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Finding intermediate points for graph plotting.

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    Finding intermediate points for graph plotting.

    So, essentially the problem I have is this: I have 2 plotting points (V1, P1) and (V2, P2). These are the initial and final plot points for my curve. I am plotting a graph of P vs V. It is not acceptable to simply draw a straight line between these 2 points as they are modelled by the equation
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    . What this equation says is, at any point on the curve, the value of
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    is the same.

    I would like to find about 100 intermediate plot points between the initial and final points and then plot the smooth curve (Which is defined by the equation
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    ) between them. How can I go about doing this in excel?

    Is there a way that I can just input my initial and final points, the equation and the number of points on the line I want, and then have excel plot this line? Or, do I have to explicitly find all of the intermediate points and then select all of them and plot them in the usual way?

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    Re: Finding intermediate points for graph plotting.

    Sometimes I don't understand questions like this. If I am understanding, then I think the answer to your question is that Excel will not have a built in algorithm for finding the intermediate points on a line, so you will have to program the algorithm into Excel. Once you have the algorithm programmed in, then you will be able to simply give the spreadsheet P, V, g, and k and it will do the rest.

    At the heart of the problem is the algebra problem "how to solve this equation for P." Should be easy.
    From there, you would need to build a table of values for V and P (comma delimited)
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    Quote Originally Posted by shg
    Mathematics is the native language of the natural world. Just trying to become literate.

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    Re: Finding intermediate points for graph plotting.

    I see. I guess I could've been more clear. Thanks for the reply. See, I'll end up having about 100 data points by the time I'm finished and I just want to avoid having a spread sheet about 100 rows deep. So, judging from your sample code, if I want to plot this curve with 100 data points or so, I'm going to have to display all these data points in a spreadsheet, select them and then plot them as per usual, yes?

    Ok, a follow on question, I have my initial value of V and final value of V. I've then split this range up into equal intervals of (Vfinal - Vinitial)/100. So, now I have a 100 values for V in a vertical column. Applying my formula P = C/V^g, where C and g are given in the adjacent column, I get 100 corresponding values for P. I can then go ahead and plot my graph of P vs. V. This all works out fine. Now, is there anyway that I can make it so that my graph of P vs. V updates automatically when I change my values of Vfinal and Vintial (Which will alter all the other values of V and P)?

    Also, I'm fairly new to Excel and I'm not looking to write any code, such as VBA.

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    Re: Finding intermediate points for graph plotting.

    That is easy... if you're willing to let a spreadsheet be a spreadsheet and build a table of data to work from.


    EDIT:
    Aaaand I just realized I made the fencepost mistake and have one-too-few rows in the table. That's easy to fix though.
    Attached Files Attached Files
    Last edited by ben_hensel; 11-08-2013 at 11:08 AM. Reason: whoops!

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    Re: Finding intermediate points for graph plotting.

    Gotcha. It essentially does it all by itself. Thanks for that!

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    Re: Finding intermediate points for graph plotting.

    Actually, in your file, you split the interval up and then plot the graph. How do you do this without having all of your data points on the spreadsheet?

    Edit: You hid them from view. Thanks again!
    Last edited by Dapos1993; 11-08-2013 at 12:40 PM. Reason: Just saw!

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