The Calculator app on Windows 10 has been updated in recent years with several new features including the option to pin the app to the top of the desktop. A new feature introduced in the May 2004 update adds a graph mode to applications that can map equations and functions alike.
In addition to its potential impact on the education sector, Microsoft is also taking into account user requests received through the company’s Feedback Hub app, where a “graph calculator” is one of the most requested features.
If you installed the May 2004 update on Windows 10, you probably already have it. Otherwise, your Calculator app might need to be updated from Microsoft Store. As the name suggests, Graphing Mode will allow users to create graphs based on mathematical equations, in a similar way to Matlab’s Plotting Mode (a more advanced way).
This feature was proposed by Microsoft engineer Dave Grochocki, who is also a member of the Windows Calculator team.
How to Enable Graphics Mode in Windows 10 Calculator
Here’s how to access and enable graph mode in Windows 10 Calculator:
- Open the Calculator app.
- Click the hamburger button (three rows) at the top left.
- From the panel that opens, select Graphing.
How to Use Graph Mode in Windows 10 Calculator
Here’s how to use graph mode in Windows 10 Calculator:
- Click and drag the corner of the Calculator app so that the window is wider and you can see the input pane.
- Click inside the Enter a function field, and enter the function or equation to map.
- For variables, you have the option to enter values which allow to create an equation for example (a+b)^2 = a^2+2ab+b^2.
- The graph will map automatically. You can zoom in and out of it.
- To share the graphic, click the share button on it, and you will be able to share it as a PNG file via Mail app.
Equation Analysis Tool
The Graphing tab doesn’t just map equations or functions. It also has analysis tools although it may not be available for all types of equations. Here to use the analysis tool.
- Add equations to graphs in the Calculator tool.
- Click equation which you have mapped, and click little lightning icon next to it.
- You will see a detailed analysis of the equation you entered.
You can also customize the color of the lines used to graph the equation. Select the equation in the panel on the right, and click the color icon. Choose one of the preset colors for the line.
To change the line thickness of the chart, click the settings icon on the chart (it has a line chart with a gear on it), and select the thickness and enter the minimum and maximum limits for the X-axis and Y-axis.
Red Thread | Microsoft has made graphs plotted in the Calculator shareable. It may not be the most advanced graphing tool, and it certainly won’t replace a more powerful statistical analysis app but for basic graphs, it has an easy way to map and share it because the images are awesome.
