TI-84 Showing Decimals Instead of Fractions — How to Fix

You expected 1/3 but got 0.3333333333. The TI-84 Plus CE can display exact fractions — you just need to know where to look.

Method 1: MATH → Frac (Quickest)

After any calculation that gives a decimal, press:

MATH  →  1: ►Frac  →  ENTER

The result converts to a fraction immediately.

Shortcut: After a calculation, just press MATH then ENTER twice.

Examples:

• 1 ÷ 3 → 0.3333333333 → press MATH ENTER ENTER → 1/3
• 0.75 → press MATH ENTER ENTER → 3/4
• sin(30°) → 0.5 → press MATH ENTER ENTER → 1/2

Method 2: Enter Fractions Using the n/d Key

The TI-84 Plus CE has a dedicated fraction key accessible via ALPHA + Y= (labeled n/d above Y=).

1. Press ALPHA + Y= to insert a fraction template
2. Type the numerator
3. Press ▼ to move to the denominator
4. Type the denominator
5. Press ENTER

This lets you enter 3/8 directly without it converting to a decimal.

Method 3: Switch to Exact Mode (Permanent)

By default, TI-84 Plus CE is in Approximate mode. You can change this:

1. Press MODE
2. Find the row with AUTO and EXACT and APPROX
3. Move the cursor to EXACT and press ENTER
4. Press 2ND + MODE (QUIT) to exit

In Exact mode, the calculator automatically returns fractions wherever possible.

Note: Exact mode is slower for some calculations. Switch back to AUTO for general use.

Common Situations

| What you typed | What you got | Fix | |----------------|-------------|-----| | 1/3 | 0.3333333333 | MATH ENTER ENTER | | 2/6 | 0.3333333333 | Frac converts and simplifies to 1/3 | | sin(30°) | 0.5 | Frac gives 1/2 | | √2 | 1.41421356... | Switch to Exact mode |

AP Statistics Note

On the AP Statistics exam, almost always use decimals — AP scoring guides expect answers like 0.6827, not 3/4. Use fractions only when the question explicitly asks for an exact fraction.