| Graphs | Functions | Parameters | Colour | Region | Mouse |
The 'Graphs' pane is where you can tell the applet what to plot.
Clicking on the 'New Graph' button pops up a text
box in which you can enter an equation of the form "y=..." where
"..." is an expression involving "x". When you complete the entry
(by pressing the Enter key) the graph will be displayed. Try this with
something like "y=x^2-2x" for example.
[Note: Unlike the original
GraphExplorer this requires an equation rather than just an expression.
So if you entered just "x^2-2x" it would not work. ]
You can also enter pairs of parametric equations separated by semicolons. For example, entering "x=t^3-t; y=t^2" produces a simple loop graph. (The default domain is from t=-1 to 1, but you can change that by adding the domain limits after a second semicolon. So for example "x=t^3-t; y=t^2; -2,2" gives an extension of the loop.)
If you include letters other than "x"
in the formula they will be considered as parameters (unless occurring
as parts of longer names or already defined as function names - see below),
and controls to adjust their values will be presented in the 'Parameters'
pane.
The 'Parameters' pane is where you can define and control numerical constants.
Any parameters identified in an input formula will have a value controler added in the 'Parameters' pane. This consists of a text field where you can explicitly type in a numerical value, a slider for adjusting that value, and a pair of buttons labelled with "><" and "<>" for "zooming in" and "zooming out" (ie decreasing or increasing the range covered by the slider).
It is also possible to force the parser to recognize
longer variable names by using the 'AddNewParam' button to add new parameters
before they are used.
The 'Functions' pane is where you can define additional named functions.
In addition to recognizing the usual functions
of elementary calculus, the parser will also recognize any function name
defined in this window. Clicking on the 'NewFunction' button brings up
a text field primed with the string "fn(x)=" (where n is
the number of times the button has been clicked on). This can be completed
or amended to produce any equation of the form "functionName(inputName)=expression"
and on pressing Enter will define a function with the specified name.
(For example, entering "f(q)=q^2" will allow f(x) to
replace x^2, and f(t) to replace t^2 in the
graph definition examples.)
[Note: Unlike the original
GraphExplorer, functions are not automatically graphed in this applet.
Rather they become available for use in graph definitions. (But to write
an applet with automatic graphing of functions is still possible using
the GeX library)]
The 'Colour' pane is where you can colour a selected object.
Initially inactive, it becomes available when
a graph's 'Color' button is clicked, or when a plotted object is alt-meta
mouse clicked (ie clicked with the right mouse button with the 'alt' key
down). The sliders adjust the mix of RGB in the color and the 'done' button
shuts down the ColorSelecter. (It will pop back again when another color
request is initiated).
Controlling the Region Displayed
The region controller used here is as in the original
GraphExplorer (though the library does include other options). The mid-point
coordinates and view dimensions can be adjusted by direct input or by using
the zoom and pan buttons. It is also possible to use the mouse to move
the grid by using a Shift-drag operation.
Mouse Actions in the Plot Pane
In addition to moving the region with a Shift-drag, the mouse can also be used to display labels and other objects.
Right clicking (or meta-clicking on single button systems) on an item produces an identifying label, and dragging with the right button displays a label with the current coordinates. (And if you want to get rid of it, left clicking on an existing lable makes it go away.)
The control key enables item creation. A control left click adds a plotted point to the display, and a control drag draws a line. Such items can be removed by a ShiftControl left click.
The alt key alters the state of an object. Alt-left click on a line toggles between segment and infinite display, and on a point near a graph 'fixes' it to the graph like a bead on a wire to constrain the effect of future drag operations. Alt-right click on a graph(or alt-meta click for single button systems) brings up a color select panel.
Finally, clicking on a line with Control and Alt
both pressed creates "run" and "rise" segments to complete the triangle.