Course Template

Interactive Function Plotter – Sandbox and Step-by-Step Setup

Interactive function plotter with zoom, pan, and axis drawing.

Category: Interactive Function Plotters with Pygame Language: Python 2 Components: 5

Didactic Objective

Diese Kursvorlage ermöglicht eine strukturierte Einführung in die Entwicklung eines interaktiven Funktionsplotters auf Basis grafischer Programmierung. Dabei werden zentrale fachliche Kompetenzen im Bereich der mathematischen Modellierung, der Koordinatentransformation sowie der ereignisgesteuerten Implementierung aufgebaut. Die Lernumgebung unterstützt die Verbindung zwischen abstrakten Funktionsbegriffen und deren visueller Darstellung durch schrittweise Entwicklung eines lauffähigen Systems. Fachlich ist die Vorlage im Bereich der algorithmischen Modellierung und systematischen Implementierung mathematischer Zusammenhänge einzuordnen.

Competence Focuses

Development of an interactive function plotter with zoom and pan functionality
Drawing coordinate axes using dynamic origin coordinates
Conversion between pixel and world coordinates for displaying mathematical functions
Control of the coordinate system using keyboard and mouse
Adjustment of line width, color, and display form of function graphs
Implementation of an info bar to display function name and scaling
Ensuring stable frame rates through suitable performance measures

Structure of the components

Function Plotter Sandbox

This component provides a running environment that allows basic interactions such as zooming and shifting the coordinate system to be tested.

15 minutes 🧩 1 Task

Drawing axes in the function plotter

In this component, the drawing area is prepared and the display of the coordinate axes over the defined origin is implemented.

25 minutes 🧩 2 Tasks

Pixel ↔ World: Function Plotter

This component deals with the conversion between pixel and world coordinates for correct display of a function graph.

30 minutes 🧩 3 Tasks

Zoom and Pan using keyboard

This section complements the control of the coordinate system by keyboard input to dynamically adjust origin and scaling.

25 minutes 🧩 1 Aufgaben

Function Plotter: Info & Performance

The final module adds an info bar and measures for performance optimization, as well as optional alternative display forms.

40 minutes 🧩 3 Aufgaben

Use the template as a customizable basis for function representation and coordinate modeling in teaching. Test Template

Contents at a Glance

Module	Focus	Duration
Function Plotter Sandbox	Interactive display with zoom and shift of the coordinate system	15 min
Drawing axes in the function plotter	Filling background and drawing X/Y axes based on origin	25 min
Pixel ↔ World: Function Plotter	Conversion of pixels to world coordinates for function representation	30 min
Zoom and Pan by Keyboard Input	Implementing zoom and shift via keyboard input	25 min
Function Plotter: Info & Performance	Display info bar and stabilize performance	40 min

This template supports competency-based introduction to graphical functional modeling and leads structured to implementation in code.

The clearly defined modules enable transparent learning objectives and good integration into existing lesson series.

Try out the template in demo access and adapt the included modules to your group.