Very basic question

[nubScotty]

I haven't used my ti-89 for about 4 years, I just started school again and they want me to take College Algebra, however I am capable of passing out but as i am testing myself before hand and using the calculator to double-check my answers, I cannot get it to work.

What i am attempting to do is factor/expand simple polynomials and it just wont work.

For example I need to simplify (m^2-m+1)

So I go Factor(m^2-m+1)
Enter
The answer is comes up as the function I wrote in, I know I am missing some simple step in-between so any quick answer would be appreciated.

[BlainUSM]

The "factor" command attempts to factor a given polynomial over the field of real numbers. However, if the polynomial does not have any real roots (like the one you entered), then "factor" will simply return the polynomial.

If you'd like to factor over (the field of) complex numbers, type

"cFactor(m^2 - m + 1, m)"

Your output should be the (unwieldy) expression

((2m - 1 + sqrt(3)i)(2m - (1 + sqrt(3)i)))/4