8.3: Desmos User Guide.
- Page ID
- 238759
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Getting Started with Desmos |
1 |
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Tables |
2 |
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Variables and Sliders |
3 |
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Settings, Zoom, and Language |
5 |
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Graphable Expressions |
6 |
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Supported Functions |
8 |
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Keyboard Shortcuts |
9 |
Dive deeper into data with tables! You can create a new table or convert an existing expression into a table. If your existing expression includes sliders, they will remain functional after the expression is
converted into a table.
You can graph a single line by entering an expression like y = 2x + 3. To make the graph more dynamic, you can use parameters instead of constants: for example, y = mx + b. Add sliders for the undefined parameters by clicking the prompt or define the parameters yourself by entering m=2 and b=3. When you give constant values to parameters like m and b, the calculator will automatically allow you to adjust their values with sliders. Adjusting m with the slider changes the slope of the line, and adjusting b with the slider changes the intercept.
Any time you have free variables in an expression, the calculator will offer to let you define them with sliders: 
To create a movable point, entera point with a variable for at least one coordinate. Click and drag the point around the graph to change the value of the parameter(s). To make graphs more interactive, use parameters from your movable point in your expressions. For example, you can graph the line y-b=m(x-a) and plot the movable point (a,b) to see the line move when you drag the point - don't forget to add sliders!
Saving a graph
You will need to be signed in to save and open your graphs. Save a graph by pressing the button located to the right of the title bar or pressing ctrl+s on your keyboard.
Access your saved graphs by clicking the my graphs icon:
Sharing a graph
Clicking in the top toolbar will allow you to share your graphs.
Settings
Projector Mode
Using projector mode will make the graph and axes lines thicker, and the number labels larger. This is great for students sitting in the back of the classroom who are looking at Desmos on the projector.
Graph Paper
In the graph paper section you can change the grid and axes. Click the green circular icons to choose between Cartesian and Polar grids and show or hide axes and labels.
Click the gray arrow next to an axis to adjust the window size, add a step (try “pi”), or add arrows.
Angles
Choose between radians and degrees here.
Zoom
You may zoom in and out of the calculator by using the zoom buttons in the zoom menu. If your axes are no longer square, click the square option. To return to the default view, click the default option.
Other ways to zoom:
If you are using a touch-enabled device, you may also use the pinch and zoom technique within the graphing space. While using a computer with a mouse, you can use the scroll wheel for zooming. Click and drag within the graphing window to pan your graph within the graphing space.
Language
To change the language of the calculator interface, click the icon and select your language from the list. If you don’t see your language and would like to help with translation, email us at translations@desmos.com.
Graphable Expressions
| Type of Graph | Regular function | Notes | |
| Regular function | \[y=2 x+1\] |  |
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| x in terms of y | \[x=\sqrt{\left(1-y^2\right)}\] |  |
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| Inequalities |
\[\begin{aligned} & y>\log (x) \\ |
Strict inequalities are plotted with dashed lines |  |
| Polar | \[r=\sin (5 \theta)\] | Expressions with r and theta ( \(\theta\) ) will be interpreted as polar |  |
| Piecewise | \[\begin{aligned}& y=|x|\{x<0\} \\ & x=\sin (y)\{-\pi<y<\pi\}\end{aligned}\] |
Limit the domain or range of your expressions using piecewise notation |  |
| Point | \((1,0)\) | Use parentheses to plot points |  |
| Point List | (1,1), (2,2), (3,3) | You can plot several points by separating them with commas |  |
| Movable Point | (a,b) | Use a parameter for at least one coordinate |  |
| Parametric | \((\sin (2 \mathrm{t}), \cos (3 \mathrm{t}))\) | Parametric equations have the same form as points. Any point with functions of t for coordinates will be plotted as a parametric equation |  |
| Implicit |
\[x^2+y^2=1\] \[y^2+\sin (x) y+x=2\] |
Implicit equations can only be graphed if they are quadratic in x and/ or y |  |
Keyboard Shortcuts
Open Graph: ctrl + o
Save: ctrl + s
Save-As or Rename: ctrl + shift + s
Undo: ctrl + z
Redo: ctrl + y
New expression: Press “enter”
Move up/down: Press the and arrow keys Move left/right: Press the <--- and ---> arrow keys Add a new text box: Press the quotation keys (“ ”) Delete an expression: Press “delete”
