TI-83 Resource Website

Graphing Basics

Graphing Inequalities

A convenient way to quickly see what a function looks like is to graph it, especially when the function is complicated and difficult to graph by hand.


Example: Graph the following inequality: 6x + y > 7

Step 1: The given inequality must be in Slope-Intercept (y=mx+b) or Calculator Ready form:

In this example, y > -6x + 7.  Please consult your instructor or a tutor if you have any questions.

Press Y=

Step 2: Enter the inequality .  You can enter the numbers using the number pad (gray buttons), enter the variable using the X,T,O,n button (to the right of the green ALPHA button), and enter the operators using the blue buttons (to the right of the number pad) and the parentheses buttons (above the 7 and 8).  For the term -6x, be careful to use the grey negative button (-) located to the left of the ENTER button.  Do NOT use the blue subtraction button! 

 

Step 3: This problem is a "greater than" inequality.  Using the left blue arrow, move the cursor to the space left of Y1=.  Note there is a diagonal line to the left of each Y=.  The diagonal line will start blinking.  Press ENTER twice to get the upper right triangle.  (Note that if you wanted "less than", you would press ENTER until the lower left triangle appears.)

Step 4: Press WINDOW, the blue menu button directly below the screen, second from the left. Adjust the window settings.  Use numbers that correlate or "fit" with your function (i.e. note the numbers used for this function.)

Step 5: Alternatively, you can choose ZOOM (the middle blue menu button), then select 0: FIT.  You can either press 0 or use your blue cursor buttons to move down.  You can also choose
6: STANDARD. 
This will give you a good starting point for your window settings and you can adjust from there as needed (see Step 3).

 

Step 6: Press GRAPH (the right-most blue menu button directly below the screen)


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