Graph paper 293606 223258766 2008-07-03T08:18:15Z 118.90.0.89 /* Graph Paper for Gaming */ Change title to aviod ambiguous (in this case) conflict with the traditional use of the word for "gambling". I know that this new word opens up a can of worms with "sport" <div class="thumb tright"> {| style="width: 210px; font-size: 90%; border:1px solid #cccccc; ; padding: 2px; background-color:#f9f9f9;" |- [[Image:graph-paper.svg|none|200px]] [[Image:Log paper.svg|none|200px]] |- | style="text-align: left;" | Regular graphing paper (upper); Log graphing paper (lower). |}</div> '''Graph paper''', '''graphing paper''' or '''millimeter paper''' is writing [[paper]] that is printed with fine lines making up a [[regular grid]]. The lines are often used as guides for plotting [[mathematical function]]s or [[experimental data]] and drawing [[diagram]]s. It is commonly found in mathematics and engineering education settings and in [[laboratory notebook]]s. ==Format and Availability of Graph Paper== Graph paper is available either as [[loose leaf]] paper or bound in [[notebook]]s. It is becoming less common as computer software such as [[spreadsheet]]s and [[chart|plotting]] programs has supplanted many of the former uses of graph paper. Some users of graph paper now print [[Portable Document Format|pdf]] images of the grid pattern as needed rather than buying it pre-printed. ==Types of Graph Paper == ===Square or Cartesian=== Graphs showing grids are sometimes called '''Cartesian''' graphs because the square can be used to map measurements onto a [[Cartesian coordinates|Cartesian (x vs. y)]]coordinate system. *Quad paper is a common form of graph paper with a sparse grid printed in light blue or gray and right to the edge of the paper. This is often four squares to the inch for work not needing too much detail. It is sometimes referred to as ''[[quadrille]] paper''. * Engineering Paper - Traditionally printed on light green or tan translucent paper. The grid lines are printed on the back side of each page and show through faintly to the front side. Each page has an unprinted margin. When [[Photocopier|photocopied]] or [[Image scanner|scanned]], the grid lines typically do not show up in the resulting copy, which often gives the work a neat, uncluttered appearance. In the US, some engineering professors require student [[homework]] to be completed on engineering paper.{{Fact|date=May 2008}} * It is also available without lines but with dots at the positions where the lines would intersect. ===Other types=== [[Image:Engineering-pad-simulation.gif|thumb|200px|right|[[Engineering pad]]]] * '''[[Genkō yōshi]]''' - a type of manuscript paper used in Japan, normally printed with 400 squares in two sets of 20 lines of 10, used for compositions written in [[tategaki|horizontal script]]. *'''Hexagonal''' - This shows regular hexagons instead of squares. These can be used to map geometric [[Tilings of regular polygons|tiled or tesselated]] designs among other uses *'''Isometric graph paper''' or '''3D graph paper''' - This is a triangular graph paper which uses a series of three guidelines forming a 60° grid of small triangles. The triangles are arranged in groups of six to make hexagons. The name suggests the use for [[isometric projection|isometric views]] or pseudo-three dimensional views. Among other functions, they can be used in the design of [[trianglepoint]] [[embroidery]]. *'''Logarithmic''' - These have rectangles drawn in varying widths corresponding to an [[logarithmic scale]]s for [[semilog graph]]s or [[log-log graph]]s *'''Normal [[probability]] paper''' - Another graph paper with rectangles of variable widths. It is designed so that "the graph of the normal distribution function is represented on it by a straight line."[http://eom.springer.de/P/p074910.htm] *'''Polar Coordinate''' - These are concentric circles divided into small arcs or 'pie wedges' to allow plotting in [[coordinates (elementary mathematics)|polar coordinates]]. ==Graph Paper for games== Graph paper is also used for games, such as laying out virtual worlds in [[roleplaying game]]s and designing new levels in grid-based games such as [[Minesweeper (computer game)|Minesweeper]]. Hexagonally tiled graph paper is particularly popular for wargames and roleplaying games because the number of hexes passed through is more constant for the same distance no matter what direction is moved, as opposed to a square tiling where distances are longer if one moves along the diagonal. == External links == *[http://www.printfreegraphpaper.com/ Graph Paper] Print free graph paper (in [[pdf]] format), and other graphs/charts. *[http://www.graphtablet.com GraphTablet] &ndash; Free program to print graph paper. *[http://meesoft.logicnet.dk/LogPaper/ Log Paper] &ndash; A free program to build and print your own graphs. *[http://www.digbydoodle.com/Help-Yourself.htm Graph Paper] Free 1/4 inch graph paper (in [[pdf]] format) *[http://www.softschools.com/math/graph_paper/generator/ Graph Paper] Free graph paper [[pdf]] generator. *[http://www.waterproof-paper.com/graph-paper/ Graph Paper] Free printable graph paper (grid, math axis, isometric, polar, isometric dot, more). [[Category:Writing paper]] [[Category:Engineering equipment]] [[Category:Technical drawing]] [[Category:Mathematical tools]] [[Category:Recyclable materials]] [[da:Millimeterpapir]] [[de:Mathematisches Papier]] [[es:Papel milimetrado]] [[fr:Papier millimétré]] [[lb:Millimeterpabeier]] [[ja:方眼紙]] [[ru:Миллиметровка]]