Math 5385    

Supplementary Matlab exercises #1, #2, and #3

 

Exercise 1

In this exercise, we define  C  to be the plane curve
 
       y2 = x2 - x4,
 
  1. Is the origin a point of  C?
  2. Use the Matlab script aPlot to plot  C  in the region  -1.2 < x < 1.2,    -1 < y < 1, in each of the following ways:
     
  3. Which of the plots are more accurate than the others? What features could be contributing to this situation?
     

Exercise 2

  1. Use the Matlab script aPlot to plot the plane curve

           y2 = x4 + y4,
     
     
    in the region  -1 < x < 1,    -1.2 < y < 1.2, in each of the following ways:
     
  2. Answer the same questions as in Part c of Exercise 1.
     
  3. (Challenge question) Can you identify what feature makes this curve "worse" than the curve of Exercise 1?
     

Exercise 3
 
Consider the following family of plane cubic curves:

y2 = x3 - 3x + c

Plot  6  curves in this family, corresponding to the following parameter values:

  1. c = 2
  2. c = -2
  3. A value of  c slightly above  c = 2
    and a value of  c slightly below  c = 2.
  4. A value of  c slightly above  c = -2
    and a value of  c slightly below  c = -2.
     
    Print a picture that includes all 6 curves, with distinct colors or patterns, and suitable labels.
    Alternatively if this is too cluttered, print 2 pictures, each including 3 curves.
    Notes: 
    1. If you don't have access to a color printer, you may print to a file or files (postscript, jpeg, or pdf),
      and then e-mail that file {or those files} to me.
    2. I usually don't grade on neatness or appearance, but these exercises are a definite exception to that rule.
      Indeed, the point here is to make a drawing (or drawings) which will show the viewer what's going on.
      If you can draw all 6 curves on 1 sketch, with suitably contrasting colors and separation, that would be wonderful.
      Otherwise maybe you can separate them, perhaps into 2 drawings, each with 3 curves.
      • If using equally spaced parameter values, then the Matlab script  family  could be useful.
      • Otherwise, if adding curves one by one to your sketch, then the Mablab command  hold on  is very useful.
      • It's also possible to combine the two previous suggestions, for instance if you're using 2 groups of 3 closely spaced parameter values.
    3. There is a feature of the curve corresponding to  c = -2  that Matlab won't show you,
      but I may not divulge particulars about this before the due date of the assignment.
       


Comments and questions to:  roberts@math.umn.edu


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