TI-84 CALCULATOR GUIDE
Learn the buttons. Understand the math.
Follow along on your physical TI-84 Plus or TI-84 Plus CE. Start with a free guide, then ask about your own problem if you need help.
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What would you like to do?
These three guides cover function graphing, viewing windows and graph zeros. Key names are shown as printed on the calculator; screen layouts can vary with software versions.
Before you start: function mode
Press MODE. Use the arrow keys to select FUNC (Func on some versions) and press ENTER. Press 2nd, then MODE (QUIT) to leave the menu. These examples use ordinary function graphing. Preserve any work you need before changing entries or settings.
Draw a function
0 of 4 steps marked done
- 1
Prepare the function editor
Y=ENTEROpen Y=. Preserve any entries you need and use an unused Y line; this example uses Y₁. To turn unrelated functions off, move to their highlighted = signs and press ENTER. If any Plot labels at the top are highlighted, move to them and press ENTER to turn them off.
What you should see
An available Y line is enabled. Unrelated functions and statistical plots are off.
- 2
Enter the function
X,T,θ,nx²−4On your chosen line, enter X² − 4. Use X,T,θ,n for X and the subtraction key − between X² and 4. Check that the = sign on this line is selected.
What you should see
Your enabled Y line contains X² − 4.
- 3
Show the graph
ZOOM6:ZStandardPress ZOOM and choose 6:ZStandard. This sets both axes from −10 to 10 and draws the graph.
What you should see
An upward-opening parabola, with its lowest point at (0, −4).
- 4
Read a point
TRACE←→Press TRACE and move left or right along the curve. The displayed X and Y coordinates describe the point under the cursor. Cursor values may be approximate.
What you should see
At X = 0, Y = −4. The curve crosses the x-axis near X = −2 and X = 2.
Fix a missing graph
0 of 4 steps marked done
- 1
Enter a graph outside the standard view
Y=X,T,θ,nx²+20In Y=, use an unused enabled Y line to enter X² + 20. Preserve existing entries and turn unrelated functions and Plot labels off. In the standard −10 to 10 view, this curve is above the visible area.
What you should see
The expression is entered. A blank standard view is possible because the lowest Y value is 20.
- 2
Set the viewing rectangle
WINDOW(-)↓Press WINDOW. Set Xmin = −5, Xmax = 5, Xscl = 1, Ymin = −5, Ymax = 30 and Yscl = 5. Use the (-) negative-number key for −5. Leave Xres unchanged.
What you should see
Each minimum is smaller than its maximum. Xscl and Yscl are positive.
- 3
Draw again
GRAPHPress GRAPH to draw with the new window. You do not need to change the function.
What you should see
The vertex at (0, 20) and part of the curve around it are visible.
- 4
Know how to restore the standard view
ZOOM6:ZStandardZOOM → 6:ZStandard restores both axes to −10 through 10. Try it if you want to compare views; X² + 20 can disappear again because the standard window does not suit this example.
What you should see
The viewing window changes; your function stays X² + 20.
Solve an equation with its graph
0 of 5 steps marked done
- 1
Graph the expression that should equal zero
Y=X,T,θ,nIn Y=, use an unused enabled line to enter X² − 5X + 6. Preserve your existing work and turn unrelated functions and Plot labels off. For an equation L = R, graph L − R instead.
What you should see
Your enabled Y line contains X² − 5X + 6.
- 2
Choose a useful window
WINDOWGRAPHIn WINDOW, set Xmin = 0, Xmax = 5, Xscl = 1, Ymin = −1, Ymax = 7 and Yscl = 1. Use (-) to enter −1. Press GRAPH.
What you should see
A parabola crosses the x-axis near X = 2 and X = 3.
- 3
Open the zero tool
2ndTRACE2:zeroPress 2nd, then TRACE to open CALC. Choose 2:zero. If more than one function is enabled, use the up/down arrows to select the intended curve.
What you should see
The calculator asks for Left Bound?.
- 4
Find the first root
1.5ENTER2.5ENTER2ENTERFor Left Bound?, type 1.5 and press ENTER. For Right Bound?, type 2.5 and press ENTER. For Guess?, type 2 and press ENTER. These bounds isolate the first crossing in this example.
What you should see
A zero near X = 2, with Y = 0. Numerical output may be approximate.
- 5
Find and check the other root
2ndTRACE2:zeroRepeat 2nd → TRACE → 2:zero with left bound 2.5, right bound 3.5 and guess 3, pressing ENTER after each value. Substitute both results into the original equation. Other equations need different windows and bounds.
What you should see
The second zero is near X = 3. Both 2 and 3 satisfy X² − 5X + 6 = 0.
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