Plotting the complex exp function in Maple?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around plotting the complex exponential function y(x) = e^{i·x} in Maple, specifically over the interval x ∈ [0, π]. Participants are exploring how to visualize this complex function, which inherently includes both real and imaginary components.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the challenges of plotting a complex function in a 2D space, questioning whether to plot the magnitude, phase, or separate real and imaginary parts. There are attempts to clarify how to represent these components graphically, with some suggesting parametric plots.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of different plotting strategies, including the possibility of plotting the real and imaginary parts separately or considering a 3D representation. Some participants express uncertainty about how to visualize the imaginary part effectively, while others provide insights into the nature of complex numbers and their graphical representation.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention constraints related to the nature of complex functions and the limitations of 2D plots for visualizing imaginary components. There is also a reference to the modulus of the complex exponential function being constant, which may influence the discussion on plotting.

Susanne217
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Homework Statement



If we have [tex]y(x) = e^{i\cdot x}[/tex] where [tex]x\in [0,\pi][/tex]

How do I plot function in Maple? So it shows anything?


The Attempt at a Solution


if I write

Code:
plot(exp(I*x),x=0..Pi);

I get an empty coordinate system. Do I need to add some more code to get it to display properly?

Sincerely
Susanne

p.s. I know [tex]e^{i\cdot t} = cos(t) + i \cdot sin(t)[/tex]
 
Last edited:
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what do you hope to see - note if you're trying to do a 2D plot have you thought through how you can even plot a complex function?

a 2D plot is generally a scalar function of a single variable

it might be better to plot the magnitude and phase or the real and imaginary parts which are each scalars so can be plotted in 2D against x
 
lanedance said:
what do you hope to see - note if you're trying to do a 2D plot have you thought through how you can even plot a complex function?

a 2D plot is generally a scalar function of a single variable

it might be better to plot the magnitude and phase or the real and imaginary parts which are each scalars so can be plotted in 2D against x

So what I do here is that I take the real part of complex exp function and plot it along the x-axis and imaginary part along the y-axis?

where cos(t) is real part and i*sin(t) the img part.

EDIT: I plot the real part cos(t) along the interval zero to Pi that gives the real Cosine function while the imaginary part along the same interval i*sin(t) me nothing.

Can that be right? because i*sin(0) = 0 and i*sin(Pi) =0.

So all in the plot of complex exp function along the interval [0,Pi] is simply the real cosine function?
 
Last edited:
you have to decide what you want to plot... i can't tell you what it is you want to do...

but...if you have a complex number z = a + ib, then a & b are both scalars, a is the real part, & b is the imaginary part.

hence why you can't plot isin(x), that is still a complex number, to plot the imaginary part you just plot sin(t).

if you want x to vary in the interval and plot the real part of [itex]e^{ix}[/itex] along the y axis, and the imaginary part along the z axis. Then parametrically you would plot
[tex]x(t) = t[/tex]
[tex]y(t) = cos(t)[/tex]
[tex]z(t) = sin(t)[/tex]

and the curve will look like part of a spiral with its central axis along the x axis
 
lanedance said:
you have to decide what you want to plot... i can't tell you what it is you want to do...

but...if you have a complex number z = a + ib, then a & b are both scalars, a is the real part, & b is the imaginary part.

hence why you can't plot isin(x), that is still a complex number, to plot the imaginary part you just plot sin(t).

if you want x to vary in the interval and plot the real part of [itex]e^{ix}[/itex] along the y axis, and the imaginary part along the z axis. Then parametrically you would plot
[tex]x(t) = t[/tex]
[tex]y(t) = cos(t)[/tex]
[tex]z(t) = sin(t)[/tex]

and the curve will look like part of a spiral with its central axis along the x axis

I may have a whole in my knowledge so please excuse me :) But the reason that I only need to plot the the scalars a and b of z= cos(t) + i*sin(t) is its impossible to view i*sin(t) as a point by itself graphically?

Why must I do a 3D plot? Can't I do a 2D plot?
 
once again you can do whatever you want, you just have to decide - you could plot both the real and imaginary part of the function as 2 separate curves in 2D... on the same graph even

you can't plot i.sin(t) as its a complex number, you can decide an axis will represent the imaginary part of a complex number, but the plot command you give will be a scalar function

you can plot any scalar function, as said, examples of scalar function of a compelx variable are:
- real part
- imaginary part
- magnitude
- phase (arg)
 
lanedance said:
once again you can do whatever you want, you just have to decide - you could plot both the real and imaginary part of the function as 2 separate curves in 2D... on the same graph even

you can't plot i.sin(t) as its a complex number, you can decide an axis will represent the imaginary part of a complex number, but the plot command you give will be a scalar function

you can plot any scalar function, as said, examples of scalar function of a compelx variable are:
- real part
- imaginary part
- magnitude
- phase (arg)

I thought of something Lanedance.

Since modulus for [tex]e^{it}[/tex] where [tex]0 \leq t \leq 2\pi[/tex] is one..

Then can't a plot of exp(it) as show in my file attachment. Don't know howto show something simular in Maple...
 

Attachments

  • complex_exp.jpg
    complex_exp.jpg
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