How to plot function sin(x)^2 / x^2











up vote
12
down vote

favorite
2












The above function looks like this:



enter image description here



However, using tikzpicture with addplot



documentclass[11pt]{article}
usepackage{pgfplots}
usepackage{tikz}
begin{document}
begin{tikzpicture}
begin{axis}
addplot[domain=-6:6,samples=50,smooth,red] { (sin(x)^2)/pow(x,2) };
end{axis}
end{tikzpicture}
end{document}


Gives the following disturbing result:



enter image description here



How should I plot sin(x)^2 / x^2 in tikz?










share|improve this question




















  • 3




    (1) welcome, (2) as always on this site you are much much more likely to get help if you provide a full minimal example that others can copy and test as is. Then they will not have to guess 80% of your setup.
    – daleif
    Nov 20 at 10:53








  • 1




    Thanks for the tip, I've done that now!
    – MrMartin
    Nov 20 at 10:57






  • 8




    Try more samples and sin(deg(x))
    – daleif
    Nov 20 at 10:58










  • Yes, it seems sin(deg(x)) is required when plotting sin(x). Thanks!
    – MrMartin
    Nov 20 at 11:23






  • 1




    @daleif Damn! I did not see your comment :) Also sampling is just as fine, as it is now. Only deg(...) is necessary with sin.
    – Raaja
    Nov 20 at 11:41

















up vote
12
down vote

favorite
2












The above function looks like this:



enter image description here



However, using tikzpicture with addplot



documentclass[11pt]{article}
usepackage{pgfplots}
usepackage{tikz}
begin{document}
begin{tikzpicture}
begin{axis}
addplot[domain=-6:6,samples=50,smooth,red] { (sin(x)^2)/pow(x,2) };
end{axis}
end{tikzpicture}
end{document}


Gives the following disturbing result:



enter image description here



How should I plot sin(x)^2 / x^2 in tikz?










share|improve this question




















  • 3




    (1) welcome, (2) as always on this site you are much much more likely to get help if you provide a full minimal example that others can copy and test as is. Then they will not have to guess 80% of your setup.
    – daleif
    Nov 20 at 10:53








  • 1




    Thanks for the tip, I've done that now!
    – MrMartin
    Nov 20 at 10:57






  • 8




    Try more samples and sin(deg(x))
    – daleif
    Nov 20 at 10:58










  • Yes, it seems sin(deg(x)) is required when plotting sin(x). Thanks!
    – MrMartin
    Nov 20 at 11:23






  • 1




    @daleif Damn! I did not see your comment :) Also sampling is just as fine, as it is now. Only deg(...) is necessary with sin.
    – Raaja
    Nov 20 at 11:41















up vote
12
down vote

favorite
2









up vote
12
down vote

favorite
2






2





The above function looks like this:



enter image description here



However, using tikzpicture with addplot



documentclass[11pt]{article}
usepackage{pgfplots}
usepackage{tikz}
begin{document}
begin{tikzpicture}
begin{axis}
addplot[domain=-6:6,samples=50,smooth,red] { (sin(x)^2)/pow(x,2) };
end{axis}
end{tikzpicture}
end{document}


Gives the following disturbing result:



enter image description here



How should I plot sin(x)^2 / x^2 in tikz?










share|improve this question















The above function looks like this:



enter image description here



However, using tikzpicture with addplot



documentclass[11pt]{article}
usepackage{pgfplots}
usepackage{tikz}
begin{document}
begin{tikzpicture}
begin{axis}
addplot[domain=-6:6,samples=50,smooth,red] { (sin(x)^2)/pow(x,2) };
end{axis}
end{tikzpicture}
end{document}


Gives the following disturbing result:



enter image description here



How should I plot sin(x)^2 / x^2 in tikz?







tikz-pgf gnuplot






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Nov 20 at 10:56

























asked Nov 20 at 10:48









MrMartin

1038




1038








  • 3




    (1) welcome, (2) as always on this site you are much much more likely to get help if you provide a full minimal example that others can copy and test as is. Then they will not have to guess 80% of your setup.
    – daleif
    Nov 20 at 10:53








  • 1




    Thanks for the tip, I've done that now!
    – MrMartin
    Nov 20 at 10:57






  • 8




    Try more samples and sin(deg(x))
    – daleif
    Nov 20 at 10:58










  • Yes, it seems sin(deg(x)) is required when plotting sin(x). Thanks!
    – MrMartin
    Nov 20 at 11:23






