Plotting points on a TI-92

Although plotting points is the easiest thing we do graphically, it's unfortunately one of the more complicated things we do on a graphing calculator. We have to enter the points, tell the calculator that we want it to graph some points (and only graph points), then have the calculator choose the screen and actually plot the points. With this in mind, let's start. We will plot the following points:

x

1

4

10

20

2

5

-10

y

-5

10

-2

0

15

-20

21

A. Entering the points

  1. Press the button that says 'APPS' on it. It's located just to the left of the four direction arrows.
  2. We want the Data/Matrix Editor, which is item number 6 (so type 6.)
  3. You should see a menu with three items; we want to enter new points, so we want 'NEW', which is item 3 (so type 3!)
  4. Slide down to the box entitled variable (we have to name our list of points!).  Let's call this list 'POINTS' (so type POINTS in the box, then press 'ENTER' twice).
  5. We can now enter the points. Put all of the x-values into column c1 (by typing the numbers in and pressing 'ENTER') and all of the y-values into column c2.

B. Telling the calculator it needs to plot points:

  1. Note that the toolbar box that says 'Plot Setup' says F2. So press F2.
  2. Note that the toolbar box with 'Define' says F1.  So press F1.
  3. Make sure that the first item, Plot Type, has 'Scatter' chosen. If not, press 'ENTER', go down to 'Scatter', then press 'ENTER'.
  4. Make sure that the second item, Mark, has 'Box' chosen. Then use the arrows to slide down to the next box.
  5. Make sure that the third item, x, has 'c1' in the box, by typing it in! Then use the arrows to slide down to the next box.
  6. Make sure that the fourth item, y, has 'c2' in the box, by typing it in!
  7. Then press 'ENTER' twice.

C. Tell the calculator to shut the functions off!

  1. Press the green diamond button, then 'Y='.
  2. Note that the toolbar box marked 'ALL' has an F5 on it. So press F5.
  3. Item number 3 says all functions off, so choose it.

D. Tell the calculator to choose the screen and plot the points!

  1. While still in the 'Y=' directory, choose F2 (the Zoom menu!)
  2. Choose item 9, entitled ZoomData.

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