MHB How to plug in y variables in estcalc

[jedson303]

I have an extcalc program on my computer. I can't seem to figure out how to get it to plug in "y" variables. (eg. x^² + y^²) Your widget did this without any problem. (Looked great.) I am just getting underway with trying to understand -- in an elementary way -- certain areas of math based physics. I use a Linux platform. Ubuntu. Do I need a good tutorial on extcalc or would some other program that I could download meet my needs better?

 

[Sudharaka]

I have an extcalc program on my computer. I can't seem to figure out how to get it to plug in "y" variables. (eg. x^2 + y^2) Your widget did this without any problem. (Looked great.) I am just getting underway with trying to understand -- in an elementary way -- certain areas of math based physics. I use a Linux platform. Ubuntu. Do I need a good tutorial on extcalc or would some other program that I could download meet my needs better?

Hi jedson303, :)

Can you elaborate a little bit as to what you are trying to do with the Extcalc program? Are you trying to create a list of values for \(x^2+y^2\) when \(x\) and \(y\) take different values?

 

[jedson303]

My real question is more elementary than what you suggest. The function I put up (if it is a legitimate fuction) was just meant as an example. I have completed a pre-calculus and a calculus course, but am pretty much of a beginner in all this. My goal is to be able to understand certain physics concepts in a mathematical way. I need a math program that can help me with this. Extcalc seemed a good prospect for this. But I couldn't get it to create any graph with a y variable. The graph plotter in your MHB Widgets does. So should I download and install a different program, or just learn more about how to use extcalc? I couldn't find any good tutorials on how to use it.

Jeson

 

[jedson303]

Let me just withdraw my question. I have googled all over the place, and extcalc seems to be what I need. I have never used a calculator this complicated before. So I was looking around for tutorials on using it. There don't seem to be any, so I'll just figure it out, bit by bit. Their "help" answers some of my questions. I can't pester you people with this kind of thing.

Jedson

 

[MarkFL]

I'm not familiar with the software you are using, but sometimes a workaround to plotting implicit relationships is to use a parametric representation. Will extcalc plot parametric functions?

 

[jedson303]

Re: how to plug in y variables in extcalc

It doesn't seem to. The only options I see for the graph types are standard, polar and 3D. Little by little I am getting it to do most of the things I want. It's not allowing me to plug in functions that use the y-axis seems to be the main problem. It seems pretty complete except for that. I did find a "y" variable, and when I plugged in y+6 it showed a staight line at x=6, which makes sense. But when I tried y^2 it did the same thing. It should, I think, be a sideways parabala.

Jedson

 

[Sudharaka]

My real question is more elementary than what you suggest. The function I put up (if it is a legitimate fuction) was just meant as an example. I have completed a pre-calculus and a calculus course, but am pretty much of a beginner in all this. My goal is to be able to understand certain physics concepts in a mathematical way. I need a math program that can help me with this. Extcalc seemed a good prospect for this. But I couldn't get it to create any graph with a y variable. The graph plotter in your MHB Widgets does. So should I download and install a different program, or just learn more about how to use extcalc? I couldn't find any good tutorials on how to use it.

Jeson

I haven't used this software, but you might be interested in the graphics section of the Extcalc documentation.

Let me just withdraw my question. I have googled all over the place, and extcalc seems to be what I need. I have never used a calculator this complicated before. So I was looking around for tutorials on using it. There don't seem to be any, so I'll just figure it out, bit by bit. Their "help" answers some of my questions. I can't pester you people with this kind of thing.

Jedson

We like answering questions so don't hesitate to ask questions. :)

If you need a graph plotter which can plot two dimensional graphs then I would suggest using Desmos. It's quite easy to use. :)

If you need a two dimensional graph plotting software which can be installed in your computer http://www.geogebra.org/cms/ might come in handy.

For three dimensional graphs, you might find the following tool useful. Graph: x^2-y^2

 

[jedson303]

For three dimensional graphs, you might find the following tool useful. Graph: x^2-y^2[

That is awesome. Just what I need. All sorts of other useful things on that site as well. It really helps me if I can view the functions that I am concerned about as they spin themselves out in a 2 or 3 coordinate system -- as needed. Will also take a look at the other ones you mentioned.

So that solves the immediate problem. Many thanks!

jedson

 

[Sudharaka]

That is awesome. Just what I need. All sorts of other useful things on that site as well. It really helps me if I can view the functions that I am concerned about as they spin themselves out in a 2 or 3 coordinate system -- as needed. Will also take a look at the other ones you mentioned.

So that solves the immediate problem. Many thanks!

jedson

You are welcome. :)

 

[Ackbach]

You might also check out Octave. It's open-source and installs easily on Ubuntu. It's a MATLAB look-alike - uses similar syntax. It can easily do what you're wanting, and is extremely powerful. Just have to get used to its syntax.

 

[jedson303]

Hi --
Took a look at Octave. (It's possible to download it from the Ubuntu software center). It looks a bit more sophisitated than what I am needing right now. Probably x^2-y^2 for graphics and extcalc for a calculator will meet my needs for the moment. Down the line I may need somehting more powerful.

Thanks.