The Universal Calculation Engine
The Universal Calculation Engine

Does the curve go up or flatten

Part of: Graphs

A typical graphs problem: read what is asked before you calculate.

What to do first

For graphs, list knowns and unknowns. Check whether the problem wants a number, a relationship, or a graph. Graphs is the reference lesson.

Read the question

Wrong answers on graphs often come from answering a different question than the one asked, especially “how many” versus “how much is left.”

Total and parts

You know a total and one part; you need the other part. Subtract the known part from the total, or write total = part₁ + part₂ and fill in what you know.

Sense-check

Core lesson

Related: Graphs. Use the calculator with your own numbers when the example is not close to your case.

Use the calculator

FAQ

Where is the main lesson?

Graphs has the full topic, examples, and practice links.

Which calculator first?

After your setup is on paper, open Graphing calculator for a quick numeric pass.