October 2024 (Part 2)
It’s almost un-imag-inable since we’re only 2.5 weeks in, but we’re coming at you with ANOTHER exciting October update.
We'd like to welcome complex numbers to Desmos!
Unlocking the power of complex numbers in the Scientific, Graphing, and 3D calculators is now just a toggle away.
To get started, navigate to the Settings menu (the wrench icon) and enable Complex Mode. With this feature activated, you can now compute with and graph complex numbers; opening up a whole new realm of mathematical possibilities.
Learn More
Other Fun Things
- You can now hear table regression curves using audio trace! Try listening to different models in this example or learn more about audio trace in our accessibility article.
- Check out the new Geometry gallery and updated 3D gallery and see what’s new to discover in the example constructions and graphs. Find them at desmos.com/geometry-gallery and desmos.com/3d-gallery.
- New accessibility feature: Try panning a graph with a keyboard. Use the up, down, left, and right arrow keys to navigate when focused on the graph paper. Try it here or check out all of our keyboard shortcuts organized by tool.
- The rotation UI in the Geometry Tool was simplified. After defining your center of rotation, reuse it as the vertex of your angle of rotation. Alternatively, you can still define the angle of rotation numerically or by clicking on a directed angle. Example.
October 2024
Have data you want to model?
Creating a regression model in Desmos just got a whole lot easier. Get started in only 2 steps:
Step 1: Plot your data in a table
Step 2: Click on the ‘add regression’ icon
✅ Done!
Once you have your regression in a table, switch between different models, plot residuals, and explore until you find the best fit.
Learn More:
September 2024
Explore Residuals, Evaluations, and New Testing Calculators
Zoom Fit Residuals
Use the new zoom fit icon next to the residuals of your regression model to get a better look at how they’re plotted!
Copy and Paste Evaluations
We fixed a bug so now you can copy evaluations and paste them in a new expression line without losing any formatting (including with a keyboard).
Desmos is on the Test in Illinois!
State test calculators for Illinois were added to desmos.com/testing/illinois and desmos.com/practice.
Other Fun Things
- Those who use adaptive technologies (like JAWS for Windows, NVDA, VoiceOver, etc.) now have an improved experience when navigating tables.
- You can now use Page UP and Page Down to navigate in and out of a table and focus the previous or next expression. Check out all of our keyboard shortcuts organized by tool.
- We fixed a bug so you can now rename your version of an example graph as you save it to your account.
August 2024
New Look, Same Dynamic Geometry Tool
Is that the same Desmos Geometry Tool? You bet it is, but now with increased functionality. We’ve added new construction tools, the ability to construct from a selected object, quicker ways to add labels, change color, and move objects to the expression list, and more!
Read all about the changes below and then try one of the example constructions. We’d love to hear what you think! Please share any bugs, questions, or suggestions with us at support@desmos.com.
Learn More:
What's New with Constructions
It’s now easier to label objects and change their color.
After selecting a point, angle, or segment, label it or change its color directly from the menu that pops up.
Other Fun Things
- 3D spheres now accept 2D center points too. Example
- If you use an action or the ticker, those inputs can now be printed in Braille mode. Read more about actions or Braille mode.
July 2024
Dynamic Tokens
In Desmos Geometry, tokens represent the geometric objects that you construct. You can find them in the token navigator at the top of the expression list.
Some things you can do with tokens:
- Drag them into the expression list to see the function used.
- When working in the expression list, click on objects on the graph paper to use a token reference.
And now, you can see even more about an object from the token itself. Notice how angles match their measures, polygons change dynamically as you increase the number of sides, vectors change direction as you move them around, and more.
Learn More:
Other Fun Things
Points of Intersection: We now show at least 5 decimal places for intersection points and you can copy and paste the points into the expression list.
New Homepage: Easily navigate to any of our math tools right from desmos.com.
June 2024
Hold shift to use Geometry Tokens in the Expression List
Using a token in the expression list to reference a geometry object is just a click away.
When working in the expression list in the geometry tool, click on objects on the graph paper in order to use a token reference to the object in your expression.
In some situations, we have limited what objects you can click on to fit the context of the rest of the expression. Want to still use a token here? No problem! Hold down shift and then we’ll let you click on any geometry object you want.
Learn More:
Other Fun Things
We updated our supported functions article! Find examples of functions to use across each of our tools. Have a question or suggestion for improvements to this page? Reach out to us at support@desmos.com
Polygon edges in the geometry tool now default to a 2.5 px width just like in the graphing calculator. Example polygon
In error messages in geometry and 3D, you can now learn about expected argument types. Check out the new error message
May 2024
Change to Random Seeds
We’ve upgraded random seeds to work more seamlessly with recursion by re-randomizing based on function arguments. Now you can go on a random walk with ease!
