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ERR:INVALID DIM

Texas Instruments TI-84 Calculator

Severity: Minor

What Does This Error Mean?

ERR:INVALID DIM means there is a problem with list or matrix dimensions. This commonly happens when you have data in a stat plot list that does not exist, or when matrix dimensions do not match for an operation. Check your stat plots and list/matrix sizes.

Affected Models

  • TI-84 Plus
  • TI-84 Plus CE
  • TI-84 Plus Silver Edition
  • TI-83 Plus
  • TI-Nspire (TI-84 mode)

Common Causes

  • Stat Plot turned on but references an empty or non-existent list
  • Two lists in a stat plot have different lengths
  • Matrix multiplication with incompatible dimensions
  • Trying to add or subtract matrices of different sizes
  • Regression with mismatched X and Y list lengths

How to Fix It

  1. Turn off unused Stat Plots: press 2nd > STAT PLOT > PlotsOff.

    This is the #1 cause. A stat plot referencing L1 or L2 that contains old or deleted data triggers this error. Turning off all plots is the quickest fix.

  2. Check that lists used together have the same length.

    If L1 has 10 entries and L2 has 8, any operation using both lists gives ERR:INVALID DIM. Press STAT > Edit to view and fix your lists.

  3. For matrices: check dimensions before multiplying.

    To multiply matrix [A] (m x n) by [B], matrix [B] must have n rows. Press 2nd > MATRIX > select the matrix to see its dimensions.

  4. Clear all lists if you want a fresh start: press MEM > ClrAllLists.

    Press 2nd > MEM > 4:ClrAllLists > ENTER. This empties all lists and resolves most ERR:INVALID DIM issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do stat plots cause this error when I am not using them?

Stat plots stay turned on even when you are not looking at them. If a plot references L1 and you clear L1 for a different purpose, the plot still tries to use the now-empty list and triggers ERR:INVALID DIM.

What does DIM stand for?

DIM stands for dimension — the size of a list or matrix. A list with 5 entries has dimension 5. A 3x2 matrix has dimensions 3 rows by 2 columns.