Roadkil's Graph

Know about a freeware graph tool

• Roadkil's Graph is a freeware application that draws graphs from algebraic formulas entered by users.
• Functions such as sine, cosine, tan, log, log natural and powers can be used.
• The x and y range displayed on the axis can be altered to zoom in and zoom out on the graph.
• Grid lines and value labels are displayed on the graph for easy reading.
• Graphs can also be printed on any standard printer.

Go to http://www.softpedia.com/progDownload/Roadkils-Graph-Download-44235.html

to download it.

This is the main screen of the tool.

You just have to write the function and click on draw, graph will be obtained. I am using this tool ,just to visualise the shape of the graphs of various functions.

Creating online graphs

You can create online graphs of various types.

Go to http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/createagraph/default.aspx

For creating algebraic graphs
Go to http://www.terragon.com/tkobrien/algebra/

For creating free online graph papers
Go to http://incompetech.com/graphpaper/

Using Graph 4.2

I am using the open source tool Graph 4.2 for teaching plotting graphs and analysing them further. This is a very useful tool. With the help of this tool we are able to plot the functions on a coordinate plane in very less time and are able to analyse various plottings on the same graph by making small changes in the functions.
Example 1

• Ask the students to plot the equations y=2, y=5, y=-3 and y=-5 simultaneously using this tool.
  
• The following graph will be obtained.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• It is clear from the graph that all these lines are parallel to the x-axis.
  
• The students will observe this fact themselves and they will note down the observation that the general equation of a line parallel to x- axis is y=+k or y=-k where k is any real number.

Example 2

• Ask the students to plot the graph of x=2, x=6 and x=-3 using the tool.
  
• The following graph will be obtained.

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• It is clear from the graph that all these lines are parallel to the y- axis.
• The students will observe that the equation of a line parallel to the y-axis is x=+k or x=-k, where k is any real number.

The best part of this tool is we can plot y=0.5, y=-6.7, x=7.9 etc equations which otherwise in a classroom are not usually done.

Example 3

• Plotting linear inequalities in one variable x>2, x<5,>4 etc

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• Plotting linear inequations in two variables 2x+3y>6 etc.

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• Like this we can plan various graph excercises for the students.
  
  Your suggestions are welcome. Add a comment.