Microsoft Graphical calculator



Microsoft Graphical calculator

For states where graphics calculators are essential tools in senior school then this calculator will only be a complement to tools they should already have. The obvious benefit for schools is in junior high school or upper primary school work.

Teachers can use the tool to develop skills with graphics calculators.

Sample of the range of activities that can be completed range from the very simple

On the Work sheet students can

Use the input box to type in commands

Notice it will not solve equations here, you will need to go to

Equation solving:

[pic] is a basic function to be solved.

Again enter equations via the input box

In putting it on the calculator notice that the power function requires an extra key stroke.

Click Solve and the answer appears.

Students can learn about equation solving by trial and error in the first instance then develop algorithmic skills to complete manually.

A more complex equation solving problem will be

In this case click the Add button to enter two different functions.

Click Solve and observe the answer.

This would be considered about year 10 standard.

Graphing functions:

This system can create graphs very quickly.

Enter your function into the designated box and click Graph.

By clicking the graph controls you can access extra features like tracing.

This allows you to find a particular value on the function. You can watch the call out box move over the function or you can grab the box with your mouse to position where ever you want.

In this case when

x = -0.892

then y = -7.675

Returning to the solving of two equations. Notice that [pic] has changed the way it is written.

Notice that the graph can trace the point of intersection. But also notice that it may not be accurate.

This is an issue with all calculators as the scale per pixel may not match reality. Eg a finite representation of an infinite system.

Click onto the graphing controls again and you can zoom in and out to improve accuracy.

To rescale the graph you only need click onto the resize button and enter new values.

To post your graph into a word document you can save the graph as a .bmp or jpg or …

Then paste the saved graph into your document as shown below.

For more information about using the Graphing Calculator, please visit

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