SOCR EduMaterials Activities PolarChart
POLAR CHART
Background
The Polar Chart is a two-dimensional display of the independent variable on the angular axis and the dependent variable on the radial axis. The origin is at the center of the circle by default. By showing trends in values based on angles, polar charts are very useful for engineers and mathematicians.
For references: Brief Description of Polar Charts, In Depth Description, Difference Examples.
Summary
This activity describes the construction of the polar chart in SOCR. The applets can be accessed at SOCR Charts under the Miscellaneous folder.
Description
Go to the SOCR Charts and select Miscellaneous from the items located on the left, then select Polar Chart Demo:
Note that in this demonstration, the origin is set for a specific value. The radial axis is labeled as angles since it represent values of the dependent variable, and the horizontal axis represents independent variables. There are two graphs on the Polar Chart, one red and the other blue. All the values in both graphs are connected and form four sided shapes. Below the graph displays numerical values of the graphs separately.
Data Type and Format
By clicking Data between the Graph and Mapping button, it allows users to input or vary the values of the data set. For Polar Charts, the angular and radial values are needed. As users can observe in the image below, the angular values are recorded under the first column and the radial values are recorded under the next column. For more than one Polar Chart, continue inputting the values in this order:
Applications
One of the most persuasive elements when proposing data and literature to others is a well-designed chart presentation.
Engineers may often use this application for their measurements and research of engines or machinery.
Mathematicians or physicists may use this application in their research of mapping the universe or analysis and experiments.
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