Instrument Nspire Calculator
Handheld-style Graphing Calculator works out Function plotted and Value at the query point from Function, Second function (optional) and Variable. The default figures on this page give function plotted of x^2 - 4; change any entry and the result, the working and the sources update together.
Your figures
Updates as you typeHow this is worked out
4 steps
- f(x) = x^2 - 4
- Sampled 41 points on [-10, 10] at x_i = -10 + 20 * i / 40.
- Sampled range: -4 to 96 over 41 of 41 points.
- Zeros in the interval: -2, 2 (exact grid zeros plus bisected sign changes).
Zeros in the intervaltable
Sampled pointstable
| x | y |
|---|---|
| -10 | 96 |
| -9.5 | 86.25 |
| -9 | 77 |
| -8.5 | 68.25 |
| -8 | 60 |
| -7.5 | 52.25 |
| -7 | 45 |
| -6.5 | 38.25 |
| -6 | 32 |
| -5.5 | 26.25 |
| -5 | 21 |
| -4.5 | 16.25 |
| -4 | 12 |
| -3.5 | 8.25 |
| -3 | 5 |
| -2.5 | 2.25 |
| -2 | 0 |
| -1.5 | -1.75 |
| -1 | -3 |
| -0.5 | -3.75 |
| 0 | -4 |
| 0.5 | -3.75 |
| 1 | -3 |
| 1.5 | -1.75 |
| 2 | 0 |
| 2.5 | 2.25 |
| 3 | 5 |
| 3.5 | 8.25 |
| 4 | 12 |
| 4.5 | 16.25 |
| 5 | 21 |
| 5.5 | 26.25 |
| 6 | 32 |
| 6.5 | 38.25 |
| 7 | 45 |
| 7.5 | 52.25 |
| 8 | 60 |
| 8.5 | 68.25 |
| 9 | 77 |
| 9.5 | 86.25 |
| 10 | 96 |
Its 6 worked examples are re-run on every release, last on 15 September 2026. What changed
Sources and references
4 sources
What the Handheld-style Graphing Calculator calculates
Plots y = f(x), a piecewise function or a z = f(x, y) surface over a chosen domain, returning the sampled points, the range, the intercepts, the zeros and any intersection with a second curve.
How to use this Handheld-style Graphing Calculator
Enter Function, Second function (optional), Variable and x from. Function plotted updates as you type. Change one figure at a time to see what drives the result.
How the result is worked out
Open “How this is worked out” beside the result for the step-by-step calculation behind Function plotted, Value at the query point and Smallest sampled value.
The method follows OpenStax College Algebra 2e, section 3.2 Domain and Range, OpenStax College Algebra 2e, section 3.4 Composition of Functions / piecewise definitions, Burden & Faires, Numerical Analysis, section 2.1 (the Bisection Method) and W3C Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) 1.1, section 8.3 Path data.
Results are general information, not financial, tax, legal, medical or engineering advice. Check any decision that matters with a qualified professional.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best handheld calculator?
Plots y = f(x), a piecewise function or a z = f(x, y) surface over a chosen domain, returning the sampled points, the range, the intercepts, the zeros and any intersection with a second curve. On this page it is computed from Function, Second function (optional) and Variable and shown as Function plotted, Value at the query point and Smallest sampled value.
What is the most advanced handheld calculator available?
It needs Function, Second function (optional), Variable, x from, x to and Sample points. Nothing else is required, and the figures stay in your browser.
What information do I need for the Handheld-style Graphing Calculator?
You need Function, Second function (optional), Variable, x from, x to, Sample points, Evaluate at x and Evaluate at y (3D). The page opens with default figures that give function plotted of x^2 - 4, so you can see the scale before entering your own.
What does this Handheld-style Graphing Calculator show?
It shows Function plotted, Value at the query point, Smallest sampled value, Largest sampled value, y-intercept, Zeros in the interval, Intersections with the second curve and Sampled points, with the working and any warnings for your entries.
Can I check how the Handheld-style Graphing Calculator result was calculated?
Yes. The “How this is worked out” section shows the calculation steps, and the sources section identifies the references used for the method.