Roots Of An Equation; Using The Solve Function; Practice Solving Problems Involving Roots - HP 35s User Manual

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HP 35s Solving for roots

Roots of an equation

The roots of an equation are values of X where the value of Y is equal to zero. For example, the equation Y = X – 2 has
a real root at the value +2. The equation Y = X
roots that are real numbers. For example, the equation Y = X
X that will cause X + 4 to equal zero.
2

Using the SOLVE function

The HP 35s has a very powerful root finding capability built into its SOLVE function. As applied in this training aid, the
SOLVE function, accessed by pressing the Û key, will be used to find roots from user-written programs computing
the value of a function. This will involve entering a small program, keying in a small equation into the program using a
variable, indicating to the HP 35s which variable is being considered as the current function, and then solving for the
value of that variable when the function is equal to zero. The HP 35s knows which variable to solve for by setting the
value of the function under consideration using the ¹s function. To indicate to the HP 35s that the variable X is to
be used, press ¹sX.
This training aid cannot begin to illustrate the wide range of applications available using the built-in solver, but it can
illustrate some of the more common uses.

Practice solving problems involving roots

Example 1: Solve for the roots of Y = X
Solution: We're looking for values of X such that X
the function. If a program already exists in program memory with the name of X, then it will need to be
cleared. This can be done by pressing ¹uÕÏ to have the HP 35s display the list of
programs in the calculator and then press Ø to step through the program labels. When the label of the
program to be deleted is shown in the display, pressing º¡will delete that program from the
calculator's memory. Pressing Å will then clear the display and allow you to proceed.
In RPN or algebraic mode: º£ºÓXdhX)2Ã4Ï
To show the checksum and length of this program, press the following in RPN or algebraic mode. Note that
the symbol Õ means to press the right arrow cursor key.
In RPN or algebraic mode: ¹uÕϹÎ
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– 9 has real roots at the values of + 3 and – 3. Not every equation has
2
+ 4 has no real roots, meaning there are no real values for
2
– 4
2
– 4 = 0. First, we'll enter a program that computes the value of
2
¹Ô
- 2 -
Figure 1
Figure 2
HP 35s Solving for roots - Version 1.0