How to Use Desmos on the Digital SAT: The Complete Guide
The Digital SAT ships with the full Desmos graphing calculator built into Bluebook. Used well, it can shortcut a huge share of the Math section.
Step by step
- 1
Open the calculator inside Bluebook
Tap the calculator icon in the top toolbar to open the full Desmos graphing calculator — it lives right inside the test, no separate device.
- 2
Graph equations to solve them
Type any equation and Desmos graphs it. Where two graphs cross = the solution to a system; where a graph crosses the x-axis = the solution to an equation.
- 3
Click special points
Click a curve and Desmos highlights its key points — intercepts, the vertex of a parabola, and intersection points — with exact coordinates.
- 4
Use tables for data questions
Add a table, type your data, and Desmos can plot the points and fit a line of best fit.
- 5
Use built-in functions
Functions like mean(), median(), and stdev() compute statistics from a list instantly.
Pro tip
Desmos accepts equations in ANY form — you never have to rearrange into y = first. Type it exactly as written and let the graph do the work.
Try it yourself
Work the example right here in a live Desmos calculator — no Bluebook needed.
Use Desmos to find the x-intercept of y = 2x − 7.
Graph the line and click where it crosses the x-axis.
Loading interactive calculator…
Show the answer
Answer: x = 3.5
Graph y = 2x − 7 and click where the line crosses the x-axis — Desmos shows (3.5, 0).
Put the trick to work on a real test
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