Desmos Calculator Mastery • Lesson 1 of 7

Interface Overview

Get oriented: the expression list, the graph, the two tabs and the zoom controls.

Open the calculator any time with the Calculator button in the top-right dock of any SAT Math page. It has two tabs — Graph for plotting, and Scientific for ordinary calculation. Almost everything on the SAT can be done from the Graph tab.

The Vidaara graphing calculator: tabs, expression list, graph and zoom controlsGraphScientificy = x^2 − 5x + 6y =+ Add expression+−⌂1234The graphing calculator at a glance
The four parts you will use most.

1 — Tabs. Switch between the Graph and Scientific calculators. 2 — Expression list. Each row holds one thing: an equation, a point, or a function. The coloured dot matches that graph’s colour. 3 — Graph. Your curves are drawn here; the red dots are key points (roots, intersections). 4 — Zoom. Zoom in, out, or press the home button to reset the view.

  1. Click Calculator in the top-right dock.The calculator panel opens; you can drag it by its title bar.
  2. Make sure the Graph tab is selected.You see an expression list on the left and axes on the right.
  3. Click the first empty row and start typing.Whatever you type is graphed instantly.
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One idea per row. Put each equation on its own line so you can compare several graphs and read where they cross.
Try it liveExplore the calculator
  • A live copy is below — exactly the tool from the dock.
  • Type something like y = x^2 - 4 and watch it draw.
  • Use the +, - and home buttons to move around.
Graph Plotting →