Graphing and Connecting Coordinate Points

You can plot points one at a time, a few on a line, or all in a table, whichever you prefer. Get started with the video on the right, then dive deeper with the resources and challenges below.

 

Plotting Points | Point Settings Style Menu | Discontinuity | Points In Action | Connecting Points 

 

Plotting Points

To plot a point, enter your values as (x,y):

\left(-2,7\right). Screenshot.

You can also add multiple points on a line by separating each coordinate point with a comma:

\left(-3,2\right),\left(0,0\right),\left(2,1\right). Screenshot.

It's also possible to add points within a table:

Table showing the following coordinates: (1,2), (3,-2),(-1,2.5) and (2.3,\frac{1}{3})  . Screenshot.

Point Settings Style Menu

Clicking and long-holding the color icon in the expression line will open the settings menu of the plotted point. You will be able to show/hide the point, show/hide the label, make your point draggable, adjust the opacity, thickness, font size, position and angle of the label.

Points Settings style Menu. Screenshot.

Point Discontinuity

We don't automatically graph points of discontinuity. You can add an open point manually.

Use a table to determine where your point of discontinuity is. Then graph the point on a separate expression line.

Graph of f\left(x\right)=\frac{x^{2}\left(x-2\right)}{\left(x-2\right)}, showing point of discontinuity at (2,4). Screenshot.

To change the point from a closed circle to an open circle, click and long-hold the color icon next to the expression. The style menu will appear.

Point settings menu showing open circle selection. Screenshot.

Points in Action

"The best way to learn is to do." – Paul Halmos

Graphing Challenges Logo. Screenshot.

Graphing Challenges

Stretch your skills with graphing challenges.

Graphing Examples logo. Screenshot.

Example Graphs

Learn more by exploring example graphs.

 

Connecting Coordinate Points

There are different ways to connect points with a line depending on the style and substance you're looking for.

GIF showing how to connect points from a table. Animation.

Using a Table to Connect Coordinate Points

When creating a table in Desmos, points can be connected by clicking and long-holding the icon next to the dependent column header. Choose from two different styles. This is also a great way to graph shapes in the calculator.

Connecting points using the polygon function. Screenshot.

Using the Polygon Function to Connect Points

You can create a polygon by creating a table containing the vertices of the polygon.

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