Trace a graph
Move a cursor along a curve to read its x and y values, or jump straight to a chosen x.
Tracing puts a cursor on the curve itself. Every step along it shows exact (x, y) coordinates from the equation, so you can read values off a graph.
The example uses y = x² − 4 and finds the point at x = 3, where y = 5.
Classic Graphing 84
Start on the main screen: Press 2nd then mode (QUIT) to get back to the home screen. Pressing clear on a menu also backs out of it.
Enter X² − 4 on y=, then press graph.
y=X,T,θ,nx²−4graphPress trace, then type 3 and press enter to jump to x = 3.
trace3enter
You should seeY1=X²−4 X=3 Y=5
Without typing a number, the left and right arrows move the cursor along the curve.
Natural Color Graphing · Move along the curve
Start on the main screen: Press MENU then 1 to open Run-Matrix, the main calculation screen. Press EXIT to back out of a bar or screen, and SHIFT then EXIT (QUIT) to return to the app start.
Draw X² − 4 in the Graph app.
MENU3X,θ,Tx²−4EXEF6Press F1 for TRACE, then the right arrow twice.
F1▶▶
You should seeX=0.0666666667 Y=-3.995555556
Natural Color Graphing · Jump to x = 3
Start on the main screen: Press MENU then 1 to open Run-Matrix, the main calculation screen. Press EXIT to back out of a bar or screen, and SHIFT then EXIT (QUIT) to return to the app start.
Draw the graph, then open G-SOLV (F5) and press F6 for the next page.
MENU3X,θ,Tx²−4EXEF6F5F6Press F1 for Y-CAL, type 3 and press EXE.
F13EXE
You should seeY-CAL X=3 Y=5
Classic CAS
Start on the main screen: Press home to open the Home menu (Calculator, Graphs, Settings, and more). Choose Calculator, or press esc to go back to the calculation page.
Draw the graph on the graphs page.
docx^2▶−4enterType 3 and press enter. The trace cursor jumps to x = 3.
3enter
You should seex=3. y=5.
Tips
- Tracing only visits points that belong to the curve, so it is a quick way to check a value from the equation.
- With two graphs, the up and down arrows switch the cursor from one curve to the other.