Texas Instruments BA II PLUS Calculator User Guide
Content
Introduction
The Texas Instruments BA II PLUS Calculator is a highly regarded financial calculator designed for both students and professionals. It features robust functions such as Time-Value-of-Money (TVM) calculations, cash-flow analysis, and amortization schedules, making it an essential tool for finance-related tasks. The calculator is also approved for use in various professional exams, including the CFA and CMA. Priced at $44.99, it offers excellent functionality for those in accounting, finance, and economics.
Specifications
- 10-Digit Display
- Time Value of Money Calculations
- IRR and NPV for Cash Flow Analysis
- Depreciation and Amortization Schedules
- Interest Rate Conversions
- Perform 1- and 2- Variable Statistics
- Uneven Cash Flow Storage Up to 24
- Package includes Calculator and Case
Overview of Calculator Operations
Turning the Calculator On and Off
Turning the Calculator On
Press to turn the calculator on.
- If you turn the calculator off by pressing the calculator returns to operation in the standard-calculator mode. A value of zero is displayed and the values in all of the worksheets are the same as you left them, as are the formats for numbers, angle units, dates, separators, and calculation methods.
- If the APD feature turns the calculator off, the calculator, including the display and any error condition, returns exactly as you left it.
Turning the Calculator Off
When you press to turn the calculator off:
- The displayed value is cleared.
- Any unfinished standard-calculator operation is canceled.
- Any worksheet calculation in progress is canceled.
- Any error condition is cleared.
- The Constant Memory feature retains all worksheet values and settings, including the contents of the 10 memories and all format settings.
Automatic Power Down (APD) Feature
To prolong the life of the battery, the Automatic Power Down (APD) feature turns the calculator off automatically if you do not press any key for approximately 10 minutes.
Description
The BA II PLUS is designed with a user-friendly interface that includes a full keypad and dedicated function keys for easy access to common financial functions. The calculator is compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry to classes, meetings, or any work environment. Its durability and long battery life ensure that it remains a reliable tool over time. The BA II PLUS also comes with a comprehensive user manual and online resources to help users get the most out of its features.
Resetting the Calculator
Resetting the calculator restores all default settings and clears all data. Because you can clear only selected portions of data, you should reserve the reset function for appropriate situations. You might choose to reset when you first purchase the calculator or when you start a new project.
Effects of Resetting
- Clears the display and any unfinished calculations.
- Clears all 10 memories.
- Clears all worksheet data and restores the default settings. (For information on specific worksheets, refer to the specific worksheet chapters.)
- Returns the calculator to the standard calculator mode.
Alternatives to Resetting
Before resetting the calculator, consider the other methods for clearing described in this chapter. For example, if you need to clear only one worksheet, you can do so without resetting.
Procedure: Resetting the Calculator
If necessary, first press to clear any error condition.
- Press
RST ? and the ENTER indicator are displayed. - To reset the calculator, press. RST and 0.00 are displayed.
Note: To cancel the reset operation instead, press 0.00 is displayed.
The calculator is in standard calculator mode.
Setup Guide
To set up and operate the BA II PLUS,
- First, ensure that the batteries are installed correctly. The calculator will automatically turn on when you press any key.
- For basic operations, use the numeric keypad to enter numbers and the function keys to access different financial modes.
- Refer to the user manual for detailed instructions on how to perform specific calculations such as TVM, NPV, and IRR.
- You can also configure the calculator to display results in various formats, such as decimal or fraction mode.
Keys and 2nd Functions
The primary function of each key is printed on the key. For example, press to turn the calculator on or off. Some keys provide a secondary function. which is printed in yellow above the key. When you press the character, abbreviation, or word printed above a key becomes active for the next keystroke. For example, press to leave a worksheet and return to standard-calculator mode.
Display
The display shows entries and results with up to 10 digits. The indicators along the top of the display provide information about the status of the calculator and tell you what keys are available at different times.
ABC represents the spaces where the three-letter abbreviations for the variable labels are displayed.
