Desmos on the Digital SAT

When to reach for Desmos

• Anything with a graph or coordinate plane, plot it instead of computing by hand.
• Systems of equations, graph both, look at the intersection.
• "Which value of $k$ makes...", sliders turn these into 5-second problems.
• Regression / line of best fit, type the data once, read the slope.
• Inequalities, shading makes "which point satisfies..." instant.

When you don't need Desmos: simple arithmetic, single-variable solves, and anything where typing will take longer than algebra. Pacing is the goal, use the tool when it beats a pencil.

Keyboard shortcuts worth memorizing

• ^ for exponents: type x^2 to get $x^2$.
• _ for subscripts: x_1 becomes $x_1$. Needed in tables and regression.
• sqrt auto-completes to $\sqrt{\ }$, no special character needed.
• pi and theta auto-convert to $\pi$ and $\theta$.
• Enter adds a new expression line. Tab moves out of an expression.