Graphing Calculator Tips

for TI-83

The calculator you use must have four built-in capabilities:

• graph a function in an arbitrary viewing window
• find the zeros of functions (solve equations numerically)
• numerically calculate the derivative of a function
• numerically calculate the value of a definite integral

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Graph a function

(1) Press <Y=> to enter function.

(2) Press <ZOOM> to Zoom

(a) Press <6> for Zoom Standard (10x10) or

(b) Press <7> for Zoom Trig

(3) Press <GRAPH> for graph.

(4) Press <TRACE> for Trace, then use arrow keys to trace curve.

(5) Press <WINDOW> for Window to set up your own domain and range.

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Solve an Equation

(1) Press <MATH>

(2) Then press <0> or scroll down to 0 for the solver editor.

(3) After the Eqn: 0 = You should enter your equation (Notice that it is set = to 0).

(3) Press <ENTER> to get the Interactive Solver Editor

(4) Make a guess for x =

(5) You may change the bounds (the default bounds are {-1E99, 1E99}).

(6) Press <ALPHA> <ENTER> to solve equation.

(7) Repeat with different bounds to solve for other roots.

Use this in connection with the Graph capability to see where other roots may be.

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Calculate a Numerical Derivative

(1) Press <MATH> then <8> or scroll down to 8 and Press <ENTER>.

(2) After nDeriv( is displayed,

enter your function,

then a comma,

then the variable x,

then a comma,

then the value at which you wish to take the derivative,

then a right parenthesis.

(3) Then Press <ENTER> to get the numerical value of the derivative.

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Calculate a Definite Integral

(1) Press <MATH> then <9> or scroll down to 9 and Press <ENTER>.

(2) After fnInt( is displayed,

enter your function,

then a comma,

then the variable x,

then a comma,

then the lower bounds of the integral,

then a comma,

then the upper bounds of the integral,

then a right parenthesis.

(3) Then Press <ENTER> to get the numerical value of the integral.