Curve Graphing:
This applet is copyright (©) Dec. 2006, Ian Vogt. Permission
to use, copy, and distribute this applet for non-commercial purposes without
written permission is granted provided this copyright notice is preserved
on all copies. This applet is provided "as-is" without any warrantee.
To draw a graph of a function containing an absolute value, a quadratic polynomial,
or a square root:
First calculate a number of points that fall on the graph -- if the graph contains
a vertex, that should be one of the points. Then, draw the graph as a series
of segments between the points you have computed. For each line segment:
- Move the mouse cursor to the first point on the line segment (either one will do).
- Press and hold the left mouse button.
- Drag the mouse cursor to the second point. You will see a "rubber band"
line from the first point.
- Release the mouse button. The program will draw a straight line between
the two plotted points
You may create as many lines as you want.
To delete the last line drawn click the right mouse button (or hold the Ctrl
key while you click the left button) anywhere on the graph paper. (Make sure the
"Line" button is selected above.)
If you are graphing a function that contains a quadratic polynomial
or a square root the lines between the points are not straight. To bend a
line segment:
- Click on the "Bend" button.
- Place the mouse cursor on any of the line segments.
- Press and hold the left mouse button.
- As you drag the mouse cursor around the line will bend.
- When you have the line in the desired shape,
release the mouse button and the line segment will stay bent.
Repeat for each line segment until the graph looks right.
If you want to revert to the previous shape of the line, click the
right mouse button (with the "Bend" button still selected) and the
line will go back to the way it was.
To change the scale of the axes, click on the "Select Scale" pull-down
field and change to the desired scale.
To paste the graph into a document (e.g. MS Word):
Click the "Copy to Clipboard"
button. Then switch to the document and press Ctrl-v or Edit->Paste.
If access to the system clipboard is blocked the button changes
to "NO ACCESS" and you have to use this procedure:
- With the graph displayed in your browser window, press the Ctrl-Alt-Shift-PrtSc
key combination (that is, all at the same time).
- Go to your document and press Ctrl-v to paste an image of your
browser window into the document.
- Use MS Word's picture crop and size adjustment features to get just the graph
included at the right size:
- Click on the graph and a "Picture Toolbar" should appear. If not, right-click the
graph a select "Show Picture Toolbar".
- Click the "Crop" button and move the lines around the picture until just the
graph is showing.
- Click the "Crop" button again to unselect it and move the lines around
the picture until it is the right size.