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I realize that the Plot function can plot multiple functions of x at the same time, using { }. I also know that the RegionFunction option is used to specify the particular region of the domain that you want plotted. My query is whether I can combine the two together and use different RegionFunctions on different functions of the same parent Plot statement, plotting multiple conditional functions rather than a whole domain:

$$f(x) =\begin{cases} 2\sqrt{x} & \text{if } 0\leq x \leq1 \\ 4-2x & \text{if } 1<x<2.5 \\ 2x-7 & \text{if } 2.5 \leq x \leq 4 \end{cases}$$

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  • $\begingroup$ Yes it is the answer i was looking for ..... btw what made my question difficult to understand could you edit it . it seems you understood it correctly . $\endgroup$
    – The-Ever-Kid
    May 17, 2012 at 10:19
  • $\begingroup$ Btw I also wanted to know wether different RegionFunction can be used in the same plot $\endgroup$
    – The-Ever-Kid
    May 17, 2012 at 10:20
  • $\begingroup$ @Mr.Wizard I wasn't asking you to edit your answer. Could you edit my question to make it more clear. $\endgroup$
    – The-Ever-Kid
    May 17, 2012 at 10:22
  • $\begingroup$ Have you looked at RegionPlot? For example: RegionPlot[{(x + 1)^2 + y^2 < 2, (x - 1)^2 + y^2 < 2}, {x, -3, 3}, {y, -3, 3}] $\endgroup$
    – Mr.Wizard
    May 17, 2012 at 10:23
  • $\begingroup$ I don't want to plot a region i just wondered if the RegionFunction Could be used like the Piecewise Function $\endgroup$
    – The-Ever-Kid
    May 17, 2012 at 10:25

1 Answer 1

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You can use Show to combine graphics of the same type:

g1 = Plot3D[x^2 - y^2, {x, -3, 3}, {y, -3, 3}, 
  RegionFunction -> Function[{x, y, z}, 2 < x^2 + y^2 < 9]];

g2 = SphericalPlot3D[
  1 + Sin[5 θ] Sin[5 φ]/5, {θ, 0, π}, {φ, 0, 2 π}, 
  Mesh -> None, RegionFunction -> (#6 > 0.95 &), PlotStyle -> FaceForm[Orange, Yellow]];

Show[g1, g2]

Mathematica graphics

Here is one way that you might construct a compound graphic:

funcs = {x^2 - y^2, Sin[x]^2 + 2 Cos[y]^2};

regions = {Function[{x, y, z}, 1 < x^2 + y^2 < 5], 
           Function[{x, y, z}, 2 < x^2 + y^2 < 9]};

styles = {Red, Green};

MapThread[
  Plot3D[#, {x, -3, 3}, {y, -3, 3}, RegionFunction -> #2, PlotStyle -> #3] &,
  {funcs, regions, styles}
] // Show

Mathematica graphics

You may also find utility in Piecewise:

pw = Piecewise[{
       {2 Sqrt[x],   0 <= x <= 1  },
       {4 - 2 x  ,   1 <  x <  2.5},
       {2 x - 7  , 2.5 <= x <= 4  }
      }, Indeterminate]

Plot[pw, {x, -1, 5}]

Mathematica graphics

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  • $\begingroup$ I find myself wanting to rotate the graphics, though. To bad we can't post CDF versions of Plot3D and Manipulate. $\endgroup$
    – rcollyer
    May 17, 2012 at 14:54
  • $\begingroup$ @rcollyer what became of LiveGraphics3D? $\endgroup$
    – Mr.Wizard
    May 17, 2012 at 16:08
  • $\begingroup$ Hadn't heard of that before. The last update appears to be in 2008, though. $\endgroup$
    – rcollyer
    May 17, 2012 at 16:12
  • $\begingroup$ @rcollyer it is or was used extensively on MathWorld. At the moment I cannot get anything to load however; it may be a browser issue on my end. $\endgroup$
    – Mr.Wizard
    May 17, 2012 at 16:16
  • $\begingroup$ Probably your browser. The Group Orbit demo seems to work fine for me. $\endgroup$
    – rcollyer
    May 17, 2012 at 16:22

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