# Math Help - Ti-89 Titanium, expand and factor functions

1. ## Ti-89 Titanium, expand and factor functions

based on the manual I cannot get expand and factor to work properly and get error messages. Please help, test tomorrow!

2. Press F2, which is the algebra menu. Then 'factor'. Press in your expression and you should be set. Give me an example so I may have a better idea of what's going on. Tell me exactly what your are doing, thus resulting in the error message.

3. ## Ti-89 expand/factor

I follow the examples in the manul for example on page 50 of the manual which I mimic precisely:
f2 3 ( x - 5 ) ^ 3 ) enter
the response I get back is non-algebraic variable in expression
On page 51 of the manual the factoring example results in the same response as above. Example: f2 2 x ^ 2 - 5 , x )enter.

4. I have a TI-92. They're almost identical in how they work. Here's a screen capture.

5. Originally Posted by chiph2@comcast.net
I follow the examples in the manul for example on page 50 of the manual which I mimic precisely:
f2 3 ( x - 5 ) ^ 3 ) enter
the response I get back is non-algebraic variable in expression
On page 51 of the manual the factoring example results in the same response as above. Example: f2 2 x ^ 2 - 5 , x )enter.

It looks like as if the variable x contains a value. To start with press F6 and clear all one letter variables.

6. I thought of that, but when a numerical value is entered into variable x, mine still returns the factored form of the number.

Let's say we wanted to factor $x^{2}+2x+1$

If, say, 3 were stored in x, I just get back 2^4 instead of $(x+1)^{2}$

7. Originally Posted by galactus
I thought of that, but when a numerical value is entered into variable x, mine still returns the factored form of the number.

Let's say we wanted to factor $x^{2}+2x+1$

If, say, 3 were stored in x, I just get back 2^4 instead of $(x+1)^{2}$
X might have been defined to be a matrix. earboth's advice should be followed.

8. Exactly. I hadn't thought of that.

I clean mine regularly because some programs do not have local variables and do not delete them when the program is done running.

9. Originally Posted by galactus
[snip]

I clean mine regularly because some programs do not have local variables and do not delete them when the program is done running.
Excellent recommended practice.

Most students are running all sorts of games programs - who knows what some of those programs are doing .......

10. ## thanks

thanks a bunch guys! the f6 clear a-z was the deal! : )