Graphing Calculator

Subject Areas

Tools / Misc

bCalc

drag-N-drop

scrnGC3: f(x) Plot Input

scrnGC4: g(x) Plot Input

The inputs above will be hidden when the program finally gets launched. Currently, I am not hiding them even when you close the calculator. The purpose of the inputs is to help in debugging. This allows you to enter simple code on the calculator screen but the program translates the input to javascript math. Give it a try and see if you notice any obvious problems or have suggestions for improvements.

gCalc

drag-N-drop

Select precision* of answer:

Select angle mode:

Enter expression to evaluate here:

The answer is shown below:

Enter function to be plotted:

f(x) =

Enter 2nd function, if needed:

g(x) =

Change or reset the x-y scaling below:

x_min =

x_max =

y_min =

y_max =

Accuracy Disclaimer

The javascript math object methods used for this calculator are not accurate for very large or very small numbers. In particular, the trigonometric functions may yield very small answers that should actually be zero or very large answers that should be infinite. This typically occurs at 90° or pi/2 intervals.

DO NOT USE WHERE HIGH PRECISION IS REQUIRED. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK.

(Close Window)

Calculations

Click on the larger of the two calculator icons at the left to reveal a graphing calculator. It should appear as shown at the right.

The keys and/or keyboard may be used to make entries to the display. Enter on the keyboard or = on the calculator will evaluate the expression entered. The next keystroke will clear the display and the result from your prior computation wil be dimmed in the answer block. If you want to use the previous answer in your computation, just click the ans key.

You can select the precision of your answer from 3 to 8 significant digits. Beyond that, your answers will be shown in scientific notation.

You can also select the mode that you would like to be in for any trigonometric calculations. The 2 choices are radians and degrees. Most calculators operate in radians, so this is the default.

Graphing

In order to graph, you must first enter a function. Click the f(x) key to reveal the screen shown at the right.

You may graph 2 functions at the same time by entering a function for f(x) and another for g(x). In this example, a parabola opening right, can be graphed by graphing the positive and negative roots of the given expression.

You can change the x and y ranges. If you want to reset, simply click the reset link.

Note that the equal key has become the tab key. Simply click it to move from field to field.

All error statements will appear at the top of the screen and focus will go to the faulty input.

All that remains now is to click the plot button. The display at the right shows the plot of the functions input above.

The two functions are different colors so you can tell them apart. The function statements are also show at the top left.

If the scaling isn't good, simply go back with the
f(x) key and change it. The grid is automatically rescaled but you will soon learn that the center of the screen is not (0,0) and you can get some very strange scale numbers if you don't have a range that can readily be divided by 4.

Once you are done graphing, click the calc key and you'll be back in calculator mode. Enjoy.