  • 1




    @daleif Damn! I did not see your comment :) Also sampling is just as fine, as it is now. Only deg(...) is necessary with sin.
    – Raaja
    Nov 20 at 11:41
















  • 3




    (1) welcome, (2) as always on this site you are much much more likely to get help if you provide a full minimal example that others can copy and test as is. Then they will not have to guess 80% of your setup.
    – daleif
    Nov 20 at 10:53








  • 1




    Thanks for the tip, I've done that now!
    – MrMartin
    Nov 20 at 10:57






  • 8




    Try more samples and sin(deg(x))
    – daleif
    Nov 20 at 10:58










  • Yes, it seems sin(deg(x)) is required when plotting sin(x). Thanks!
    – MrMartin
    Nov 20 at 11:23






  • 1




    @daleif Damn! I did not see your comment :) Also sampling is just as fine, as it is now. Only deg(...) is necessary with sin.
    – Raaja
    Nov 20 at 11:41










3




3




(1) welcome, (2) as always on this site you are much much more likely to get help if you provide a full minimal example that others can copy and test as is. Then they will not have to guess 80% of your setup.
– daleif
Nov 20 at 10:53






(1) welcome, (2) as always on this site you are much much more likely to get help if you provide a full minimal example that others can copy and test as is. Then they will not have to guess 80% of your setup.
– daleif
Nov 20 at 10:53






1




1




Thanks for the tip, I've done that now!
– MrMartin
Nov 20 at 10:57




Thanks for the tip, I've done that now!
– MrMartin
Nov 20 at 10:57




8




8




Try more samples and sin(deg(x))
– daleif
Nov 20 at 10:58




Try more samples and sin(deg(x))
– daleif
Nov 20 at 10:58












Yes, it seems sin(deg(x)) is required when plotting sin(x). Thanks!
– MrMartin
Nov 20 at 11:23




Yes, it seems sin(deg(x)) is required when plotting sin(x). Thanks!
– MrMartin
Nov 20 at 11:23




1




1




@daleif Damn! I did not see your comment :) Also sampling is just as fine, as it is now. Only deg(...) is necessary with sin.
– Raaja
Nov 20 at 11:41






@daleif Damn! I did not see your comment :) Also sampling is just as fine, as it is now. Only deg(...) is necessary with sin.
– Raaja
Nov 20 at 11:41












3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
8
down vote



accepted










As commented by @daleif, the problem is that the trigonometric functions in pgfplots are defined with the argument in degrees, not in radians. So you are calculating the function really near zero, and you have huge rounding errors (and wrong scale...).



You can use sin(deg(x)) to do the conversion, or globally switch with pgfplotsset{trig format=rad}.



Notice however that the manual states:




/pgf/trig format=deg|red [sic, should be rad]



Allows to reconfigure
the trigonometric format for all user arguments. This affects all user
arguments including view, Tik Z polar coordinates, pins of nodes,
start/end angles for edges, etc. At the time of this writing, this
feature is in experimental state: it can happen that it breaks Tik Z
internals. Please handle with care and report any bugs.




In this case it works:



documentclass[margin=10pt]{standalone}
usepackage{pgfplots}pgfplotsset{compat=newest}
usepackage{tikz}
begin{document}
pgfplotsset{trig format=rad}
begin{tikzpicture}
begin{axis}
addplot[domain=-6:6,samples=50,smooth,red] { (sin(x)^2)/pow(x,2) };
end{axis}
end{tikzpicture}
end{document}


enter image description here



Notice also that you have to avoid the point x=0 in your drawing, where the function is undefined... this is with:



addplot[domain=-6:6,samples=151,smooth,red] { (sin(x)^2)/pow(x,2) };


enter image description here






share|improve this answer




























    up vote
    6
    down vote













    A PSTricks solution for comparison purpose only.



