Graphics

Discrete Data Graphs

MATLAB has a number of specialized functions that are appropriate for displaying discrete data. This section describes how to use stem plots and stairstep plots to display this type of data. (Bar charts, discussed earlier in this section, are also suitable for displaying discrete data.)

• Two-Dimensional Stem Plots - compares 2-D stem and line plots and shows techniques for customizing the stems.
• Combining Stem Plots with Line Plots - combination line and stem plot with legend.
• Three-Dimensional Stem Plots - 3-D stem plot of an FFT and a combination 3-D stem and line plot.
• Stairstep Plots - plotting a mathematical function with a stairstep plot.

The following table lists the commands described in this section.

Function	Description
stem	Displays a discrete sequence of y-data as stems from x-axis
stem3	Displays a discrete sequence of z-data as stems from xy-plane
stairs	Displays a discrete sequence of y-data as steps from x-axis

Specifying Number of Bins

Two-Dimensional Stem Plots