Named model
How to use the TI-30XS MultiView
The TI-30XS MultiView is a scientific calculator used in many middle school, high school and science classes. It shows fractions and powers the way they look in a textbook.
This page has a working practice keypad, a plain guide to every key, and short lessons. They cover fractions, standard deviation, lines of best fit, tables, nCr, powers, roots, logs and scientific notation.
Everything follows Texas Instruments' own guidebook for the calculator, written in our own words. Calcapedia is independent of Texas Instruments.
Lessons: learn the TI-30XS MultiView step by step
0 of 13 done
Fractions and mixed numbersType fractions and mixed numbers, add them, and switch the answer to a decimal.
Step by step
- n/d2▼3
Press n/d, type the top number 2, press ▼, then type the bottom number 3.
Display: 2/3 (our simulation; the guidebook doesn't show this screen)
- ►+12nd[Un/d]1▼4
Press ► to leave the fraction. Then +, the whole number 1, 2nd [Un/d], 1, ▼ and 4 for 1 1/4.
Display: 2/3+1 1/4 (our simulation; the guidebook doesn't show this screen)
- enter
Press enter. The answer is a fraction in lowest terms.
Display: 23/12 (our simulation; the guidebook doesn't show this screen)
- ◄►
Press ◄► to see the same answer as a decimal. Press it again to go back.
Display: 1.916666667 (our simulation; the guidebook doesn't show this screen)
Tips
- Anything you type before pressing ► stays inside the fraction.
- The answer comes out as an improper fraction. ◄► shows it as a decimal.
Use it on a real problem: Fraction Calculator · Mixed Number Converter
Keys follow TI-30XS MultiView™ and TI-30XB MultiView™ Scientific Calculator Guidebook (pp. 7, 13–14), in our own words, replayed on this site's simulation.
Negative numbers: (−) is not −Type a negative number with (−), and use brackets to square it.
Step by step
- (−)3x²enter
Press (−), 3, x² and enter. The calculator squares 3 first, then applies the minus sign.
Display: -9 (our simulation; the guidebook doesn't show this screen)
- ((−)3)x²enter
Put the negative number in brackets: (, (−), 3, ), then x² and enter. Now the whole −3 is squared.
Display: 9 (our simulation; the guidebook doesn't show this screen)
Tips
- (−) makes a number negative. − subtracts, so it needs a number before it.
- When a negative number is raised to a power, put it in brackets.
Use it on a real problem: Exponent Calculator · Scientific Calculator
Keys follow TI-30XS MultiView™ and TI-30XB MultiView™ Scientific Calculator Guidebook (pp. 3–4, 8–9), in our own words, replayed on this site's simulation.
Keep going from the last answerUse the last answer in the next calculation without typing it again.
Step by step
- 12×3enter
Work out 12 × 3 and press enter.
Display: 36
- ×2
Press × straight away. The calculator puts Ans, the last answer, in front of it.
Display: Ans*2 (our simulation; the guidebook doesn't show this screen)
- enter
Press enter to double the last answer.
Display: 72
Tips
- 2nd [ans] puts the last answer anywhere in an entry, not only at the start.
- Pressing − first uses Ans too. For a negative number, press (−).
Use it on a real problem: Percentage Calculator · Average Calculator
Keys follow TI-30XS MultiView™ and TI-30XB MultiView™ Scientific Calculator Guidebook (pp. 7), in our own words, replayed on this site's simulation.
Percent with 2nd [%]Find a percent of a number with the % second function.
Step by step
- 152nd[%]
Type 15, then 2nd and [%]. % divides the number before it by 100.
Display: 15% (our simulation; the guidebook doesn't show this screen)
- ×80enter
Press × 80 and enter to find 15% of 80.
Display: 12
Tips
- % is printed above a key, so press 2nd first.
- To add a percent, such as tax, work out the percent first and then add it.
Use it on a real problem: Percentage Calculator · Discount Calculator · Tip Calculator
Keys follow TI-30XS MultiView™ and TI-30XB MultiView™ Scientific Calculator Guidebook (pp. 14–15), in our own words, replayed on this site's simulation.
Degree mode and trigCheck the angle mode, then find a tangent in degrees.
