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Entering
equations and expressions:
Q. How do I enter a root?
A
Press the <ctrl>r
key combination, i.e. “square root of 3x”
would be entered as (3x)<ctrl>r2.
That would create an expression looking like this: .
(use parentheses around 3x,
otherwise, you will create this expression .)
Q. How about
inequality sign such as
?
A. Press the <ctrl>[
key combination.
Q. ,,, and
exponents (i.e. )?
A. “ ^ ” is an exponentiation
operator.
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Q. How do I enter
complex numbers (imaginary "i")?
A. Press the <ctrl>i key combination.
Q. Do you have a
list of all the special characters used in Algebra
Toolkit
editor?
Yes, within your program help. You can access it by
clicking on Help | Search for help and then typing edit
keys and clicking on Display
Q. I
am trying to create a fraction that looks like this:
but
I get .
What's up?
A. You need to place parentheses around your
denominator (i.e. a/(b+c)). The same
rule applies to numerators (i.e. (a+b)/c) and
exponents (i.e. a^(b+c)) .
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Q. I want to make
a problem where one fraction divides another,
such as this
but
I keep getting .
What is the problem?
A. Use the “division” operator
“:”, rather than “fraction” operator “/”. In the above
example that would mean a/b:(c/d). Notice the extra
parentheses around second fraction!
Q. I want to create
expression where one fraction multiples another, such
as this
but
I keep getting .
Why is that?
A. The second fraction has to be placed in
parentheses like this: a/b*(c/d)
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Solving
Equations and Inequalities
Q. I want Algebra Toolkit to solve a system of
two linear equations. How do I enter them?
A. Like any other equation; just place a
comma in between:
x+3y=1,3x-y=4
Q
.Algebra
Toolkit solves this equation for “a” and I need "x".
What do I do?
ax +b
= c.
A. Click on Solve | Solve for and then select
the appropriate variable.
Q. Algebra
Toolkit solves
my quadratic equation by factoring. Can it also use
quadratic equation?
A. Yes, click on Options | Domain | Use Quadratic
Q. When solving
a system of equations, Algebra Toolkit uses addition method, and I want to use the substitution
method. What do I do?
A. Click on Solve | Method | Substitution
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Working with
Expressions
Q. I would like to solve this problem
but
Algebra Toolkit says that it can’t do it. Why?
A. Equations can be solved.
Expressions can only be simplified. Click on simplify ,
not solve button.
Q. I would like
to simplify this expression (2x+3)(3x-1),
but Algebra Toolkit says that it can't.
Why?
A. Algebra Toolkit considers factored expressions
completely simplified. What you really want to do
here is multiply the terms. First click on
Expand button, and then click on Simplify step button
coupel of times.
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Making Algebra Toolkit fit your needs
Q. Can I show more steps in problem
workspace?
A. Click on Options
| Keep steps
and then choose the number of steps.
Q. Algebra
Toolkit is
showing too many details of the solution process.
How do I decrease the number of shown steps?
A. Click on Options | Visibility and select
lower visibility level.
Q. Solutions in
my textbook are shown as real numbers (i.e. 0.333),
but Algebra Toolkit shows them as fractions (i.e. 1/3).
How can I change this?
A. Click on Options | Domain | Allow reals
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Misc. stuff
Q. How can I enter a “mixed number” such
as 1 1/2 (“one
and one half”)?
A. “Mixed number” notation is
outdated, and Algebra Toolkit doesn’t
support it. You can easily simulate it by adding a
“+” in between (i.e. 1+1/2). However, be careful
when multiplying or subtracting – you need to use extra parentheses
like this: (1+1/2)*(3+4/3)
Q. How do I enter
a function such as f(x)
?
A. At this time Algebra Toolkit does not
support functional notation. However, if you just
want to graph a function, use this notation y = ...
(i.e. y=2x-3)
Q. How do I enter
logarithms (such as log(x))?
A. You can't. At this time Algebra
Toolkit does not
support logarithms.
Q.Can Algebra
Toolkit
solve word problems?
A. No, it can not. If you create
an equation from a word problems, Algebra Toolkit can solve
it for you.
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Q. Where can I
get additional help?
A. There is a complete Algebra
Toolkit
manual (algman.doc in Word format) on your CD (if
you ordered one), or on the download site (if you
downloaded the software). If you don’t want to download
the whole manual, you can still
view it on-line .
The easiest way to get started is to click on Help |
Tutors in your program, and go through a couple of them
If you still have a problem with entering a particular
expression, please send it to us in
and we will help you enter
it into the system
Q. I have a problem
with downloading your software. What do I do?
A. Please contact us at
– describe your problem in as
many details as possible (i.e. any error messages
etc.) and we will help you.
Q. My PC crashed,
I need to download your software again. What do I
do?
A. Contact us at
Q. I have a problem
not described in these FAQs. What do I do?
A. Contact us at
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