Texas Instruments TI-92 Owners Manual - Page 89

Common Algebraic Operations This section gives examples for some of the functions available from the „ Algebra toolbar menu. For complete information about any function, refer to Appendix A. Some algebraic operations do not require a special function. Adding or Dividing Polynomials You can add or divide polynomials directly, without using a special function. Factoring and Expanding Polynomials Use the factor ( „ 2) and expand ( „ 3) functions. factor(expression [,var]) for factoring with respect to a variable expand(expression [,var]) for partial expansion with respect to a variable Factor x5 ì 1. Then expand the result. Notice that factor and expand perform opposite operations. Finding Prime Factors of a Number The factor ( „ 2) function lets you do more than simply factor an algebraic polynomial. You can find prime factors of a rational number (either an integer or a ratio of integers). Finding Partial Expansions With the expand ( „ 3) function's optional var value, you can do a partial expansion that collects similar powers of a variable. Do a full expansion of (xñ ì x) (yñ ì y) with respect to all variables. Then do a partial expansion with respect to x. 72 Chapter 3: Symbolic Manipulation