If you're a student taking a math class, there's a good chance you could benefit from a graphing calculator. Unfortunately, such devices are very expensive, but the good news is that there are several app solutions for your iPhone and iPad -- the best being Quick Graph.
Quick Graph is a fantastic graphing calculator that lets you graph multiple equations at the same time, change their color, and also view the mathematical notation of equations being graphed by nicely formatting fractions and exponents You can toggle equations on and off by tapping the symbol that looks like an eye.
When you add or edit an equation, a keyboard pops up with math symbols, operations, and functions. There are six available variables: x, y, z, r, theta, and phi, depending on if you are graphing 2D or 3D equation in rectangular or polar form.
After adding an equation, you can change its color from the 24 preset colors or from the color wheel. You can also adjust the opacity which is great for graphing inequalities.
In addition to graphing equation, you can also solve them. For example, if you want to solve 2x+5 for x=10, you type "x=5;2x+5" and the answer will appear right below your entry.
To trace a graph, simply hold your finger down on the screen and the points associated with the x value of where your finger is will pop up. If you have more than one equation, points will appear on all of them. The coordinates associated with the points will appear over the points.
You can also interact with the graph by pinching to zoom in and out and scrolling to pan around. If you want to reset the window, just tap the refresh button.
As previously mentioned, you are not limited to just 2-dimensional Cartesian graphs. You can also graph in polar form and 3D. Interacting with 3D graphs is quite awesome. I am impressed with how smooth the Quick Graph runs when rotating the object around.
One of the great (paid) features of Quick Graph for instructors is the support for VGA out. However, when projecting the app, only the graph is shown. This is disappointing because it would be helpful for students to be able to see how equations are entered since it can sometimes be tricky. Seeing which equations are graphed and the colors associated with them is also helpful for students.
Advanced Features
Quick Graph is a free app that includes a lot of features. However, if you want to plot more than six equations at once, graph inequalities and implicit equations, use 2D tracing and independent 2D zoom, and project the app with VGA, you'll need to pick up the $1.99 in-app upgrade. I must say, I am very impressed with how much is included for free and find the $2 purchase to be quite a steal.
The Good
- Rectangular an polar forms
- 2D and 3D graphing
- Dark and light themes
- Includes a very helpful user manual
- Advanced features are only $1.99
- Universal for iPhone and iPad
The Bad
- Does not support iPad Retina display
- VGA out only displays graph. No mirroring option.
The bottom line
Quick Graph is a fantastic graphing calculator for the iPhone and iPad. It runs super smooth and, as its name implies, is super quick. The biggest disappointment for me is that Quick Graph doesn't yet support the new iPad's Retina display, but I'm sure it's coming, so I still recommend that every math student and instructor pick this one up.
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Former app and photography editor at iMore, Leanna has since moved on to other endeavors. Mother, wife, mathamagician, even though she no longer writes for iMore you can still follow her on Twitter @llofte.
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Great review, thanks Leanna.
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This app is perfect for me, thank you for posting it! I wouldn't have found out about it before. I'm currently doing quadratic models in school, and this is really helpful.
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Updated review and removed my comments about poor performance with VGA. I tried again today after killing the 8 billion apps in my task bar and restarted my iPad before using. It worked like a charm during my 2.5hr long class. Yay!
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Wow that looks awesome. We've come a long way from the old Ti-82 I used in high school, and the iPad can run a lot more in the way of games than Tetris and Drug Wars I had. I can't say I wish I were still in school to be able to utilize apps like this but it gives me something to look forward to playing around with when it's time for my boys to need them.
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Downloading now on iPad and looking forward to using it. Would have been a great replacement for my Dietzen sliderule in 1958.
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Some nice graphs, but is the author still supporting it?
If it's this app, it hasn't been updated since September 2011?
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/quick-graph/id292412367 -
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Hello! Nice review! I just want to know if anyone has figured out how to draw a graph in an interval of choice, for example a quarter of the unit circle. Also, if its possible to plot a z(y) function based on values of a y(x) function. Thank you!
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In quick graph you can draw specific intervals using the if function, for the quarter of the unit circle you can try r=if(theta<pi/2, 1, √-1)
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I love Quick Graph! It does a great job for my students. The only other iPad app I use is www.fluidmath.net because I prefer writing math over typing it-- but Quick Graph has more functionality so I use both.