Step by step
- mode
Press mode. The first line shows DEG, RAD and GRAD. The highlighted one is in use.
Display: [DEG] RAD GRAD · [NORM] SCI ENG · [FLOAT] 0123456789 · CLASSIC [MATHPRINT]
- enter
The cursor starts on DEG. Press enter to choose degrees.
Display: [DEG] RAD GRAD · [NORM] SCI ENG · [FLOAT] 0123456789 · CLASSIC [MATHPRINT] (our simulation; the guidebook doesn't show this screen)
- clear
Press clear to go back to the home screen.
Display: ▮ (our simulation; the guidebook doesn't show this screen)
- tan45)enter
Press tan, type 45, close the bracket and press enter.
Display: 1 (our simulation; the guidebook doesn't show this screen)
Tips
- The mode stays set when the calculator is off. Check it before any trig problem.
- DEG shows at the top of the screen while degrees are in use.
Use it on a real problem: Right Triangle Calculator · Scientific Calculator
Keys follow TI-30XS MultiView™ and TI-30XB MultiView™ Scientific Calculator Guidebook (pp. 2–3, 18, 20), in our own words, replayed on this site's simulation.
Mean of a list with 1-Var StatsEnter a list of numbers and find how many there are and their mean.
Step by step
- datadata
Press data to open the lists, then data again for the CLEAR menu.
Display: 1:Clear L1
- 4
Press 4 for Clear ALL, so no old values are left.
Display: L1(1)= (our simulation; the guidebook doesn't show this screen)
- 6▼8▼8▼10enter
Type each value and press ▼ after it, and enter after the last one.
Display: L1(5)= (our simulation; the guidebook doesn't show this screen)
- 2nd[stat]1
Press 2nd [stat], then 1 for 1-Var Stats. DATA should be L1.
Display: DATA: [L1] L2 L3
- ▼▼enter
Press ▼ twice to CALC, then enter. The first line is n, how many values.
Display: 1:n=4
- ▼
Press ▼ for x̄, the mean.
Display: 2:x̄=8
Tips
- FRQ should be ONE unless each value has a count in another list.
- Keep scrolling down for Sx, the sample standard deviation, and more.
Use it on a real problem: Average Calculator · Standard Deviation Calculator
Keys follow TI-30XS MultiView™ and TI-30XB MultiView™ Scientific Calculator Guidebook (pp. 5, 23–25), in our own words, replayed on this site's simulation.
Standard deviation with 1-Var StatsEnter a list and read its sample and population standard deviation.
Step by step
- datadata4
Press data, data again, then 4 for Clear ALL. The list editor opens at L1.
Display: L1(1)= (our simulation; the guidebook doesn't show this screen)
- 12▼15▼18▼21▼24enter
Type each value and press ▼ after it, and enter after the last one.
Display: L1(6)= (our simulation; the guidebook doesn't show this screen)
- 2nd[stat]1
Press 2nd [stat], then 1 for 1-Var Stats. DATA should be L1.
Display: DATA: [L1] L2 L3
- ▼▼enter
Press ▼ twice to CALC, then enter. The results list opens.
Display: 1:n=5
- ▼▼
Press ▼ twice for Sx, the sample standard deviation.
Display: 3:Sx=4.743416490
- ▼
Press ▼ once more for σx, the population standard deviation.
Display: 4:σx=4.242640687
Tips
- Use Sx for a sample and σx when your list is the whole group.
- x̄, the mean, is the line just above Sx.
Use it on a real problem: Standard Deviation Calculator · Average Calculator
Keys follow TI-30XS MultiView™ and TI-30XB MultiView™ Scientific Calculator Guidebook (pp. 5, 23–27), in our own words, replayed on this site's simulation.
Line of best fit with 2-Var StatsEnter paired data in L1 and L2 and read the line y = ax + b and r.
Step by step
- datadata4
Press data, data, then 4 to clear all lists.
Display: L1(1)= (our simulation; the guidebook doesn't show this screen)
- 1▼3▼4▼6
Type the x values in L1, with ▼ between them: 1, 3, 4 and 6.
Display: L1(4)=6 (our simulation; the guidebook doesn't show this screen)
- ►
Press ► to move to the top of L2.
