Creating Graphs in Maple


To plot a gragh in Maple we use the plot command. Maple will plot the function (or functions) in a separate window which contains an option button. Clicking on this button allows us to make changes to the graph such as changing from a line graph to one of points. There is also a place to type a title for the graph.

The simplest way to plot a graph is as follows.

plot(sin(x),x);

Since the domain and range of the function are not specified, Maple uses default values.

On the other hand specifying the domain is done by typing, for example, "x = 0..Pi". Here x is greater than or equal to 0 but less than or equal to Pi. Separate 0 and Pi with TWO DOTS.

plot(sin(x),x=0..Pi);

You may also designate the range values.

plot(sin(x),x=0..Pi,y=0..2);

You may plot more than one function at a time. The two functions are enclosed in brackets, { }, and separated by a comma. For example, we can graph a function and its derivative.

plot({x^2, diff(x^2,x)},x=0..10,y=0..10);

This graph shows both f(x) = x^2 and its derivative f'(x) = 2x.


Link to Maple Handout on Graphing

Link to Maple Home Page


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Jo Norby-Davis: jnorbyda@nmu.edu.