Entering your own function

(See Function Syntax)

Using the given function

Enter values of a, h, and k to modify this expression and observe the function of each component.

Values of a, h, and k

Increasing the value "a" produces a narrower curve; reducing "a" widens the curve. Altering the value "h" shifts the graph to the left for a negative value, right for a positive value. The value "k" shifts the plot vertically.

Contour

The 3D-Contour option is designed to show the contour of the plot, either on the surface or base of the graph, by marking lines corresponding to the points at which the function reaches certain designated heights.

Animate your 3D graph

Turn this option on if you want to see a 360 degree rotational view of your 3D graph. The default quality of the animation is set to medium - some older computers may not have enough memory to view high quality 3D animation.

Grid lines

You can turn the grid lines on the graph on or off by clicking or de-clicking the "Show grid lines" box. Grid lines appear in the background in 2D plotting and on the xy-plane in 3D plotting.

Default Range

Selecting "Use Default Range" lets gnuplot set what it thinks is an apropriate range for your plot. This may not always give you the best picture of what is going on, however.

Setting your own range

Selecting "Enter your own range" allows you to look at any portion of the graph you like. Remember when graphing in 3D and when changing 2D graphs to 3D that three-dimensional plots are functions of x and y, where z is the independent variable. For example, a 3D graph of x² would be z=x².

Graph

Click the "Graph" button to graph the function you have designated. Click the "Reset form" button to revert back to default values.