The graphing calculator program that comes with every Power Macintosh computer is a very powerful tool for doing algebra. This activity will help you to learn how to use this program to simplify expressions and solve equations.
When you start the graphing calculator, you should see a window similar to this:
You type expressions and equations in the top part of the window. Graphs appear in the bottom part of the window. The buttons on the lower left allow you to zoom in and out. You can see different parts of the graph by dragging the axes with your mouse.
Since we won't be doing any graphing, click the double line between the two parts of the window and drag it to the bottom. This expands the top part to take up the entire window.
Type 2x + 3x then select it as you would in any word processor (by clicking to the left and dragging to the right). Choose the Simplify command from the Math menu. What happens?
Use this method to simplify the following expressions (make sure to write down the resulting expression):
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Type 2 (7x - 4) and then select the entire expression. Choose the Expand command from the Math menu. What happens? Use this method to simplify the following:
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Type 8x2 + 32x (to get x2 you should type x^2 ... use the right arrow key to get out of the power). Select the 8. Notice that the arrow turns into a hand when it goes over the selected 8. Grab the 8 by clicking and holding down the mouse button. Drag the 8 to the left. Your result should look like this:
Select just the x (without its square) and drag it outside the parentheses as well. Your result should look like this:
Use this method to factor the following expressions (write down each step for each expression):
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Type the equation 3x + 1 = 7. Select just the x by clicking just in front of it and dragging the mouse to just past it. Choose Isolate Term from the Math menu. What does this command do? Use this method to solve these equations:
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You can also solve an equation step-by-step. Type the equation 3x + 1 = 7 again. Select the 1 and drag it to the right side of the equation. Your result should look like this:
Simplify the right side by selecting 7 - 1 and choosing Simplify from the Math menu. Now, select the 3 and drag it to the right side of the equation. Your result should look like this:
And finally, select the entire right side of the equation and choose Simplify from the Math menu. Use this method to solve the following equations (write down each step for each equation):
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Use the graphing calculator to solve these equations. You may need to do some extra simplifying before you can actually solve the equations. Do these step-by-step. Show each step you use. You may not use the Isolate Term command!!
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