The Inverse Graphing Calculator

March 4th, 2010 | Categories: general math | Tags:

According to a new website, if you plot the following equation
Walking Randomly

then you’ll get the following graph
Walking Randomly
Head over to the Inverse Graphing Calculator to generate your own.  It would be interesting to solve these equations and see if the website is correct.

If you liked this post then you may like this one too: Secret messages hidden inside equations

  1. March 5th, 2010 at 09:17
    Reply | Quote | #1

    The simple “O” can’t be reproduced by WolframAlpha:
    http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=plot+%28%28x-3%29^2%2B%28y-3%29^2-1%29^2%2B%28y^2-6+y%2B8%2BSqrt%28y^4-12+y^3%2B52+y^2-96+y%2B64%29%29^2%3D0

    Now what?

  2. Szabolcs
    March 5th, 2010 at 11:59
    Reply | Quote | #2

    Yeah, looks like he’s right, though only tried it for single letters.

    Right click the image, choose View Image (in Firefox), then you can copy the LaTeX from the address bar.

    The functions are >= 0.

  3. March 5th, 2010 at 12:09
    Reply | Quote | #3

    @vJD – it’s not as easy as that I’m afraid

    @Szabolcs – I reproduced the two letters ‘ab’ in sequence by solving his equations using Mathematica. However, I may have made a mistake because my x axis appears to be rotated compared to his. I’ll post my code later today so others can play/comment.

  4. Szabolcs
    March 5th, 2010 at 12:19
    Reply | Quote | #4

    If single letters work, then of course sequences will work too. The equations just need to be multiplied. I was lazy, so I just used ContourPlot, making the expression equal with a value slightly greater than 0 (and an increased MaxRecursion)

  5. Szabolcs
    March 5th, 2010 at 12:34
    Reply | Quote | #5

    Admittedly ugly, but at least produces a more or less readable result:

    e = ToExpression[
    “(y-2x+2)^2(y+2x-10)^2\\left(\\left(y-3\\right)^2+\\left|x-\\frac{5}\
    {2}\\right|+\\left|x-\\frac{7}{2}\\right|-1\\right)^2+\\left(y^2-6y+8+\
    \\sqrt{y^4-12y^3+52y^2-96y+64}\\right)^2=0”, TeXForm]

    ContourPlot[Log[First[e]] // Evaluate, {x, 2, 4}, {y, 1, 5},
    MaxRecursion -> 3, AspectRatio -> Automatic]

  6. March 5th, 2010 at 16:37
    Reply | Quote | #6

    Cool!