Trident Help

Classic CAS manual · Chapter 15 of 16

Error messages

Every message Classic CAS can show, what it means and how to fix it.

15.1What each message means#

An error is shown in a box with the words "Press any key to continue". Press any key and you return to your entry, unchanged, so you can fix it.

A syntax error. The display shows: Error: Syntax error / Press any key to continue.
A syntax error.
MessageWhat it meansHow to fix
Error: Syntax errorThe entry is not a valid expression: a misplaced operator, a missing bracket or an empty box.Check brackets and operators; use the negative key (−) for negative numbers.
Error: Domain errorA function was given a value it cannot take, or the arithmetic failed.Check the inputs, for example invNorm needs an area between 0 and 1.
Error: Division by zeroA division by zero that cannot be expressed as undef.Change the divisor.
Error: OverflowThe number is too large to hold.Use smaller numbers.
Error: Dimension errorMatrix sizes do not fit the operation (or a matrix is not rectangular).Check the number of rows and columns; determinants need a square matrix.
Error: Dimension mismatchTwo lists or matrices have different sizes.Make them the same length.
Error: Singular matrixThe matrix has no inverse (its determinant is 0).Use a different matrix, or solve with rref.
Error: Non-real resultThe answer is not a real number in Real mode, such as √(−4) or ln(−1).Switch to Rectangular in Settings, or use the complex functions.
Error: Argument errorA function got the wrong kind or number of arguments.Look up the function in the catalog and fix the arguments.
Error: Too few argumentsA function needs more values than you gave.Add the missing arguments.
Error: Too many argumentsA function was given more values than it takes, such as sin(5,5).Remove the extra arguments.
Error: Data typeA value is the wrong type, for example a number where a matrix is needed.Give the type the function expects.
Error: Invalid indexAn item position is outside the list or matrix.Use a valid position.
Error: Reserved nameYou tried to store a value in a name the calculator uses.Choose another variable name.
Error: No solution foundnSolve or a solver found no answer.Try another guess, or graph the function.
Error: Infinitely many zerosThe expression is zero everywhere.This is not a single set of zeros; check the expression.
Error: Too complexThe calculation is too large to carry out.Break the problem into smaller steps.
Error: Invalid windowOn the graph, the minimum is not below the maximum.Enter a smaller minimum than maximum.
Invalid window. The display shows: Error: Invalid window / Press any key to continue.
Invalid window.
Singular matrix. The display shows: Error: Singular matrix / Press any key to continue.
Singular matrix.
Non-real result. The display shows: Error: Non-real result / Press any key to continue.
Non-real result.
Dimension error. The display shows: Error: Dimension error / Press any key to continue.
Dimension error.

15.2Results that are not errors#

Example 15.1

Division by zero gives undef

  1. Type 1/0.

    1÷0enter
Result of the example "Division by zero gives undef" The display shows: 1/0 / undef.
You should seeundef
Example 15.2

Overflow gives infinity

  1. Type 2^100000.

    2^100000enter
Result of the example "Overflow gives infinity" The display shows: 2^(100000) / ∞.
You should see∞
Example 15.3

Log of zero

  1. Type ln(0).

    ln(0)enter
Result of the example "Log of zero" The display shows: ln(0) / -∞.
You should see-∞

TI-Nspire CX CAS is a trademark of Texas Instruments Incorporated. Trident Calculator is an independent product by South View Studios and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Texas Instruments. The name is used only to describe the kind of calculator this model resembles; Trident's names, keys, display, fonts and software are its own clean-room design.