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Entering your own
equations, inequalities and algebraic expressions:
Q. How do I enter radical expressions (“roots”)?
A Just press the <ctrl>r key combination.
For example “square root of 3x” would be entered like this
(3x)<ctrl>r2.
That would create an expression looking like this: 
. Note that you have to use parentheses around 3x, otherwise, you
will create this expression 
.
Q. How do I enter inequality sign
such as 
?
A. Easy, press the <ctrl>[ key combination.
Q. How can I enter an exponent (i.e.
)?
A. “^” is an exponentiation operator.
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Q. How do I enter complex numbers
(imaginary unit)?
A. Simple, press the <ctrl>i key combination.
Q. Do you have a list of all the
special characters used in Algebrator editor?
A. Yes, it is available at two different places"
a) In your Algebrator manual (algman.doc – Appendix A)
b) 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 keep getting 
. What is the problem?
A. You need to place parentheses around your denominator
(i.e. a/(b+c)). If you don’t “c” will not be considered
a part of denominator. 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 create an expression
where one fraction divides another, such as this 
but I keep getting 
. What is the problem?
A. You need to use the “division” operator
“:”, rather than “fraction” operator “/”.
In the above example that would mean a/b:(c/d). Notice the extra
parentheses!
Q. I want to create expression where
one fraction multiples another, such as this 
but I keep getting 
. What is the problem?
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 Algebrator to solve a system of two linear equations.
How do I enter them?
A. You need to separate them with a comma, like this: 2x+3y=1,3x-7y=4
Q. I want to solve the following
equation for “x”, but the Algebrator keeps solving it for “a”:
ax
+b = c.
How do I change the solution variable?
A. Click on Solve
| Solve for and then select the appropriate variable.
Q. Algebrator solves my quadratic
equation by factoring, but I want it to use the quadratic formula.
What do I do?
A. Click on Options
| Domain | Use Quadratic
Q. When solving a system of equations,
Algebrator uses elimination (addition) method, and I want to use
the substitution method. What do I do?
A. Click on Solve
| Method | Substitution
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Simplifying
Expressions
Q. I would like to solve this problem 
but Algebrator says that
it can’t be solved. What is the problem?
A. This is an expression. It can be simplified. Only equations and inequalities can be solved. Make sure that you click on simplify, not solve button.
Q. I would like to simplify this
expression (2x+3)(3x-1), but Algebrator says that
it is already simplified. What is the problem?
A. Algebrator considers factored expressions completely
simplified. What you really want to do here is expand (multiply the terms). First click on Expand button, and then click on Simplify step button several times.
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Accommodating
Algebrator’s solution process to your needs
Q. How can I increase the number of steps that are shown
in the workspace?
A. Click on Options | Keep steps and then choose the number of steps.
Q. Algebrator is showing too many
details of the solution process. How do I decrease the level of
details?
A. Click on Options
| Visibility and select another visibility level.
Q. Solutions in my textbook are
shown as real numbers (i.e. 0.5), but Algebrator shows them as fractions
(i.e. 1/2). What do I do?
A. Click on Options
| Domain | Allow reals
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Miscellaneous
questions
Q. How can I enter a “mixed number” such as 1 1/2 (“one and one half”)?
A. “Mixed number” notation is ambiguous (you never
know whether you are supposed to add or multiply the two quantities),
and Algebrator doesn’t support it. You can easily simulate it by
adding a “+” in between (i.e. 1+1/2). However, be careful when multiplying
– you need to use extra parentheses like this: (1+1/2)*(2+1/3)
Q. How do I enter a function such
as f(x) ?
A. At this time Algebrator does not support functional
notation
Q. How do I enter logarithms (such
as log(x))?
A. At this time Algebrator does not support logarithms.
Q.Can Algebrator solve word problems?
A. No, it can not. If you derive an equation from
a word problems, Algebrator can solve it for you.
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Q. Where can I get additional help?
A. There is a complete Algebrator 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.
Probably the most helpful thing to get you started are tutors available
in the Help section of your program. The first tutor should give
you enough information so you can start entering your own problems.
You can access it by clicking on Help
| Tutors | Basic Workspace …
Q. I have a problem not described
in these FAQs. What do I do?
A. Please click on this
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