Display: L2(1)= (our simulation; the guidebook doesn't show this screen)
- 8▼13▼15▼21enter
Type the y values: 8, 13, 15 and 21, then enter.
Display: L2(5)= (our simulation; the guidebook doesn't show this screen)
- 2nd[stat]2
Press 2nd [stat], then 2 for 2-Var Stats. xDATA should be L1.
Display: xDATA: [L1] L2 L3
- ▼▼enter
Press ▼ to check yDATA is L2, ▼ again to CALC, then enter.
Display: 1:n=4
- ▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼
Press ▼ 12 times to reach a, the slope.
Display: D:a=2.576923077
- ▼
Press ▼ for b, where the line crosses the y axis.
Display: E:b=5.230769231
- ▼
Press ▼ for r. Close to 1 means the points sit close to a rising line.
Display: F:r=0.997558536
Tips
- The line is y = ax + b, so a is the slope and b the starting value.
- Press ▲ from 1:n to jump to the bottom of the list faster.
Use it on a real problem: Linear Regression Calculator · Slope Calculator
Keys follow TI-30XS MultiView™ and TI-30XB MultiView™ Scientific Calculator Guidebook (pp. 24–25, 27–28), in our own words, replayed on this site's simulation.
Combinations, permutations and factorials with prbCount choices with nCr and nPr, and work out a factorial, from the prb menu.
Step by step
- 12prb
Ways to pick 4 of 12 songs, order not mattering. Type 12, then press prb.
Display: 1:nPr
- 24enter
Press 2 for nCr, then type 4 and press enter.
Display: 495
- 9prb12enter
Ways to give first and second place to 2 of 9 runners: 9, prb, 1 for nPr, 2, enter.
Display: 72
- 6prb3enter
Ways to line up 6 people: 6, prb, then 3 for !, and enter.
Display: 720
Tips
- Use nCr when order doesn't matter and nPr when it does.
- Type the bigger number before you open prb.
Use it on a real problem: Combination Calculator · Permutation Calculator · Factorial Calculator
Keys follow TI-30XS MultiView™ and TI-30XB MultiView™ Scientific Calculator Guidebook (pp. 29–30), in our own words, replayed on this site's simulation.
Scientific notation with x10ⁿ and SCIType numbers in scientific notation and show answers that way.
Step by step
- 3.2x10ⁿ5
Type 3.2, press x10ⁿ, then type the power 5.
Display: 3.2*10⁵ (our simulation; the guidebook doesn't show this screen)
- ►×4x10ⁿ(−)3
Press ► to leave the power. Then × 4, x10ⁿ, (−) and 3 for 4×10⁻³.
Display: 3.2*10⁵*4*10⁻³ (our simulation; the guidebook doesn't show this screen)
- enter
Press enter.
Display: 1280
- mode▼►enterclear
To show answers in scientific notation, press mode, ▼, ► to SCI, enter, then clear. The last answer stays on the screen.
Display: 1280 (our simulation; the guidebook doesn't show this screen)
- 1280enter
Type 1280 and press enter.
Display: 1.28*10³
- mode▼enterclear
Press mode, ▼, enter on NORM, then clear, to go back.
Display: 1.28*10³ (our simulation; the guidebook doesn't show this screen)
Tips
- Use (−) for a negative power, not the − key.
- Press ► after the power, or the rest goes into the power too.
Use it on a real problem: Scientific Notation Calculator · Exponent Calculator
Keys follow TI-30XS MultiView™ and TI-30XB MultiView™ Scientific Calculator Guidebook (pp. 2–3, 15), in our own words, replayed on this site's simulation.
A table of values with the table keyType a function and list its values, step by step.
Step by step
- table
Press table. The y= line opens.
Display: y= (our simulation; the guidebook doesn't show this screen)
- xyztabcx²−4xyztabc
Type x² − 4x. Press xyztabc for x.
Display: y=x²-4x (our simulation; the guidebook doesn't show this screen)
- enter
Press enter. The table setup asks where to start.
Display: Start=0
- ▼
Start at 0 is what we want, so press ▼ to Step. Step 1 goes up by 1.
