Choose your course
Every example below is a real set of cards that fits the TI-84 Plus CE Python screen. They are starting points: replace the cards with what your class is covering.
High school · Math
Algebra note cards
Algebra is rules you apply in order. A card per rule, with one tiny example under it, is quicker to check than a textbook page.
Section 1: Lines
SLOPE m = (y2-y1)/(x2-x1) Rise over run.
SLOPE-INTERCEPT y = mx + b m = slope b = y-intercept
POINT-SLOPE y - y1 = m(x - x1) Use with one point and the slope.
Section 2: Exponent rules
MULTIPLY: add x^a * x^b = x^(a+b) DIVIDE: subtract x^a / x^b = x^(a-b)
POWER OF A POWER (x^a)^b = x^(ab) ZERO: x^0 = 1 NEGATIVE: x^-a = 1/x^a
High school · Math
Geometry note cards
Geometry tests whether you can recall the right formula or theorem on sight. Group the cards by shape so the menu takes you straight there.
Section 1: Area
TRIANGLE A = (1/2)bh RECTANGLE A = lw
CIRCLE A = pi r^2 C = 2 pi r TRAPEZOID A = (1/2)(b1+b2)h
Section 2: Triangles
PYTHAGOREAN THEOREM a^2 + b^2 = c^2 c is the hypotenuse. Right triangles only.
SPECIAL RIGHT 45-45-90: x, x, x sqrt2 30-60-90: x, x sqrt3, 2x
CONGRUENCE SSS SAS ASA AAS HL Not SSA. Not AAA.
High school · Math
Precalculus note cards
Precalculus stacks many small facts: identities, unit-circle values, end behavior. Cards let you check one fact without losing your place in a problem.
Section 1: Trig identities
PYTHAGOREAN sin^2 x + cos^2 x = 1 1 + tan^2 x = sec^2 x 1 + cot^2 x = csc^2 x
DOUBLE ANGLE sin 2x = 2 sin x cos x cos 2x = cos^2 x-sin^2 x
Section 2: Unit circle
30 deg = pi/6 sin = 1/2 cos = sqrt3/2 tan = sqrt3/3
45 deg = pi/4 sin = sqrt2/2 cos = sqrt2/2 tan = 1
60 deg = pi/3 sin = sqrt3/2 cos = 1/2 tan = sqrt3
Section 3: Polynomials
END BEHAVIOR Even degree: ends match Odd degree: ends differ Leading coef > 0: right end goes up.
High school · Math
Calculus note cards
Derivative and integral rules are short and easy to mix up. One rule per card keeps them apart.
Section 1: Derivatives
POWER RULE d/dx x^n = n x^(n-1)
PRODUCT RULE (fg)' = f'g + fg' QUOTIENT RULE (f/g)' = (f'g-fg')/g^2
CHAIN RULE d/dx f(g(x)) = f'(g(x)) * g'(x)
TRIG d/dx sin x = cos x d/dx cos x = -sin x d/dx tan x = sec^2 x
Section 2: Integrals
POWER RULE Int x^n dx = x^(n+1)/(n+1) + C (n is not -1)
Int 1/x dx = ln|x| + C Int e^x dx = e^x + C Int cos x dx = sin x + C
High school · Math
Statistics note cards
Statistics is vocabulary plus a few procedures. Cards for the terms and a checklist card for each procedure cover both.
Section 1: Center and spread
MEAN: the average MEDIAN: middle value MODE: most common RANGE: max - min
STANDARD DEVIATION Typical distance from the mean. Bigger = more spread.
IQR = Q3 - Q1 OUTLIER if below Q1 - 1.5(IQR) or above Q3 + 1.5(IQR)
Section 2: Normal curve
68-95-99.7 RULE 68% within 1 SD 95% within 2 SD 99.7% within 3 SD
Z-SCORE z = (x - mean) / SD How many SDs from the mean.
High school · Science
Biology note cards
Biology is heavy on terms and processes. Put the term on the first line and the meaning under it, then quiz yourself card by card.
Section 1: Cell parts
NUCLEUS Holds the DNA. Controls the cell.
MITOCHONDRIA Makes ATP (energy). Has its own DNA.
RIBOSOME Builds proteins.
CHLOROPLAST Plants only. Photosynthesis happens here.
