Plottron Help

• Hints and Examples
  • Graphs
  • Calculator
• Notes
• Function Reference

Hints and Examples

Graphs

• To view 2D graphs, use the first parameter in the keypad (X, T, or θ)
• To view 3D graphs, use the second parameter in the keyp​ad (Y, V, or phi).
• Choose between different graph types by swiping left and choosing either Real or Complex.

Real graphs

• Regular
  • To graph a parabola: X^2
  • To graph ripples: cos(1-X^2-Y^2)
• Parametric
  • To graph parametric relations, use the semicolon (;) operator to separate the different functions for X, Y, and Z.
    • To graph a circle: cos(T);sin(T)
    • To graph a cylinder: cos(T);sin(T);V
• Spherical
  • To graph a spiral: θ
  • To graph a sphere: 1+0φ
• Implicit
  Use equals (=) operator between two functions of X and/or Y.
  • To graph a circle: X^2+Y^2=10
  • To graph a crosshatch: cos(X)=sin(Y)
  • To graph a hyperbola: Y^2−X^2=1

Visualization of complex functions

• Drawing
  • Graphs, in green, the output of specified definition of function f : ℂ → ℂ on top of the drawn function input.
    • Type exp(Z). Draw vertical lines; they are mapped to circles. Draw horizontal lines; they are mapped to differently angled lines.
• Domain Coloring
  • View domain coloring plots of the specified definition of function f : ℂ → ℂ, with each point in the complex plane associated with an HSV color with value 1.
    • Type Z to view the identity color map.
  • The argument of the complex number determines hue, and the magnitude of the complex number determines saturation.
    • Complex argument in [0, 2π) → Hue angle in [0, 360°)
    • Complex magnitude in [0, +∞) % 20 → Saturation in [0, 1)
• Magnitude
  • Display magnitude of complex-valued function as a 3D surface in Real (Regular) 3D graphing mode
    • Example: abs(1/(X+Yi))

Calculator

• To set a variable, use the = operator.
  • X=5
  • Y=1+sin(pi)
• To use a variable, tap Rcl and choose a variable from the popover list. The list shows the variables and their values.
• To define a function, use either function variable f or g. Functions can take any number of arguments.
  • f(X)=X+1
  • g(X,Y)=1/(X^2+Y^2)
• Call a defined function like this:
  • f(2)
  • g(2,pi+1)
• To symbolically differentiate a function:
  • D(X,sin(X)) → cos(X)
  • D(Z,exp(Z)) → exp(Z)
  • After calling this function, the value at the specified variable of the derivative is stored in variable ans.
• Swipe left for settings.
• Press Alt → Distr to access probability density functions.
• Press Alt → … to access miscellaneous functions.
• Enable Speak in settings to speak buttons pressed and answers calculated, even if VoiceOver is off.

Notes

General

• Brackets do not need to be matched.
• When using complex numbers, angle units are in radians regardless of the mode set in the settings.

Other

• Do not create a self-referential function or a cycle of functions referring to each other, like:
  • f(x)=f(x)
  • f(x)=g(x) and g(x)=f(x)
• A symbolic derivative with no elementary expression will be displayed as diffq(var, expr). This function cannot be further differentiated.