Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Do Graph Calculator Art

Boredom engenders creativity, and a long and tiresome lecture in class can be spiced up by creating your own graphic art on your graphing calculator. Amuse yourself without disrupting the class at large by creating a personal masterpiece on your calculator, providing a conversation piece in the halls between classes.

Instructions
1. Press the "Y=" button. Use the "Delete" button to clear any equations that are there. This ensures that you will have a clean pallet upon which to draw.

2. Press "2nd" followed by "Format." Select "AxesOff" and press "Enter." This removes the axes so you have a blank canvas.

3. Press "Graph," "2nd" and "Draw." Choose the drawing style you wish to use such as "Circles," "Lines" or free drawing in "Pen" mode.

4. Use the arrow keys and the "Enter" button to draw your desired line type. Repeat until your masterpiece is complete.


Tips & Warnings

- To save your picture, press "Draw" and press the "Right Arrow" button twice. Select the "StorePic" option to save your drawing.


Plug in a Graphing Calculator

Graphing calculators are valuable in middle school and high school algebra classes. In algebra, it's important to know how to graph equations and determine the values of equations for particular x-values. Your graphing calculator allows you to create a graph of an equation and to plug in various x-values and obtain the corresponding y-values. Graphing calculators can save you a significant amount of time on homework and exams.

Instructions
1. Type your equation into the Y= portion of your calculator. For example, if you'd like to find the graph of y=x3, plug x3 into your calculator.

2. Hit "graph", to obtain the graph for the equation.

3. Press "calc," then enter the value of x that you'd like to plug into your calculator. Press "enter." Your calculator will display the corresponding value of y.


Using a Sentry Graphing Calculator

The Sentry graphing calculator allows you to input complicated algebraic equations, helping you throughout high school and college. A graphing calculator is a device that solves equations and graph solutions. One example of the Sentry graphing calculator is the CA756. Even though each of the graphing calculators by Sentry has different features, they mainly have the same functions to solve equations.

Instructions
1. Press the "Power" button on your Sentry calculator.

2. Press the "y=editor" button. This button has the "y=" symbol on the button.

3. Enter your equation into the calculator, using the keypad. Do not enter the "y=" part of the equation. For example, if you want to enter "y=X^4" just enter "x^4."

4. Press the "Graph" button on the calculator. This button is usually located at the top.

5. Look for the graph on the screen. Copy it onto your paper.


Using a Graphing Calculator for Calculus

In calculus, there are times when you need to use difficult computation and manipulation techniques to solve integrations, derivations and other types of problems. In addition, doing hand calculations for these problems can be long and cumbersome. Learning to use a graphing calculator to do some calculus problems may be a good option.

Instructions
1. Select a graphing calculator that is appropriate for calculus. Older models are less powerful whereas newer ones may have computer algebra system capability so choose a model that has at least the following features: ability to numerical calculate the derivative of a function and the value of a definite integral, find zeros of functions and plot the graph of functions.

2. Read the manual thoroughly for the model you select and familiarize yourself with the basic keys and the different functions keys used for calculus.

3. Learn to use the different function keys by following the manual instructions for each key. Be sure you know which keys you use to calculate derivatives, definite integrals and graph functions. Note that these are just some of the basic calculus problems you can do with a graphing calculator.

4. Gain proficiency by practicing how to do calculus problems with your calculator. As an example let's see how to calculate the numerical derivative for the function F(x) = x² -2x+ 1 for x=3.

5. Solve the function in Step 4 by turning on the calculator and pressing the following keys: "2nd" "Quit" "Math" "8." You see nDeriv( written on the screen. Input the function and arguments by pressing the following keys: "X,t,θ,n" "x²" "-" "2" "X,t,θ,n" "+" "1" "," "X,t,θ,n" "," "3" ")" then hit " Enter." The screen displays 4 as the answer.

6. Work with online graphing calculator tutorials that provide step by step instructions to solve many different types of calculus problems. This ensures that you acquire greater proficiency in solving a wide range of problems with your calculator.

