Calculator wont show decimals

You should feel happy that your calculator can perform some exact calculations. If you do not want the exact values you can press the SD key. You can also press SHIFT EXE rather than EXE alone.

To convert from a radical to its decimal representation, press the [S<>D] key.

Press SHIFT [SETUP] 1 to set the MthIO mode.

Try calculating the square root of 8 (press sqrt 8 =). Do you get 2sqrt2?

The square root of 148 is 2*sqrt(37), the square of 3*sqrt(12) is 108, but that's not the point.

The TI-84 can't produce results like 2*sqrt(37). It can produce results as fractions but not involving roots. Some other machines, like the TI-89 can, but not the 84.

Sorry if that wasn't the answer you were hoping for.

To calculate the square root use the square root key, three rows above the "8" key.
If you want to see the result symbolically, press SHIFT MODE 1 to select the MthIO mode. Bear in mind that the calculator can only show some results symbolically.

This calculator can show the results in radical form if it involves square roots. The 4th root of 243 is 3 times the fourth root of 3, which unfortunately is beyond the calculator's capabilities to display in radical form. Try taking the fourth root of 3 (or equivalently, the square root of the square root of 3) and you'll see the calculator display the result in decimal.

The calculator can show the results in radical form if it involves square roots. The 4th root of 243 is 3 times the fourth root of 3, which unfortunately is beyond the calculator's capabilities to display in radical form. Try taking the fourth root of 3 (or equivalently, the square root of the square root of 3) and you'll see the calculator display the result in decimal.

The capability of these calculators to handle irrational numbers in radical form is limited to square roots. Roots of index other than 2 are always displayed in their decimal representation.
If the calculator IO mode is set to MathIO, square roots will be displayed with the radical symbol. More complicated expressions with square roots might not be preserved and will be given as decimal numbers.

Instead of hitting enter, hit diamond, then enter. The calculator will then give you a decimal approximation. Alternatively, you can go to F2, approx( and enter in the root you need approximated. Another method is to go to the MODE page and scroll down to Exact/Approx and change it to approx. That way it will work the same as a TI-83/84 and always give a decimal answer.

Press 2ND [square-root] 1 4 5 ) ENTER.

square-root is the 2nd function of the divide key. If the answer shows up as square-root 145, press diamond ENTER to convert to decimal.