Java Applet: GraphEquation.class by Robert T. Kelley
Java 1.3 plugin required
Use: Type any function in the text box to see it graphed on the x,y coordinate system.
- Your function must be in terms of y (must be in the form "y = ...").
- You may use integers, fractions (I recommend putting all fractions in parentheses), and decimals (i.e. "0.38").
- Your "x" variable may appear as many times as you want on the right side of the equation.
- You must use arithmetic notation (not algebraic) using appropriate symbols for every operation.
- Allowed symbols (operations) include:
- (a) parentheses
- a^b carat (exponents, powers)
- a*b asterisk (multiplication)
- a/b slash (division)
- a+b plus (addition)
- a-b minus (dash, hyphen) (subtraction)
- Algebraic order of operations is strictly followed, so be careful and use parentheses when in doubt.
- A common oversight is leaving out the multiplication symbol between a constant and "x".
- In other words, it's never "2x". You must use "2*x".
- Watch out for fractions multiplied by "x":
- When multiplying 3/4 by x, it's not "3/4x", not "3/4*x". It must be "(3/4)*x" or "3*x/4".
- Trigonometric functions and advanced operations (factorial etc.) are not yet available.
- The "Graph Scale" field changes the size of the graph.
- The integer (no decimals or fractions) entered into the scale field determines the highest absolute value of x and y shown on the graph.
- The default scale is 30.
There is a bug in the program that allows it to graph the undefined or multiply-defined parts of some functions as y=x. To see this bug, graph the function y=x^(1/2). Maybe I'll fix it someday.
If you have any comments, suggestions, or bug reports, please feel free to email me!
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