Ti-84 strange derrivative problem

  • Thread starter Thread starter Bassie
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Strange Ti-84
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on using the Ti-84 calculator for calculating derivatives, specifically using the nDeriv function. The user encountered discrepancies when differentiating trigonometric functions like sin(x) and cos(x), leading to incorrect results. The issue was identified as a misinterpretation of the angle measurement, where the calculator was set to degrees instead of radians. Ensuring the correct mode is crucial for accurate derivative calculations in trigonometric functions.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of derivative concepts and notation
  • Familiarity with the Ti-84 calculator functions
  • Knowledge of trigonometric functions and their derivatives
  • Awareness of angle measurement units (degrees vs. radians)
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn how to switch between degrees and radians on the Ti-84 calculator
  • Explore the use of the nDeriv function in more complex functions
  • Study the properties of derivatives for trigonometric functions
  • Practice calculating derivatives using both symbolic and numerical methods
USEFUL FOR

Students, educators, and anyone using the Ti-84 calculator for calculus, particularly those working with trigonometric functions and derivatives.

Bassie
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Hey there, I'm using a Ti-84 calculator to calculate derrivatives.
It goes like this:

Y1={the actual function}
Y2=nDeriv(Y1,X,X)

This seems to work, except for functions with cos(x), sin(x),..

Example:
Y1=X²
Y2=nDeriv(Y1,X,X)
Y3=2X

As Y3 represents the actual derrivative of Y1, Y2 and Y3 are the same.
But when I enter the following:

Y1=sin(X)
Y2=nDeriv(Y1,X,X)
Y3=cos(x)

As cos(x) is the derrivative of sin(x), Y2 and Y3 should be the same. But they aren't.
For X=3, I get:
Y1=0.258819045103
Y2=0.016858586
Y3=0.965925826289

Does anyone have an idea what I'm doing wrong? Thanks in advance.

E: I think I found the solution myself. It seems that X was considered as a degree value instead of a radian value!
 
Last edited:
Mathematics news on Phys.org
Bassie said:
As cos(x) is the derrivative of sin(x), Y2 and Y3 should be the same. But they aren't.
For X=3, I get:
Y1=0.258819045103
Y2=0.016858586
Y3=0.965925826289

E: I think I found the solution myself. It seems that X was considered as a degree value instead of a radian value!
It is important to make sure whether you are working with degrees or radians. But the results are not correct. Y1 and Y3 are consistent with X = 15°, not 3.
 

Similar threads

Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
11
Views
6K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K