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Using graph tools in difeq graphing mode, The free-moving cursor, Tracing a differential equation – Texas Instruments TI-86 User Manual

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Chapter 10: Differential Equation Graphing

10DIFFEQ.DOC TI-86, Chap 10, US English Bob Fedorisko Revised: 02/13/01 2:28 PM Printed: 02/13/01 3:02 PM Page 144 of 20

10DIFFEQ.DOC TI-86, Chap 10, US English Bob Fedorisko Revised: 02/13/01 2:28 PM Printed: 02/13/01 3:02 PM Page 144 of 20

10DIFFEQ.DOC TI-86, Chap 10, US English Bob Fedorisko Revised: 02/13/01 2:28 PM Printed: 02/13/01 3:02 PM Page 144 of 20

Solving a Differential Equation for a Specified Value

On the home screen in

DifEq

graphing mode, you can solve a

differential equation stored to a specified independent variable
value or expression. The syntax is:

Q'

n

(

value

)

.

The equation must be stored to a

DifEq

equation variable

(

Q'1

through

Q'9

).

The initial conditions must be defined.

The result sometimes varies, depending on the axes settings.

Using Graph Tools in DifEq Graphing Mode

The Free-Moving Cursor

The free-moving cursor works in

DifEq

mode as it does in

Func

graphing. The cursor

coordinate values for

x

and

y

are displayed, and the variables are updated.

Tracing a Differential Equation

To begin a trace, select

TRACE

from the

GRAPH

menu (6 / )). The trace cursor

appears on the first equation at or near

tPlot

(or

tMin

, if

t

is an axis).

The trace coordinates displayed at the bottom of the screen reflect the axes settings. For
example, if

x=t

and

y=Q1

, then

t

and

Q1

are displayed. If

t

is not an axis, three trace values

are displayed. If

t

is an axis, only

t

and the variable designated as the y-axis are displayed.

The trace cursor moves in increments or decrements of

tStep

. As you trace an equation, the

coordinates are updated and displayed. If the cursor moves off the screen, the coordinate
values displayed at the bottom of the screen continue to change appropriately.

To paste ' to the home
screen, you can select it from
the CHAR MISC menu or from
the CATALOG.

Due to TI

-

86 system

requirements, you must
express Q1(3) as Q'1(3) on
the calculator.

QuickZoom is available in
DifEq

graphing; panning is

not (Chapter 6).