7. Get assistance from a tutor or teacher. If you have trouble following the manual or using your graphing calculator to do calculus then get one on one help.


Tips & Warnings

- The instructions given in Step 4 are for a TI-83 Plus calculator. Follow the manuals for other models as instructions may vary. See the Resources for information on other models and tutorials.

- Realize that the graphing calculator does not tell us that the derivative of the function in Step 4 is 2x-2 but it does evaluate the derivative for a given value of x. Please note that you can also find the derivative by graphing the function and then using the dy/dx feature from the Calc menu.

- Remember to check your answers by doing a hand calculation to find the derivative and then substituting for the x value.

Calculate Permutations on a Graphing Calculator

Whether you're in an Algebra class or advanced Calculus class, the procedure for calculating permutations with your graphing calculator is the same. Basically, you should be able to calculate any given permutation through your graphing calculator's math probability menu, which can be found by pressing the "Math" key on your graphing calculator. So, next time you're wondering how to calculate permutations, you should have no trouble doing so when you perform the following steps.

Instructions
1. Enter the number of objects in your problem (referred to as "n") into your graphing calculator.

2. Press the "Math" key on your graphing calculator. You will see a numbered list with options such as rand, nPr and nCr.

3. Use the arrow key to highlight the selection that says nPr and press Enter.

4. Enter the number of objects to be taken at a single time (referred to as "r"). After inputting this number, you will have the permutations for the problem nPr.

Does a Graphing Calculator Work?

Introduction
A graphing calculator is necessary for many different kinds of math. Not only does it do math much faster than almost any person, but it is also capable of performing mathematical functions that no person can calculate because the numbers are too large or small. A graphing calculator is especially useful for geometric equations and plotting lines. All the user has to do is plug in the right coordinates, and the calculator draws the lines. There are several different parts of a graphing calculator, and each one is necessary for the function of the whole.

Functions
A graphing calculator uses all of the same functions as a normal calculator. All of the basic math formulas and calculations are programmed into the calculator so that the answers can be found. Multiplication, subtraction, addition, division, logarithms, fractions, decimals, square roots and all other math functions can be preformed by the graphing calculator. When a problem is typed into the calculator, the pre-programmed results and functions give the user the correct answer.

The Bbrain
The computer inside a graphing calculator is fairly complicated. Not only does the calculator have to be programmed to solve algebra and geometry equations, it also has to be programmed to draw the solutions on a graph. The calculator is given formulas to carry out when a user types in graphing commands. Some of the most common functions are matrixes, logarithms and plotting lines. If the user types in a command such as "-10,10," then the calculator is programmed to give the correlating solution. Many graphing calculators use the Zilog Z80 CPU system, which is a small microprocessor.

Graphing Capabilities
Usually the graphing capabilities of a graphing calculator are somewhat limited. The results of any equation (such as "-10,10") are divided between how many pixels are in the screen. For a 127-pixel screen, the graph is divided into 127 dots that arc across the screen according to the graph specifications. Sometimes the dots do not get connected, so it is necessary to connect them manually when re-recording the graph results on a piece of paper. Unless the user knows how to input the graph coordinates, the resulting graph will be no where near the correct answer. The graphing calculator inputs the literal commands that are entered, which can be way off from the desired result.

Graphing Calculator Flaws
The flaws of the graphing calculator are somewhat minor, but can cause serious problems. As mentioned above, in many cases the resulting graphs are not complete due to screen issues. This can be a serious problem for a user who does not know what the graph should look like. Another flaw is the fact that each calculator has specific ways that graphing equations need to be entered. A slight deviation from the required formula can cause incredibly different results. Another problem with graphing calculators is that certain shapes cannot be completed.

Using a Casio Graphing Calculator

Graphing calculators have become an important tool, especially in classrooms for many math courses, including geometry and algebra, and some science courses. They can be used to perform many different functions. Here's how to use a Casio graphing calculator.

