# How can I analyse Mathematica data using Wolfram|Alpha?

How can I analyse data stored in Mathematica using Wolfram | Alpha? Here is an example:

I have a list: a = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}

I can plot it in Mathematica, like this:

But once I try to use Wolfram | Alpha, an error message appears:

How can I perform different types of analyses on Mathematica data using Wolfram | Alpha?

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Try = List plot of {1,2,3,4,5} –  RunnyKine Mar 1 '13 at 4:03
I edited your question quite heavily to make it more clear, and to correct the grammar. Please verify that it is still asking what you wanted to ask. –  Szabolcs Mar 1 '13 at 4:25

For your specific example, the following does what you want:

= List plot of {1,2,3,4,5}


But in general don't send WolframAlpha inputs as though you're using Mathematica. Just send free-form linguistic input i.e. plain English (or other languages it understands). For example, to plot the Sine function don't type Plot[Sin[x],{x,-3,3}]

just type "plot sin of x from -3 to 3"

Interestingly, if you send the following = a + 2 to WolframAlpha, it returns the correct result, adding 2 to each element of a. But using a in place of the list in the free-form input seems to confuse WolframAlpha.

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I think the gist of the question is: how can we transfer data present in Mathematica to Wolfram|Alpha? That is, use the variable a directly. (I don't think it's directly possible, at least not without W|A Pro (??)) –  Szabolcs Mar 1 '13 at 4:23
@Szabolcs see my edit above. It works partially. –  RunnyKine Mar 1 '13 at 4:25
Interesting observation, and +1 for that! –  Szabolcs Mar 1 '13 at 4:25
It seems W|A is very quirky: if you give the list a longer name, it'll recognize it: mylist = {1, 2, 4, 8, 20}, = plot mylist. But the plot won't exactly be what you'd expect ... –  Szabolcs Mar 1 '13 at 4:43
@Szabolcs I'm not sure that W|A has syntax at all - let alone "reliable syntax". :) –  Mark McClure Mar 1 '13 at 4:54