Knowledge Base

Solution 34924: Dots or Lines Appearing on a Graph When Using the TI-83 Plus and TI-84 Plus Family of Graphing Calculators.

Why does my graph have lines or dots through the display on the TI-83 Plus and TI-84 Plus family of graphing calculators? 

After graphing a series of dots or lines may appear through the display. The dots represent the graph's grid and when zoomed in to a smaller portion of the graph, can appear as solid lines. This option may be turned on or off by accessing the FORMAT menu.

As an example, graph Y1 = x² by doing the following:

• Press [Y=].
• In Y1, press [X,T,q,n] [x²].



• Press [ZOOM] [6].



• Pressing [ZOOM] [0] to fit the function properly on the screen.



To turn off the Grid, do the following:

• Press [2ND] [FORMAT].



• Press [↓] [↓].
• Press [ENTER].
• Press [GRAPH].

The dots or lines should no longer be displayed.

Please see the TI-83 Plus and TI-84 Plus Family guidebooks for additional information.