Math243: Maple Handout #2

A few items about some of the plots functions.

L. F. Rossi

In addition to the features described in your ``Maple Tutorial'' for this class, there are two functions of special interest to you in the plots package.

• cylinderplot

  The cylinderplot function will plot surfaces in cylindrical coordinates. If you provide a single function, it is assumed that the function represents the distance from the z-axis, r, as a function of $\theta$ and z. Thus,

  cylinderplot(3,theta=0..2*Pi,z=-6..6);
  

  will render a cylinder of radius 3, and

  cylinderplot(3+cos(4*theta),theta=0..2*Pi,z=-6..6);
  

  will render a bumpy cylinder.

  However, if you provide a list of three functions, it will treat them as a parametric surface, similar to plot3d parametric capabilities.

• sphereplot

  The sphereplot function will plot surfaces in spherical coordinates. If you provide a single function, it is assumed that the function represents the distance from the origin $\rho$ as a function of $\theta$ and $\phi$. Thus,

  sphereplot(3,theta=0..2*Pi,phi=0..Pi);
  

  will render a sphere of radius 3, and

  sphereplot(3+cos(theta)*sin(6*phi),theta=0..2*Pi,phi=0..Pi);
  

  will render a spiny sphere, but you may have to increase numpoints.

  However, if you provide a list of three functions, it will treat them as a parametric surface, similar to plot3d parametric capabilities.