Section 2: Processes
PHOTOSYNTHESIS 6CO2 + 6H2O + light -> C6H12O6 + 6O2
CELL RESPIRATION C6H12O6 + 6O2 -> 6CO2 + 6H2O + ATP
MITOSIS ORDER Prophase Metaphase Anaphase Telophase (PMAT)
High school · Science
Chemistry note cards
Chemistry problems reuse the same constants, conversions and rules. Keeping them one key press away saves flipping to the back of the book.
Section 1: Moles
AVOGADRO'S NUMBER 6.022 x 10^23 particles in 1 mole
MOLES = grams / molar mass MOLARITY M = moles / liters
Section 2: Gas laws
IDEAL GAS LAW PV = nRT R = 0.0821 L atm/mol K T must be in kelvin.
K = C + 273.15 STP 0 C and 1 atm 1 mole of gas = 22.4 L
Section 3: Acids and bases
pH = -log[H+] pH < 7 acid pH = 7 neutral pH > 7 base
High school · Science
Physics note cards
Physics is choosing the right equation and keeping the units straight. A card for each equation, with what every letter means, does both.
Section 1: Motion
v = v0 + at x = v0 t + (1/2)at^2 v^2 = v0^2 + 2ax
v0 = starting velocity a = acceleration t = time x = displacement g = 9.8 m/s^2 down
Section 2: Forces and energy
NEWTON'S 2ND LAW F = ma Units: newtons (N) 1 N = 1 kg m/s^2
KINETIC ENERGY KE = (1/2)mv^2 POTENTIAL ENERGY PE = mgh
WORK = force x distance POWER = work / time Units: joules, watts
High school · Science
General Science note cards
General science covers a little of everything. A section per unit keeps this week's terms apart from last month's.
Section 1: Key terms
OSMOSIS Water moves across a membrane toward more solute.
DIFFUSION Particles spread from high concentration to low concentration.
DENSITY D = mass / volume Water: 1 g/mL
Section 2: Scientific method
1 Ask a question 2 Research 3 Hypothesis 4 Experiment 5 Analyze data 6 Conclusion
INDEPENDENT VARIABLE What you change. DEPENDENT VARIABLE What you measure.
High school · Humanities
English note cards
English is terms you must recognize in a passage and a structure you must follow in an essay. Short definition cards and one outline card cover both.
Section 1: Literary terms
METAPHOR Says one thing IS another. SIMILE Compares using like or as.
IRONY The opposite of what is expected.
THEME The main message. A full sentence, not one word.
FORESHADOWING Hints at what happens later.
Section 2: Essay writing
PARAGRAPH 1 Topic sentence 2 Evidence (quote) 3 Explain the quote 4 Link back to thesis
THESIS Your claim + your reasons, in one sentence. It must be arguable.
High school · Humanities
U.S. History note cards
History is dates, causes and people. Put the event on the first line and the facts under it, in the order they happened.
Section 1: Key dates
1776 Declaration of Independence signed.
1787 Constitution written in Philadelphia.
1861-1865 Civil War. 1863: Emancipation Proclamation.
1920 19th Amendment. Women gain the right to vote.
Section 2: Founding documents
BILL OF RIGHTS First 10 amendments. Ratified 1791.
1ST AMENDMENT Religion, speech, press, assembly, petition.
High school · Humanities
Government and Civics note cards
Civics asks who does what. A card per branch or idea makes the differences easy to compare.
Section 1: Three branches
LEGISLATIVE Congress. Makes the laws. Senate: 100 members House: 435 members
EXECUTIVE The President. Carries out the laws. Can veto bills.
JUDICIAL The courts. Interprets the laws. Supreme Court: 9 justices
Section 2: Big ideas
CHECKS AND BALANCES Each branch can limit the other two.
FEDERALISM Power is shared by the national and state governments.
High school · Languages
Spanish note cards
A language is vocabulary and verb endings. Cards make a quick self-quiz: read the English word, say the Spanish, press ENTER to check.
Section 1: Verb endings
-AR PRESENT (hablar) yo hablo tu hablas el/ella habla nosotros hablamos ellos hablan
-ER PRESENT (comer) yo como tu comes el/ella come nosotros comemos ellos comen
SER (to be) yo soy tu eres el/ella es nosotros somos ellos son
Section 2: Vocabulary quiz
the book = ?
el libro
the school = ?
la escuela
High school · Humanities
Economics note cards
Economics is a small set of ideas that explain everything else. A card per idea with a one-line example makes them stick.
Section 1: Supply and demand
LAW OF DEMAND Price up, quantity demanded down.
