cos[(x^2+y^2)^(1/2)]
Note the square brackets [ ] used for functions, and round brackets ( ) for other grouping... That's about all the rules. As you move the mouse over the graph, the coordinates of the mouse and the values of f and g at that point are reported in the labled boxes on the right of the graph.
You can "zoom in" -- or out -- on region by entering a new center and height and width of the graph in the appropriate fields. When you have entered the values you want in ALL of these fields, hit return while the cursor is in any one of them. The graph will then be updated. But remember, it is updated each time you hit return. Since this takes some time, depending on your machine and runtime, its best to hit return only when everything is set...
The "algorithm" radio button brings up a panel on which you can select between the several implementations of Newton's method, including the two discussed in the notes. Try them both out for several starting points, some close and some far.
To do this, just click on a point in the graph this selects the starting point.
Then click on the "step button" radio button to bring up a panel with a step button on it. Each time you do this, the applet does one step of the algoritm you have selected. Past points are shown in orange, and the current point is red. You can also back up and clear the dots away with the back and clear buttons.
These buttons sometimes dissapear on a Mac in Netscape. This doesn't happen with other platforms though, including Metrowerks on a Mac. But even if they are invisible, they work...