3D Graphing Calculator — GetCalcMaster

3D surfaces for multivariate intuition

The 3D Graphing tool plots surfaces like z = f(x,y) so you can see curvature, ridges, valleys, and symmetry. Use it for multivariable calculus, optimization intuition, and engineering surfaces (heat maps, potential fields, response surfaces).

Quick start

1. Open /graph/3d.
2. Enter a surface expression using x and y (example: sin(x)*cos(y)).
3. Set the domain (x/y min and max). Start small (like -5..5) and widen after it looks stable.
4. Rotate the view to inspect peaks, saddles, and flat regions. Save your settings in Notebook for reproducibility.

Example surfaces to test

• x^2 + y^2 — paraboloid bowl (symmetry check).
• x^2 - y^2 — saddle surface (sign change check).
• sin(x)*cos(y) — ripples (periodicity check).
• exp(-(x^2+y^2)) — smooth Gaussian hill (good for performance/resolution testing).
• 1/(x^2+y^2) — singularity at the origin (expect clipping/holes, not a crash).

Stability and performance tips

• Resolution: very fine sampling can be expensive. If rendering stutters, reduce the sample density before increasing the domain.
• Singularities: surfaces with division by zero should render with gaps. The UI should remain responsive.
• Cross-check: verify a few points with the calculators (evaluate f(x,y) at specific coordinates) to confirm the plotted height is correct.

If you need a 2D slice first, start with 2D Graphing and then graduate to 3D once the function behaves as expected.