Graphing Calculator Steps

Steps to follow to find the vertex of a parabola & to find the zeros of a parabola. Make sure you view this in presentation mode in order to see

the animations.

h=−16 𝑡 2+150 𝑡+1Finding the maximum height of the rocket using your graphing calculator.

Step 1: Turn the calculator on and

press the y= button

Step 2: In Y1, enter the equation you

wish to see. X is the only variable your calculator will use.

Step 3: Press the [window] button and adjust your viewing window so that you can see your graph.

Step 4: Press the [graph] button to see

your parabola

Step 5: Find the maximum. Press [2nd]

then [trace]

Step 6: Select the maximum function.

[4:maximum]Either press 4, or

scroll down and press enter.

Step 7: Move the blinking cursor to the left side of the vertex

& press [enter].

Step 8: Move the blinking cursor to the

right side of the vertex & press

[enter].

Step 9: Press [enter] one more time so the

calculator will find the vertex point.

Step 10: Your Maximum should appear. ALWAYS

round to 3 decimal places.

Max. Height: 352.563 ftOccurs 4.688 Seconds after

take off

Find

ing

Vert

ex

Solve

Step 1: Turn on your calculator & press [y=]

Step 2: Enter the left side of the equation in Y1.

Enter the right side of the equation in Y2Press [graph]

Step 3: Press [2nd] then [trace]

Step 4: Select option 5:intersect

Step 5: Move the blinking cursor as close to the

zero as possible & press [enter]

Step 6: Repeat Step 5, make sure it’s blinking

close to the same point as last time.Press [enter]

Once the screen says “Guess?” press [enter]

one last timeThis should give you the

value of the zero

Zero: -6Now, repeat these 6

steps to find the other zero.

Zeros: -6, 4

Find

ing

Zero

s