ATAR Notes: Forum

Archived Discussion => 2009 => End-of-year exams => Exam Discussion => Victoria => Mathematical Methods (and CAS) => Topic started by: scatteam_2 on June 14, 2010, 06:44:47 pm

Title: HOW TO EXPAND on a CAS calculator
Post by: scatteam_2 on June 14, 2010, 06:44:47 pm
lets say something simple
expand (x+2) ^3

i went into menu --> 3 --> expand and typed in my equation
but the calculator gives me the answer of (x+2)^3
instead of expanding

is there a certain setting i need to have it on to get this right?
Title: Re: HOW TO EXPAND on a CAS calculator
Post by: superflya on June 14, 2010, 06:56:26 pm
expand((x+2)^3)
Title: Re: HOW TO EXPAND on a CAS calculator
Post by: stonecold on June 14, 2010, 07:04:28 pm
^if that doesn't work, then it's safe to say it's broken :P
Title: Re: HOW TO EXPAND on a CAS calculator
Post by: tcg93 on June 14, 2010, 08:01:28 pm
make sure you are using expand() with the equation in the ()
Title: Re: HOW TO EXPAND on a CAS calculator
Post by: Blakhitman on June 14, 2010, 08:06:06 pm
Not equation but expression.

EDIT: Why is this in the exams discussion forum?
Title: Re: HOW TO EXPAND on a CAS calculator
Post by: samuch on June 14, 2010, 10:38:47 pm
You're referring to the TI-nspire right? My CAS can do it though...
However, when I expand (x(x-2)(x+3)) it says it's an "invalid multiply" and can't do it.
yeah you have to actually put 'times' inbetween the brackets and inbetween the first bracket and the x
Title: Re: HOW TO EXPAND on a CAS calculator
Post by: Blakhitman on June 14, 2010, 10:39:54 pm
You need to press the multiply button whenever there is multiplication, so between brackets, as well as between the first bracket and the "x".

Beaten...
Title: Re: HOW TO EXPAND on a CAS calculator
Post by: chansthename on September 30, 2010, 07:13:46 pm

yeah you have to actually put 'times' inbetween the brackets and inbetween the first bracket and the x

Wow sounds like there is a lot more work in getting the n-spire to do stuff. the classpad doesn't care whether you put the multiply in or not. (Does this count as trolling?)