Why is my TI-84 giving different results for complex number calculations?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around discrepancies in complex number calculations on the TI-84 calculator, specifically when converting between rectangular and polar coordinates. Participants explore the settings and functionality of the calculator in relation to angle measurements.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant reports a difference in results when converting the polar representation 6<30 to rectangular coordinates manually versus using the TI-84.
  • Another participant suggests that the issue may stem from the calculator being set to radians instead of degrees.
  • A different participant asserts that the calculator is indeed set to degrees but notes that entering the angle in radians yields the correct result.
  • One post contains a terse response that does not contribute to the technical discussion.
  • The original poster later indicates they resolved their issue without elaborating on the solution.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion includes multiple viewpoints regarding the calculator's settings and functionality, and it remains unresolved whether the calculator's behavior is consistent across different modes.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention potential issues with angle measurement settings and the calculator's functionality, but do not clarify the underlying reasons for the discrepancies.

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Hi,

I am having some difficulty understanding what is going on with the TI-84 complex number calculation in switching between rectangular and polar coordinates, hopefully someone can clarify this for me. For example, take the term 6<30 (6 angle 30). When I calculate this by hand going from polar to rectangular I get 5.196 + 3i. However, if I try to switch 6<30 into rectangular coordinates with my TI-84 I get 0.926 + 5.93i. Can anyone explain to me what is happening?

Thanks in advance!
 
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You have the calculator set to radians instead of degrees.
 
The calculator is set to degrees, not radians. I've checked.
However if I put the angle in as radians it does work.
Maybe it only works with radians even though I'm in degree mode.
 
Last edited:
rtfm
 
Ok, I figured it out thanks for the input.
 

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