How to Use a Graphing Calculator (Calculator Skills 101)
Whether it’s a TI-84, Desmos, or another graphing calculator, ten skills cover 90% of what you’ll use it for in high school math and on the SAT/ACT.
Quick answer
Learn to: graph a function, find intersections, evaluate at a point, solve equations, make tables, do regression, compute statistics, store values, use sliders (Desmos), and access constants.
1. Graph a function
Type y = (your equation). Press Graph or Enter. Adjust window if it’s not visible.
2. Find intersections of two curves
Graph both. On TI-84: 2nd → CALC → intersect → select both curves → guess. On Desmos: click the intersection point.
3. Evaluate a function at a specific x
Type y₁(3) to get the value at x = 3 on TI. On Desmos, just type “y₁(3)” on a new line.
4. Solve an equation
On Desmos: just type the equation with x = . On TI: use the Solver or graph both sides and find intersections.
5. Make a table of values
TI-84: 2nd → TABLE. Desmos: add a table from the + menu. Useful for checking patterns.
6. Do linear / quadratic regression
TI: enter data in STAT EDIT → STAT CALC → LinReg or QuadReg. Desmos: enter as a list and add y₁ ~ a*x + b (or quadratic form).
7. Compute statistics from a list
TI: 1-Var Stats. Desmos: stats functions like mean(list), median(list), stdev(list).
8. Store a value in a variable
TI: number → STO → letter. Useful when re-using a long decimal.
9. Use sliders (Desmos)
Type a parameter like k in your function. Desmos auto-creates a slider. Drag k to see how the graph changes.
10. Access constants like π, e
TI: 2nd → π. Desmos: just type “pi” or “e.”