3D Graphs in Augmented Reality

Three dimensional graphs illustrated in two dimensions can often be difficult to interpret. The product of this augmented reality application will allow people to view and interact with three dimensional versions of these flat graphs.

When learning mathematics (and other disciplines) graphs are commonly used to better understand equations and to gain a visual interpretation of mathematical models. Mathematics is often taught in a 2D space, either a physical handout, whiteboard or on a projected display. While 2-dimensional graphs can be easily conveyed using this teaching style, 3-dimensional graphs cannot. Representations of three-dimensional graph can be shown in 2D (flat 3D graphs), but these can be difficult to understand and don’t show all angles of the graph, limiting the information that can be conveyed.

To improve on this, an interface that could display these graphs in the 3D space was needed. It needed to be accessible to everyone, minimal setup and work within the already existing 2D teaching methods. AR interface technology met all these requirements. It is easily accessible and contained within a phone, no external tracking or projecting devices are needed. 

 The phones camera is pointed at a flat 3D-dimensional graph, either on a handout or during a lecture, and the phones display will show an augmented reality with the 3-dimensional graph sitting atop the flat version. This interface also allows the user to change aspects of the graphs in real time. Being able to interact with these graphs in a 3D space increases the information bandwidth to the student, making it much easier for them to interpret the graph and helps them develop a better understanding of mathematics being taught.