Physics Forums

## Windows graphing calculator software

Hi,
I was looking for some Windows software that did the job a graphing calculator does, but on the computer screen. I've been using the calculator that comes with Microsoft Student, but it lacks some features that would be quite useful (specially when it comes to complex functions).
Which software should I use?
Thank you very much.

Mathematica (pricy) or Maxima (freeware).

If you want ONLY a graphing software, then use gnuplot. Maxima, which uses gnuplot for graphing, is a full-fledged (at least among oss/freeware) CAS.

## Windows graphing calculator software

Aren't there any 'easier' ones? I mean, not requiring you to code your queries.

I used this a couple of years ago...you've got to just enter equations, although I 'm not sure if it handled complex functions.  http://www.graphcalc.com/

The web site www.webgraphing.com plots complex functions with calculus analysis.  Also, it is pretty easy to use.

I wasn't able to plot complex functions in GraphCalc or WebGraphing, but I'm giving Mathematica a try. However, I'm not able to rotate 3D graphics yet. How can I do it? Thanks.

It would be helpful if you gave an example of what you call a complex function.  The term can be used is a variety of ways, so how you use it is important.  For example, if you mean a complex-valued function of a real variable, then there are no graphing calculators that will graph it; you will need to create your own programs.  On the other hand, if you mean, say, a  real-valued trig functions of a real variable, just about any graphing calculator will do, including the ones you tried and did not get what you wanted.  If you mean 3D graphing, there are many graphing calculators that will do the job.  It all depends...

Quote by springo 					 				 				I wasn't able to plot complex functions in GraphCalc or WebGraphing, but I'm giving Mathematica a try. However, I'm not able to rotate 3D graphics yet. How can I do it? Thanks.
You're finding it easier to enter codes in Mathematica than in Maxima!

Recognitions:      Gold Member        Science  Advisor     Staff Emeritus  You might also want to look into emulator software, which will let you run a "virtual" Texas Instruments or HP hand-held graphing calculator on your PC screen.  http://www.ticalc.org/basics/calculators/ti-89.html#10  - Warren

Quote by calcwiz 					 				 				It would be helpful if you gave an example of what you call a complex function.
I meant something like:
$$f(z) = \frac{1}{z}$$
(with z being any number from the complex plane)

Quote by neutrino 					 				 				You're finding it easier to enter codes in Mathematica than in Maxima!
I didn't mean to say that. I didn't try Maxima, I just tried the website and GraphCalc. As I couldn't see how to use them for my puroposes, I decided to try using Mathematica. So, you mean Maxima is easier than Mathematica (but has the same functionality)?

Quote by chroot 					 				 				You might also want to look into emulator software
I don't a TI, but a Casio. I'll look for my "virtual" one.

Thank you all for your answers!

So, you want to graph complex-valued functions of a complex variable.  That involves a domain of two dimensions (x+iy) and a range of two dimensions (u+iv) .  This is not for the faint of heart!

If you are serious, you might check out the book "Complex Analysis with Mathematica" by William T. Shaw, copyright 2006, Cambridge University Press.  There you will find various ways to plot complex valued functions of a complex variable.

Quote by calcwiz 					 				 				If you are serious, you might check out the book "Complex Analysis with Mathematica" by William T. Shaw, copyright 2006, Cambridge University Press.  There you will find various ways to plot complex valued functions of a complex variable.
Thanks, I'll check that book as soon as I can.

Since we're talking about Mathematica, please let me ask again: how can I rotate a 3Dm graph?
Thank you.

The quickest way is to use any of several Interactive 3D Graphing Calculators on WebGraphing.com.  You can check out some examples of 3D  function graphs at:  http://www.webgraphing.com/examples_graph3d.jsp  and follow the instructions to rotate, zoom in/out, spin, etc.

Thanks! I had tried that before and it's great. However I'd still like to know if it's possible to do the same in Mathematica.

Sure.  Check out the web site for LiveGraphics3D:  http://www.vis.uni-stuttgart.de/~kraus/LiveGraphics3D/  That is a source for software that works with Mathematica to produce 3D Interactive Graphs.

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