Solving Polynomials

TI 86

The Polynomial Root Finder: The root finder solves up to 30^th order real or complex polynomials.

Entering and solving a Polynomial

1. Press [2^nd] [POLY] This Displays the POLY order screen.

2. Enter the integer between 2 and 30 that describes the highest order or power in your equation. If second order, press [2] [ENTER]

3. Enter the value for the coefficient for each term followed by the down arrow. For 3 x² + 2 x - 3 = 0

A2 = 3

A1 = 2

A3 = -3

4. Press [F5] to SOLVE The two roots will appears as the

two possible values of x. In chemistry only one of these

values will be meaningful given the problem you are

solving.

TI 83+

Using the Equation Solver:

Rearrange the equation to be solved so that it is in the form:

0 =

1. Press [MATH].

2. Arrow down to 0: Solver, Press [ENTER]

This screen should appear:

You may have to arrow up to see the beginning of the screen. If there is an equation in the 0= part of the screen, delete the equation so that it will be ready to take the equation you want to solve.

3. Using the Alpha keys and the variable key [x, t, o,n] enter the

equation you want to solve . Example for the quadratic equation:

Press [ALPHA] [A] [x,t,o,n] [^] [2] [+] [ALPHA] [B] [x,t,o,n] [+] [ALPHA] [C]

You have entered AX² + BX + C into the eqn: 0= ________

4. Press [ENTER].

Enter a value for A.

Arrow down to B and enter a value for B.

Arrow down to C and enter a value for C.

5. Arrow back to X and Press [ALPHA] [solve]

One of the roots for X will appear on the screen beside X= ___.

BE SURE to arrow over to the end of the solution to variable for which you have solved. When a number continues beyond the screen, be sure to arrow over to check the end of the number to see whether it ends with an exponent. You do not know the size of the number until you check for the exponent at the end.