LAW OF SUPPLY Price up, quantity supplied up.
EQUILIBRIUM Where supply equals demand. Above it: surplus Below it: shortage
Section 2: Key terms
OPPORTUNITY COST The next best thing you give up when you choose.
GDP Value of all final goods and services made in a country in a year.
INFLATION Prices rise over time. Money buys less.
High school · Technology
Computer Science note cards
Programming has syntax you forget between assignments. A card with the pattern and a tiny example is faster than searching for it.
Section 1: Python basics
FOR LOOP for i in range(5): print(i) Prints 0 to 4.IF / ELIF / ELSE if x > 0: print("pos") elif x == 0: print("zero") else: print("neg")LIST nums = [3, 5, 8] nums[0] is 3 len(nums) is 3 nums.append(9)
Section 2: Binary
PLACE VALUES 128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1 1010 = 8 + 2 = 10
1 byte = 8 bits Largest byte value: 11111111 = 255
College · Math
College Algebra note cards
College Algebra moves fast through formulas you are expected to have ready. One card per formula, grouped by chapter, keeps homework moving.
Section 1: Quadratics
QUADRATIC FORMULA x = (-b +- sqrt(b^2-4ac)) / (2a)DISCRIMINANT b^2 - 4ac > 0 two real roots = 0 one real root < 0 no real roots
VERTEX x = -b / (2a) Plug x back in for y.
Section 2: Logs and exponents
LOG RULES log(ab) = log a + log b log(a/b) = log a - log b log(a^n) = n log a
CHANGE OF BASE log_b x = ln x / ln b
COMPOUND INTEREST A = P(1 + r/n)^(nt) CONTINUOUS A = P e^(rt)
College · Math
Calculus II note cards
Calculus II is mostly choosing the right technique or test. A card per technique, with when to use it, is a decision guide you can check mid-problem.
Section 1: Integration
BY PARTS Int u dv = uv - Int v du Pick u with LIATE: Log, Inverse trig, Algebraic, Trig, Exp
TRIG SUBSTITUTION sqrt(a^2-x^2): x=a sin t sqrt(a^2+x^2): x=a tan t sqrt(x^2-a^2): x=a sec t
Section 2: Series tests
GEOMETRIC SERIES Sum of a r^n = a/(1-r) Converges if |r| < 1.
P-SERIES Sum 1/n^p Converges if p > 1. Diverges if p <= 1.
RATIO TEST L = lim |a(n+1)/a(n)| L < 1 converges L > 1 diverges L = 1 no conclusion
TAYLOR SERIES e^x = 1 + x + x^2/2! + x^3/3! + ...
College · Math
College Statistics note cards
Intro statistics repeats the same procedures with different numbers. A checklist card for each procedure stops you skipping a step.
Section 1: Confidence intervals
CONFIDENCE INTERVAL estimate +- margin of error
CI FOR A MEAN xbar +- t*(s / sqrt n) s = sample SD n = sample size
Section 2: Hypothesis tests
STEPS 1 State H0 and Ha 2 Choose alpha 3 Find test statistic 4 Find the p-value 5 p < alpha: reject H0
TYPE I ERROR Reject a true H0. TYPE II ERROR Fail to reject a false H0.
College · Science
General Chemistry note cards
General Chemistry leans on a handful of relationships across thermodynamics, equilibrium and acids. Keep each with its sign rules on one card.
Section 1: Thermodynamics
HEAT q = m c dT c of water: 4.184 J/(g C)
GIBBS FREE ENERGY dG = dH - T dS dG < 0 spontaneous dG > 0 not spontaneous T in kelvin.
Section 2: Equilibrium
EQUILIBRIUM CONSTANT K = [products] / [reactants] Leave out solids and pure liquids.LE CHATELIER A stressed system shifts to undo the stress.
Section 3: Acids and bases
pH + pOH = 14 (25 C) Kw = 1.0 x 10^-14 pH = -log[H+]
College · Science
Organic Chemistry note cards
Organic Chemistry is pattern recognition. Cards that set two similar things side by side, like SN1 and SN2, train exactly that.
Section 1: Functional groups
ALCOHOL R-OH ALDEHYDE R-CHO KETONE R-CO-R CARBOXYLIC ACID R-COOH
AMINE R-NH2 ESTER R-COO-R ETHER R-O-R AMIDE R-CO-NH2
Section 2: Substitution
SN2 One step. Backside attack. Inversion of configuration. Best: methyl, primary.