Display: Step=1
- ▼▼enter
Leave Auto on, press ▼ to OK and press enter. The table opens.
Display: x=0 y=0
- ▼
Press ▼ to go down the table.
Display: x=1 y=-3 (our simulation; the guidebook doesn't show this screen)
- ▼
Press ▼ again.
Display: x=2 y=-4 (our simulation; the guidebook doesn't show this screen)
Tips
- Press clear on Start or Step to type a new number.
- Ask-x lets you type each x yourself.
Use it on a real problem: Parabola Calculator · Slope Calculator
Keys follow TI-30XS MultiView™ and TI-30XB MultiView™ Scientific Calculator Guidebook (pp. 33–35), in our own words, replayed on this site's simulation.
Powers, roots and reciprocalsRaise a number to any power, take square and other roots, and find a reciprocal.
Step by step
- 3^5enter
Type 3, press ^, then 5 for 3 to the 5th. Press enter.
Display: 243
- 2nd[√]196enter
Press 2nd [√], type 196 and press enter.
Display: 14
- 52nd[x√]32enter
For a 5th root, type 5 first, then 2nd [x√], 32 and enter.
Display: 2
- 8x⁻¹enter
Type 8 and press x⁻¹ for 1 ÷ 8.
Display: 1/8
- 2nd[√]50enter
Press 2nd [√], type 50 and press enter. The answer is a simplified root.
Display: 5√2
- ◄►
Press ◄► to see it as a decimal.
Display: 7.071067812
Tips
- Press ► to leave a power or root before typing more.
- x² squares with one key.
Use it on a real problem: Square Root Calculator · Exponent Calculator
Keys follow TI-30XS MultiView™ and TI-30XB MultiView™ Scientific Calculator Guidebook (pp. 7, 16), in our own words, replayed on this site's simulation.
Logarithms, including other basesWork out log and ln, and a log to any base by dividing two logs.
Step by step
- log0.01)enter
Press log, type 0.01, close the bracket and press enter. This is the log to base 10.
Display: -2
- ln50)enter
Press ln, type 50, close the bracket and press enter for the natural log.
Display: 3.912023005
- log81)÷log3)enter
For base 3, divide the log of 81 by the log of 3: log 81 ) ÷ log 3 ) and enter.
Display: 4
Tips
- The answer is the power: 3⁴ = 81, so the log of 81 to base 3 is 4.
- 2nd [10ˣ] and 2nd [eˣ] undo log and ln.
Use it on a real problem: Logarithm Calculator · Exponent Calculator
Keys follow TI-30XS MultiView™ and TI-30XB MultiView™ Scientific Calculator Guidebook (pp. 23), in our own words, replayed on this site's simulation.
Display: ▮
It works! Press the keys to calculate. Hover over or tab to a key to see what it does.
What every key on the TI-30XS MultiView does
A scientific calculator common in school math and science classes. Fractions, powers, trig and quick statistics.
What every key does (60)
Control keys
- 2nd
- Makes the next key do the function printed above it; 2nd shows on the screen. Pressing it again cancels.
- mode
- Opens the settings screen with the cursor on DEG. Arrows move the cursor and enter picks a setting: angle unit, number notation or decimal places.
- delete
- Deletes the character at the cursor, or the one before it at the end of the entry. In the list editor it deletes the highlighted value.
- clear
- Clears the entry line, then the screen. It also clears an error and backs up out of menus and lists.
- on
- Turns the calculator on. History, settings and memory are kept from before it was switched off.
Arrow keys
- ◄
- Moves the cursor left in the entry; 2nd ◄ jumps to its start. In the list editor, moves to the list on the left.
- ▲
- Scrolls up through earlier answers and entries, so enter can paste one. It also moves from a denominator to its numerator, and up in lists and menus.
- ▼
- Moves from a numerator down to its denominator, back down the history, and down in lists and menus. In the list editor it stores a value.
- ►
- Moves the cursor right; at the end of a denominator, exponent or square root it leaves that template. 2nd ► jumps to the end.
Menus and templates
- log
- Opens log( : the base-10 logarithm of what follows. Close the bracket with ).
- prb
- Opens the probability menu: nPr, nCr and ! on one page, rand and randint( on the next. ◄ and ► switch pages.
