Desmos is an advanced graphing calculator implemented as a web application and a mobile application written in JavaScript.

History

It was founded by Eli Luberoff, a

math Mathematics is an area of knowledge that includes the topics of numbers, formulas and related structures, shapes and the spaces in which they are contained, and quantities and their changes. These topics are represented in modern mathematics ...

and physics double major from Yale University, and was launched as a startup at TechCrunch's Disrupt New York conference in 2011. , it had received around 1 million US dollars of funding from Kapor Capital, Learn Capital, Kindler Capital, Elm Street Ventures and

Google Ventures GV is a venture capital investment arm of Alphabet Inc., founded by Bill Maris, that provides Seed investment, seed, Venture capital financing, venture, and Growth investing, growth stage funding to technology companies. Founded as Google Venture ...

. In May 2022, Amplify acquired the Desmos curriculum and teacher.desmos.com. Some 50 employees joined Amplify. Desmos Studio was spun off as a separate public benefit corporation focused on building calculator products and other math tools. The name ''Desmos'' came from the Greek word which means a bond or a tie.

Features

In addition to graphing both

equation In mathematics, an equation is a formula that expresses the equality of two expressions, by connecting them with the equals sign . The word ''equation'' and its cognates in other languages may have subtly different meanings; for example, in ...

s and inequalities, it also features lists, plots, regressions, interactive variables, graph restriction, simultaneous graphing, piece wise function graphing,

polar Polar may refer to: Geography Polar may refer to: * Geographical pole, either of two fixed points on the surface of a rotating body or planet, at 90 degrees from the equator, based on the axis around which a body rotates * Polar climate, the c ...

function graphing, two types of graphing grids – among other computational features commonly found in a programmable calculator. It can also be used in several languages. In terms of specific functions, within the "functions" tab in the keyboard that has very recently been re-organized by category, the enabling of derivatives and

integrals In mathematics, an integral assigns numbers to functions in a way that describes displacement, area, volume, and other concepts that arise by combining infinitesimal data. The process of finding integrals is called integration. Along with di ...

have allowed for a great deal of calculus operations as well, although direct limits are currently absent. Furthermore, integrations to positive and negative infinity are supported, and series can also be raised to sufficiently high iterations. Aside from the calculus operations, the already present trigonometric and other

transcendental functions In mathematics, a transcendental function is an analytic function that does not satisfy a polynomial equation, in contrast to an algebraic function. In other words, a transcendental function "transcends" algebra in that it cannot be expressed alge ...

, plus the hidden utilities like the

error function In mathematics, the error function (also called the Gauss error function), often denoted by , is a complex function of a complex variable defined as: :\operatorname z = \frac\int_0^z e^\,\mathrm dt. This integral is a special (non-elementary ...

and the

factorial In mathematics, the factorial of a non-negative denoted is the product of all positive integers less than or equal The factorial also equals the product of n with the next smaller factorial: \begin n! &= n \times (n-1) \times (n-2) \t ...

, a multitude of statistical operations, including

normal distribution In statistics, a normal distribution or Gaussian distribution is a type of continuous probability distribution for a real-valued random variable. The general form of its probability density function is : f(x) = \frac e^ The parameter \mu ...

, chi-squared, the aforementioned regressions, and the random function, have also been introduced since 2020. Users can create accounts and save the graphs and plots that they have created to them. A permalink can then be generated which allow users to share their graphs and elect to be considered for staff picks. The tool comes pre-programmed with 36 different example graphs for the purpose of teaching new users about the tool and the mathematics involved. Another peculiar use of the calculator involves the creation of graphic arts – which involves an elaborated use of curve modelling through

s and inequalities. Yet another use is to make music, using the calculator's auto trace function. As of April 2017, Desmos also released a browser-based 2D interactive geometry tool, with supporting features including the plotting of points, lines, circles, and polygons. Many intricate projects have been made on Desmos as a results, including 3D via parameterization, and thanks to the aid of the RGB and HSV coloring introduced in late 2020, artwork with personalized coloring expanded far beyond just the conventional 6 colors, as well as the domain coloring of

complex functions Complex analysis, traditionally known as the theory of functions of a complex variable, is the branch of mathematical analysis that investigates functions of complex numbers. It is helpful in many branches of mathematics, including algebraic ...

. In addition, the constantly improving computational and rendering capacity has shortened the time needed for graphing heavy projects, as well as allowing for higher amounts of nesting, allowing for intricate fractals like the Mandelbrot set and the Ducks fractal to be made on Desmos, in many cases easily at or above 100 iterations. Moreover, the simulations and tickers allowed great degrees of freedom in generating dynamic systems like chaotic maps, as well as fully functional interactive games like skiing games and Tetris. In some regards, the introductions of color utility, simulation/ticker, and polygons have brought something akin to a minor Cambrian explosion, that may be witnessed in the latest Desmos art contest. It also offers services like Scientific Calculator, Four Function Calculator, Matrix Calculator and Geometry Tool.

Applications

A modified version of the calculator has been used in

standardized test A standardized test is a test that is administered and scored in a consistent, or "standard", manner. Standardized tests are designed in such a way that the questions and interpretations are consistent and are administered and scored in a predete ...

s, such as the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness test, the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL), and the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP). Moreover, activity modules for classrooms can be created through a teacher account, which allow instructors to view students' work and response in real-time. Its business model involves premium Desmos Math Curriculum and paid partnerships with publishers, assessment companies, and educational institutions.

References

External links

* {{Official website, https://www.desmos.com

History

Features

Applications

References

External links

See also