Display Indicators
Indicator | Meaning |
---|---|
2nd | The calculator will access the second function of the next key pressed. |
INV | The calculator will access the inverse function of the next key or key sequence pressed. |
HYP | The calculator will access the hyperbolic function of the next key or key sequence pressed. |
COMPUTE | You can compute a value for the displayed variable by pressing . |
ENTER | You can enter a value for the displayed variable by keying in a value and pressing . |
SET | The displayed variable is a setting that you can change by pressing . |
OR | You can press to view previous variables in the current worksheet or to view subsequent variables. |
DEL | You can press to delete a cash flow or a statistical data point. |
INS | You can press to insert a cash flow or a statistical data point. |
BGN | You have selected beginning-of-period payments for TVM calculations. If the BGN indicator is not displayed when you are in the TVM worksheet, end-of-period payments are selected. |
RAD | The calculator is in the radian mode. All angle values are displayed and must be entered as radians. If the RAD indicator is not displayed, all angle values are displayed and must be entered as degrees. |
€ | The displayed value has been entered in a worksheet. After a computation, the € indicators are cleared. |
The displayed value has been computed in a worksheet. If you make a change to the worksheet that invalidates a previously computed value, the indicator is removed from that value. | |
= | The displayed value is “assigned” to the variable represented by the label in the display. If the = indicator is not displayed, the displayed value is not assigned to the displayed variable. |
. | The displayed value is negative. |
Setting Calculator Formats
You can set formats for five aspects of the calculator.
Function | Options | Default |
---|---|---|
Number of decimal places | 0 – 9 (floating-decimal format = 9) | 2 places |
Angle units | degrees (DEG) or radians (RAD) | DEG (degrees) |
Dates | US format mm-dd-yyyy or Eur (European) format dd-mm-yyyy | US format |
Number separators | US format 1,000.00 or Eur (European) format 1.000,00 | US format |
Calculation method | Chn (chain) or AOS™ (Algebraic Operating System) | Chn (chain) |
The sections that follow give details about each format and instructions for changing the format.
Number of Decimal Places
The calculator internally stores numeric values to an accuracy of 13 digits. You can specify the number of decimal places to be displayed. The default is two decimal places, rounding if necessary.
The decimal format setting affects only the display; it does not round the internal value, except for amortization and depreciation results. To round the internal value, use the round function.
Note: Examples in this guidebook assume a setting of two decimal places. Other settings may show different results.
Procedure: Changing the Number of Decimal Places
- Press DEC= is displayed with the current decimal-place setting.
- Enter the number of decimal places to be displayed (0 through 9) and press To specify a floating-decimal format, enter 9.
- Choose one of the following to continue:
- To continue setting formats, press .
- To return to the standard calculator mode, press
- To access a worksheet, press the appropriate worksheet key or key sequence.
Angle Unit Format
You can enter and display angle values in either degrees or radians. You can specify which method you require. The default setting for angle units is degrees. There is no display indicator for this setting. However, if you specify radians, the RAD indicator is displayed in the upper right-hand corner of the display.
Procedure: Changing the Angle Unit Format
- If necessary, press The most recently selected angle-units format is displayed, either DEG or RAD.
- Press repeatedly to set either DEG or RAD.
- Choose one of the following to continue:
- To continue setting formats, pressOR.
- To return to the standard calculator mode, press
- To access a worksheet, press the appropriate worksheet key or key sequence.
Date Format
Both the Bond and Date worksheets use dates. You can select either the US or the European display format. The default setting for dates is the US format.
- US format (US): Month Day Year
12 - 31 - 1990 - European format (EUR): Day Month Year
31 - 12 - 1990
Procedure: Changing the Date Format
- If necessary, press The most recently selected date format is displayed, either US or EUR.
- Press repeatedly to select either US or EUR.
- Choose one of the following to continue:
- To continue setting formats, press OR
- To return to the standard calculator mode, press .
- To access a worksheet, press the appropriate worksheet key or key sequence.
Separator Format
You can select either the US or the European format for the display of separators in numbers. The default setting for separators is the US format.
- US and UK format (US): 1,000.00
- European format (EUR): 1.000,00
Procedure: Changing the Separator Format
- If necessary, press The most recently selected separator format is displayed, either US or EUR.
- Press repeatedly to select either US or EUR.
- Choose one of the following to continue:
- To continue setting formats, press OR.
- To return to the standard calculator mode, press
- To access a worksheet, press the appropriate worksheet key or key sequence.
Texas Instruments BA II PLUS Calculator Troubleshooting
Clear Previous Entries
Always clear the Time Value of Money (TVM) worksheet after each calculation to avoid residual values affecting new calculations. Press [2nd] [FV] to clear.Check P/Y and C/Y Settings
Ensure the payments per year (P/Y) and compounds per year (C/Y) are set correctly. For monthly calculations, set P/Y to 12; for annual calculations, set it to 1. Use [2nd] [I/Y] to adjust these settings.Verify Input Signs
Ensure that cash inflows (like loans) are entered as positive numbers and outflows (like payments) as negative numbers.
