Calculator Comparison Guide

	TI-82	TI-83+	TI-85	TI-86
Absolute Value	[2nd], <ABS>. Shows abs on the screen, does not put a parenthesis.	[2nd], <CATALOG>, [ENTER]. Can also be accessed by [ MATH ], right arrow to NUM, press [ENTER] to access 1:abs( Shows abs( on the screen, enters a left parenthesis.	[2nd], <CATALOG>, [ENTER] to access abs. A parenthesis is not automatically entered. Can also be accessed under [2nd], <MATH>, [F1] to access NUM, [F5] to access abs.	[2nd], <CATLG-VARS>, [F1] to access CATLG, [ENTER] to access abs. A parenthesis is not automatically entered. Can also be accessed under [2nd], <MATH>, [F1] to access NUM, [F5] to access abs.
Square Root	Press [2nd], <•>. A parenthesis is not displayed after the square root symbol .	Press [2nd], <•>. A parenthesis is displayed after the square root symbol .	Press [2nd], <•>. A parenthesis is not displayed after the square root symbol.	Press [2nd], <•>. A parenthesis is not displayed after the square root symbol.
Cube Root	Press [MATH], . A parenthesis is not displayed.	Press [MATH], (. A parenthesis is displayed.	See next row.	See next row.
Nth Root Will take any designated root of a radicand.	Enter the root number, press [MATH], . A parenthesis is not displayed.	Enter the root number, press [MATH], . A parenthesis is not displayed.	Enter the root number, press [2nd], <MATH>, [F5] to access MISC, [MORE], [F4] to access . Can also be accessed by [2nd], <CATALOG>, arrow up until you reach . A parenthesis is not displayed.	Enter the root number, press [2nd], <MATH>, [F5] to access MISC, [MORE], [F4] to access . Can also be accessed by [2nd], <CATLG VARS>, arrow up until you reach A parenthes is is not displayed.
Factorial	Press [MATH], arrow right to PRB, arrow down to 4:!, press [ENTER].	Press [MATH], arrow right to PRB, arrow down to 4:!, press [ENTER].	Press [2nd], <MATH>, [F2] to access PROB, [F1] to access !.	Press [2nd], <MATH>, [F2] to access PROB, [F1] to access !.
Change a Decimal Answer to a Fractional Answer if the Number is Rational	Press [MATH], 1:Frac, [ENTER].	Press [MATH], 1:Frac, [ENTER].	[2nd],<MATH>, [F5] to access MISC, [MORE], [F1] to access Frac, [ENTER]. Can also access by [2nd], <CATALOG>, arrow up until you reach Frac.	[2nd], <MATH>, [F5] to access MISC, [MORE], [F1] to access Frac, [ENTER]. Can also access by [2nd], <CATLG-VARS>, [F1] to access CATLG. Arrow up until you reach Frac.
Parentheses Needed with Fractions used as Coefficients or Exponents	Both coefficients and exponents must be in parentheses.	Fractional coefficients do not have to be in parentheses, but fractional exponents do.	Both coefficients and exponents must be in parentheses.	Fractional coefficients do not have to be in parentheses, but fractional exponents do.
Raising a Negative Base to a Rational Exponent with a Numerator • … 1 i. e.	Negative base must be in parentheses and exponent must be separated into two parts, one representing the root (•) and the other representing the power (2). Entering the exponent as a single fraction will result in an error message.	Negative base must be in parentheses, fractional exponent must be in parentheses, but may be entered as a single fraction.	Negative base must be in parentheses and exponent must be separated into two parts, one representing the root (•) and the other representing the power (2). Entering the exponent as a single fraction will not give the real root.	Negative base must be in parentheses, fractional exponent must be in parentheses, but may be entered as a single fraction.
Complex Numbers	Not available.	The key to enter imaginary numbers, i, is located above the period key. Under [MODE], the calculator can be changed to give complex answers by highlighting a + bi instead of Real. Press [MATH], right arrow to CPX to display a menu of operations.	A complex number a + bi is entered as (a, b). Press [2nd] <CPLX> to display a menu of operations .	A complex number a + bi is entered as (a, b). Press [2nd] <CPLX> to display a menu of operations.
Test Menu Allows you to test for equality or inequality. If the test is true, a 1 will appear. If the test is false, a 0 will appear.	Press [2nd], <TEST>.	Press [2nd], <TEST>.	Press [2nd], <TEST>.	Press [2nd], <TEST>.
Storing Values Allows you to store values for variables, used in evaluating an expression.	Enter the value to be stored , press the [STO•]. If the value is to be stored for x, press [X,T,è]. If the value is to be stored for a different variable, press [ALPHA] and then the key with the appropriate letter written above. If more than one value is to be stored, each can be entered on the same line , separated by a colon. These values will now be used for these variables , until other values are stored.	Enter the value to be stored, press the [STO•]. If the value is to be stored for x, press [X,T,è,n]. If the value is to be stored for a different variable, press [ALPHA] and then the key with the appropriate letter written above. If more than one value is to be stored, each can be entered on the same line, separated by a colon These values will now be used for these variables, until other values are stored.	Enter the value to be stored, press the [STO•]. If the value is to be stored for x, press [x-VAR]. If the value is to be stored for a different variable , press [ALPHA] and then the key with the appropriate letter written above. If more than one value is to be stored, each can be entered on the same line, separated by a colon These values will now be used for these variables, until other values are stored.	Enter the value to be stored, press the [STO•]. If the value is to be stored for x, press [x-VAR]. If the value is to be stored for a different variable, press [ALPHA] and then the key with the appropriate letter written above. If more than one value is to be stored, each can be entered on the same line, separated by a colon These values will now be used for these variables, until other values are stored.