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Flip to reveal answersWhat is the "viewing window" on a GDC?
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All 16 Flashcards — GDC graphing skills
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Question
What is the "viewing window" on a GDC?
Answer
The range of x and y values displayed on screen. Set using Xmin, Xmax, Ymin, Ymax. If the window is wrong, key features of the graph will be off-screen.
Question
You graph f(x) = x³ − 100x and see a flat line. What should you do?
Answer
The turning points are outside the default window. Zoom out — increase the x and y range (e.g. −15 to 15). Use ZoomFit or adjust Ymin/Ymax manually.
Question
Why should you always adjust the GDC window before reading off any values?
Answer
Key features (intercepts, turning points, asymptotes) may be off-screen in the default window. Missing them leads to incomplete or wrong answers.
Question
What does the "ZoomFit" feature on a GDC do?
Answer
Automatically adjusts the y-window to show all points of the graph within the current x-range. Use it when the default window shows nothing useful.
Question
How do you find x-intercepts (zeros) on a GDC?
Answer
Graph the function. Use 2nd → Calc → Zero (TI-84). Set a left bound and right bound on either side of each zero. The GDC gives the exact x-value.
Question
How do you find the intersection of two graphs on a GDC?
Answer
Graph both functions. Use 2nd → Calc → Intersect (TI-84). Move the cursor near the intersection and press Enter three times. The GDC gives both x and y coordinates.
Question
IB asks for the coordinates of the intersection of f(x) and g(x). The GDC shows x = 2.31. What must you also record?
Answer
The y-coordinate. Substitute x = 2.31 into either equation, or read y from the GDC screen. IB expects both coordinates: e.g. (2.31, 5.62).
Question
Alternative GDC method: how can you find where f(x) = g(x) without using Intersect?
Answer
Graph h(x) = f(x) − g(x) and find its zeros using the Zero function. Where h(x) = 0 is exactly where f(x) = g(x).
Question
How do you find a local maximum on a GDC (TI-84)?
Answer
Graph f(x). Use 2nd → Calc → Maximum. Set a left bound before the peak and a right bound after it. The GDC returns both x and y coordinates of the maximum.
Question
IB asks for coordinates of a local minimum. What exactly must you write?
Answer
Both the x and y coordinates as a pair: e.g. (2, −3). Never write only the x-value — that loses the second mark.
Question
A cubic has two turning points. How do you find both on the GDC?
Answer
Use Maximum for the peak and Minimum for the trough — run them separately with appropriate bounds around each turning point.
Question
The GDC Maximum gives (1.5, 12). IB asks "What is the maximum value of f?" What do you write?
Answer
12. The maximum value is the y-coordinate of the turning point, not the x-coordinate.
Question
GDC shows intersection at x = 3.46, y = 8.92. How do you write this in an IB answer?
Answer
Write both coordinates clearly: x = 3.46, y = 8.92 (3 s.f. unless told otherwise). Or write the coordinate pair (3.46, 8.92).
Question
IB says "use your GDC" on Paper 2. Do you need to show algebraic working?
Answer
No — you must state the GDC result clearly (coordinates, equation, etc.) but no algebraic working is needed. Always write what you found, not how the GDC found it.
Question
When can you use a GDC — Paper 1 or Paper 2?
Answer
Paper 2 only. Paper 1 is the non-calculator paper. No GDC allowed on Paper 1.
Question
To how many significant figures should you round GDC results in IB answers?
Answer
3 significant figures (3 s.f.), unless the question specifies otherwise. Using more decimal places is not wrong but messy; using fewer can cost marks.
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Full study notes for GDC graphing skills
Topic 2.3 hub
Graph of a function
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