How do I graph y = x^2 on a TI-84?

Press Y=, type X^2 - 4 next to Y1= (the X,T,θ,n key types X), then press GRAPH. If the parabola does not show, press WINDOW and widen Xmin/Xmax and Ymin/Ymax.

Why is my TI-84 graph blank?

Almost always the window. Your function is drawn outside the visible range. Press WINDOW and set Xmin=-10, Xmax=10, Ymin=-10, Ymax=10 as a starting point, then adjust from there.

How do I find where a graph crosses the x-axis?

Press TRACE and arrow left/right along the curve until the y-coordinate reads 0 (or very close). For an exact answer, use 2nd + TRACE (CALC) and choose "zero", then follow the prompts.

How do I graph two functions at once?

Enter the first in Y1= and the second in Y2= on the Y= screen, then press GRAPH. Each draws in its own color, and TRACE lets you hop between them.

What is the WINDOW button for?

WINDOW controls which slice of the coordinate plane you see: Xmin/Xmax for horizontal range, Ymin/Ymax for vertical. Think of it as the camera — the graph is always there, WINDOW decides what is in frame.

Can I practice graphing without a real TI-84?

Yes. Our free graphing calculator draws functions instantly — type x^2 and the graph appears, with zoom, pan, and trace built in. The concepts are identical to the physical calculator.

How to Graph on a TI-84

From Y= to TRACE in six steps. No manual required.

Graphing is the TI-84's superpower, but the button sequence confuses everyone at first. Follow these steps once, and it becomes muscle memory.

The six steps

1Press Y= and enter your function
On a real TI-84, press the Y= key at the top left. Type your function next to Y1= — for example, X^2 - 4 (use the X,T,θ,n key for X). On our free emulator, just type the function into the y1 box.
2Press GRAPH to draw it
Hit the GRAPH key and the calculator draws your function. If you see a nice curve, you are done with the basics. If the screen looks empty, do not panic — the next step fixes that.
3Fix the view with WINDOW
Press WINDOW to set what part of the graph you see. Xmin and Xmax control the left-right range; Ymin and Ymax control up-down. The classic fix for a "blank" graph is widening these numbers.
4Zoom when you need a closer look
Press ZOOM and pick Zoom In, then use the arrow keys to center on the spot you care about and press ENTER. Zoom Out does the reverse. This beats retyping window numbers by hand.
5Read exact points with TRACE
Press TRACE, then use the left and right arrows to move along the curve. The screen shows the exact x and y coordinates of the cursor. This is how you find intercepts, peaks, and valleys precisely.
6Graph a second function to compare
Go back to Y= and type a second function next to Y2=. Press GRAPH again and both curves draw in different colors. Where they cross is the solution to the system of equations.

Beginner mistakes (and instant fixes)

Blank screen after GRAPH

Your function is fine — your window is wrong. A line like y = 3x + 200 will not appear in the default −10 to 10 view. Widen Ymax to 300 and press GRAPH again.

The graph looks like a blob

The window is too wide for the detail you want. Use ZOOM → Zoom In on the interesting part instead of guessing new window numbers.

TRACE jumps in big steps

That is normal — TRACE moves pixel by pixel. Zoom in first for finer steps, or type an exact x-value while in TRACE mode to jump straight to it.

Practice right now — free

Reading about graphing is one thing; doing it locks it in. Open our free graphing calculator and try y = x^2 - 4: zoom out, turn on Trace, and find both x-intercepts. That is the exact workflow you just learned.

Want to go further? Our statistics guide shows how to plot data points and regression lines — the next graphing skill most classes teach.

Frequently asked questions

Last updated: September 26, 2026