Getting mathematica to take more points when it plots

[rynlee]

I've had this problem many times in the past, and haven't thought of a way to fix it.

Sometimes when I plot a function that requires quite a bit of effort on mathematica's part, (for example, one time the function was a sum of about a thousand terms, each of which was multiplied complex terms with my independent variable dependence (in this case time)), when it plots it the plot is correct but for some reason doesn't take enough points, it's not nicely curved as it should be but instead looks like connected line segments. When I have a particularly high frequency plot this is particularly troublesome, as features get washed out sometimes and curves are straightened.

Most recently I am plotting a contour plot where there are oscillations in each of the variables, and mathematica is turning the contour basically into polygons.

Is there a way to get mathematica to use more points when constructing a plot? Is that the source of this grievance?

Thanks for any Advice

 

[FunkyDwarf]

For normal plots its PlotPoints->x, for contour I would have to double check (munching on breakfast atm) but it should be in help under options somewhere (if it is not the same as above)

 

[rynlee]

thanks! that really did the trick, I'm amazed at how few points mathematica actually takes. That said I'm glad for its low plot points by default - cranking it up really increases the calculation time, it looks like when PlotPoints is set to automatic, it tries to keep the calculation time reasonable.

 

[FunkyDwarf]

No worries. Also I've found if you're plotting say an interpolating function which is valid over a given range, it will calculate the number of points to use based on that range rather than the plot range, at least in certain instances.

 

[alphy]

There are a few potential solutions to this issue. One option is to use the "PlotPoints" option in Mathematica's Plot function, which allows you to specify the number of points to be used in the plot. Increasing this number may result in a smoother and more accurate plot.

Another option is to use the "MaxRecursion" option, which controls the maximum number of recursive subdivisions used in plotting. Increasing this number can also lead to a more detailed and accurate plot.

Additionally, you may want to consider using a different plotting function, such as ListPlot or ParametricPlot, which may provide better results for your specific function.

It's also important to consider the complexity of your function and the resources available on your computer. If your function is extremely complex, it may be helpful to simplify it or break it down into smaller parts before plotting.

Overall, it's always a good idea to experiment with different options and functions in Mathematica to find the best solution for your specific plot.