Graphing examples
A few interesting curves to get started with — tap any card to open it directly in the grapher.
Function
A parabola with two real roots
y = x² − 4 crosses the x-axis at x = −2 and x = 2 — try the Zero tool to find them numerically.
Y1 = X^2-4
Graph it →Parametric
A circle via parametric equations
A circle isn't a function of x, so it needs a parameter — see the full write-up in the blog.
X1T = 3cos(T)Y1T = 3sin(T)
Graph it →Polar
A four-petaled rose curve
Polar equations of the form r = a·cos(nT) draw n petals when n is even, and n petals when n is odd.
r1 = 3cos(2T)
Graph it →Function
A damped oscillation
Multiplying a decaying exponential by a cosine produces a wave whose amplitude shrinks over time.
Y1 = e^(-X/4)*cos(2X)
Graph it →Function
A cubic with three real roots
y = x³ − 3x crosses the x-axis three times — a good candidate for the cubic solver in Tools.
Y1 = X^3-3X
Graph it →