This document provides instructions for using a TI-Nspire calculator to calculate the distance between two points using the distance formula. It describes how to create a graph with two labeled points mapped to variables, create a split screen with a spreadsheet, and enter the distance formula using the mapped variables so the spreadsheet will automatically recalculate as the points are moved in the graph. The distance formula is displayed to be sqrt((x2-x1)^2+(y2-y1)^2).

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TI-Nspire Mini-Tutorials
Distance Formula Template
Summary of Keystrokes
Create a graph window and add two points:
c12/Gb 7 1 ·
(Use ¤ ¡ ` ¢ to move the pointer to the second point.) ·
Label the points and map them to variables x1, x2, y1, y2:
b 1 7 (Use ¤ ¡ ` ¢ to move the pointer to the first point.) · (Use
¤ ¡ ` ¢ to move the pointer to the second point.) ·
d (Use ¤ ¡ ` ¢ to move the pointer to the x coordinate of the first point.)
a / h X 1 · (Repeat for x2, y1, and y2.)
a/hY1·a/h
X2·a/hY2·
Create a split screen with a spreadsheet:
Press the DOC key.
522/eb4
DISTANCE·=SQRT((X2
-
X1)l2)+(Y2-
1 ) l 2 ) ) · (You will be asked if the x1, x2, y1, and y2
refer to the variables you created or the cell references in the spreadsheet. Select the
Variable Reference option and click OK. Do this for each variable.)
¤¤ae·¢
Manipulate the points in the graph and watch the spreadsheet recalculate the
midpoint:
/e`¢¤¡a¡