Desmos Graphing Calculator
Common Sense says
- iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Chromebook
- Free
- Education
Parents say
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this app.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Desmos Graphing Calculator is an assistive tool designed to help kids understand complex math concepts by graphing them to a coordinate plane (a graph with an x-axis and a y-axis). The tool has built-in examples for kids to explore, covering subjects such as lines, parabolas, trigonometry, conic sections, parametric equations, transformations, statistics, lists, and calculus. It also allows them to manipulate variables manually, graph multiple functions at once, and save and share their work. Although an internet connection is not required to use the features of the app, users must create an account or connect their Google+ account to download or share graphs. Read the app's privacy policy to find out about the types of information collected and shared.
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User Reviews
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Really great
What's it about?
DESMOS GRAPHING CALCULATOR allows kids to enter functions manually, explore preloaded functions, or download graphs from the server. To enter functions manually, users input values using the on-screen keyboard and then scroll and zoom onto the graph it creates. Kids can adjust color and add multiple functions to compare them. Users can manipulate variables by giving them a value and watching the graph adjust. If they get stuck, users can click on the question mark icon in the top-right corner to access tours, video tutorials, the user guide, or the help center.
Is it any good?
This graphing calculator is both powerful and versatile, a must-have for any student learning advanced math skills. Though some kids may find Desmos Graphing Calculator overwhelming, it has tons of resources to help each level of learner successfully use each feature. The preloaded graphs give kids a starting point for exploring a variety of functions and helps them explore math in a new way. For kids who need visual, hands-on input to make sense of advanced math, this app is a great place to start and much cheaper than investing in an expensive calculator.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about the different parts of a graph using Desmos Graphing Calculator. Help kids identify where the x-axis and y-axis are located, where each axis intercept would be found, and what the shape of each graph is (line, parabola, and so on).
Families can also talk about how positive and negative variables affect a graph's position on a coordinate plane. Have kids predict what might happen if each variable changes. Use the sliding feature to watch how the graph moves across the coordinate plane when variables change.
App details
- Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Chromebook
- Subjects: Math: equations, functions, graphing
- Skills: Thinking & Reasoning: investigation, problem solving
- Price: Free
- Pricing structure: Free
- Release date: October 4, 2016
- Category: Education
- Size: 4.10 MB
- Publisher: Desmos
- Version: 2.2.1
- Minimum software requirements: 7.0
- Last updated: January 26, 2017
Our editors recommend
For kids who love math apps and homework help
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.