How to solve a quadratic equation on a GDC (graphical display calculator). This explanation uses the TI-82/83/84 calculators.1. Press Y= to select the equation entry menu.
2. Enter your quadratic equation followed by ENTER.
3. You could press press GRAPH but it is better to press ZOOM then press 6 or select ZStandard.
4. You will see a display of your graph. Press ZOOM again then press 1 or select ZBox
5. Once back on the graph display, use the cursor keys and press ENTER at the top left and bottom right to create a zoom box
By repeated zooming in and use of the TRACE function you can obtain an accurate estimate of where the curve crosses the x-axis.
Software/Applets used on this page
This question appears in the following syllabi:
| Syllabus | Module | Section | Topic | Exam Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Calculus AB (USA) | 1 | Algebra and Functions | Quadratic solving | - |
| AP Calculus BC (USA) | 1 | Algebra and Functions | Quadratic solving | - |
| AQA A-Level (UK - Pre-2017) | C1 | Algebra and Functions | Quadratic solving | - |
| AQA AS Maths 2017 | Pure Maths | Algebra | Solving with Discriminants | - |
| AQA AS/A2 Maths 2017 | Pure Maths | Algebra | Solving with Discriminants | - |
| CBSE X (India) | Algebra | Polynomials | Zeros | - |
| CCEA A-Level (NI) | C1 | Algebra and Functions | Quadratic solving | - |
| CIE A-Level (UK) | P1 | Algebra and Functions | Quadratic solving | - |
| Edexcel A-Level (UK - Pre-2017) | C1 | Algebra and Functions | Quadratic solving | - |
| Edexcel AS Maths 2017 | Pure Maths | Quadratics | Solving with Discriminants | - |
| Edexcel AS/A2 Maths 2017 | Pure Maths | Quadratics | Solving with Discriminants | - |
| I.B. Higher Level | 2 | Algebra and Functions | Quadratic solving | - |
| I.B. Standard Level | 2 | Algebra and Functions | Quadratic solving | - |
| Methods (UK) | M1 | Algebra and Functions | Quadratic solving | - |
| I.B. (MSSL) | 2 | Algebra and Functions | Quadratic solving | - |
| OCR A-Level (UK - Pre-2017) | C1 | Algebra and Functions | Quadratic solving | - |
| OCR AS Maths 2017 | Pure Maths | Equations and Quadratics | Solving with Discriminants | - |
| OCR MEI AS Maths 2017 | Pure Maths | Quadratics | Solving with Discriminants | - |
| OCR-MEI A-Level (UK - Pre-2017) | C1 | Algebra and Functions | Quadratic solving | - |
| Pre-U A-Level (UK) | 1 | Algebra and Functions | Quadratic solving | - |
| Scottish (Highers + Advanced) | HM2 | Algebra and Functions | Quadratic solving | - |
| Scottish Highers | M2 | Algebra and Functions | Quadratic solving | - |
| Universal (all site questions) | A | Algebra and Functions | Quadratic solving | - |
| WJEC A-Level (Wales) | C1 | Algebra and Functions | Quadratic solving | - |