# 8.3: 3D Plots


Learning Objectives

• Describe a $$3D$$ Plot
• Give an example of the value of a $$3D$$ plot

Just as two-dimensional scatter plots show the data in two dimensions, $$3D$$ plots show data in three dimensions. Figure $$\PageIndex{1}$$ shows a $$3D$$ scatter plot of the fat, non-sugar carbohydrates, and calories from a variety of cereal types.

Many statistical packages allow you to rotate the axes interactively to view the data from a different vantage point. Figure $$\PageIndex{2}$$ is an example.

A fourth dimension can be represented as long as it is represented as a nominal variable. Figure $$\PageIndex{3}$$ represents the different manufacturers by using different colors.

Interactively rotating $$3D$$ plots can sometimes reveal aspects of the data not otherwise apparent. Figure $$\PageIndex{4}$$ shows data from a pseudo random number generator. Figure $$\PageIndex{4}$$ does not show anything systematic and the random number generator appears to generate data with properties similar to those of true random numbers.

Figure $$\PageIndex{5}$$ shows a different perspective on these data. Clearly they were not generated by a random process.

Figures $$\PageIndex{4}$$ and $$\PageIndex{5}$$ are reproduced with permission from R snippets by Bogumil Kaminski.

This page titled 8.3: 3D Plots is shared under a Public Domain license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by David Lane via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform; a detailed edit history is available upon request.