Quantitative Reasoning and the Environment       return to the chapter projects

Project File Descriptions
TI-83/84 calculator's group (.8xg) files
Downloading project files from our Web page to your computer
Linking the TI-83/84 to a computer
Sending calculator group (.8xg) files from your computer to a TI-83/84 calculator
Sending a data list from one calculator to another

Project File Descriptions             top

The main body of each chapter project is available as an Adobe Acrobat pdf file. Some chapter projects have additional pdf files that feature maps, charts, and so on. To obtain the free Acrobat Reader that allows you to read pdf files, click here.

The projects for Chapters 4, 5, and 13 require that students work with pre-defined data sets. For StatCrunch users, clicking on the appropriate link will load the data sets directly into StatCrunch. First-time users of StatCrunch will need to register. For TI-83/84 calculator users, the project data sets are posted as group (.8xg) files. Below we give instructions on how to download .8xg files to your computer, and then transfer them to your TI-83/84 calculator.

TI-83/84 calculator's group (.8xg) files          top

The TI-83/84 calculator's .8xg files are called "group" files. They are referred to as "group" files because they are a collection of one or more list files. Lists are where data are stored on the TI-83/84 calculator (and viewed in the data editor under STAT > 1:Edit). For example, all three columns of data for the Chapter 5 project are found in the TI group file called Ch05ProjectData.8xg. This file contains three lists of data: L1 for years, L2 for production, and L3 for population.

Most of the data lists for our chapter projects are named L1, L2, L3, and so on. The one exception is with the Chapter 4 project data, but the background information presented on this web page still applies.

Downloading project files from our Web page to your computer                top

Windows users:   Right click on either the Acrobat (.pdf) file or the TI group (.8xg) file and select "Save Target As" or "Save to Computer." Save the file in a location that is convenient to access later. Once on your computer, the TI group file will appear as a folder containing the data list(s). Note: download options may vary depending on your version of Windows.

 

Linking the TI-83/84 to a computer                    top

To exchange TI files between your computer and calculator, you will need the following two items:
  1. TI Connect software that is available for free at the Texas Instruments web site (click here). Note: there is also an older software program called GraphLink; that program will work fine but we do not give directions for its use here.
  2. A Connectivity Cable that links your computer to your calculator. Cables can be purchased at the Texas Instruments web site (click here). Note: you will need to choose the proper cable depending on the calculator (TI-83 or TI-84) and computer port (USB or serial).

Sending calculator group (.8xg) files from your computer to a TI-83/84 calculator                    top

Once the TI Connect software is installed, connect the calculator to your computer with the cable.  Be sure that the cable end attached to the calculator is pressed in firmly. Then proceed as follows:

Windows users:

    1. Start the TI Connect program. Note: The images and descriptions below are for Version 1.6 of TI Connect running on Windows XP.



    2. With your calculator already linked to your computer with the connectivity cable, click on TI Device Explorer to open that application. This application will take a few moments to decide which type of calculator and cable you are using. Once connected, the TI Device Explorer will display as below (with perhaps some minor differences).



    3. Return to the TI-Connect window and click on the Explore My TI Data application to open it as well. This window is simply a Windows directory. Locate the TI group file that you have downloaded from our web site to your computer. For example, in the image below the Chapter 5 project data (the group file) was saved under the directory C:\All Documents\MyTIData.



    4. Arrange the two windows (TI Device Explorer and Explore My TI Data) side by side as in the mage below.



    5. Once you have located the TI group file that you wish to send to your calculator, use your mouse to "drag and drop" the file into the TI Device Explorer window (see below). The file will then transfer automatically to your calculator. There are two locations where you can "drop" the file in the Device Explorer, indicated by the black arrows below.

      Drag to RAM  If you drag the group file to RAM (random access memory), the individual lists in the group file will be loaded into your calculator ungrouped. Furthermore, the individual lists will replace existing lists with the same name (although you should get an overwrite option). Once the lists are dragged into RAM, they can be viewed in the data editor of the calculator (STAT > 1:Edit). For example, dragging CH05ProjectData.8xg to RAM results in new lists L1, L2 and L3 on the calculator.

      Drag to Archive  If you drag the group file to Archive, the individual lists in the group file will remain grouped on your TI calculator. Furthermore, the grouped file in your calculator is stored in "archive memory" rather than RAM. This is advantageous if you want to store the grouped data set for later use, and it helps free up the somewhat-limited RAM on your calculator. Once you drag a TI group file to Archive, you can check that it is stored on your calculator by opening the Group folder in the TI Device Explorer window (see red arrow below). Note that file names on the TI-83/84 are truncated after 8 letters or digits. See further notes in part 6 regarding "ungrouping" grouped data.



    6. Once you drag a TI group file to Archive, it is only accessible to work with on the TI after you "ungroup" the file. On your TI-83/84 select MEM [2nd +] followed by 8:Group. Select the UNGROUP column and you will see all the grouped file names. See below. Select the file that you wish to ungroup, then press ENTER. You may get the DuplicateName warning screen on your calculator; proceed cautiously!


Sending a data list from one calculator to another                    top

To send a data list from one TI calculator to another, you will need a patch cord to connect the two units. Cords are available at the TI web site. Be sure that the cord is pressed firmly into place in both units. (Sometimes you will feel a slight "click" when it is engaged.) Then proceed as follows:

  1. Turn on the receiving unit. Select LINK > RECEIVE > 1:Receive. The calculator will say "Waiting ..."
  2. Turn on the sending unit. Select LINK > SEND > 4:List. Under the SELECT column, you will see the lists that are available on the sending unit. Move the cursor up and down using the arrow keys. When you come to a list that you want to send, press ENTER. Move the cursor up or down and you will see that a small bullet has been placed next to the list. Continue until you have selected (bulleted) each list that you want to send.
  3. Press the right arrow to select the TRANSMIT column. Then select 1:Transmit.
  4. The receiving calculator may prompt you to 1) Rename 2) Overwrite 3) Omit or 4) Quit. Choose according to your needs.