log((0.53)/x^2))=((-4.86)/(1.98)(10^-3))((1/200)-(1/400))
I'm assuming your problem, when written in standard form is:
|
On the left side of the equation you have a mistake -- an extra right
parenthesis ")". So delete one of those first on the end of the left side,
like this:
log((0.53)/x^2)=((-4.86)/(1.98)(10^-3))((1/200)-(1/400))
I'm just going to copy and paste something from NC State University's
site,
http://www4.ncsu.edu/unity/lockers/users/f/felder/public/kenny/papers/ti.html
and modify it for your problem.
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The TI has a built-in "solver" that finds answers to algebra problems.
First of all, the only equations the calculator can solve are of the form
some function=0. This sounds like a limitation, but it's not, because any
algebra problem can be recast that way. You simply rewrite your equation
as
log((0.53)/x^2)-((-4.86)/(1.98)(10^-3))((1/200)-(1/400))=0
Hit the MATH key. This takes you to the MATH menu.
Scroll down until the cursor is on Solver... and hit ENTER
[or
Instead of scrolling around, you can just hit the number 0 since
Solver... is option #0.]
Here's where the step-by-step-instruction thing becomes a little tricky.
Because there are two different solver screens, and which one you land on
depends on whether you have ever used the solver before.
You may end up on a screen like this: let's call it "solver screen 1".
"Solver screen 1": you'll see this
(The last equation that was solved or the default one that came on your
calculator)
X= (some number)
* bound={-1E99,1...
* left-rt=0
The equation on top is the last equation anyone used the solver for or the
default one that came on your calculator, and it is not the equation
you want. So, you need to change that equation before you do anything else.
Hit the up arrow key. You'd think this would just move the cursor up, but
actually the whole screen changes.
Hit CLEAR to erase the function that was previously there.
Now—either because you just never used the solver before, or because you just
used the up arrow and CLEAR, you are now in what I call (you guessed it)
"solver screen 2".
EQUATION SOLVER
eqn:0=
Type your function. In your example, you would type
log((0.53)/x^2)-((-4.86)/(1.98)(10^-3))((1/200)-(1/400))
and you see:
EQUATION SOLVER
eqn:0= log((0.53)/x^2)-((-4.86)/(1.98)(10^-3))((1/200)-(1/400))
Hit ENTER. This takes you back to...solver screen 1! And this is the
trickiest moment. You'll see this:
log((0.53/X^2...=0
X=(some number)
bound={-1E99,1...
It looks as though it has solved your equation as the number after X=.
But in fact, it hasn't done anything yet.
Type a number into the X= place. Use, say, 1 for starters. This number tells
the calculator where to start looking for a solution. For instance, if you
had typed 4, the calculator would start looking in the vicinity of X=4 for a
solution to the equation.
Hit ALPHA and then hit the ENTER key. This is the SOLVE command that
you see in green above the ENTER key.
Now, the calculator actually solves your equation, and puts its new answer
into the X= spot. You will now see:
log((0.53/X^2...=0
*X=.72801322260
bound={-1E99,1...
*left-rt=0
So the answer is X=.72801322260
Whew! That's a lengthy process to explain. But once you've done it a
few times, it's actually a very quick process to execute.
Edwin
