, 1:2 or 2:1 ratios.

The unit has a natural, ergonomic form factor that is unique for an instructional tool; it resembles many handheld, self-contained video games. "The horizontal format naturally accommodates the large, high-resolution display," said Tom Ferrio, calculator marketing manager for TI personal productivity products, "and we implemented a QWERTY keyboard to simplify the work of naming variables and editing text."

"We evaluated a number of potential designs using models, and we tested the most promising with experienced calculator and computer users who spend a lot of time using handheld products and keyboards. Users report they are comfortable holding the TI-92 or placing it on a desk or table."

The device weighs 20 ounces (567 grams) and measures 4.7 x 8.2 x 1.2 inches (11.9 x 20.8 x 3 centimeters). It has an impact-resistant snap-on cover that also serves as a three-position stand for desktop use.

The TI-92 keyboard has a logical, zoned design that separates QWERTY keys, function keys and scientific calculator keys. Function keys provide access to pull-down menus and sub-menus. The TI-92 has an eight-direction cursor key and a lock key that are used together to emulate the operation of a mouse. The keyboard terminology is similar to the TI-82.

Based on an application-specific version of the Motorola 68000 microprocessor, the TI-92 has 128K of RAM storage including a 70K user memory. The design provides robust programming capabilities and on-board help for command syntax. Power requirements are supplied by four AA-size alkaline batteries and a lithium backup cell; all are supplied.

The TI-92 has a built-in I/O port through which users can link two systems and transfer information; each device includes the required cable. With optional TI-GRAPH LINK™ software users can transfer data and programs between the TI-92 and a computer, store the information on disk or print it. Users can back up the entire TI-92 memory on the computer, and they can print any program, variable or data structure.

The TI-92 has a suggested retail price of $250. A Teacher Kit containing ten TI-92s also will be available at a suggested retail price of $2500. Dealer prices may vary.

Designed for classroom presentations, the TI-92 ViewScreen™ is a specially constructed unit with a 10-foot cable and a display panel that can be used with an overhead projector. This ViewScreen edition has a suggested retail price of $550. Dealer prices may vary. Each unit will be available from authorized TI instructional dealers beginning in the fourth quarter of 1995. TI-92 products are covered by a one-year limited warranty.

DALLAS, January 5, 1996

If the treasured souvenirs of your school days include a well-worn slide rule or a basic calculator, please fasten your seat belts and prepare to rocket forward in time.

Your destination is 1996, where computers are commonplace in kindergartens, and powerful graphing calculators help older students visualize the lessons of advanced mathematics. And that's not all. The latest instructional tool for high school and college math packs most of the math tools of a computer lab into a package half the size of a spiral notebook.

This revolutionary instructional tool is the new TI-92 from Texas Instruments. The easy-to-use, handheld TI-92 combines the power of a computer math lab with the independence of a calculator.

Most importantly, the handheld TI-92 can help students visualize math in ways not possible outside a computer lab. Education experts agree that this visualization can make math more interesting and easier to understand.

TI developed the TI-92 with the assistance of classroom teachers and leading educators to make mathematics education more effective.

Technology Helps Students Visualize, Understand Mathematics

"The technology in the TI-92 makes it easy to see what happens to an equation when, for example, you change the size or position of a circle," said Bonnie McNemar, coordinator of the TTT Program at the University of Texas at Arlington . "The changes appear simultaneously."

TTT (Teachers Teaching with Technology) is a national teacher training effort that focuses on the appropriate use of handheld technology. McNemar is a former junior high and high school math teacher, educational consultant, teacher trainer and adult educator.

"Students who use the TI-92 can see how changing the geometric shapes that equations represent," McNemar said. "They can see how changing the shape of a triangle impacts trigonometric values. And this visualization makes it easier to make connections between disciplines like geometry and algebra."

The TI-92 is useful in a broad range of mathematics of mathematics from algebra through calculus including interactive geometry, computer algebra and statistics. The TI-92 graphs functions, parametric equations, polar equations and recursively defined sequences. It also performs 3D graphing and a variety of matrix operations.

A Powerful, Cost Effective Tool for Mathematics Education

TI's new instructional tool provides a practical solution to the challenge of providing cost effective technology for mathematics education.

"Traditional computer math labs are expensive to equip, so most schools lack adequate computer resources," said Chuck Vonder Embse, associate professor of mathematics at Central Michigan University , Mt. Pleasant , Mich. "This scarcity limits the time students have to explore mathematics and understand its relevance to the world."

Schools can provide a TI-92 for each student more economically than they could invest in personal computers and software," said Vonder Embse, one of the instructors who tested the TI-92 in pilot programs during the fall of 1994. "With the features and functions of the TI-92, teachers can turn a math classroom into a computer lab at a fraction of the cost." In most school systems, he said, math teachers find it necessary to sign up weeks in advance for computer lab time. Handheld instructional tools like the TI-92 are available whenever they're needed, even on the spur of the moment.

Versatile TI-92 is easy to learn, easy to use

The TI-92 employs a friendly graphic user interface (GUI) lime those familiar to users of Macintosh© computers and IBM©-compatible computers running Microsoft© Windows©. Function keys provide access to easy-to-use pull down menus.

"The TI-92 is easy to learn and easy to use," said Jim Kozman of the math department at Franklin Heights High School in Columbus , Ohio , and another TI-92 beta tester. "This is the next logical step for the many students and teachers who have used the TI-82 graphics calculator."

"The TI-92 has a unique shape among instructional tools," said Tom Ferrio, calculator marketing manager for TI personal productivity products. "Our industrial designer worked with students and educators to create a shape that results in intuitive use of the product."

The TI-92 weighs 20 ounces (567 grams) and measures 4.7 x 8.2 x 1.2 inches (11.9 x 20.8 x 3 centimeters). It has a rugged snap-on cover that also serves as a stand for desktop use.

Four AA-size alkaline batteries and a lithium backup cell to power the TI-92; all are supplied. The device has a built-in port through which users can transfer information between two TI-92's. TI packs the required cable with each device.

With optional Graph Link™ and cable software, students and teachers can transfer data and programs between the TI-92 and a computer, store the information on disk or print it. Users can back up the entire TI-92 memory on a computer, and they can print programs, data, and pictures.