Instructions
1. Press "AC/On" to turn the calculator on. When you need to clear the memory move the cursor to the "Mem" screen and press "exe." Highlight "Reset" and press the "exe" key again. When prompted to "Reset all memories?" press "F1" and you'll receive a "Memory cleared" message.

2. Select "Graph" and press the "exe" key to begin entering math equations. Enter the first equation at "y1" and hit the "exe" key after each one. This means "enter" or "=" and it selects that equation for graphing.

3. Continue entering all necessary math equations and hitting "exe" after each one on all the lines that continue starting at "y2." Verify that the "=" is darkened on each equation and you're ready to graph.

4. Assign a color to each graph line by selecting it and pressing "F4." Select the desired color where "F1 = blue," "F2 = orange" and "F3 = green." Hit the "exe" key again to graph each line using the assigned colors.

5. Graph the equations by pressing the "F6" key. Resize the graphing window by selecting "View" and "Window" from the menu. Press the "Shift" and "F3" keys to change the window size.


Tips & Warnings

- Close every parentheses set or the equation will not work correctly.

- Use the arrow key to put your cursor in the right place and use the "Delete" key to remove any mistakes.

Buy a Graphing Calculator

You are going to college, or maybe your son or daughter is taking high school or college algebra this year in school. So you need to buy a graphing calculator. What kind of calculator should you buy? Read on to learn how to buy a graphing calculator.


Instructions
1. Find out what kind of calculator the teacher or professor of the math class to be taken suggests. It helps to get the same calculator as the other students, so you can get help when needed.

2. Do your research and find out what brand you like--is it Texas Instruments, Hewlett Packard or another? Then you will want to check out the different models.

3. Think about the future of yourself or your child in school and college. Decide if you will be taking higher math classes later for physics or engineering. If so, you may need a calculator that comes with all the bells and whistles and that does more than graphing.

4. Understand you will only need the graphing calculator if you are taking algebra.

5. Go to the College Confidential site before you buy your calculator. Read what other students and math tutors have to say about the different makes and models of calculators, and what works best for students and the classes they take.

6. Pick up your spare cash once you've done your thorough research and homework on calculators, and go to one of the big department stores and find your graphing calculator.

7. Buy online instead at ebay, on Craigslist or from the manufacturer. Be sure to get the instruction manual. Learn to use the calculator well, it can be a great tool for learning math.

Graph Linear Equations With a Calculator

When attempting to solve linear equations, which include variables and constants, it can be helpful to see a visual representation of the equations on a graph. With a graphing calculator, you can enter any linear equation and have the device draw a virtual graph of it. To graph a linear equation on your calculator, the equation's formula must be in the "y=" format.


Instructions
1. Turn on the graphing calculator and press the "Zoom" key.

2. Select the "Zoom Standard" option to reset your calculator's graph to the basic view.
    
3. Press the "Y=" key to access the equation entering screen. Then type the right side of the linear equation you want to graph, using the "X" key to represent the equation's variable.

4. Press the "Enter" key to save the equation and enter any additional linear equations for the graph.

5. Press the "Graph" key and wait for the calculator to draw each of the linear equations on the grid.

Program a Graphing Calculator

Graphing calculators are commonly found classrooms. Not everyone knows that these little boxes are more sophisticated than meets the eye, and that learning to program a graphing calculator can lead to learning how to program computers. Read on and find out how you too can become an instant programmer.

Instructions
1. Pick up books or look on the Internet for tips on programming in BASIC and low-level Assembly computer languages. These are languages used to program a graphing calculator.

2. Input a simple program in the language that you have learned from your programming classes or that you have borrowed online. Click on the APPS function on your calculator, and type PROG1. Press Enter twice and input your program.
     
3. Transfer programs to your calculator from another calculator, or download programs to your 3-D graphing calculator, using software transfer tools from your manufacturer's website.

4. Go online and find more ready-made programs to download onto your calculator for your specific purposes. Blog online with other calculator programmers.

5. Program your graphing calculator with games to play in your spare time.

6. Go to math and education websites, PC magazine sites and find out more about programming and downloading programs for statistics, algebra and calculus, and working with 3D graphing.