GDC skills: TI-Nspire CX

Chapter 13 / Example 7
Using Numerical Solve to find an integral limit

Occasionally Numerical Solve provides a unique method for providing the answer to a
problem that cannot easily be solved otherwise. It should always, however, be used with
caution.

The area of the region bounded by the graph of f ( x=

) x 2 + 3 , the x-axis and the vertical
lines x = −1 and x = a with a > −1 is equal to 12. Find the value of a.

It is helpful to draw the graph before attempting to solve the

problem.

Open a new document and add a Graphs page.

The entry line is displayed at the top of the work area.

The default graph type is function, so ‘f1(x)=’ is displayed.

The default axes are 10  x  10 and 6.67  y  6.67 .

Type x 2  3 and press ·.

The GDC displays the function f 1  x   x 2  1 with the default

axes.

Press b 4:Window/Zoom | 1:Window Settings…

Set the axes to show 4  x  4 with a scale of 1 and
0  y  20 with scale of 2.

Press · when you have finished.

The GDC now displays the quadratic function in a suitable

window.

© Oxford University Press 2019 1

 GDC skills: TI-Nspire CX

Chapter 13 / Example 7
Using Numerical Solve to find an integral limit

We want to find the value of a for which

a

 1
x 2  3 d x  12 .

Add a new Calculator page to your document by pressing

/ ~ (¿) 1:Add Calculator.
b 3:Algebra | 1: Numerical Solve

Press t and select with the trackpad.

The template shows places for the limits, the function and the
variable that you are integrating with respect to.

Enter the limits –1 and X, the function X2 + 3, the variable X.

Type = 12 , X

Press · to obtain a solution to the problem.

The Solver has found that a = 2.

Check this result with the graph integral function.

Press / ¡ to return to the graph.

To find the integral press b 6:Analyze Graph | 6:Integral

You need to give the lower and upper bounds of the region that
includes the intersection.

The GDC shows a line and asks you to set the lower bound.

Do not use the line to set the lower bound as you need to enter
an exact value.

Type 1 and press ·.

The GDC asks you to set the upper bound.

© Oxford University Press 2019 2

 GDC skills: TI-Nspire CX

Chapter 13 / Example 7
Using Numerical Solve to find an integral limit

Type 2, the upper bound, and press ·.

The GDC shows the area defined by the integral and its value.
2

 1
x 2  3 d x  12 as required.

© Oxford University Press 2019 3