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Plot

Updated In 6 Graphic

Plot[f, {x, x_min, x_max}]
generates a plot of f as a function of x from x_min to x_max.

Plot[{f₁, f₂, ...}, {x, x_min, x_max}]
plots several functions f_i.

MORE INFORMATION

Plot treats the variable x as local, effectively using Block.

Plot has attribute HoldAll, and evaluates f only after assigning specific numerical values to x.

In some cases it may be more efficient to use Evaluate to evaluate f symbolically before specific numerical values are assigned to x.

No curve is drawn in any regions where f evaluates to None.

Plot has the same options as Graphics, with the following additions and changes:

	AspectRatio	1/GoldenRatio	ratio of width to height
	Axes	True	whether to draw axes
	ClippingStyle	None	what to draw where curves are clipped »
	ColorFunction	Automatic	how to determine the coloring of curves
	ColorFunctionScaling	True	whether to scale arguments to ColorFunction
	EvaluationMonitor	None	expression to evaluate at every function evaluation
	Exclusions	Automatic	points in x to exclude
	ExclusionsStyle	None	what to draw at excluded points
	Filling	None	filling to insert under each curve
	FillingStyle	Automatic	style to use for filling
	MaxRecursion	Automatic	the maximum number of recursive subdivisions allowed
	Mesh	None	how many mesh points to draw on each curve
	MeshFunctions	{#1&}	how to determine the placement of mesh points
	MeshShading	None	how to shade regions between mesh points
	MeshStyle	Automatic	the style for mesh points
	Method	Automatic	the method to use for refining curves
	PerformanceGoal	$PerformanceGoal	aspects of performance to try to optimize
	PlotPoints	Automatic	initial number of sample points
	PlotRange	{Full,Automatic}	the range of y or other values to include
	PlotRangeClipping	True	whether to clip at the plot range
	PlotStyle	Automatic	graphics directives to specify the style for each curve
	RegionFunction	(True&)	how to determine whether a point should be included
	WorkingPrecision	MachinePrecision	the precision used in internal computations

Interactive labeling can be specified for curves using Tooltip, StatusArea or Annotation.

Plot[Tooltip[{f₁, f₂, ...}], {x, x_min, x_max}] specifies that the f_i should be displayed as tooltip labels for the corresponding curves.

Tooltip[f, label] specifies an explicit tooltip label for a curve.

Plot initially evaluates f at a number of equally spaced sample points specified by PlotPoints. Then it uses an adaptive algorithm to choose additional sample points, subdividing a given interval at most MaxRecursion times.

You should realize that with the finite number of sample points used, it is possible for Plot to miss features in your function. To check your results, you should try increasing the settings for PlotPoints and MaxRecursion.

On[Plot::accbend] makes Plot print a message if it is unable to reach a certain smoothness of curve.

With Mesh->All, Plot will explicitly draw a point at every position on each curve where each function was sampled.

The arguments supplied to functions in MeshFunctions and RegionFunction are x, y. Functions in ColorFunction are by default supplied with scaled versions of these arguments.

The functions are evaluated all along each curve.

With ClippingStyle->Automatic a line is drawn at the top or bottom of the plotting area wherever a curve goes outside the range of the plot.

With the default settings Exclusions->Automatic and ExclusionsStyle->None, Plot breaks curves at discontinuities it detects. Exclusions->None joins across discontinuities.

Plot normally returns Graphics[{Line[...], ...}].

With a Filling specification given, Plot returns Graphics[{GraphicsComplex[...], ...}].

Basic Examples (4)

Plot a function:

Plot several functions:

Fill below a curve:

Fill between two curves:

Plot multiple filled curves, automatically using transparent colors:

Generalizations & Extensions (1)

Applications (7)

Properties & Relations (7)

Neat Examples (1)

ListLinePlot ParametricPlot PolarPlot Plot3D ContourPlot Graphics Show

Basic Plotting

Labeling Three-Dimensional Graphics

Options for Graphics

Graphics and Sound

Function Visualization

Precollege Education

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