    documentclass[pstricks,border=12pt]{standalone}
    usepackage{pst-plot}

    deff{(sin(x)/x)^2}
    psset
    {
    yunit=4cm,
    xunit=.5cm
    }

    begin{document}
    begin{pspicture}[algebraic,plotpoints=200](-12,-.1)(12.5,1.2)
    psaxes[Dx=5]{->}(0,0)(-12,-.1)(12,1.1)[$x$,0][$y$,90]
    psplot[linecolor=blue]{-12}{12}{f}
    uput[45](*.7 {f}){$displaystyle f(x)=frac{sin^2(x)}{x^2}$}
    end{pspicture}
    end{document}


    enter image description here






    share|improve this answer






























      up vote
      4
      down vote













      It seems that the problem is with pgfplots, and it can be solved by switching to gnuplot:



      documentclass[11pt]{article}
      usepackage{pgfplots}
      usepackage{tikz}
      begin{document}
      begin{tikzpicture}
      begin{axis}
      addplot [no markers] gnuplot [domain=-6:6, samples=50] {sin(x)**2/x**2};
      end{axis}
      end{tikzpicture}
      end{document}





      share|improve this answer

















      • 1




        Nope, works just fine for me without gnuplot.
        – daleif
        Nov 20 at 11:17











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      3 Answers
      3






      active

      oldest

      votes








      3 Answers
      3






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes








      up vote
      8
      down vote



      accepted










      As commented by @daleif, the problem is that the trigonometric functions in pgfplots are defined with the argument in degrees, not in radians. So you are calculating the function really near zero, and you have huge rounding errors (and wrong scale...).



      You can use sin(deg(x)) to do the conversion, or globally switch with pgfplotsset{trig format=rad}.



      Notice however that the manual states:




      /pgf/trig format=deg|red [sic, should be rad]



      Allows to reconfigure
      the trigonometric format for all user arguments. This affects all user
      arguments including view, Tik Z polar coordinates, pins of nodes,
      start/end angles for edges, etc. At the time of this writing, this
      feature is in experimental state: it can happen that it breaks Tik Z
      internals. Please handle with care and report any bugs.




      In this case it works:



      documentclass[margin=10pt]{standalone}
      usepackage{pgfplots}pgfplotsset{compat=newest}
      usepackage{tikz}
      begin{document}
      pgfplotsset{trig format=rad}
      begin{tikzpicture}
      begin{axis}
      addplot[domain=-6:6,samples=50,smooth,red] { (sin(x)^2)/pow(x,2) };
      end{axis}
      end{tikzpicture}
      end{document}


      enter image description here



      Notice also that you have to avoid the point x=0 in your drawing, where the function is undefined... this is with:



      addplot[domain=-6:6,samples=151,smooth,red] { (sin(x)^2)/pow(x,2) };


      enter image description here






      share|improve this answer

























        up vote
        8
        down vote



        accepted










        As commented by @daleif, the problem is that the trigonometric functions in pgfplots are defined with the argument in degrees, not in radians. So you are calculating the function really near zero, and you have huge rounding errors (and wrong scale...).



        You can use sin(deg(x)) to do the conversion, or globally switch with pgfplotsset{trig format=rad}.



        Notice however that the manual states:




        /pgf/trig format=deg|red [sic, should be rad]



        Allows to reconfigure
        the trigonometric format for all user arguments. This affects all user
        arguments including view, Tik Z polar coordinates, pins of nodes,
        start/end angles for edges, etc. At the time of this writing, this
        feature is in experimental state: it can happen that it breaks Tik Z
        internals. Please handle with care and report any bugs.




        In this case it works:



        documentclass[margin=10pt]{standalone}
        usepackage{pgfplots}pgfplotsset{compat=newest}
        usepackage{tikz}
        begin{document}
        pgfplotsset{trig format=rad}
        begin{tikzpicture}
        begin{axis}
        addplot[domain=-6:6,samples=50,smooth,red] { (sin(x)^2)/pow(x,2) };
        end{axis}
        end{tikzpicture}
        end{document}


        enter image description here



        Notice also that you have to avoid the point x=0 in your drawing, where the function is undefined... this is with:



        addplot[domain=-6:6,samples=151,smooth,red] { (sin(x)^2)/pow(x,2) };


        enter image description here






        share|improve this answer























          up vote
          8
          down vote



          accepted







          up vote
          8
          down vote



          accepted






          As commented by @daleif, the problem is that the trigonometric functions in pgfplots are defined with the argument in degrees, not in radians. So you are calculating the function really near zero, and you have huge rounding errors (and wrong scale...).



          You can use sin(deg(x)) to do the conversion, or globally switch with pgfplotsset{trig format=rad}.