SN1 Two steps. Carbocation forms. Racemic mixture. Best: tertiary.
College · Science
College Physics note cards
Circuits and electricity bring a new set of equations and units. A card for each law with its units keeps them from blurring together.
Section 1: Circuits
OHM'S LAW V = IR V volts, I amps, R ohms POWER P = IV
RESISTORS Series: R = R1 + R2 Parallel: 1/R = 1/R1 + 1/R2
Section 2: Electric force
COULOMB'S LAW F = k q1 q2 / r^2 k = 8.99 x 10^9 N m^2 / C^2Like charges repel. Opposite charges attract.
College · Science
Anatomy and Physiology note cards
Anatomy is a very large vocabulary. Short term-and-meaning cards, a section per body system, turn spare minutes into review.
Section 1: Directional terms
ANTERIOR: front POSTERIOR: back SUPERIOR: above INFERIOR: below
MEDIAL: toward midline LATERAL: away from it PROXIMAL: nearer trunk DISTAL: farther away
Section 2: Heart
BLOOD FLOW 1 Right atrium 2 Right ventricle 3 Lungs 4 Left atrium 5 Left ventricle 6 Body
Section 3: Tissues
FOUR TISSUE TYPES Epithelial Connective Muscle Nervous
College · Social science
Intro Psychology note cards
Intro Psychology is names, terms and who-said-what. Put the term first and the meaning under it, then quiz yourself.
Section 1: Learning
CLASSICAL CONDITIONING Pavlov. Learning by linking two stimuli.
OPERANT CONDITIONING Skinner. Behavior is shaped by its consequences.
REINFORCEMENT Increases a behavior. Positive: add something Negative: take something away
Section 2: The brain
FRONTAL: planning PARIETAL: touch TEMPORAL: hearing OCCIPITAL: vision
HIPPOCAMPUS Forms new memories. AMYGDALA Fear and emotion.
College · Social science
Microeconomics note cards
Microeconomics rests on a few rules that every graph question comes back to. One card per rule is enough.
Section 1: Elasticity
PRICE ELASTICITY Ed = % change in Q / % change in P
|Ed| > 1 elastic |Ed| < 1 inelastic |Ed| = 1 unit elastic
Section 2: Firms
PROFIT MAXIMIZING Produce where MR = MC.
PERFECT COMPETITION Many sellers. Same product. P = MR = MC
MONOPOLY One seller. P > MC
College · Business
Accounting note cards
Accounting has rules you apply to every transaction. The equation and the debit and credit rules belong one key press away.
Section 1: The basics
ACCOUNTING EQUATION Assets = Liabilities + EquityDEBITS INCREASE Assets, Expenses CREDITS INCREASE Liabilities, Equity, Revenue
Section 2: Statements
INCOME STATEMENT Revenue - Expenses = Net income Covers a period.
BALANCE SHEET Assets, liabilities and equity on one date.
College · Technology
Intro Programming note cards
A first programming course tests syntax from memory. A card with the pattern and a short example is quicker than searching.
Section 1: Python
FUNCTION def area(w, h): return w * h area(3, 4) is 12WHILE LOOP n = 3 while n > 0: print(n) n -= 1DICTIONARY age = {"Al": 19} age["Al"] is 19 age["Bo"] = 20
Section 2: Big-O
O(1) constant O(log n) binary search O(n) one loop O(n^2) nested loops
College · Humanities
English Composition note cards
Composition courses grade citation format and argument structure. Both are rules you can check from a card while you draft.
Section 1: Citations
MLA IN-TEXT (Author page) (Smith 42)
APA IN-TEXT (Author, year) (Smith, 2020)
Section 2: Argument
ETHOS: credibility PATHOS: emotion LOGOS: logic
COUNTERARGUMENT 1 State the other side fairly 2 Answer it with evidence
On the calculator
TI-84 Plus CE Python · screen preview
Making an example your own
- Use your teacher's or professor's wording. Copy definitions and formulas the way your class writes them, so the card matches what you will be asked.
- One idea per card. A heading on the first line and a few short lines under it. Lines longer than 26 characters wrap.
- Make a section per unit or topic. Two or more sections give your program a menu.
- Quiz yourself. Put a question on one card and the answer on the next, as the Spanish example does.
- Check your class rules. Use note cards for studying and for tests where calculator notes are allowed.