- data
- Opens the list editor at L1. Pressed again there, it opens the CLEAR and FORMULA menus; while you type a formula, it lists L1, L2 and L3.
- table
- Opens y= for a function of x, then the table setup: Start, Step, Auto or Ask-x. OK shows x and y values.
- ln
- Opens ln( : the natural logarithm, base e, of what follows.
- n/d
- Opens a fraction. Keyed after a number, that number becomes the numerator and the cursor goes to the denominator.
- ◄►
- Switches the answer on the screen between its exact form (a fraction, root or π) and its decimal, either way. At the end of an entry it gives the other form at once.
- x10ⁿ
- Enters a number in scientific notation: the power of ten goes in the raised exponent. The answer uses the notation set on the mode screen.
Functions and memory
- π
- Pi; MathPrint keeps it exact in answers such as 2π and π/4.
- sin
- Sine of the angle typed after it, in the current angle mode. Close the bracket with ).
- cos
- Cosine of the angle typed after it, in the current angle mode.
- tan
- Tangent of the angle typed after it, in the current angle mode.
- x⁻¹
- Gives 1 divided by the value before it: 2 x⁻¹ enter gives 1/2.
- x²
- Squares the value before it.
- ^
- Raises the value before it to a power typed in the raised exponent; ► leaves the exponent.
- xyztabc
- Types the variable x. Pressed again straight after, it changes to y, z, t, a, b, c and back to x.
- sto→
- Puts → after the entry; pick a variable with x yzt abc and press enter to store the value there.
Second functions (press 2nd first)
- [quit]
- Second function: press 2nd first. Leaves a menu, the list editor or the settings screen for the home screen.
- [off]
- Second function: press 2nd first. Switches the calculator off. History, settings and memory are kept.
- [insert]
- Second function: press 2nd first. Makes the next characters go in at the cursor instead of typing over the character there.
- [reset]
- Second function: press 2nd first. Asks No or Yes; Yes clears memory, history, lists and settings and shows MEMORY CLEARED.
- [ans]
- Second function: press 2nd first. Inserts Ans, the last answer.
- [recall]
- Second function: press 2nd first. Lists the seven variables with their values. A number key or enter pastes a value into the entry.
- [clearvar]
- Second function: press 2nd first. Asks Yes or No; Yes sets x, y, z, t, a, b and c back to 0.
- [K]
- Second function: press 2nd first. Opens K= to set a constant operation, such as ×2+3. While K shows, enter applies it to each value keyed in. 2nd [K] again turns it off.
- [stat]
- Second function: press 2nd first. Opens the statistics menu: 1-Var Stats, 2-Var Stats, and StatVars once stats are calculated.
- [angle]
- Second function: press 2nd first. Opens the angle menu: °, ', ", r, g and ►DMS on one page, and polar and rectangular conversions on the next.
- [hyp]
- Second function: press 2nd first. Makes the next sin, cos or tan key give the hyperbolic function; HYP shows on the screen.
- [,]
- Second function: press 2nd first. Separates the two values in randint(, R►Pr( and the other two-value functions.
Second functions: maths (press 2nd first)
- [Un/d]
- Second function: press 2nd first. After a whole number, starts a mixed number with the cursor in the numerator. First in an entry, it opens a mixed number with room for a one-digit whole part.
- [f◄►d]
- Second function: press 2nd first. At the end of an entry, shows the answer as a decimal instead of a fraction, or a decimal as a fraction where it can.
- [n/d◄►Un/d]
- Second function: press 2nd first. At the end of an entry, shows the answer as a mixed number, or a mixed number as an improper fraction.
- [►%]
- Second function: press 2nd first. At the end of an entry, shows the answer as a percent: 1/5 becomes 20%.
- [%]
- Second function: press 2nd first. Keyed after a value, divides it by 100: 2 % × 150 is 3.
- [√]
- Second function: press 2nd first. Opens a square root; what follows goes under it until ► or enter.
- [x√]
- Second function: press 2nd first. After a number, opens that root: 6 2nd [x√] 64 enter gives 2.
- [10ˣ]
- Second function: press 2nd first. Opens 10 to a power typed in the raised exponent; ► leaves the exponent.
