Curve Plotter

This package consists of two very similar, yet separate apps, designed by the same developer.

Curve Fitter can be used to construct a graph based on entering a set of ‘x’ and ‘y’ variable data points. By selecting the specific icon on the screen, a box will appear for the user to add the co-ordinates for the graph to be drawn. This information can be edited easily and returned to if needed. Once the box is closed the graph will automatically be constructed in a linear format as a straight line of best fit. Selecting alternative fitting degrees will further format the graph and the app will indicate the correlation for each degree.

Curve Plotter compliments Curve Fitter in layout and style. This version of the app will allow the user to enter an expression or function relating two variables and generate the corresponding line graph. Again by selecting an icon on the screen the ‘expression builder’ box will open for you to edit. The expected range of mathematical operations is offered along with ‘powers’, ‘exponentials’ and ‘trigonometry’. A record is kept of all expressions that have been entered so that previous graphs can quickly be accessed. An area calculation between the graph line and the x-axis can be accessed by simply long tapping on the screen.

For both apps once the graph has been drawn the options to analyse it are extremely similar. In Curve Fitter and Curve Plotter there is an option to solve for values of ‘x’. This will calculate the corresponding ‘y’ value and the new point can be plotted on the graph. The gradient of the line at any point can be displayed by long tapping the screen. By dragging your finger along the line it will track the co-ordinates to give live calculations. A summary sheet can also be generated which displays a wide range of information such as the graph equation, the data points and an image of the graph. This can then be shared on a number of platforms or saved onto your tablet. In terms of basic settings, it is possible to change the gestures, scale and colour scheme within the app.

When first opening the app a handy illustration appears to guide you through the function of each icon on the screen. This is the only support for operating the app and really it is too limited for the average user. For all that the app offers much of what it does can only be discovered by trial and error. Hopefully a further update will provide a more comprehensive set of instructions to make it easier to access all the functions.

There are few educational apps that focus so closely on only constructing graphs so it is difficult to compare at this stage, however the package is reasonable for the price paid. Mathematicians will see the great benefit of how simple these apps present data and solve calculations. Scientists will enjoy the ease of entering measurements and instantly seeing trends between variables.

You can download Curve Plotter on your iOS devices from the Apple App Store.