Re: Factoring Does NOT work on the TI-89!


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Re: Factoring Does NOT work on the TI-89!



Joe Capasso <capasso@cyberenet.net> wrote:


: Try factoring 16n^2+24n+9 on the TI-89.  It gives you the answer
: 16(n+.75)^2 What is that???  On my HP48GX using the Alg48 4.0 LIB,
: using the factor comand I get the correct answer (4n+3)^2....  Is
: there a way to get my TI-89 to give me an answer like this??? Help!

In case you didn't realize it the two answers are equivilent.  If you
don't beleive me than graph them.  What the TI89 has done is taken 4
out as a factor in the brackets.  Since it is leaving the squared it
must get squared.

 (4n+3)^2
=(4(n+.75))^2
=16(n+.75)^2


I don't know why it does this ( I don't have A TI89, just an 85 which
doesn't do symbolic math), or if you can change this behaviour.

--
Shawn D'Alimonte - sdalimon@ee.ryerson.ca
-----Under university lab conditions, the laws of nature do not apply-----


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