MathGroup Archive 2010

[Date Index] [Thread Index] [Author Index]

Search the Archive

Re: Question about Plot[] algorythm.

  • To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
  • Subject: [mg107579] Re: [mg107554] Question about Plot[] algorythm.
  • From: Murray Eisenberg <murray at math.umass.edu>
  • Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 05:15:48 -0500 (EST)
  • Organization: Mathematics & Statistics, Univ. of Mass./Amherst
  • References: <201002171201.HAA21768@smc.vnet.net>
  • Reply-to: murray at math.umass.edu

Yes, it's well known that Mathematica does that.  And well documented. 
See, for example, the "More Information" section of the page ref/Plot in 
the Documentation Center.

But I don't think you'll find documented an explicit algorithm for how 
the number of points is selected beyond that vague statement. That's 
verging on what may be proprietary information.

On 2/17/2010 7:01 AM, Alexey wrote:
> Hello,
> I am wondering that sometimes Plot[] takes a huge number of points
> where a function changes very slowly. And it takes less points where
> the function changes rapidly! Consider the following:
>
> cache = {};
> f[x_?NumericQ] := (AppendTo[cache, x]; 5 Csc[x]);
> pl = Plot[f[x], {x, 0, 2}, PlotRange ->  {Full, {0, 140}}];
> Show[Histogram[cache], pl, PlotRange ->  {All, {0, 140}}]
> cache // Length
>
> It is easy to see that Plot takes 122 points around x=1.5 - where the
> function is nearly constant! But around x=0.3 (where the function
> changes rapidly) it takes only 50 points!
>
> Can anyone explain this?
>

-- 
Murray Eisenberg                     murray at math.umass.edu
Mathematics & Statistics Dept.
Lederle Graduate Research Tower      phone 413 549-1020 (H)
University of Massachusetts                413 545-2859 (W)
710 North Pleasant Street            fax   413 545-1801
Amherst, MA 01003-9305


  • Prev by Date: Re: (any documentation for) linear syntax?
  • Next by Date: Re: Arctangent approximation
  • Previous by thread: Question about Plot[] algorythm.
  • Next by thread: Date & Time format..