How to Enter Functions on TI-83 Plus

Before you can graph a function, you must enter it into the TI-83 Plus calculator. The calculator can handle up to ten functions at once, Y₁ through Y₉ and Y₀. To enter functions in the calculator, perform the following steps:

1. Press [MODE] and put the calculator in Function mode.

   To highlight an item in the Mode menu, use the

   

   keys to place the cursor on the item, and then press [ENTER]. Highlight Func in the fourth line to put the calculator in Function mode.

   

2. Press [Y=] to access the Y= editor.

3. Enter the definitions of your functions:

   To erase an entry that appears after Y_n, use the

   

   keys to place the cursor to the right of the equal sign and press [CLEAR]. Then enter your definition for the new function and press [ENTER].

When you’re defining functions, the only symbol the calculator allows for the independent variable is the letter X. Press

to enter this letter in the definition of your function.

As a timesaver, when entering functions in the Y= editor, you can reference another function in its definition. To paste a function name in the function you’re entering in the Y= editor, follow these steps:

1. Press

   

   to access the Y-Variables menu.

2. Press [1] to access the Function menu.

3. Press the number key for the name of the function you want to paste in the definition.