Don't you do something like STO->ALPHA- and a letter to store it and then just use the letter in your next calculation. I don't have one handy so can't check.
Mike.
I know I can store an answer into any variable (A-Z and theta) and then use that in later calculations but that is not the same thing as scrolling on the display to copy and paste anything at any time. If I could simply scroll backward and forwards and then copy and paste anything at any time like my cheap and cheerful Texas Instruments TI-30XS that would be much nicer.
So I understand about using variables, the problem being you can't view the variables at the same time as you are calculating a series of consecutive equations, thus it can be hard to remember what number was stored into what variable.
Let me explain further and let's see what you think. I'm teaching in front of the class so I have no paper to write things down on, however I do write the ongoing answers on the whiteboard as I progress through the multiple steps, but not to the maximum number of digits as held in the calculator.
But there are a number of problems associated with doing that:
1) there is the increased chance of data entry error every time you copy a number down and then re-enter it
2) unless you copy the number down with the complete number of digits, then each time you copy it down and then re-enter it rounding errors accumulate, thus after four of five ongoing calculations the rounding errors can get to the point that the final answer falls outside the expected norm
Now I could write down the letter I have saved the variable under, so that way all I need do is recall that variable when required for further calculations but this assumes I know ahead of time exactly which values I need to store and which values I can safely ignore. This is not always the case in multiple ongoing circuit analysis spanning a number of calculations. Sometimes it turns out I need a value that I may not have expected I needed! That's why I'm trying to see if there is a true scrolling/copy/paste feature on any of the more advanced TI's.
It seems strange that the lowly TI-30XS should be the only TI that can truly do this. By the way the TI-30XS has a four line display but it’s weak manipulating phasors, imaginary numbers and cannot perform calculations that are not base 10 etc so the TI-30XS does not have the depth of power to do many of the other kinds of calculations I need. That's why I also use the non-programmable Casio FX991MS, Casio FX991ES, and Sharp ELW516B while in front of the class.
I've heard that Omnicalc might allow me to scroll through something like 16 previous entries and find the one I want but I'm not sure. Any-who here is a link to the new-ish Texas Instruments TI-30XS and here is the key feature I refer to: "Designed with unique features that allow you to enter more than one calculation, compare results and explore patterns, all on the same screen"
TI-30XS MultiView™ by Texas Instruments - US and Canada
I also have the TI-89 Titanium, Voyage 200 and TI-89 so I will take any advice you have on any of them to help me copy and paste, but I'm most interested in my TI-84+ Silver Edition.
Thanks ever so much!