parameter

[QuantumJG]

yeah

I don't have a CAS calculator so I don't know how to use the calculator to find it.

In uni we were taught a method to find the inverse by hand, but this having an a in it is freaking annoying!

[/0]

Also i can't seem to find the inverse of
2   1  -1
3   4  -(a+1)
10 8   a-4

on the cas calc, it says error:invalid list or matrix.

Did you type in

Code: [Select]

[2,1,-1;3,4,-(a+1);10,8,a-4]^(-1)?

Oh also, press 2ND: F1  and clear a-z, that might fix it

[Hielly]

Yep works!when i cleared AtoZ

TY

[Ilovemathsmeth]

Can I ask you CAS guys if you learn't Gaussian elimanation or row reduction?

We did row reduction in Further Maths, for Networks. I hated Networks because it was so tedious and hated those fiddly 'longest path' questions so skipped it for the exam. I did Matrices; reckon it's enough knowledge to get me past the CAS barrier?

[QuantumJG]

Also i can't seem to find the inverse of
2   1  -1
3   4  -(a+1)
10 8   a-4

on the cas calc, it says error:invalid list or matrix.

Did you type in

Code: [Select]

[2,1,-1;3,4,-(a+1);10,8,a-4]^(-1)?

Oh also, press 2ND: F1  and clear a-z, that might fix it

So CAS calculators can find matrix inverses with say an 'a' in it? Cool!

I might look at buying one (for the sake ofhaving a CAS calculator).

[Gloamglozer]

I might look at buying one (for the sake ofhaving a CAS calculator).

If you're dealing with matrices, a CAS calculator is a must.    By the way, don't you use CAS calculators at uni?

[zzdfa]

Don't, just download matlab or mathematica.

[/0]

Are you allowed CAS in uni math exams?

[QuantumJG]

Are you allowed CAS in uni math exams?

No. Not even a scientific!

Don't, just download matlab or mathematica.

Got MATLAB. Don't have mathematica.

I don't know how to use MATLAB to find the inverse of a matrix with something like 'a' in it. Probably won't get a CAS, but it sounds interesting what they can do.