16.3: 3D Plots
- Page ID
- 19157
Skills to Develop
- 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.
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.
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.