Hints on Plotting the Function of the Week : Week -1, Hilary 1999

You could realise that r=r0 is going to be important, and so be interested in what happens there. Or look first at the case r0=0, as all you have to do then is shift the axis along (forget for a minute that negative r isn't physically realistic). b is also a bit of a red herring, for the same reason.

• Look at the value of f as r tends to infinity, at r=r0 and at r=0.
• Look for turning point(s) and at the value of the derivative at r=0.

The r0- and b-derivatives of f(0) are also interesting if you want to play around with making a pretty plot.

5 January 1999