# Can a Texas Instruments graphics calculator solve algabraic equations?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-texas-instruments-graphics-calculator-solve-algabraic-equations/212812>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [November 12, 2003, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-texas-instruments-graphics-calculator-solve-algabraic-equations/212812 "2003-11-12T14:46:02Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Beastal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Beastal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beastal)\
**Post date:** [November 12, 2003, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-texas-instruments-graphics-calculator-solve-algabraic-equations/212812/1 "2003-11-12T14:46:02Z")

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I have a TI - 83.

Is there any way I can input in to it something like:

60Y = 0.6 - Y.

And solve for Y?

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**Author:** ![Dreaming\_of\_Maria\_Callas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f14d63/32.png) [@Dreaming\_of\_Maria\_Callas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dreaming_of_Maria_Callas)\
**Post date:** [November 12, 2003, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-texas-instruments-graphics-calculator-solve-algabraic-equations/212812/2 "2003-11-12T15:01:26Z")

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Read the manual. The TI-83 has an equation solver, though its usefulness is limited.

UnuMondo

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**Author:** ![askol](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/53a042/32.png) [@askol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askol)\
**Post date:** [November 12, 2003, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-texas-instruments-graphics-calculator-solve-algabraic-equations/212812/3 "2003-11-12T15:11:30Z")

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Another way is to re-write the equation so that it’s equal to zero (0 = 0.6 - Y - 60Y), and then graph the right hand side (Y = 0.6 - X - 60X) , and then have the TI find the roots of the curve.

This won’t find complex solutions, though.

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**Author:** ![Beastal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Beastal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beastal)\
**Post date:** [November 12, 2003, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-texas-instruments-graphics-calculator-solve-algabraic-equations/212812/4 "2003-11-12T15:41:11Z")

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Aha.

I don’t have manual.

askol, yeah I could see that would work. I wonder if there is an easier method?

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**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\
**Post date:** [November 12, 2003, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-texas-instruments-graphics-calculator-solve-algabraic-equations/212812/5 "2003-11-12T16:04:01Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Beastal \*  
> \*\*Aha.
> 
> I don’t have manual.
> 
> askol, yeah I could see that would work. I wonder if there is an easier method? \*\*

[Linky-Link](http://education.ti.com/us/product/tech/83/guide/83guideus.html) just for you, **Beastal**. 🙂

You can download the entire manual from there, or you can download just certain sections.

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**Author:** ![aerodave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f08c70/32.png) [@aerodave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aerodave)\
**Post date:** [November 12, 2003, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-texas-instruments-graphics-calculator-solve-algabraic-equations/212812/6 "2003-11-12T18:15:27Z")

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Most of the TI graphing calculators will do that with the numeric solver function. It will give you what you want, and it’s really not that bad.

But far above that is real symbolic manipulation. The TI-89 does that. You can enter, say, (3x+5)(2x-4) and it will output the answer as 6x-2x-20. It will do derivatives, integrals, and differential equations symbolically, too. Pretty bitchin’ if you ask me.