How to Use the Grapher
You can use the Grapher, shown below, to plot points and to graph linear equations and inequalities, parabolas, circles, and other relations. You may use the Grapher in some lessons to enter your answer, and you can always access the Grapher by selecting it from the Tools menu.
Click a question below to see its explanation:
How do I plot a point?
How do I graph a linear equation or inequality?
How do I graph a quadratic equation?
How do I graph a circle?
How do I create a graph using the Expression Editor?
How do I change a graph?
How do I change the grid?
How do I select a graph?
How do I erase a graph?
How do I use the form selector?
How do I use the list window?
How do I use the equality/inequality selector?
Grapher Features and Functions
How do I plot a point?
There are two ways to plot a point. You can draw it, or you can specify an ordered pair. Each is described below.
Drawing:
1. Click  (Point).
2. Click  .
3. Position the pointer.
4. Click to plot the point.
Specifying an ordered pair:
1. Click (Point).
2. Click  to bring up a template for entering an ordered pair.
3. Type the ordered pair in the template boxes.
4. Click  . What you will see:
- The point will be plotted.
- The ordered pair will be displayed in the template and in the list window.
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How do I graph a linear equation or inequality?
There are two ways to graph a linear equation. You can draw it, or you can specify its equation. There is only one way to graph an inequality; you must specify it algebraically.
Drawing:
1. Click  (Line).
2. Click .
3. Position the pointer.
4. Click and hold down the mouse button to specify one point on the line; an "elastic band" will emanate from your pointer.
5. Move the pointer to a second point on the line and release the mouse button.
Specifying a linear equation or inequality:
1. Click (Line).
2. Click to bring up a template for entering a linear equation.
3. Use the Form Selector to change the form of the equation or inequality. The template will change accordingly.
4. Type numbers in the template boxes. Use the pop-up menu to select the desired equality or inequality sign.
5. Click  . What you will see:
- The line or the inequality will be graphed.
- The algebraic representation of the line or inequality will be displayed in the template and in the list window.
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How do I graph a quadratic equation?
There is only one way to graph a quadratic equation; you must specify its equation.
Specifying a quadratic equation:
1. Click  (Parabola).
2. Click to bring up a template for entering a quadratic equation.
3. Use the form selector to change the form of the equation. The template will change accordingly.
4. Type numbers in the template boxes.
5. Click . What you will see:
- The quadratic equation will be graphed.
- The equation will be displayed in the template and in the list window.
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How do I graph a circle?
There is only one way to graph a circle; you must specify it algebraically.
Specifying a circle:
1. Click  (Circle).
2. Click to bring up the template for entering a circle.
3. Type numbers in the template boxes.
4. Click . What you will see:
- The circle will be graphed.
- The equation will be displayed in the template and in the list window.
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How do I create a graph using the Expression Editor?
1. Click  (Expression Editor).
2. Click to bring up the Expression Editor template.
3. Click  to open the Expression Editor.
4. Enter the expression. Note that "y =" is part of the template. So do not type "y =".
5. Click  to close the Expression Editor and display the expression in the template.
6. Click . What you will see:
- The equation entered in the template will be graphed.
- The equation will be displayed in the Expression Editor template and in the list window.
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How do I change a graph?
There are two ways to change a graph. You can move it, or you can edit its algebraic representation. (Note: You can only move points or lines.)
Moving a point or line:
1. Click  .
2. Position the pointer on the point or line you wish to move.
3. Click and hold down the mouse button to select the point or line; then drag it to the new location.
4. Release the mouse button.
Editing an algebraic representation:
1. Select the graph to be modified by:
- Clicking its algebraic representation in the list window, or
- Clicking then clicking the graph.
2. The algebraic representation of the selected graph will appear in the template.
- If the expression was entered using the Expression Editor, click to open the Expression Editor window and edit the expression there. Then click .
- If the graph templates were used, edit the numbers in the template boxes. Use the pop-up menu to change the equality or inequality sign. Use the Form Selector to change the form.
3. Click or . What you will see:
- The graph will move.
- The algebraic representation, displayed in the template and in the list window, will change to reflect the new graph.
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How do I change the grid?
You can control the view of the grid in several ways:
- To see a broader view of a graph, click
 .
- To magnify a graph, click
 .
- To set a specific scale for the grid, click
 and type the x- and y-scales.
- To show the origin of the coordinate system at the center of the window, click
 .
- To show or hide the grid lines, click and mark the grid lines checkbox appropriately.
- To show or hide coordinates, click and mark the coordinates checkbox appropriately.
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How do I select a graph?
You need to select graphs in order to change or erase them.
What you do:
- Click an algebraic representation in the list window, or
- Click , and then click the graph.
What you will see:
- The selected graph appears in color.
- Its algebraic representation is displayed in the template and is highlighted in the list window.
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How do I erase a graph?
What you do:
1. Select the figure to be erased by:
- Clicking its algebraic representation in the list window, or
- Clicking then clicking the graph.
2. Click  .
What you will see:
- The selected graph will be erased.
- Its algebraic representation will be deleted from the list window.
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How do I use the form selector?
The form selector allows you to change the form of an equation or inequality. What you do:
1. Position the pointer over the arrow symbol to the right of the form.
2. Hold down the mouse button and move the pointer to highlight the desired form. Forms that are not available for use at that time are gray.
3. Release the mouse button. The desired form now appears in the template.
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How do I use the list window?
The list window displays the algebraic representations of all the graphs you have constructed. You can use the list window to select a graph, or to control whether or not a graph is displayed. To use the list window:
1. Click a point, equation or inequality in the list to select it.
2. Click the adjacent checkbox to control whether or not its graph is displayed.
3. Use the scroll bar to see all of the points, equations, and inequalities in the list.
4. Move the list window around the screen by positioning the pointer in the title bar, holding down the mouse button, then dragging.
5. Resize the list window by positioning the pointer over the size box, holding down the mouse button, then dragging.
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How do I use the equality/inequality selector?
You can use this pop-up menu to place an equality or inequality sign in a template. To select a sign:
1. Position the pointer on the pop-up menu.
2. Hold down the mouse button and move the pointer to highlight the desired sign. Signs that are not available for use at that time are gray.
3. Release the mouse button. The desired sign now appears in the template.
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Grapher Features and Functions
Each Grapher feature and its purpose is described below.
| Grapher Button |
Function |
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Click Draw to put the Grapher into "Draw Mode." When the Grapher is in Draw Mode, you can plot a point or graph a line. |
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Click Select to put the Grapher into "Select Mode." When the Grapher is in "Select Mode," you can select any geometric figure. |
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Click Zoom In to magnify a graph. You may click Zoom In several times. When you have zoomed in as far as the tool can go, the button becomes gray and inactive. |
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Click Zoom Out to see a broader view of a graph. You may click Zoom Out several times. When you have zoomed out as far as the tool can go, the button becomes gray and inactive. |
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Click Erase to erase a selected graph. The Erase button is gray and inactive when no graph is selected. |
 |
Click Erase All to erase all of the graphs you constructed. You will be asked for confirmation before everything is erased. |
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Click Center to show the origin of the coordinate system at the center of the window. The Center button is gray and inactive when the origin is centered. |
 |
Click Undo to undo your last action. The Undo button is gray and inactive when your last action cannot be undone. |
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