Plotting Function with complex parameter



Maximilian Kreuter wrote:
> Hi there,
>
> can I use Maxima to plot a given function with complex numbers as input?
>
> e.g. ich have the following function:
>
> f(x):=x^3+5;
>
> now I can plot this (using real numbers):
>
> plot2d(f(x), [x,-4,4]);
>
> but to following (using complex numbers fails):
>
> plot2d(f(x), [x,-4*%i,4*%i]);
>
> Is there a way to do this?
>
>   
I think you need to be clearer on exactly what you want.  What does it
mean to plot from -4*%i to 4*%i?  Is it the straight line between them? 
Some other curved path?   And if f(x) produces a complex number, what to
you want plotted?  The real part?  The imaginary part?  As a complex
point on the plane?  Something else?

When you can answer these, I think you'll know how to plot what you want.

Ray