Graphs

Getting Started Editing Formulas Variables, Expressions, and Functions Vectors Graphs Programming Control Key Map Samples

Graphing Functions Changing the View Tracing Graphing Functions Graphs of real valued functions of one variable may be displayed in a graph object. To open a graph object, click the mouse in an open area to start a new formula, then type <ctrl>q. Create a function of one variable and drag the formula to the graph object to display the graph. After the function has been graphed, the function name appears in the textbox in the upper right-hand corner of the graph object. Example If you change the definition of one of the functions in the graph object, then click the Update button, the changes are reflected in the graph. For example, click the "cos" in the formula for function f above, change the word to "sin" and reevaluate the expression with <ctrl>z. Now click Update to have the graph reflect the change. Changing the View The "view" is the portion of the coordinate plane that is visible in the graph window. Translate the view by clicking and dragging the mouse inside the graph window. The size of the view remains unchanged, but a different part of the plane is visible. Clicking the Window button shows several ways to alter the graph object. These same choices popup when you right click in the graph area. Zooming Zoom Box. After selecting Zoom Box, drag out a rectangle in the graph area. When the mouse is released, the view is changed so that the rectangle fills the window. Zoom In or Out. After selecting Zoom In or Zoom Out, click the mouse button in the graph area. The click point becomes the new center of the view, and the view size shrinks on Zoom In and expands on Zoom Out. Default View This changes the view to the default -10 < x < 10, -10 < y < 10. Show Controls On/Off Turning Show Controls off removes the textbox and buttons from view. This can be useful is you just want to show the graph of a function, and you don't expect the user to change the graph. If Show Controls is off, then the window button is not visible, but you can get the controls back by right clicking in the graph area and turning them on. Tracing Clicking the Trace button places a small circle on the graph of the function listed first in the text box. It also opens a small window that shows the coordinates of the point at the center of the circle. Clicking the > and < buttons in the small window moves the trace point right and left, respectively, while keeping it on the graph. Selecting a different function in the textbox moves the trace point to that function. Example Click the trace button in the graph below.