Why is my TI-84 giving different results for complex number calculations?

AI Thread Summary
The user is experiencing discrepancies in complex number calculations on a TI-84 when converting between polar and rectangular coordinates. They calculated 6<30 by hand and obtained 5.196 + 3i, but the calculator returned 0.926 + 5.93i. The issue was identified as a setting problem, with the calculator needing to be in the correct mode for accurate results. The user confirmed that entering the angle in radians yielded the correct conversion. Ultimately, the confusion stemmed from the calculator's mode settings affecting the calculations.
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Hi,

I am having some difficulty understanding what is going on with the TI-84 complex number calculation in switching between rectangular and polar coordinates, hopefully someone can clarify this for me. For example, take the term 6<30 (6 angle 30). When I calculate this by hand going from polar to rectangular I get 5.196 + 3i. However, if I try to switch 6<30 into rectangular coordinates with my TI-84 I get 0.926 + 5.93i. Can anyone explain to me what is happening?

Thanks in advance!
 
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You have the calculator set to radians instead of degrees.
 
The calculator is set to degrees, not radians. I've checked.
However if I put the angle in as radians it does work.
Maybe it only works with radians even though I'm in degree mode.
 
Last edited:
rtfm
 
Ok, I figured it out thanks for the input.
 
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