Graph something freehand, then it gives the function...how?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of drawing a curve freehand and using software or applications to derive a mathematical function that represents the drawn curve. Participants explore the feasibility of such applications and the underlying principles of curve fitting.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire about the existence of software that can convert a drawn curve into a mathematical function.
  • Others clarify that any mathematical function must have properly defined inputs and outputs, and that software typically approximates curves rather than providing exact functions.
  • One participant mentions that the software can only approximate the curve using methods like polynomial fitting based on selected points from the drawing.
  • A reference is provided to software that can derive equations of motion from data, highlighting that having an equation does not guarantee understanding of the underlying system.
  • Participants emphasize the importance of having reliable numerical values to create meaningful graphs and functions from drawings.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on the specific software available for this task, and participants express varying levels of understanding regarding the process of curve fitting and the requirements for obtaining a function from a drawn curve.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the ability to derive a function from a drawing depends on the quality of the input data and the method of approximation used by the software.

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How or where can I do this? thanks
 
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Not sure what you mean. Any recipe that gives one output for a given input can be considered a mathematical function.

For properly labeled graphs where the axes for the input and output are defined, this can be done.
 
I know I didn't explain it very well. This is what I mean: I draw some random curvy line and some app or software tells me the function of what I just drew. Is there some app that does this? thanks for the reply
 
jaysquestions said:
I know I didn't explain it very well. This is what I mean: I draw some random curvy line and some app or software tells me the function of what I just drew. Is there some app that does this? thanks for the reply
The software can't tell you what the function is in all cases -- the best it can usually do is to approximate the curve (or a section of the curve) with a polynomial or other function, using some of the points on the curve.
 
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jaysquestions said:
I know I didn't explain it very well. This is what I mean: I draw some random curvy line and some app or software tells me the function of what I just drew. Is there some app that does this? thanks for the reply
Unclear. You must fit some numbers to what you drew, and then if expecting to use a software program, give the values to the program and run the program to produce an equation.
 
jaysquestions said:
How or where can I do this? thanks
You are asking about the topic of Curve Fitting. One begins developing skills for this in Basic/Beginning Algebra.
 
Hello guys I'm tryng to help a student from high school to create a function from the shape of a structure, and I was thinking about drawing something like the structure and
try to find a function from it.
Does someone could give me some help?
 
jackson.cirillo said:
Hello guys I'm tryng to help a student from high school to create a function from the shape of a structure, and I was thinking about drawing something like the structure and
try to find a function from it.
Does someone could give me some help?
You need good reliable values if you want to make a meaningful graph and find a reliable function or equation.
 

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