2D Multi-Style Function Grapher
What is it?
This is a 2D Function Grapher, utilizing the
Parser engine, which is capable of graphically representing
6 types of functions in 2D space.
What is it for?
For use in elementary through high school classes to view 2-dimensional
functions in a fully interactive environment. With the 6 types of functions
it is possible to represent most of the functions you will encounter in your
courses.
How does it work?
The 2D Grapher takes 1 or 2 expressions
representing the function it is plotting and evaluates the expression(s) at
regular intervals specified by the user. The evaluation of the functions is
accomplished with the Parser engine. The results are then
graphed and the user is able to move the graph around, choose which functions
are shown and what color a function should be.
What types of graphing modes does the 2D
Grapher support?
- y(x) - an expression for y in terms of x.
- x(y) - an expression for x in terms of y.
- [x,y](t) - expressions for x and y in terms of
t.
- r(theta) - an expression of radius r in terms of angle
theta.
- theta(r) - an epressiong of angle theta in terms of the
radius r.
- [r,theta](t) - expressions for radius r and angle theta
in terms of t.
What functions can we use?
The following is a list of functions/operators that the Parser understands.
- Numbers
- [0-9] to represent integers
- [0-9] and the period [.] to represent decimals
- pi and e to represent the mathematical constants
- ( )
- Binary operators: + - * / ^
- \ - rounding division
- % - modulus
- sqrt
- Basic trig functions: sin cos tan sec cosec cotan
- Logarithmic functions:
- log - base 10
- ln - base e
- Inverse trig functions: atn arcsin arccos arcsec arccosec arccotan
- abs
- rnd
- Rounding function, rounds to nearest integer
- sgn
- Sign function, returns -1, 0, or 1, depending on sign of value
- exp
- Exponent function, raises e to the value
- step
- Returns 1 if value > 0, 0 otherwise
What are the requirements?
-
- The latest final (non-beta) version is recommended
- Desktop resolution of at least 1024x768.
To fully see the applet you may need to put your browser into Full Screen
mode (F11 in IE, Opera and Mozilla).
How do I use the 2D Grapher?
- Graphing functions
- To graph a function, it must be added to the function list in the lower-left
corner of the applet.
- Adding a function
- Choose function type.
- Enter a valid function (The line above the function will tell you whether
or not an expression is legal).
- Press the Add Function button.
- If the expression is invalid, the function will not be added to the
function list.
- Graphing a newly added function
- Press the GraphAll button
- OR select the function and press the GraphSel button
- Setting the color of a function
- Select one or more function.
- Press the Color button and choose a new color.
- Removing one or more functions
- Select one or more function.
- Press the DelSel button to delete the selected function(s).
- Graphing select function(s)
- Select one or more function.
- Press the GraphSel button to graph the selected function(s)
- Graphing all functions
- Press the GraphAll button to graph all functions
- Changing the boundaries of the graph
- Enter new boundary values and press the Update button
- OR Use the mouse to click on the graph and drag the graph around.
- Boundaries are updated after the mouse button is released.
- The graph is redrawn after the mouse is released.
- OR Press the Reset button to reset the boundaries to their default
values.
- Modifying the Step values
- The Step values represent how often a function is sampled.
- A smaller Step value will make the function look "better",
more defined, but will slow down performance.
- Example
- y(x) = sin(x)*x, default boundary values
- The function is evaluated for the values [XMin,XMax] in XStep increments:
XCurrent = XMin + XStep*n for n = non-zero integer and XCurrent <
XMax.
Problems?
If you are having problems loading the Applet,
a possible solution is to update your Java Runtime Environment.
To update your JRE, go to SUN's
Java Webpage and follow the link to download Java software.
If you are having problems using the applet, please notify
Pavel
Safronov.
Please specify the applet you are using,
your web browser, operating system and the particular problem experienced. Please
be as detailed as possible.
The
Credits:
Applet designed and coded by Pavel
Safronov.
Contact at MSTE offices:
505 East Green Street, Suite 102
Champaign, IL 61820
Please e-mail me with comments, error reports
or complaints you have about the applet.