Derivatives? I am having trouble finding derivatives. Even when I follow the instructions in the users mannuel (pg. 52) exactly, I am getting an error message [Error: Non-algerbraic variable in expression]. I get the feeling I have messed up some kind of setting or something...any help is appreciated. Thanks

To calculate the arc length of a curve you need the derivatives as functions of a variable not the derivatives at one point. If I were you I would read the manual for more complete information. Maybe if you wrote a program that does that.

This calculator doesn't have the ability to evaluate derivatives, as some more advanced (and expensive) calculators do.

You cannot find it because this calculator model does not have a button to evaluate derivatives of functions.

You're probably trying to graph a function that does not involve stat plot features. You can correct this by turning off the stat plot features. Press "2ND" "STAT PLOT" and then select 4:PlotsOff.

I am not sure I understand what you want, but if I am guessing right, you need to calculate formulas for derivatives, where the name of some variable appears eg= d(x^2)/dx = 2 x.
Sorry, the calculator does not have a CAS, you cannot perform symbolic calculations regardless of the subject (derivatives, integrals, sums of series, factoring polynomials, expanding polynomial products, polynomial division, etc.)

If those are the partial derivatives, then the stationary point should be (0,0). Because if you set the partial derivatives to zero and solve for x and y then the only solutions are x=0 and y=0.

Hello,
I am sorry to disappoint you, the nDeriv ( function can only calculate numerical derivatives of an expression at a point. The dy/dx can do the same thing (calculate the first derivative) at one point on a displayed graph. It can be activated for graphs by pressing TRACE, then [2nd][CALC][6:dy/dx]. If you need the derivative at more than one point you have to press [2nd][CAL] [6:dy/dx] again.

What I said above concerns the native abilities of the calculator. There may be applications you can install to allow computation of 2nd derivatives. look for them on the TI site, or the archive section of ticalc.org. Try deriv

Hope it helps.

hello,
The calculator will calculate the derivative at a point. It will not give you the formula for the derivative, just the derivative at the point you choose.
Sorry, it can ONLY do NUMERICAL differentiations and integrations.

Hello,
Let us start wih the derivatives. To obtain the values of derivatives at points on a graph, you must set Derivative to ON
Press [AC/On] to trun calculator on. If you do not see the icons press [MENU], with arrows select [RUN] and press[EXE] . The screen clears.
Press [SHIFT][SETUP ] . The first few options must be set as follows
Mode : : Comp
Function Type : Y=
Draw Type : PLot
Derivative : ON This is the one to make derivatives visible
Angle : Rad unles you have to use degrees.
Coord : on if you want the x,y coordinates to be displayed
Grid : Off
Axes : ON to display x and y axes
Press [EXE] to save options. You are taken to [Run] screen.
Press [Menu] Play with arrows to select [GRAPH] and press [EXE]

You see a list Y1=, Y2= and so on
On the line Y1=, enter [SIN] [X,Theta, T] .
If function is complicated you may have to enter parentheses sin(X). When you finish to enter the functions you want to draw, hit [F6:Draw]
The graphs are displayed.
Press [F1:Trace] The trace function allows you to move cursor along the curve, while it displays the coordinates of the cursor. And since you set Derivative to ON, the trace displays also the value of the derivative of the curve at the position of the cursor.

There are other intersting tools, under [Sketch] and [G-solve ] such as minimum, maximum, tangente, inverse of the function drawn, integral under the curve, intercepts with the coordinates axes, etc. I will not spoil your fun by giving you the plot of the movie.

Hope it helps.

well, the TI-84 does not do derivatives, however, the TI-89 does, if you are willing to fork over the $150 for it. It is definitely worth it if you are planning on taking Calculus BC and/or SAT II for Math Level 2.