E-Code

How to solve any equation on a TI-84 Plus or TI-83 Plus

By E-Code · updated

Press MATH, then ▲ to jump to Solver, and ENTER. Type the equation as 0 = left side − right side, press ENTER, then ALPHA and ENTER (SOLVE) with the cursor on the letter.

Step by step

  1. Open the MATH menu. MATH Press MATH. Its last item is a full equation solver that most people never scroll down to.
  2. Jump to the bottom. ▲ Press ▲. The list wraps round to the last item, Solver.
  3. Open the Solver. ENTER Press ENTER. The solver wants the equation with 0 on one side: eqn:0=.
  4. Type the equation. 2 ^ X,T,θ,n − 1 0 To solve 2ˣ = 10, move the 10 across: 0 = 2ˣ − 10. Type 2 ^ X,T,θ,n − 1 0.
  5. Confirm it. ENTER Press ENTER. Now the solver lists X with a starting guess, and the bound it searches in.
  6. Solve. ALPHA ENTER The cursor is on X. Press ALPHA, then ENTER. SOLVE is written above ENTER.
  7. There's your answer. X = 3.3219…, so 2 to the power 3.32 is 10. The ■ marks the letter it solved; left-rt = 0 means both sides match.

What the screen shows

X = 3.3219…, so 2 to the power 3.32 is 10. The ■ marks the letter it solved; left-rt = 0 means both sides match.

Look for 3.32 on the screen.

TI-84 Plus screen: X = 3.3219…, so 2 to the power 3.32 is 10. The ■ marks the letter it solved; left-rt = 0 means both sides match.

Try it with the keys lit up

This guide is one of E-Code's Learn lessons. Open it on E-Code's TI-84 calculator and each key lights up in turn as you press it.

Try “Solve any equation” on the TI-84 calculator

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