ronaldpatterson@windstream.net
Also see Mr. P.'s Polar Coordinate Grapher !!!
(updated 7/17/03)
I updated my polynomial graphing applet to handle up to 5th degree functions. I also added root information. My main objective is SIMPLICITY. Anyone can experiment with this program.
1. Just click on the scroll bars (or hold down) to adjust the coefficients. A real root exists where the graph intersects the x-axis. To see straight lines, change numbers in the last 2 boxes to the right. Leave all others zero. To see a quadratic function, change numbers in the last 3 boxes to the right. Leave others zero.
2. Linear roots are determined by simply solving the linear case. Quadratic roots are found by using the quadratic formula x = (-b+- Sqrt(b^2-4ac))/2a . This allows complex pairs to be shown. 3rd, 4th, and 5th degree cases employ the location principle to get a good initial guess, then Newton's method to close in on roots. Only real roots within the window are shown for the 4th and 5th degree cases . Complex roots for 4th and 5th degree cases are not calculated.
3. There may be bugs in this applet. Use common sense. If you have suggestions, contact me at ronaldpatterson@windstream.net