#  >> College & Higher Education >> College

How to Write a Quadratic Equation Solver for the TI-83

A quadratic equation is a polynomial equation of the second degree. Graphically, quadratics form the tell-tale shape of a "U," with an infinite number of potential orientation and slopes. The general form for a quadratic equation is ax² + bx + c = 0, where "x" is any x-coordinate on a graph, "a" and "b" are coefficients and "c" is a constant value. Also, "a" cannot be equal to zero. Otherwise, the equation reduces to a linear equation. The TI-83 graphing calculator can be programmed to solve quadratic equations using the quadratic formula x = -b +- sqrt(b² - 4ac) / 2a.

Instructions

    • 1

      Open the editor by pressing the "PRGM" button. Scroll the cursor over to the "NEW" option. Press "ENTER."

    • 2

      Enter a name for the program in the space provided. Press "ENTER."

    • 3

      Press "PRGM" button and scroll over to the "I/O" section. Select the "Disp" option by pressing the "3" button.

    • 4

      Type the general quadratic equation for display by pressing "ALPHA" ---> "+" ---> "ALPHA" ---> "MATH" ---> "x,T,Ø,n" ---> "x²" ---> "+" ---> "ALPHA" ---> "PRGM" ---> "2nd" ---> "MATH" ---> "1" ---> "0" ---> "ENTER."

    • 5

      Create a prompt to request user entered data. Press "PRGM" then scroll to "I/O" menu then press "2" to select "Prompt." Press "ALPHA" ---> "MATH" ---> "," ---> "ALPHA" ---> "APPS" ---> "," ---> "ALPHA" ---> "PRGM" ---> "ENTER."

    • 6

      Calculate the discriminant and save it as a new variable for later use. To do this, press "ALPHA" ---> "APPS" ---> "x²" ---> "-" ---> "4" ---> "ALPHA" ---> "MATH" ---> "ALPHA" ---> "PRGM" ---> "STO->" ---> "ALPHA" ---> "x^-1" ---> "ENTER." This will solve the quadratic discriminant equation for inputted values A and B and store the solution in variable D, for later use.

    • 7

      Compute the negative root of the quadratic equation. To do this, press "PRGM", scroll over to the "I/O" menu, then press "3" to select the "Disp" option. Press "(" ---> "(-)" ---> "ALPHA" ---> "APPS" ---> "-" ---> "2nd" ---> "x²" ---> "ALPHA" ---> "x^-1" ---> ")"---> ")" ---> "÷" ---> "(" ---> "2" ---> "ALPHA" ---> ")" ---> "ENTER." Note that the "-" symbol at the beginning of the code is the negative sign, not the subtraction sign.

    • 8

      Compute the positive root of the quadratic equation. To do this, press "PRGM", scroll over to the "I/O" menu, then press "3" to select the "Disp" option. Press "(" ---> "(-)" ---> "ALPHA" ---> "APPS" ---> "+" ---> "2nd" ---> "x²" ---> "ALPHA" ---> "x^-1" ---> ")"---> ")" ---> "÷" ---> "(" ---> "2" ---> "ALPHA" ---> ")" ---> "ENTER." As with the negative root code, the (-) symbol at the beginning of the code is the negative sign not the subtraction sign. This completes the program.

Related articles
College
Latest Articles
Learnify Hub © www.0685.com All Rights Reserved