          Notice however that the manual states:




          /pgf/trig format=deg|red [sic, should be rad]



          Allows to reconfigure
          the trigonometric format for all user arguments. This affects all user
          arguments including view, Tik Z polar coordinates, pins of nodes,
          start/end angles for edges, etc. At the time of this writing, this
          feature is in experimental state: it can happen that it breaks Tik Z
          internals. Please handle with care and report any bugs.




          In this case it works:



          documentclass[margin=10pt]{standalone}
          usepackage{pgfplots}pgfplotsset{compat=newest}
          usepackage{tikz}
          begin{document}
          pgfplotsset{trig format=rad}
          begin{tikzpicture}
          begin{axis}
          addplot[domain=-6:6,samples=50,smooth,red] { (sin(x)^2)/pow(x,2) };
          end{axis}
          end{tikzpicture}
          end{document}


          enter image description here



          Notice also that you have to avoid the point x=0 in your drawing, where the function is undefined... this is with:



          addplot[domain=-6:6,samples=151,smooth,red] { (sin(x)^2)/pow(x,2) };


          enter image description here






          share|improve this answer












          As commented by @daleif, the problem is that the trigonometric functions in pgfplots are defined with the argument in degrees, not in radians. So you are calculating the function really near zero, and you have huge rounding errors (and wrong scale...).



          You can use sin(deg(x)) to do the conversion, or globally switch with pgfplotsset{trig format=rad}.



          Notice however that the manual states:




          /pgf/trig format=deg|red [sic, should be rad]



          Allows to reconfigure
          the trigonometric format for all user arguments. This affects all user
          arguments including view, Tik Z polar coordinates, pins of nodes,
          start/end angles for edges, etc. At the time of this writing, this
          feature is in experimental state: it can happen that it breaks Tik Z
          internals. Please handle with care and report any bugs.




          In this case it works:



          documentclass[margin=10pt]{standalone}
          usepackage{pgfplots}pgfplotsset{compat=newest}
          usepackage{tikz}
          begin{document}
          pgfplotsset{trig format=rad}
          begin{tikzpicture}
          begin{axis}
          addplot[domain=-6:6,samples=50,smooth,red] { (sin(x)^2)/pow(x,2) };
          end{axis}
          end{tikzpicture}
          end{document}


          enter image description here



          Notice also that you have to avoid the point x=0 in your drawing, where the function is undefined... this is with:



          addplot[domain=-6:6,samples=151,smooth,red] { (sin(x)^2)/pow(x,2) };


          enter image description here







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered Nov 20 at 16:31









          Rmano

          7,50721647




          7,50721647






















              up vote
              6
              down vote













              A PSTricks solution for comparison purpose only.



              documentclass[pstricks,border=12pt]{standalone}
              usepackage{pst-plot}

              deff{(sin(x)/x)^2}
              psset
              {
              yunit=4cm,
              xunit=.5cm
              }

              begin{document}
              begin{pspicture}[algebraic,plotpoints=200](-12,-.1)(12.5,1.2)
              psaxes[Dx=5]{->}(0,0)(-12,-.1)(12,1.1)[$x$,0][$y$,90]
              psplot[linecolor=blue]{-12}{12}{f}
              uput[45](*.7 {f}){$displaystyle f(x)=frac{sin^2(x)}{x^2}$}
              end{pspicture}
              end{document}


              enter image description here






              share|improve this answer



























                up vote
                6
                down vote













                A PSTricks solution for comparison purpose only.



                documentclass[pstricks,border=12pt]{standalone}
                usepackage{pst-plot}

                deff{(sin(x)/x)^2}
                psset
                {
                yunit=4cm,
                xunit=.5cm
                }

                begin{document}
                begin{pspicture}[algebraic,plotpoints=200](-12,-.1)(12.5,1.2)
                psaxes[Dx=5]{->}(0,0)(-12,-.1)(12,1.1)[$x$,0][$y$,90]
                psplot[linecolor=blue]{-12}{12}{f}
                uput[45](*.7 {f}){$displaystyle f(x)=frac{sin^2(x)}{x^2}$}
                end{pspicture}
                end{document}


                enter image description here






                share|improve this answer

























                  up vote
                  6
                  down vote










                  up vote
                  6
                  down vote









                  A PSTricks solution for comparison purpose only.



