For example, this Wolfram Alpha query shows this graph:
But it does not show the code for plotting it in Mathematica.
Plot[x^x, {x, -1, 1}]
only plots the real values. How can I do this in Mathematica?
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Sign up to join this communityFor example, this Wolfram Alpha query shows this graph:
But it does not show the code for plotting it in Mathematica.
Plot[x^x, {x, -1, 1}]
only plots the real values. How can I do this in Mathematica?
Here's a view that shows how the graph starts to spiral for negative $x$ values, if we take the complex values into account.
ParametricPlot3D[{x, Re[Exp[x*Log[x]]], Im[Exp[x*Log[x]]]},
{x, -4, 2}, PlotRange -> All, ViewVertical -> {0, 1, 0},
BoxRatios -> {2, 1, 1}, ViewPoint -> {2, 2, 12}]
In fact, if we write $x^x = e^{x\log(x)}$, this naturally generallizes to $x^x = e^{x\log(x) + 2i\pi k}$; each $2i\pi k$ represents another branch of the complex logarithm. In this context, we see that this graph just forms one spiral of a family of spirals.
x2x[0.0, _] = x2x[0, _] = 1;
x2x[x_, k_] := Exp[x (Log[x] + 2 I Pi k)];
Table[points3D[k] = Table[
z = x2x[x, k];
{x, Re[z], Im[z]},
{x, -4, 2, 0.005}],
{k, -7, 7}];
Graphics3D[Table[{If[k == 0, Thick, Opacity[0.5]],
Line[points3D[k]]}, {k, -4, 4}],
Axes -> True, PlotRange -> {{-4, 2}, {-4, 4}, {-4, 4}},
BoxRatios -> {2, 1, 1}, ViewPoint -> {2, 2, 12},
ViewVertical -> {0, 1, 0}]
In elementary classes, you might see the claim that $(p/q)^{p/q}$ is defined for $p$ negative and $q$ odd and positive. Thus, including these points, the graph might look something like so:
points = Union[Cases[Table[Chop[points3D[k], 1/10], {k, -7, 7}],
{_?Negative, _, 0}, {2}]];
Plot[x^x, {x, 0, 2}, PlotStyle -> Directive[Thick, Black],
Epilog -> Point[Most /@ points], PlotRange -> {{-2, 2}, {-2, 4}}]
From the complex perspective, the dots arise as spots where one of the spiral threads punctures the $x$-$z$ plane.
As yulinyu has pointed out, something like the following will give you the desired plot.
Plot[Through[{Re, Im}[x^x]], {x, -2, 2}, Evaluated -> True]
You might also be interested in this excellent answer by Simon Woods to create a graph of the plot over the complex domain. Using his function and evaluating the following gives you a pretty picture
domainPlot[#^# &]
You can use the new in M12 functions ReImPlot
and ComplexPlot
for complex visualizations of a function. Using ReImPlot
:
ReImPlot[z^z, {z, -2, 2}]
and ComplexPlot
:
ComplexPlot[z^z, {z, - 3 - 3 I, 3 + 3 I}]
Plot[{Re[x^x], Im[x^x]}, {x, -1, 2}, PlotRange -> All]
$\endgroup$