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8.3: 3D Plots

Last updated

Apr 23, 2022
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- 8.2: Contour Plots
- 8.4: Statistical Literacy

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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.

Figure $\PageIndex{1}$ : *A $3D$ scatter plot showing 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.

Figure $\PageIndex{2}$ : *An alternative $3D$ scatter plot showing fat, non-sugar carbohydrates, and calories*

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.

Figure $\PageIndex{3}$ : *The different manufacturers are color coded*

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.

randu1.jpg.png — Figure $\PageIndex{4}$ : *A $3D$ scatter plot showing $400$ values of $X$ , $Y$ , and $Z$ from a pseudo random number generator*

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

randu2.jog.png — Figure $\PageIndex{5}$ : *A different perspective on the $3D$ scatter plot showing $400$ values of $X$ , $Y$ , and $Z$ from a pseudo random number generator.*

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

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