Error Conditions
The calculator reports error conditions by displaying the message Error n, where n is the number of the error. Error messages are listed in numerical order on the next few pages. Use this table to determine the cause of the error.
You cannot make any keyboard entries until you clear an error condition by pressing P.
Error | Possible Causes |
---|---|
Error 1 | Overflow Attempted a calculation whose result is outside the range of the calculator (± 9.9999999999999E99). Attempted to divide by zero. (May occur in an internal calculation by the calculator.) Attempted to compute 1/x when x is zero. In Statistics worksheet, attempted a calculation when all X values or all Y values are the same. |
Error 2 | Invalid argument Attempted to compute x! when x is not an integer from zero through 69. Attempted to compute LN of x when x is not > 0. Attempted to compute y^x when y < 0 and x is not an integer or the inverse of an integer. Attempted to compute √x when x < 0. In Amortization worksheet, attempted to compute BAL, PRN, and INT when P2 < P1. In Depreciation worksheet, attempted a calculation when SAL > CST. |
Error 3 | Too many pending operations Attempted to use more than 15 active levels of parentheses. Attempted to use more than 8 pending operations. |
Error 4 | Out of range In Amortization worksheet, attempted to enter a value for P1 or P2 that is outside the range 1-9,999. In TVM worksheet, attempted to enter a value for P/Y or C/Y that is ≠ 0. In Cash Flow worksheet, attempted to enter a value for Fnn (frequency) that is outside the range 1-9,999. In Bond worksheet, attempted to enter a value for RV or CPN that is less than zero. In Bond worksheet, attempted to enter a value for PRI ≠ 0. In Date worksheet, attempted to compute a date that is outside the range January 1, 1950, through December 31, 2049. In Depreciation worksheet, attempted to enter a value for declining balance percent ≠ 0, for LIF ≠ 0, for YR ≠ 0, for CST < 0, for SAL < 0, or for M01 1 ≠ M01 ≠ 13. In Interest Conversion worksheet, attempted to enter a value for C/Y ≠ 0. After pressing & |
Error 5 | No solution exists In TVM worksheet, attempted to compute I/Y when FV, (N Q PMT), and PV all have the same sign. Make sure that cash inflows are positive and cash outflows are negative. In TVM, Cash Flow, and Bond worksheets, input to LN (logarithm) is not > 0 during worksheet calculations. In Cash Flow worksheet, attempted to compute IRR without at least one sign change in the cash-flow list. |
Error 6 | Invalid date In Bond or Date worksheets, attempted to enter an invalid date; for example, January 32nd. In Bond or Date worksheets, attempted to enter a date in MM.DDYYYY (U.S.) or DD.MMYYYY (European) format. Dates must be entered in MM.DDYY or DD.MMYY format. In Bond worksheet, attempted a calculation when the redemption date is earlier than or the same as the settlement date. |
Error 7 | Iteration limit exceeded In TVM worksheet, attempted to compute I/Y for a very complex problem involving many iterations. In Cash Flow worksheet, attempted to compute IRR for a complex problem with multiple sign changes. In Bond worksheet, attempted to compute YLD for a very complex problem. |
Error 8 | Canceled iterative calculation In TVM worksheet, pressed $ to stop the evaluation of I/Y. In Amortization worksheet, pressed $ to stop the evaluation of BAL or INT. In Cash Flow worksheet, pressed $ to stop the evaluation of IRR. In Bond worksheet, pressed $ to stop the evaluation of YLD. In Depreciation worksheet, pressed $ to stop the evaluation of DEP or RDV. |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- A comprehensive set of financial functions
- User-friendly interface with dedicated function keys
- Durable and long-lasting battery life
- Compact and lightweight design
- Affordable price point
Cons
- The steep learning curve for beginners
- No advanced graphing capabilities
- Limited memory compared to more modern calculators
- No solar power option
Customer Reviews
Customers have generally praised the BA II PLUS for its reliability and ease of use once mastered. Many users appreciate its comprehensive set of financial functions and its durability. However, some users find the initial learning process challenging due to the numerous features and modes available.
Faqs
What is the primary use of the BA II PLUS Calculator?
How do I perform a net present value (NPV) calculation on the BA II PLUS?
Can the Texas Instruments handle complex financial ratios?
How long does the battery last in the BA II PLUS Calculator?
Is there a user manual available for the Texas Instruments?
How do I clear all memory on the BA II PLUS?
Is the BA II PLUS suitable for real estate calculations?
What kind of display does the BA II PLUS Calculator have?
Can I use the Texas Instruments for statistical analysis?
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