Some books contain problems that ask you to graph your answers. This article explains how to use the different graphing tools.

NOTE: When answering graphing questions it is important to use the specific tool you are instructed to use; the system will mark you wrong if you do not do so.

The Line tool allows you to draw a straight line on the graph that continues infinitely in both directions (indicated by arrows). To do this, you need to select the Line tool in the options at the top of the graph, then click two points along the line. The two points you click can be at any point on the line.

The question pictured here asks you to use the Line tool to draw the line of the equation y=4. To do this, select the Line tool, then click two points along the line:

When using the Line tool it does not matter which two points along the line are selected so long as they are both on the line. The points used to define it in this instance were (0,4) and (3,4), but any points along y=4 would result in the correct line.

The point tool allows you to mark a point on a graph. Other tools also result in a visually-similar dot, but when directed to use the Point tool to mark a point you must use that, even if there is already a dot on the spot, as the system does not see, for example, the endpoint of a line segment as the same thing, and if you don't use the Point tool to draw a requested point your answer will be marked as incorrect.

To use the Point tool make sure it is selected from the bar above the graph, then click once on the point where you want to place it. You will only be able to place points at intersections of the grid lines. In the below question, you are asked to place a point at (1,2).

The Ray tool lets you draw a ray with one fixed endpoint and an arrow on the other end extending out. To use it, select the ray tool, then click the closed endpoint of the ray, followed by another point along the line in the direction it extends.

This graph is for a question that asks you to use the Ray tool to draw a ray originating at (-3,-1) and going through point (-2,-1). To draw this, you select the Ray tool, click the origin of (-3,-1), then click the second point given, (-2,-1):
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The segment tool can be used to create a line segment with two endpoints. To use the tool, select "Segment" at the top of the graph, then click the endpoints of the segment you wish to create. The order in which you click the endpoints does not matter.

For this example the question says "Use the Segment tool to draw a line segment from (-5,-4) to (-1,-3)", which looks like this:
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The Label tool can be used to apply a label to elements that you've graphed. You need to make sure that you use the exact label that you are directed to use; a problem set up to look for lines labeled "S" and "D" will not recognize an answer that labels them "Supply" and "Demand", so make sure to follow instructions. Similarly, if you are instructed to label the lowest point on a line and instead click the middle of it or a higher point, your answer will be marked incorrect.

The instructions say "Label the segment drawn previously with the capital letter "S" (do not include the quotes) at the point of its lowest y value" (referring to the the segment from (-5,-4) to (-1,-3)). Correctly done that looks like this:

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One example of an incorrect label is here, where the Label tool has been selected, but instead of clicking on the point on the segment with the lowest y value, the center of the segment has been clicked, resulting in the question being marked as incorrect.

The Polygon tool allows you to draw closed shapes with straight sides. To use the tool, select the Polygon tool and then click on each vertex of the shape you wish to draw in sequence, which will draw lines between each point. To finish the polygon and close it click on the first point again. Once the polygon is completed the inside of the shape will be shaded in.

In this example, the assignment asks you to "Use the Polygon tool to graph a rectangle with corners at (1,7), (1,9), (4,9), and (4,7)". The completed rectangle looks like this:

Note: While you can use other tools, like the Segment tool, to outline a shape, the system will not read this as a polygon. You need to use the polygon tool. If you are directed to use the polygon tool to draw a shape or shade an area and a shape does not have a filling after you close it, you have not used the correct tool. Here you can see the difference between a shape outlined with the Segment tool and one drawn using the Polygon tool:

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