

News Release CG-418PC


Revolutionary Instructional Tool Combines the Power of a Computer Lab with 
The Independence of a Calculator

Portable, Handheld, Cost-Effective TI-92 Packs Capabilities that Previously 
Required Personal Computers and Software 

.DALLAS (April 11, 1995) -- Combining the power of a computer math lab with the independence of a calculator, Texas Instruments today announced a revolutionary instructional tool for high-school and college mathematics students and teachers.  Portable and handheld, the cost-effective TI-92 delivers many capabilities that have been available only in personal computers and mathematics software.  The TI-92 expands TI's successful line of instructional products which currently include the TI-80, TI-81, TI-82 and TI-85 graphing calculators and the Calculator Based Lab (CBL[tm]) system.

."The TI-92 is a powerful, application-specific tool designed for mathematics education," said Chuck Vonder Embse, associate professor of mathematics at Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. "Traditional computer math labs are expensive to equip, so most schools 
lack adequate computer resources.  This scarcity limits the time students have to explore mathematics and understand its relevance to the real world."
.
."In many cases, schools can provide a TI-92 for each student more economically than they could invest in traditional computers and software.  With the features and functions of the TI-92, teachers can turn a variety of math classrooms into computer labs at a fraction of the cost, Vonder 
Embse concluded."

.Arne Engebretsen, a math instructor at Greendale High School, Greendale, Wisc., used the TI-92 for seven weeks in three honors geometry classes; most of his students were freshmen.  "We used the TI-92 in conjunction with our regular curriculum," he said, "and it enhanced the way we learned our geometry.  My students and I enjoyed the experience.  They asked more questions than usual, and their questions were better than usual. The TI-92 helped the kids take an active role in learning; we went beyond simply working out of a textbook."

.The developer of a custom application for teaching and learning calculus on the Apple Macintosh, Rollins College mathematics professor Doug Child served as a consultant during the development of the TI-92.  More recently he has class tested the device in calculus and linear algebra courses.

."The TI-92 has the potential to revolutionize what we do as instructors," Doug said.  "I expect it to have a dramatic impact on students and teachers.  Students who use the TI-92 don't have to worry about computing things; instead they can focus on exploring the framework of calculus.  By the same token, the device gives instructors an incredible number of new options for teaching."

."With the TI-92 students have a complete kit of geometrical tools that makes it easy to explore and discover geometrical relationships," said Michael Keyton, a mathematics instructor at St. Mark's School of Texas in Dallas.  "Students can use the TI-92 to draw involved geometric figures quickly, save them for later study and modify them for mathematical investigation.  This makes it possible to explore, to discover and then to prove. The ability to carry around a device this powerful as you would a calculator is simply phenomenal."

.Developed after years of consultation with classroom teachers and leading educators, the TI-92 handles a broad range of mathematics from algebra through calculus including interactive geometry, symbolic manipulation, statistics and 3D graphing.  The TI-92 graphs functions, 
parametric equations, polar equations, recursively defined sequences and 3D surfaces.

.The device also gives teachers the ability to connect mathematics disciplines in ways that have not been available previously. In addition, the product performs a variety of matrix 
operations.

."For the first time students have a tool they 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."

Versatile TI-92 is Easy to Learn, Easy to Use

."The TI-92 is easy to learn and easy to use," said Jim Kozman, head of the math department at Franklyn Heights High School in Columbus, Ohio.  Kozman was one of the instructors who tested the TI-92 in pilot programs during the fall of 1994.  "This is 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(r) computers and IBM(r)-compatible personal computers running Microsoft(r) Windows(r).

.The unit has a horizontal 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 TI-92 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, when used together, emulate the operation of a mouse.

.Based on an application-specific version of the Motorola 68000 microprocessor, the TI-92 has 128K of RAM storage including 70K of 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[tm] 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.

Powerful New Capabilities for 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 Universit of Joseph Fourier.  Students can use interactive geometry to explore Euclidean, transformational and analytic geometry.  TI developed the TI-92's symbolic manipulation features for algebra and calculus in a joint effort with the authors of the DERIVE[tm] computer algebra system produced by Soft Warehouse, Inc.

.The device incorporates pretty print1 technology that makes even complicated mathematical equations easy to read, just as they would be in a printed textbook.  The built-in text editor has scripting capability so users can embed mathematical information in text.

.The estimated street price for the TI-92 is $200.  Dealer prices may vary.  The unit will be available from authorized TI instructional dealers and retail stores beginning in the fourth quarter of 1995.  The TI-92 is covered by a one-year limited warranty.

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NOTES TO EDITOR
Texas Instruments Incorporated, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is a high-technology company with sales or manufacturing operations in more than 30 countries.  TI develops, manufactures and markets semiconductors, defense electronic systems, software productivity tools, computers and peripheral products, custom engineering and manufacturing services, electrical controls, metallurgical materials and consumer electronic products.  Consumer products include handheld and desktop calculators and electronic reference and data products.

Please forward all inquiries to:.Texas Instruments
.....Consumer Relations
.....P.O. Box 6118
.....Temple, TX  76503-6118

Consumer Inquiry Phone Number:..800-TI-CARES (800-842-2737)
Consumer Inquiry Fax Number:..817-774-6074
E-Mail.....ti-cares@ti.com

TRADEMARKS:

GRAPH LINK is a trademark of Texas Instruments Incorporated.
Cabri Geometry II is a trademark of Universit Joseph Fourier.
DERIVE is a  registered trademark of Soft Warehouse, Inc.
Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.
IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation. Microsoft is a registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.  Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. 

1. Pretty print is common terminology used in symbolic manipulation software to designate textbook or blackboard-like representations of mathematical equations. TI-92 The Power Of A Computer Lab The Independence Of A Calculator Page 3


How to Contact Educators Familiar with the TI-92


Doug Child
Professor of Mathematics
Rollins College
1000 Holt Avenue
Winter Park, FL 32789
407-646-2667 Office
407-646-2600 Fax


Arne Engebretsen
Instructor, Math Department
Greendale High School
6801 South Way
Greendale, WI 53129
414-423-0110 Office
414-423-1667 Fax

Michael Keyton
Instructor, Math Department
St. Mark's School of Texas
10600 Preston Road
Dallas, Texas 75230
214-363-6491, x159 Office
214-373-0691 Fax

Jim Kozman
Math Department Head
Franklyn Heights H.S.
South-Western City Schools
1001 Demorest Road
Columbus, OH 43204
614-272-7100  Office
614-278-6303  Fax

Chuck Vonder Embse
Professor
Central Michigan University
Department of Mathematics
Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859
517-774-3683 Office
517-774-7106 Fax

Dr. Bert Waits
Professor Emeritus
Department of Mathematics
The Ohio State University
231 W. 18th Ave.
Columbus, OH 43210
614-292-1934 Office
614-292-0694 Fax




