Patent ID: 7495666

Claim:
A computer implemented method for graphing a mathematical expression without requiring a user to provide a graph range at a computer system having a graphing module which has been hard-coded with a plurality of predetermined seed ranges corresponding to different combinations of mathematical expression function types and trigonometric unit modes, comprising the computer implemented steps of: a computer system receiving input identifying a function type of a mathematical expression to be graphed, wherein the function type is one of: (i) a Cartesian function; (ii) a polar function; (iii) a cylindrical function; and (iv) a spherical function; the computer system receiving input identifying a user selected trigonometry unit mode, wherein the trigonometry unit mode comprises one of: (i) degrees; (ii) radians; and (iii) grads; and the computer system identifying a plurality of predetermined variable seed ranges that have been hard-coded into a graphing module of the computer system and that correspond to different combinations of the mathematical expression function types and trigonometric unit modes; the computer system selecting an initial variable seed range from the plurality of predetermined variable seed ranges that have been hard-coded into the graphing module of the computer system and that is associated with the identified function type and the identified trigonometry unit mode; (b) selecting a plurality of points within the initial variable seed range; and (c) determining if the plurality of points selected corresponds to the mathematical expression, and if so, using the points selected to generate and display a graph of the mathematical expression on a user display device, and if not, then selectively expanding the variable seed range until a predetermined number of the points selected correspond to the mathematical expression, so as to enable the graph of the mathematical expression displayed.