                  documentclass[pstricks,border=12pt]{standalone}
                  usepackage{pst-plot}

                  deff{(sin(x)/x)^2}
                  psset
                  {
                  yunit=4cm,
                  xunit=.5cm
                  }

                  begin{document}
                  begin{pspicture}[algebraic,plotpoints=200](-12,-.1)(12.5,1.2)
                  psaxes[Dx=5]{->}(0,0)(-12,-.1)(12,1.1)[$x$,0][$y$,90]
                  psplot[linecolor=blue]{-12}{12}{f}
                  uput[45](*.7 {f}){$displaystyle f(x)=frac{sin^2(x)}{x^2}$}
                  end{pspicture}
                  end{document}


                  enter image description here






                  share|improve this answer














                  A PSTricks solution for comparison purpose only.



                  documentclass[pstricks,border=12pt]{standalone}
                  usepackage{pst-plot}

                  deff{(sin(x)/x)^2}
                  psset
                  {
                  yunit=4cm,
                  xunit=.5cm
                  }

                  begin{document}
                  begin{pspicture}[algebraic,plotpoints=200](-12,-.1)(12.5,1.2)
                  psaxes[Dx=5]{->}(0,0)(-12,-.1)(12,1.1)[$x$,0][$y$,90]
                  psplot[linecolor=blue]{-12}{12}{f}
                  uput[45](*.7 {f}){$displaystyle f(x)=frac{sin^2(x)}{x^2}$}
                  end{pspicture}
                  end{document}


                  enter image description here







                  share|improve this answer














                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer








                  edited Nov 20 at 11:15

























                  answered Nov 20 at 11:01









                  Artificial Stupidity

                  4,56011034




                  4,56011034






















                      up vote
                      4
                      down vote













                      It seems that the problem is with pgfplots, and it can be solved by switching to gnuplot:



                      documentclass[11pt]{article}
                      usepackage{pgfplots}
                      usepackage{tikz}
                      begin{document}
                      begin{tikzpicture}
                      begin{axis}
                      addplot [no markers] gnuplot [domain=-6:6, samples=50] {sin(x)**2/x**2};
                      end{axis}
                      end{tikzpicture}
                      end{document}





                      share|improve this answer

















                      • 1




                        Nope, works just fine for me without gnuplot.
                        – daleif
                        Nov 20 at 11:17















                      up vote
                      4
                      down vote













                      It seems that the problem is with pgfplots, and it can be solved by switching to gnuplot:



                      documentclass[11pt]{article}
                      usepackage{pgfplots}
                      usepackage{tikz}
                      begin{document}
                      begin{tikzpicture}
                      begin{axis}
                      addplot [no markers] gnuplot [domain=-6:6, samples=50] {sin(x)**2/x**2};
                      end{axis}
                      end{tikzpicture}
                      end{document}





                      share|improve this answer

















                      • 1




                        Nope, works just fine for me without gnuplot.
                        – daleif
                        Nov 20 at 11:17













                      up vote
                      4
                      down vote










                      up vote
                      4
                      down vote









                      It seems that the problem is with pgfplots, and it can be solved by switching to gnuplot:



                      documentclass[11pt]{article}
                      usepackage{pgfplots}
                      usepackage{tikz}
                      begin{document}
                      begin{tikzpicture}
                      begin{axis}
                      addplot [no markers] gnuplot [domain=-6:6, samples=50] {sin(x)**2/x**2};
                      end{axis}
                      end{tikzpicture}
                      end{document}





                      share|improve this answer












                      It seems that the problem is with pgfplots, and it can be solved by switching to gnuplot:



                      documentclass[11pt]{article}
                      usepackage{pgfplots}
                      usepackage{tikz}
                      begin{document}
                      begin{tikzpicture}
                      begin{axis}
                      addplot [no markers] gnuplot [domain=-6:6, samples=50] {sin(x)**2/x**2};
                      end{axis}
                      end{tikzpicture}
                      end{document}






                      share|improve this answer












                      share|improve this answer



                      share|improve this answer










                      answered Nov 20 at 11:01









                      MrMartin

                      1038




                      1038








                      • 1




                        Nope, works just fine for me without gnuplot.
                        – daleif
                        Nov 20 at 11:17














                      • 1




                        Nope, works just fine for me without gnuplot.
                        – daleif
                        Nov 20 at 11:17








                      1




                      1




                      Nope, works just fine for me without gnuplot.
                      – daleif
                      Nov 20 at 11:17




                      Nope, works just fine for me without gnuplot.
                      – daleif
                      Nov 20 at 11:17


















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