Learn More:
Accessibility Updates
You can now navigate through colors and toggles (e.g. degree / radian, or line styles) with arrow keys.
Error messages are in the tab order for keyboard accessibility.
The degrees / radians toggle in the scientific calculator has higher contrast and keyboard navigability.
Other Fun Things
- You now have more options when complicated expressions are slow to evaluate or plot. Have an expression line that’s holding up the rest of the graph? Try editing it or deleting it to speed up everything else. Example graph
- Across tools, there’s now a subtle indication of “minus” (more padding) vs “negative” (less padding). Example graph
- Ellipses have a little separation to make it easier to use in lists. Example graph
- Shift-enter will add a new line inside of notes. Example graph
April 2024
Recursion, Recursion, Recursion
Define recursive functions in the Desmos Graphing Calculator, Geometry Tool, and 3D Calculator. Get started by reading our recursion article or exploring a recursive sequence example.
Learn More:
Other Fun Things
- Set your language to either French (Canada) or French across desmos.com and in each of our tools.
- Search the expression list to find all labels, even those that don’t show on the graph. Example graph
- You can now select error message text in tooltips. Try copying and pasting the error message into a note in this example graph.
February 2024
2023 Art Contest Winners Announced!
We were blown away by the artistry, care, and ingenuity on display this year. Choosing just 100 graphs was nearly impossible, but we expect you’ll be as inspired by them as we are. As you explore the gallery, be on the lookout for the small details and bits of magic you’ll find scattered throughout artist statements and notes.
Learn More:
Explore Perspective in 3D
In Desmos 3D, you'll now find a perspective slider in the settings menu. Explore how to change the view of the 3D cube from orthographic to perspective by opening the graph to the right.
Learn More:
January 2024
D.I.Y. 3D Games with Clickable Objects!
3D now has clickable objects! You can run actions by clicking on objects in 3D like you can in the 2D and geometry calculators.
Learn More:
Interval Values ‘for’ a Parameter
In the calculator, you can now plug multiple values for a parameter into an equation in one line. To do so, type the word ‘for’ to generalize the parameter with a list or an interval.
Learn More:
Other Fun Things
- 3D graphs that use many spheres or triangles are now a whole lot faster. See, for example, Sphere Quantization by Jason H.
- Control the movement of the 3D cube with your keyboard! While focused on the cube (use the shortcut CTRL + ALT + P on PC), arrow keys will rotate and tilt the cube. Read more about keyboard shortcuts at desmos.com/3dshortcuts.
November 2023
🎵 Make Music and Sound Effects in Desmos
Explore the new tone expression to create sound in the Desmos Graphing Calculator, Desmos Geometry Tool, and Desmos 3D.
Learn More:
Other Fun Things
- Use desmos.com/diagnostics to send us an automatically generated report that will help diagnose what might be going wrong with any of the Desmos Tools.
September 2023
Introducing DESMOS 3D!
Jump into a new dimension of math with Desmos 3D! Explore connections between 2D curves and 3D surfaces. Now in Beta at desmos.com/3D.
Learn More:
July 2023
Vectors in Desmos Geometry
Our Geometry Tool now includes vectors you can compute with in the expression list! Check it out at the links below. (Bonus: What do you notice about the vector tokens in the token navigator as you move the vector around?)
Learn More:
Reveal Hidden Geometry Objects
You can now temporarily reveal hidden objects from the settings menu in Desmos Geometry. Find the checkbox in the settings menu.
Learn More:
May 2023
New and Improved: Desmos Geometry
Our next generation Geometry Tool is here! Construct and explore with the power of the graphing calculator built in. Now at desmos.com/geometry.
Learn More:
April 2023
Switch to a Logarithmic Scale
Visualize data across many orders of magnitude by setting either axis, or both, to a logarithmic scale. Open the settings menu and navigate to ‘more options’ to get started.
Learn More:
February 2023
Visualize Lists in a Table
The first column in a table can now be externally defined. Try it out in the graph to the right. Change the values in the list L and watch how the table changes.
Learn More:
January 2023
Substitute Values ‘with’ Expressions and Lists
You can now use our substitution feature to replace any variable in an expression with a constant value, another variable expression, or a list. You'll find the 'with' substitution function under 'advanced features' in the function keypad.
Learn More:
2022
Introducing Desmos Studio PBC
Hello from Desmos Studio!
In the spring of 2022, Desmos Inc. split into two entities. Desmos Classroom joined Amplify Education and Desmos Studio remained independent.
Here at Desmos Studio, we now focus all of our energy on building the most equitable, accessible, powerful, and delightful tools for exploring mathematics. This What’s New page is dedicated to sharing updates with you about all of those math tools.
For a complete change-log of calculator updates (including those prior to 2022), visit our API docs.
Happy Graphing,
The Desmos Studio Team