- [eˣ]
- Second function: press 2nd first. Opens e to a power typed in the raised exponent.
- [sin⁻¹]
- Second function: press 2nd first. Opens sin⁻¹( : the angle whose sine is the value, in the current angle mode.
- [cos⁻¹]
- Second function: press 2nd first. Opens cos⁻¹( : the angle whose cosine is the value.
- [tan⁻¹]
- Second function: press 2nd first. Opens tan⁻¹( : the angle whose tangent is the value. tan⁻¹(1) is 45 in degrees.
Number keys
- (
- Opens a bracket. Whatever is inside the brackets is worked out first.
- )
- Closes the bracket you opened.
- (−)
- Makes the next number negative. It is not the − key, which subtracts.
- ÷
- Divide.
- 0–9
- The number keys. Type numbers the way you write them.
- ×
- Multiply.
- −
- Subtract.
- +
- Add.
- .
- The decimal point, for numbers like 2.5.
- enter
- Works out the answer, following the order of operations (brackets, powers, × and ÷, then + and −).
Solve real problems on the TI-30XS MultiView
Each calculator page shows the exact keys for its problem on this keypad.
- 3/4 + 5/6 with the n/d key on the TI-30XS MultiViewFraction Calculator
- 15% of 80 with 2nd [%] on the TI-30XS MultiViewPercentage Calculator
- √72 on the TI-30XS MultiViewSquare Root Calculator
- 8^(2/3) on the TI-30XS MultiViewExponent Calculator
- 2.998 × 10⁸ with x10ⁿ on the TI-30XS MultiViewScientific Notation Calculator
- sin 70° and a ladder's height on the TI-30XS MultiViewTrigonometry Calculator
- A missing leg, √(13² − 5²), on the TI-30XS MultiViewPythagorean Theorem Calculator
- 12 + 8 × (5 − 2) ÷ 4 on the TI-30XS MultiViewBasic Calculator
- The mean with 1-Var Stats on the TI-30XS MultiViewAverage Calculator
- Sample standard deviation with 1-Var Stats on the TI-30XS MultiViewStandard Deviation Calculator
Common questions about the TI-30XS MultiView
- How do I switch between a fraction and a decimal on the TI-30XS MultiView?
- With the answer on the screen, press the ◄► key. It switches the answer between its fraction form and its decimal.
- How do I type a fraction?
- Press n/d, type the top number, press ▼ and type the bottom number. Press ► to leave the fraction before typing anything else.
- Why is my negative number squared still negative?
- The calculator squares before it applies the negative sign, so (−) 2 x² gives −4. Put the negative number in brackets to square it: ((−) 2) x² gives 4.
- How do I set degree mode?
- Press mode, put the cursor on DEG and press enter. The setting stays until you change it.
- Why does my answer start with Ans?
- Starting a line with an operator such as × uses your last answer. The calculator puts Ans in front so you can keep going.
- How do I find standard deviation on the TI-30XS MultiView?
- Type your values into L1 with data. Press 2nd [stat], 1 for 1-Var Stats, ▼ twice and enter. Sx is line 3 and σx line 4.
- How do I find a line of best fit?
- Put x values in L1 and y values in L2. Press 2nd [stat], 2 for 2-Var Stats, ▼ twice and enter. Scroll down to a, b and r.
- Where are nCr and nPr?
- They're in the prb menu. Type the bigger number, press prb, then 1 for nPr or 2 for nCr. Type the smaller number and press enter.
- How do I make a table of values?
- Press table, type the function using xyztabc for x, and press enter. Set Start and Step, choose OK and press enter.
- How do I do a log with a different base?
- Divide two logs. For the log of 81 to base 3, key log 81 ) ÷ log 3 ) and press enter to get 4.
The keypad is Calcapedia's simulation of this calculator, and every lesson is replayed on it automatically. Real calculators can label some keys differently.
Sources: TI-30XS MultiView™ and TI-30XB MultiView™ Scientific Calculator Guidebook; TI-30XS MultiView™ A Guide for Teachers.
Calcapedia is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Texas Instruments. TI, TI-30XS MultiView and MathPrint are trademarks of their owners and are used here only to say which calculator these steps are for.