TI-84 Graphing Basics: Y=, Window, Zoom & Trace

New to graphing on your calculator? These TI-84 graphing basics take you from a blank screen to your first graph in about ten minutes: type a function into Y=, set the WINDOW, use ZOOM presets, and TRACE values along the curve.

Quick answer: Press Y= and type your function next to Y1=, then press GRAPH. If the graph looks wrong, press WINDOW to set Xmin/Xmax/Ymin/Ymax yourself, or press ZOOM and choose 6:ZStandard for a clean −10 to 10 view. Press TRACE and use the arrow keys to read exact values off the curve.

Step 1: Enter your function in Y=

1. Press Y= (top row, below the screen).
2. Type your function next to Y1=, for example X²−4. The X comes from the X,T,θ,n key; X² from the x² key.
3. Make sure the function is turned on: the = sign after Y1 should be highlighted. If it is not, arrow onto it and press ENTER to toggle it.
4. Press GRAPH.

If the screen is blank, the usual cause is a function that is entered but switched off — toggle that = sign and graph again. Practice every step below on our free TI-84 calculator. These TI-84 graphing basics work on every TI-84 model.

Step 2: Fix the view with WINDOW

The WINDOW button controls which slice of the coordinate plane you see: for the full key-by-key reference, see Texas Instruments’ official support pages.

• Xmin / Xmax — the left and right edges of the screen.
• Ymin / Ymax — the bottom and top edges.
• Xscl / Yscl — how far apart the tick marks sit on each axis.

Rule of thumb: if you see nothing, your graph is probably outside the current window — widen Xmin/Xmax and Ymin/Ymax until it appears. If you get ERR:WINDOW RANGE, you typed a minimum larger than its maximum — swap them and the error clears.

Step 3: Let ZOOM do the work

Before fiddling with WINDOW by hand, try the ZOOM presets:

• 6:ZStandard — the classic −10 to 10 view. Start here whenever you are lost.
• 5:ZSquare — makes one x-unit equal one y-unit so circles look like circles, not ovals.
• 0:ZoomFit — auto-adjusts the y-range to fit your function.
• 1:ZBox — draw a box around the region you want to zoom into.

Step 4: Read values with TRACE

1. Press TRACE — a blinking cursor appears on the graph.
2. Use the left/right arrows to walk along the curve; the X and Y values show at the bottom.
3. Type any X value and press ENTER to jump the cursor straight there.
4. Press the up/down arrows to hop between multiple graphed functions.

Beginner issues, solved fast

• Blank screen: function switched off in Y=, or the graph is outside the window — ZStandard first.
• ERR:INVALID DIM: a stat plot is turned on. Press 2ND + Y= and choose 4:PlotsOff.
• Weird split screen: you are in Horiz or G-T mode. Press MODE, highlight Full, press ENTER.

TI-84 graphing basics: frequently asked questions

Why is my graph blank on the TI-84?
Either the function is switched off in the Y= editor (toggle the = sign), or the curve lies outside your WINDOW settings — press ZOOM → 6:ZStandard.

How do I clear a graph?
Highlight each function in the Y= editor and press CLEAR, or turn them off by toggling their = signs.

What does ZStandard show?
X from −10 to 10 and Y from −10 to 10, with tick marks every 1 unit.

Can I see the table of values instead of the graph?
Yes — press 2ND + GRAPH (TABLE) to see x/y values in a table.

How is this different from graphing specific functions?
This guide is the workflow — Y=, window, zoom, trace. Worked examples of individual functions are a separate skill.

Do these steps work on the TI-84 Plus CE?
Yes — these TI-84 graphing basics work on every TI-84 model, including the Plus CE. The keys and menus are the same; only the screen colors differ.