How to Use a Graph Calculator for a Mac

Graphing calculator programs allow you to graph all sorts of equations by inputting the equation into the program's interface. A Mac user who wants to use a graphing calculator application need not look any further than the "Grapher" utility that comes installed on all Mac computers with OS 10.4 or later. If you are a Mac user who would like to use the "Grapher" utility, you can do so in a few simple steps.

Step 1

Click the "Applications" folder, followed by the "Utilities" folder to view the computer's utilities. Double-click the "Grapher" icon to launch the "Grapher" utility.

Step 2

You have a choice of 2D or 3D graphs. Then type the equation you wish to have graphed in the space provided next to the "y=" symbols; for example, y=3x+6. Click the "Sigma" logo on the right-hand side of the utility window to bring up a context menu containing advanced equation options such as exponents, roots, fractions, integrals and differentials. If you wish to insert any of these into the equation, click on the proper symbol in the context menu.

Step 3

Press the "Enter" key once the equation has successfully been entered into the utility to graph the equation.

Step 4

Click the "Plus" button in the bottom left-hand corner of the utility window to bring up a context menu containing new equation options. Click either "New Equation" to graph a new equation or "New Equation From Template" to create a new equation from a template. Template options include parametric, differential equations and vector fields. With your new equation open, enter the equation's values in the space next to the "y=" symbols as you did in Step 2 (or fill in the necessary values if you opted to start from a template) and press the "Enter" key.

Step 5

Repeat Step 4 for as many equations as you wish. After you are done, you may save or print your graph by clicking the "File" tab in the pull-down menu and selecting Save. Name the graph and select where you'd like to put the file.

Tips

• In the pull down menus when Grapher is running, there are a variety of options for how to display the graph.

References

• Using a Mac: Mac Utility, Grapher

About the Author

Alexander Poirier began writing professionally in 2005. He worked as the editor-in-chief of the literary magazine "Calliope," garnering the magazine two APEX Awards for excellence in publication. Poirer graduated from the University of the Pacific with a Bachelor of Arts in English.