If you have a mac, there is a default 'Grapher' app that is super convenient

[olivercutbill]

Sometimes Wolfram Alpha takes a long time to load, and sometimes you just want to see the the graph and not a lot of irrelevant stuff.

Macs have a default app called 'Grapher' which is super barebones but really straight forward and useful. To find it just: ⌘+[space] and type 'Grapher'. Then select '2D Graph' and then 'default'.

[ssarahj]

Sometimes Wolfram Alpha takes a long time to load, and sometimes you just want to see the the graph and not a lot of irrelevant stuff.

Macs have a default app called 'Grapher' which is super barebones but really straight forward and useful. To find it just: ⌘+[space] and type 'Grapher'. Then select '2D Graph' and then 'default'.

yes! cheers for this, great tip!!! 

[RuiAce]

I personally heavily advise AGAINST using WolframAlpha for the sake of GRAPHS.

WolframAlpha's graphs are not flexible. They show you a tiny portion of what is there and leave you to it. It is considerably more powerful in "d/dx x², stationary points y=x³-4x²+4x, integrate e^x, sum k² from 1 to 5, eccentricity of the ellipse x²+y²/4=1 etc." than graphing questions.

Grapher is a very powerful tool for Mac users as it is well versed against implicit curve sketching. It can also be opened by simply using the search bar. Those that do not have a Mac should consider using Desmos as an alternative, which is arguably equally good.

For more sophisticated scenarios such as parametrisation and tangents, GeoGebra may be a good alternative to simulate the scenario.