Online Graphing Calculators

Web Link: Desmos | Graphing Calculator

Flexibility: This graphing calculator has the following major features:

  • Ability to enter multiple expressions, expressions will automatically format as they are written out.

  • Ability to use equality or inequality in expressions

  • Typing in expressions uses common keyboard shortcuts such as ^ for exponents and _ for subscripts.

  • Can create sliders for non-x/y variables.

  • All major trigonometric functions

  • Ability to add tables, notes, and images. These can be stored in folders to help manage multiple expressions.

  • Able to use statistical/probability functions such as nCr, mean, or stdevp.

  • Can be used to create visualizations (histogram, dot plot, et al) or visualizations (normal distribution, binomial, et al.)

  • The grid can be modified to be standard or unit-circle, degrees or radians.

  • Axis can be modified and new labels inputted.

  • All graphs can be saved, shared, and retrieved later by the teacher. They can also be embedded into a webpage if needed.

  • A projector mode makes the grid easier to see from a distance by increasing line thickness and number size.

  • Teachers have created classroom activities that can be done through Desmos here.

You can learn more about how to use the graphing calculator from Desmos here.

User Interfaces: Mouse and touchpad friendly. Touch0friendly as well. Apps exist for Android and Apple devices.

Browsers: Works with all major browsers.

Web Link: Calculator Suite - GeoGebra

Flexibility: This graphing calculator has the following major features:

  • Ability to enter multiple expressions, expressions will automatically format as they are written out.

  • Ability to use equality or inequality in expressions

  • Typing in expressions uses common keyboard shortcuts such as ^ for exponents and _ for subscripts.

  • Can create sliders for non-x/y variables.

  • All major trigonometric functions

  • Extra ability to add text and images to the grid.

  • You can create a table of values based on an existing expression, but cannot independently create one.

  • GeoGebra enables the creation of widgets, this means that there are a lot of options for sliders, locking lines, and scripting if-then statements.

  • There are functions for statistics that you can use, but require listing elements in set-notation.

  • Any graph can be saved, shared, and created into a widget for use on a website.

  • Graphs can also be downloaded as images or copied to the clipboard.

  • GeoGebra has a vast resource of widgets and material already created and shared by teachers. You can either search or browse by major mathematical concepts here.

  • GeoGebra also offers several calculators that are locked down for test-taking purposes.

User Interfaces: Mouse and touchpad friendly. Touch-friendly as well. Apps exist for Android and Apple devices.

Browsers: Works with all major browsers.

Web Link: Graphing Calculator - Symbolab

Flexibility: This graphing calculator has the following major features:

  • Ability to enter multiple expressions.

  • Expressions do not always automatically format as they are written. Some mathematical notations such as exponents will auto format.

  • Ability to use equality or inequality in expressions

  • Typing in expressions uses common keyboard shortcuts such as ^ for exponents and _ for subscripts.

  • Some trigonometric functions are missing

  • Graphs can be saved and used later.

Symbolab may want to be avoided for the following reasons:

  • The app allows students to take photos of mathematical works and solves it for them. There is a paid option to show all steps in the problem.

  • The overall app experience is difficult to use.

User Interfaces: Mouse and touchpad friendly. Does not work with touch. Apps exist for Android and Apple devices.

Browsers: Works with all major browsers.

There are more graphing calculators online than are reviewed here. Some others are listed below for reference.