How to Use a Graphing Calculator in a Middle School Math Class
Graphing calculators add a sense of technology to any mathematics class. Middle school mathematics classes use graphing calculators for the basic operations and graphing functions. Proficiency with a graphing calculator requires familiarity with these operations and an understanding of the graphing features and capabilities that the calculator offers. By learning the basics of a graphing calculator, a middle school student can solve graphing problems, graph functions and build a strong foundation for future math classes.
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Instructions
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Turn the calculator on by pressing the "ON" key in the bottom left-hand corner.
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Press the "Y=" key in the top left-hand corner. This will bring up the functions input list.
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Type a function after the "Y1 =" icon. Press the"xTθn" key (two columns in from the left of the calculator, third button down) to type the "x" variable into the functions. Use the other "Y2, Y3, Y4..." icons to type in multiple functions. Press the "<" key on the arrow pad over to the flashing "=" symbol. Press the "ENTER" button (in the lower right-hand corner), to turn the function on or off. A shaded "=" key indicates that the function will appear in the graphing window.
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Press the "GRAPH" button (below the screen, last button on the right). The calculator will go to a screen showing a graphical representation of the function.
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Use the "WINDOW" key (below the screen, second button from the left) to adjust the viewing window for the graph. Control the length of the horizontal axis with the "XMIN" and "XMAX" rows. Control the length of the vertical axis with the "YMIN" and "YMAX" rows. Use the "XSCL" and "YSCL" rows to control the number scale for the axes.
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Press the "TRACE" button (below the screen, second button from the right) to follow points on the graph. Use the arrow keys to trace different points on the curve. Using the number pad, input numbers to calculate a numerical value on the graphing screen.
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Press the "2ND" button (in the upper left-hand corner), and then press the "GRAPH" button to manipulate the function numerically. A table will show up on the graphing screen.
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Input an "x" value for the function to solve and press the "ENTER "button. The chosen "x" value appears in the left-hand "x" column and the solution appears in the right-hand "Y1, Y2, Y3..." column.
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Tips & Warnings
The graphing calculator solves exponents first, then problems inside of parenthesis from the inside out, then multiplication, division, addition and subtraction.
Never use a calculator with a broken screen.
References
- Photo Credit calculator image by Adkok from Fotolia.com
