manipulating/displaying equations for math applications

[justme2.0]

I am relatively new to programming. I am using a Ti-84+ silver. I am looking for a way to manipulate a user inputted equation. Take for instance the equation (5x+1. I would like to be able to have the user input the equation (or any equation) and then multiply/distribute through by a number; say 5. So, 5(5x+1=(25x+90). I would then like to display the final equation (25x+90) on the screen.

I have tried to input the equation as a string and as a "y=" equation. Then i have tried to multiply the equation by a number. The calculator returns a number rather than an expression containing x. I must be evaluating x as some value. I would like to find a way to display the result as an equation.

Any Ideas? Thanks.

[Weregoose]

Welcome to United-TI :)

One easy way is to have the user input an expression for Y1 and then run a regression on it for the expanded form.

Another modest approach:

ClrHome
Disp "A(Bx+C)","
Prompt A,B,C
ClrHome
Disp "Dx+E","
Disp "D=","E=
Output(3,3,AB
Output(4,3,AC

...but I assume that you're looking for something a little less rigid. To be honest, it's a real challenge: what if the user types in (5*v+1*5? Unless the program is designed to be as flexible as the input, it must call upon the user to follow a certain format. Just to start out, try looking for a number that is outside of the parentheses. The main tools when working with strings are sub(, inString(, and length( – you can find links to those in the command index of TI|BD.

[IAmACalculator]

If this is really important, then you may want to consider upgrading to a TI-89 series calculator. Those come built-in with the ability to manipulate variables in exactly the way you've described. If upgrading is not an option, you could consider looking at programs such as Symbolic that can give limited functionality.

[brandonw]

To re-iterate, what you're talking about is symbolic manipulation, and the 84+SE just doesn't have support for that (excepting Symbolic). The TI-89 and up are the calculators to use for such a thing, or you'll have to re-implement all that string parsing yourself (in 83+ BASIC no less), which is not fun.

[justme2.0]

Hmmm yeah i figured it might be quite difficult. Thanks for the ideas I'll certainly give them a try.

I have another question. What if i wanted simply to display an equation. For instance if I had the user input a number as A, say 5→A, and then wanted to display the simple equation "Ax" which would be 5x. Whenever i try to display x as a variable the calculator will evaluate x as some number and produce a numerical result. Is there any way to display "Ax"=5x?

[allemensen]

You can display A as number using output. Then you can cslculate the number of digits in A usin log(A)+1. (If A is a whole number)

Thrn you can display the string "X" for your X

[justme2.0]

Thanks to all. I figured out a way to do what i want to accomplish