Date: Sep 29, 2012 11:36 AM
Author: kirby urner
Subject: Re: An Algebra 2 Test

I agree with the do the algebra first message.

The problem did not say we could use a computer, but just to check our work
(and remind us of how to do it):

>>> a = decimal.Decimal("7.0241132301442003123012230341430201")
>>> decimal.getcontext()  # I set the precision to 100 earlier
Context(prec=100, rounding=ROUND_HALF_EVEN, Emin=-999999999,
Emax=999999999, capitals=1, clamp=0, flags=[], traps=[InvalidOperation,
Overflow, DivisionByZero])
>>> b = a - 1
>>> b
Decimal('6.0241132301442003123012230341430201')
>>> a**2 - b**2
Decimal('13.04822646028840062460244606828604020000000000000000000000000000000000')
>>>

Good reminders about precision, might talk about bases again.

Kirby