Graph Plotter :: An Online Graphing Calculator

Ideas for activities

 

Can you draw pictures with graphs?

Graph Picture

 

Model real life situations by translating them into algebraic equations and by using graphs.

Sine wave

 

Find approximate solutions of simultaneous linear equations using graphs. For example

y = 5x - 7

3x + 2y = 1

 

Plot families of exponential and reciprocal graphs. For example

y = 2x, y = 3x, y = 4x ...

y = 1÷x, y = 2÷x, y = 3÷x, ...

 

Reduce a given linear equation in two variables to the standard form y = mx + c; calculate gradients and intercepts of the graphs and then plot them to check.

 

Solve problems involving direct and inverse proportion using graphical representations.

Proportion

 

Identify and interpret roots, intercepts and turning points of quadratic functions graphically.

Proportion

 

Find the equations of the translations and reflections of graphs of given functions.

Proportion

 

Use graphs to solve optimisation problems.

Optimisation

 

Investigate the absolute value function. Plot families of graphs and describe their characteristics. For example

y = |x2 - 5|

 

Graph inequalities to solve linear programming problems. more...

Linear Programming

 

Plot the graphs of functions and their inverses by interchanging the roles of x and y. Find the relationship between the graph of a function and its inverse. Which functions inverses are also functions?

Related activities

For Whole Class

Straight Line Graphs

Straight Line Graphs

10 straight line graph challenges for use with computer graph plotting software or a graphical display calculator.

The short web address is:

Transum.org/go/?to=straight

Related

Graph Match

Graph Match

Match the equations with the images of the corresponding graphs. Linear, quadratic and more.

The short web address is:

Transum.org/go/?to=graphmatch

Just For Fun

Human Graphs

Human Graphs

Students should be encouraged to stand up and make the shapes of the graphs with their arms.

The short web address is:

Transum.org/go/?to=humangraphs

Suggested

Plotting Graphs

Plotting Graphs

Complete a table of values then plot the corresponding points to create a linear, quadratic or reciprocal graph.

The short web address is:

Transum.org/go/?to=plotting

The Basics

Coordinates

Coordinates

This is a good place to start if you are new to this topic. Learn to read and plot coordinates.

The short web address is:

Transum.org/go/?to=coordinates

Practical

Using Graphs

Using Graphs

Put those intersecting graphs to use solving simultaneous equations and quadratics.

The short web address is:

Transum.org/go/?num=373

Graphs Game

Graph Equation Pairs

Graph Equation Pairs

Match the equation with its graph. Includes quadratics, cubics, reciprocals, exponential and the sine function.

The short web address is:

Transum.org/go/?to=greqpairs

Multiple Choice

Name That Graph

Name That Graph

Choose the function that best describes the graph. Includes linear, quadratics, cubics and reciprocals.

The short web address is:

Transum.org/go/?to=ntg

Don's Activity

Graph Snaps

Graph Snaps

Complete the tables and find the equations of the graphs that can be seen in the snaps.

The short web address is:

Transum.org/go/?to=donsgraphsnaps

 


 

Comments

Heather Scott, Twitter

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Tom Lucas, Bristol

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

"It would be nice to be able to draw lines between the table points in the Graph Plotter rather than just the points."

Emmitt, Wesley College

Monday, July 22, 2019

"Would be great if we could adjust the graph via grabbing it and placing it where we want too. thus adjusting the coordinates and the equation."

Ghader Yosefi, Iran

Thursday, September 19, 2019

"Thank you very much for this program. It is excellent."

João Ricardo Oliveira, Brazil

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

"First of all, congratulations for the beautiful job! But I have a question: is there a way to save/download the graphics?

[Transum: Try doing a screen grab or, if you use Windows, use the Snipping Tool]"

Alistair, UK

Monday, October 12, 2020

"Absoultely brilliant got my kids really engaged with graphs. Unfortunately it only plots the positive answer to the square root so the circles would not plot.

[Transum: Glad to hear they were so engaged. Yes the positive square root is the default. Try plotting the circle with the equation in the form x2 + y2 = 52 see here]"

Soumi Dana,

Sunday, January 31, 2021

"Hello, I am Soumi Dana, currently studying in 8th grade. I am very thankful for Transum and through this, my passion for math has increased. Although I don't understand much about trigonometric graphs, I have plotted some trigonometric graphs with beautiful patterns. When I know more about Trigonometry I will understand why these graphs are the way they look. For now, I love plotting them even though I don't understand them well. Trig Graph Pattern The graph above is an example. When writing the equation, cos(x²)=sin(y²) the following graph is plotted. I find it mesmerizing that an equation can give amazing results. Thank you for making Transum free and available on the internet. I am very grateful for this site. Thank you, Soumi."

Akshat, India

Saturday, March 6, 2021

"Can't we plot parametric equations in this plotter?

[Transum: Yes, enter them as coordinates with the variable t. This example will draw a circle: (sin t, cos t).]"

Paul DeQuattro, Pauldeq@gmail.com, Los Angeles

Monday, May 17, 2021

"My question may not seem mathematical in nature, but here goes: mechanics and auto technicians are stumped trying to find the problem with my car engine that results in the check engine light being ON all the time. I've assumed my problem is not typical and I'm searching for a clue, any clue. I've discovered there may be some sort of linear relationship between two time periods (P1 and P2), and I'd like to show it on a graph and I'm seeking help in that regard. P1 is the time period in days or partial days wherein the car battery is completely disconnected; P2 is the time period, upon reconnecting the battery, wherein the check engine light remains OFF until it illuminates ON. My experiments have shown where P1 is greater, P2 is greater. Where P1 is a few minutes, P2 is a few minutes; where P1 is overnight (20 hours), P2 is 2-3 days; P1 is 5 days, P2 is 11 days; P1 is 10 days, P2 is 22 days; and finally, P1 is 5+ months, P2 is 5+ months. When people hear my story, their eyes glaze over and they turn off listening. I'd like to show a graph to an expert (such as an automotive electrical circuit engineer, if there is such a thing) and ask him/her to explain the relationship in my experiments. Thanks if you can comment on graphing this. Thanks for reading even if you can't"

Graham, UK Gloucester

Thursday, January 26, 2023

"Graph tool doesn’t plot y=x.e^(x/2) correctly at the inflexion point. I.e -4 , -0.541."

Russiboy,

Thursday, October 19, 2023

"cos(x²)=sin(y²) is good but have you tried sin(x²)=cos(y²)."

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