Quadratic Formula – TI-84 Evo Math Program

Quadratic Formula program on a TI-84 Evo

Type a, b, and c and this program prints both solutions to ax² + bx + c = 0, with no formula to key in by hand.

Send it to your calculator

Plug the calculator into your computer with a USB cable, then use the button below. If something is not working, see troubleshooting.

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Open it on the calculator

  1. Press the prgm key. The PROGRAMMING menu opens.
    The prgm key highlighted on the TI-84 Evo keyboard
    TI-84 Evo PROGRAMMING menu with 1: TI-Basic highlighted
  2. Press enter to select TI-Basic. The list of TI-Basic programs opens.
    TI-84 Evo TI-Basic program list showing 1: QUAD
  3. Press enter on QUAD in the program list, which puts prgmQUAD on the home screen.
  4. Press enter to run it. The program prints the standard form AX²+BX+C=0 as a reminder of what each letter stands for, then asks for the first coefficient with an A? prompt.
    Quadratic Formula program running on the TI-84 Evo, showing the AX2+BX+C=0 form and an A? prompt

Solve a quadratic

  1. Type a, b, and c, pressing enter after each. For x² − 5x + 6, that's A = 1, then B = −5 (use the negative key, just left of enter, for the minus), then C = 6. The moment you enter C, it lists both solutions, labeled so you can read them off at a glance: X = 3 and X = 2.
    Quadratic Formula program on the TI-84 Evo solving x squared minus 5x plus 6, showing 3 and 2

To solve another one, just press enter on the home screen. The calculator reruns the program and the A? prompt comes right back.

Good to know

  • It's the quadratic formula, worked out for you. Behind the scenes the program evaluates x = (−b ± √(b² − 4ac)) / (2a) from the a, b, and c you type, so you get both roots without keying that whole expression in by hand.
  • A repeated solution shows up twice. x² − 4x + 4 has the one solution 2, so the program prints X = 2 and X = 2. That doubled answer is your signal the parabola just touches the x-axis at a single point.
  • No real answer, no error screen. When the part under the square root comes out negative there are no real solutions, and the program says so plainly instead of dropping you on an error screen.
    Quadratic Formula program on the TI-84 Evo showing No real solutions for x squared plus 1
  • Enter 0 for A and it isn't a quadratic. With no x² term the formula would divide by zero, so the program answers "Not a quadratic" rather than erroring out.

More TI-84 Evo Math Programs

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