Saturday, November 1, 2025

fx-3650P and TI-68: Quadratic Equation and Arc Length between Roots of a Quadratic Curve

fx-3650P and TI-68: Quadratic Equation and Arc Length between Roots of a Quadratic Curve


Two approaches using two well-liked, classic calculators. The fx-3650P uses Basic like language while the TI-68 handles formulas.



Quadratic Equation


Solve for A x^2 + B x + C = 0, with the discriminant D = B^2 – 4 * A * C.


We know the solutions: X = (-B ± √(B² – 4 * A * C)) / (2 * A)


fx-3650P Program

? → A : ? → B : ? → C :

B² – 4 A C → D ◢

-B ÷ ( 2 A ) → M :

√ ( √ ( D² ) ) ÷ ( 2 A ) → Y :

D ≥ 0 ⇒ Goto 1 : M ◢ Y ◢ Goto 2 :

Lbl 1 : M + Y → X ◢ M – Y → Y ◢ Lbl 2


D: discriminant

If D<0; roots are in the form of M ± Yi

Else, the roots are real and are stored in X, Y


TI-68 Formula


X = 0 × A + (-B + √(B² – 4 × C × A) × J) ÷ (2 × A)


The 0 × A is added to force A to be prompted for first.

J = -1 for one root, J = 1 for the other

TI-68 takes care of both real and complex roots, no worries.

The coefficients can be complex!


Examples

A

B

C

D

Roots

2

-3

-9

81

3, -1.5

1

0

25

-100

5i, -5i

-48

64

28

9472

-0.347127088, 1.680464022



Arc Length of a Quadratic Equation between its Real Roots


Give roots X, Y: (t – X) * (t – Y) = t^2 – (X + Y )* t + X * Y

f(t) = t^2 – (X + Y) * t + X * Y

f’(t) = 2 * t – (X + Y)

arc = ∫( √(1 + f’(t)^2) dt


TI-68 will set up for the outside integral function, while the fx-3650P can use the integral function inside of the program.


We are going to assume that X < Y.


fx-3650P Program

? → A : ? → B : ∫ ( √ (1 + (2 X – A – B) ² ), A, B)


This is the direct approach.


TI-68 Formula

ARC = √(1 + (2 × X – A – B)²)


for X use the integral function (dx)

[ 3rd ] [ Σ+ ] (dx) [ = ]

Enter low, high, and the number of intervals.

The more intervals, generally, the more accurate the integral is.


Examples

I compared results against the fx-991CW.


A

B

TI-68, intv = 16

fx-3650P

fx-991 CW

2

9

26.070832160

26.070800000

26.070797720

0

5

13.903768900

13.904000000

13.903767950

-2

2

9.293567375

9.293568000

9.293567525



Eddie

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