Mathematica Help with plotting in Mathematica

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around plotting the intersection of three cylinders defined by the equations x^2+y^2=1, z^2+x^2=1, and y^2+z^2=1. The user, Gili, seeks assistance in visualizing this shape using Mathematica, expressing difficulty in understanding the plotting options available. Participants clarify that the intersection resembles a wireframe sphere, with each cylinder representing a circle in different planes. Suggestions include using the Graphics3D function in Mathematica and exploring the RegionPlot3D function for a more effective visualization. Some users mention the limitations of certain commands and the need for parametric plotting to accurately depict the intersection. Ultimately, a solution is provided that allows for the visualization of the solid shape formed by the intersection of the cylinders, which is described as a sphere-like object.
Gili
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Hello,
I could use some help with plotting.
I need to plot the intersection of three cylinders:
x^2+y^2=1
z^2+x^2=1
y^2+z^2=1

it's really hard to visualize how this shape looks like, and I need to plot it.
I was told that I should use Mathematica, but I'm not too familiar with all the options there...

can anyone help me?
thanks,
Gili
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Gili said:
Hello,
I could use some help with plotting.
I need to plot the intersection of three cylinders:
x^2+y^2=1
z^2+x^2=1
y^2+z^2=1

it's really hard to visualize how this shape looks like, and I need to plot it.
I was told that I should use Mathematica, but I'm not too familiar with all the options there...

can anyone help me?
thanks,
Gili

I will be more specific: I need to plot the faces of the set:
{ (x,y,z): x^2+y^2<=1 and z^2+x^2<=1 and y^2+z^2<=1 }
 
these three shapes on the same graph would look like 3 circles with their centres at the origin on 3 differend planes. we'll start with x^2+y^2=1. this is your normal 2d circle. then super imposed on this is z^2+x^2=1, this is the same shape except it is rotated around the x axis. y^2+z^2=1 is similar to this except it is rotated around the Y axis. I am pretty sure that is right but I am not guaranteeing anything. you should end up with something resembling a very crude wire frame of a sphere hope it helped a bit.

PS the radius of these circles is 1. (i think)
 
Alistair said:
these three shapes on the same graph would look like 3 circles with their centres at the origin on 3 differend planes. we'll start with x^2+y^2=1. this is your normal 2d circle. then super imposed on this is z^2+x^2=1, this is the same shape except it is rotated around the x axis. y^2+z^2=1 is similar to this except it is rotated around the Y axis. I am pretty sure that is right but I am not guaranteeing anything. hope it helped a bit.

PS the radius of these circles is 1. (i think)

Hi, I need a three dimensional plot..
 
hmmmm. sorry can't help you there. i don't know af any programs that would allow you to do that. sorry. try posting this in the mathematics forum. Auto Cad might be able to help get the picture.
 
Do you need to plot, just because you're having a hard time visualizing it? Or is plotting it actually part of the assignment?

You can certainly write a program in Mathematica to display such a thing, but I don't think it would be easy, at all.

You may want to look at the Graphics3D function, which can render arbitrary 3D shapes. See section 2.10.8 of the Mathematica Book from within Mathematica's Help window. Unfortunately, I don't see any cylinder primitives, but you might be able to make something decent out of it.

- Warren
 
chroot said:
Do you need to plot, just because you're having a hard time visualizing it? Or is plotting it actually part of the assignment?

You can certainly write a program in Mathematica to display such a thing, but I don't think it would be easy, at all.

You may want to look at the Graphics3D function, which can render arbitrary 3D shapes. See section 2.10.8 of the Mathematica Book from within Mathematica's Help window. Unfortunately, I don't see any cylinder primitives, but you might be able to make something decent out of it.

- Warren

tried that...
I still don't know how to do it...
anyone?
 
Try using :

Show[Graphics3D[shape]]

A possible shape is a cylinder, in the form:

Cylinder[r, h, n]

where r is the radius, h the height, and n the number of polygons used to draw it.
 
radou,

Cylinder is a 2D, not 3D, graphics primitive. That won't work, unfortunately.

- Warren
 
  • #10
chroot said:
radou,

Cylinder is a 2D, not 3D, graphics primitive. That won't work, unfortunately.

- Warren

Uhh, too bad. Hadn't had the time to try it out right now.
 
  • #11
Btw, tried it out, worked just fine. Can draw sets of cylinders with parallel axis only, though, which doesn't help Gili, unfortunately.

Edit: this should be more useful:http://forums.wolfram.com/mathgroup/archive/2001/Dec/msg00287.html" .
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #12
It looks like you would have to use ParametricPlot for this. I'd have to play around with setting all three equations equal to each other to actually plot the intersection.
 
  • #13
Time to dig up an old thread. I just got Mathematica and I've been trying to learn it using Google. This was one of the first results. So for the benefit of other searchers, I'll post the answer I found.

First, treating the cylinders as hollow shells (x^2+y^2=1 vs x^2+y^2<1) yields 8 points. Not very interesting.
Code:
Solve[x^2 + y^2 == 1 && x^2 + z^2 == 1 && y^2 + z^2 == 1, {x, y, z}]

If you treat them as solids, you get a cool sphere-like thing.
Code:
RegionPlot3D[
 x^2 + y^2 <= 1 && x^2 + z^2 <= 1 && y^2 + z^2 <= 1,
 {x, -1, 1}, {y, -1, 1}, {z, -1, 1}, PlotPoints -> 80, Mesh -> None]
 
  • #14
Nialsh I love you
 

Similar threads

Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
Back
Top