Need a manual for the Texas Instruments Ti-56 (55-III) Calculator

Michael Uplawski · 12-29-2019, 01:30 AM

Good morning.

I forgot how to change the base for the logarithm-function and the exponent for the n-th root (∛, ∜ and the like) of something. The default base is 10 for the log key and the default is 2 for √.

Now my wife reads a fascinating book about mathematics in the wild and stumbles upon logarithm tables that I have to explain. My French is not awfully bad, but my TI-56 masters the facts much better...

There are links to manuals on the Web, but the manuals are inaccessible or probably existent after a mere 34 years!
I believe that the LED-version of this calculator is otherwise identical to my “Slim LCD” design. And Ti-56 appears to be a European version of the TI-55 III or something. Anyway, around this time, logarithms and roots had probably been composed in the same way on several models of calculators.

So maybe you remember something ?

TIA.

Edit: It may not really serve to explain to my wife that she can calculate log₃ 27
as 1/log₁₀ 3 ∗ log₁₀ 27...
So, I won't.

TY

bodge99 · 12-29-2019, 05:40 AM

Hi,

I have the TI-55 II Scientific Calculator Quick Reference Guide in PDF format if you want a copy... Just PM me.

Bodge99.

teckk · 12-30-2019, 08:53 AM

Google a little.

https://www.rskey.org/CMS/index.php/the-library/12

Code:

curl -LI http://bulk.rskey.org/BULK/CALCDOCS/TI/SR56.PDF
HTTP/1.1 301 Moved Permanently
Date: Mon, 30 Dec 2019 14:48:47 GMT
Server: Apache/2.4.6 (CentOS) OpenSSL/1.0.2k-fips mod_fcgid/2.3.9 PHP/5.6.40 mod_wsgi/3.4 Python/2.7.5
Location: https://airy.rskey.org/CALCDOCS//TI/SR56.PDF
Content-Type: text/html; charset=iso-8859-1

HTTP/1.1 200 OK
Date: Mon, 30 Dec 2019 14:48:48 GMT
Server: Apache/2.4.6 (CentOS) OpenSSL/1.0.2k-fips mod_fcgid/2.3.9 PHP/5.6.40 mod_wsgi/3.4 Python/2.7.5
Last-Modified: Thu, 03 Apr 2003 20:09:21 GMT
ETag: "2e704b-3ba6c9baa5e40"
Accept-Ranges: bytes
Content-Length: 3043403
Content-Type: application/pdf

Code:

curl -LI http://bulk.rskey.org/BULK/CALCDOCS/TI/SR56APLB.PDF
HTTP/1.1 301 Moved Permanently
Date: Mon, 30 Dec 2019 14:52:53 GMT
Server: Apache/2.4.6 (CentOS) OpenSSL/1.0.2k-fips mod_fcgid/2.3.9 PHP/5.6.40 mod_wsgi/3.4 Python/2.7.5
Location: https://airy.rskey.org/CALCDOCS//TI/SR56APLB.PDF
Content-Type: text/html; charset=iso-8859-1

HTTP/1.1 200 OK
Date: Mon, 30 Dec 2019 14:52:53 GMT
Server: Apache/2.4.6 (CentOS) OpenSSL/1.0.2k-fips mod_fcgid/2.3.9 PHP/5.6.40 mod_wsgi/3.4 Python/2.7.5
Last-Modified: Fri, 04 Apr 2003 21:22:24 GMT
ETag: "12bf9e2-3ba81bec10400"
Accept-Ranges: bytes
Content-Length: 19659234
Content-Type: application/pdf

http://bulk.rskey.org/BULK/CALCDOCS/TI/SR56.PDF
http://bulk.rskey.org/BULK/CALCDOCS/TI/SR56APLB.PDF
http://bulk.rskey.org/BULK/CALCDOCS/TI/SR56CODE.PDF

Michael Uplawski · 12-31-2019, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teckk

Google a little.

Two days ago, I had been on that list and have seen that there is a manual for the SR56 but I could not open the referenced PDF-file. The response was a 404 error.

Today I have opened this manual and must admit, that my TI 56 does not have a key for x-th root of y, only a square-root. Both calculators are then different and there is still no manual for the TI 56.

Jan K. · 01-01-2020, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Uplawski

...the manuals are inaccessible or probably existent after a mere 34 years!

After 40 years my leather sandals have finally worn out... sigh. $50 out the window

But you're in luck as a TI calculator can be hers for a meagre $9

rnturn · 01-01-2020, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Uplawski

Good morning.

I forgot how to change the base for the logarithm-function and the exponent for the n-th root (∛, ∜ and the like) of something. The default base is 10 for the log key and the default is 2 for √.

Now my wife reads a fascinating book about mathematics in the wild and stumbles upon logarithm tables that I have to explain. My French is not awfully bad, but my TI-56 masters the facts much better...

In a pinch, for calculating "log base N" you can always use the formula

Code:

logN(x) = log10(x)/log10(N)

On my TI-34 and TI-35 PLUS, it's

Code:

N LOG STO      # Get log10 of N and store it in memory
x LOG/ RCL     # Get log10 of "x" and divide it by what's in memory

or on my TI-36X SOLAR (which has up to (count 'em!) three memory locations):

Code:

N LOG STO 1    # Log10 of N, store it in memory "1"
x LOG / RCL 1  # Log10 of "x" divided by the contents of memory "1"

The Nth root of "x" can be found using:

Code:

10^(log10(x)/N)

->

Code:

x LOG / N (10^2)     # (10^X) is a dedicated button on all of my TIs.

If your calculator does this with only 1 or 2 keypresses, I'm jealous. (Or I would have been as a student.)

This post has now got me wondering why I have so many old calculators laying around... and within easy reach.

Cheers...

Michael Uplawski · 01-02-2020, 04:51 AM

Thank you for the programmed examples. I will use them.

However, as the TI-56 in question is dearly loved by my wife who extends her horizons considerably by reading books (of all choices), the time is not ripe for hitting the LRN key.

From the TI 55 II manual that bodge99 sent me I learn that these calculator models do not forcibly resemble each other as much as I hoped for, at least as the root- and logarithm-functions are concerned.

For the root function, I can use the INV + “y pow x” combination, although it is not very pedagogic. It is paper and crayon for the logarithms with bases != 10.

Thanks all!