Download WINPLOT a FREE graphing utility for PCs. Download it here.This program does all kinds of 2D and 3D graphing and has many features perfect for demonstrating the ideas of calculus (Riemann sums, solids of revolution and regular cross-section, moving tangent lines, slope fields etc.) as well as pre-calculus (transformations, parameters, parametric and polar graphs, etc.) . Have your students download their own copy. Graphs of all types may be quickly pasted into Word and other documents. Click here or here for instructions.

Winplot Instructions

The are literally thousands of Winplot instructions, demonstrations, videos, and help on-line. Google or Bing “Winplot.” Here is my brief introduction that will show you the basics, how to use sliders, graph slope fields, and do graphs of solid of rotation and solids with regular cross-sections. Click here.

Winplot Demonstration Files 

These files cannot be uploaded to WordPress. I have posted them in a public Dropbox here. Copy them to your desktop and open from inside Winplot (Use file > open) Directions are included with most files. To see the directions, open the file and if the “notebook” with directions is not open use CTRL+SHIFT+N to open it.

Note: files with extension. wp2 open from the 2-dim window, those with extension. wp3 open from the 3-dim window.

Pre-calculus

Trigonometry: Demonstrations of the relationship between the sine, cosine and tangent line segments on the unit circle and the graphs of the functions. (The tangent files also include the secant graph). File names: unit_circle_sine.wp2, unit_circle_cosine.wp2 and unit_circle_tangent.wp2  

Polar Equations demonstration. File name: Polar_demo.wp2

Vector Graph lets the user enter any parametric or vector equation and see how the path is formed by the i- and j-component vectors.File name: Vector_functions.wp2

Roulette Generator. File name Roulette_Generator.wp2. See these posts

Cycloid: A component vector demonstration showing how the component vectors produce the path traveled by a point a wheel. The position of the point (on the rim, the interior of the wheel or on a flange past the rim) may be changed. The velocity vector may also be added to the drawing.File name: Cycloid_-_components.wp2

Differentiation

A Graphical Look at Difference Quotients shows the forward, backward and symmetric (nDeriv) difference quotients converging to the derivative. File name Diffquo.wp2

Increasing – Decreasing – Concavity shows how Riemann sums can be used to see where and why the function defined by the definite integral increases, decreases and has the concavity it has. File name: Increase_-_decrease_-_concavity.wp2

Graphing Look at the relationships between f (x), f ‘(x)and f ”(x). Enter your own functions.File name: f-f_-_f.wp2

Chain Rule Demonstration gives a graphical look at the chain rule.File name: Chain_Rule_Anination.wp2

Integration

Guess My Slope Look at the graph of the function {(x,y) | y = slope of f(x) at x} and try to guess its equation. File name: Guess_ny_Slope.wp2

Volumes of revolution are illustrated in these Winplot files. They are based on several AP Calculus exam questions. For the washer method see 2003 AB 1 – BC 1 part b,wp3 , or 2004 AB 2 – BC 2 part b.wp3 or 2006 AB 1 – BC 1 part b.wp3 or 2006 AB 1 – BC 1 part c Washers.wp3 and for the Method of Cylindrical Shells see 2006 AB 1 – BC 1 part c Shells.wp3. Check this video on my video page; scroll down to Volumes of Revolution.

Differential Equations

Slope field questions from AP Calculus exams 2002 BC 5 and 2004 BC 5. By animating the general solution you can see how the different particular solutions flow through the slope fields.File names: BC_Calculus_2002_Question_5.wp2 and BC Calculus_2004_Question_5.wp2

Logistic Equation demonstration based on a problem from Calculus by Jon Rogawski (p. 541-1) File name: Rogo_Logistics.wp2

Sequences and Series

Any Powers Series lets you see the graph any powers series expressed as a sum and click through the powers 0, 1, 2, 3, …, 100 one at a time (Based on a suggestion by Benjamin Goldstein — Thanks) File name: Any_Power_Series.wp2

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Some links updated 8-16-2019