Axis limits (xlim, ylim) in Matplotlib - Interactive Code Practice

Practice - 5 Tasks

1fill in blank

easy

Complete the code to set the x-axis limits from 0 to 10.

Matplotlib

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
plt.plot([1, 2, 3, 4])
plt.[1](0, 10)
plt.show()

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

Aylim

Bxlim

Caxis

Dset_xlim

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using ylim instead of xlim.

Using set_xlim without plt prefix.

Using axis which sets both axes limits.

The xlim function sets the limits of the x-axis. Here, it is set from 0 to 10.

2fill in blank

medium

Complete the code to set the y-axis limits from -5 to 5.

Matplotlib

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
plt.plot([1, 2, 3, 4])
plt.[1](-5, 5)
plt.show()

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

Axlim

Bset_ylim

Caxis

Dylim

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using xlim instead of ylim.

Using set_ylim without plt prefix.

Using axis which sets both axes limits.

The ylim function sets the limits of the y-axis. Here, it is set from -5 to 5.

3fill in blank

hard

Fix the error in the code to set both x and y axis limits correctly.

Matplotlib

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
plt.plot([1, 2, 3, 4])
plt.axis([1])
plt.show()

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A[0, 10, 5, -5]

B(0, 10, -5, 5)

C[0, 10, -5, 5]

D(10, 0, -5, 5)

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using tuple instead of list.

Swapping ymin and ymax values.

Reversing xmin and xmax.

The plt.axis() function accepts a list with four values: [xmin, xmax, ymin, ymax]. The correct order is [0, 10, -5, 5].

4fill in blank

hard

Fill both blanks to create a dictionary that sets x-axis limits from 1 to 4 and y-axis limits from 10 to 20.

Matplotlib

limits = {'xlim': ([1], [2]), 'ylim': (10, 20)}

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A1

B4

C10

D20

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using y-axis values for x-axis limits.

Swapping the order of limits.

Using strings instead of numbers.

The dictionary keys 'xlim' and 'ylim' expect tuples with two values each. Here, x-axis limits are set from 1 to 4.

5fill in blank

hard

Fill all three blanks to set x-axis limits from 0 to 5 and y-axis limits from -2 to 3 using plt.axis().

Matplotlib

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
plt.plot([1, 2, 3])
plt.axis([[1], [2], [3], 3])
plt.show()

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A0

B5

C-2

D2

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Mixing up the order of limits.

Using incorrect values for axis limits.

Forgetting that axis expects a list.

The plt.axis() function takes a list of four values: [xmin, xmax, ymin, ymax]. Here, xmin=0, xmax=5, ymin=-2, ymax=3.

Practice

1. What does the function plt.xlim(0, 10) do in a matplotlib plot?

easy

A. Clears the current plot

B. Sets the y-axis limits from 0 to 10

C. Sets the x-axis limits from 0 to 10

D. Plots data points between 0 and 10 on x-axis

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the function purpose

   plt.xlim() sets the limits of the x-axis in a plot.

2. Step 2: Analyze the arguments

   The arguments (0, 10) specify the minimum and maximum values for the x-axis.

3. Final Answer:

   Sets the x-axis limits from 0 to 10 -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   plt.xlim(0, 10) = x-axis limits 0 to 10 [OK]

Hint: Remember xlim controls x-axis range, ylim controls y-axis [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing xlim with ylim
• Thinking it plots data points
• Assuming it clears the plot

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to set y-axis limits from -5 to 5 in matplotlib?

easy

A. plt.ylim(-5, 5)

B. plt.xlim(-5, 5)

C. plt.axis(ymin=-5, ymax=5)

D. plt.set_ylim(-5, 5)

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the function for y-axis limits

   The correct function to set y-axis limits is plt.ylim().

2. Step 2: Check the syntax

   The syntax plt.ylim(-5, 5) correctly sets the y-axis from -5 to 5.

3. Final Answer:

   plt.ylim(-5, 5) -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   ylim(-5, 5) sets y-axis limits correctly [OK]

Hint: Use plt.ylim() for y-axis limits, not plt.xlim() [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using plt.xlim() for y-axis limits
• Using non-existent plt.set_ylim()
• Confusing plt.axis() parameters

3. What will be the x-axis limits after running this code?

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
plt.plot([1, 2, 3, 4])
plt.xlim(2, 3)
plt.show()

medium

A. [1, 4]

B. [2, 3]

C. [0, 1]

D. [3, 4]

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the plot and xlim call

   The plot has x values 0 to 3 by default (index of list). The call plt.xlim(2, 3) sets the x-axis limits explicitly from 2 to 3.

2. Step 2: Confirm the axis limits

   Because of plt.xlim(2, 3), the x-axis will only show values between 2 and 3.

3. Final Answer:

   [2, 3] -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   plt.xlim(2, 3) sets x-axis limits to [2, 3] [OK]

Hint: xlim sets exact x-axis range regardless of data [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming default axis limits remain
• Confusing data values with axis limits
• Ignoring that x-axis is index by default

4. Identify the error in this code snippet:

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
plt.plot([1, 2, 3])
plt.xlim(5, 1)
plt.show()

medium

A. plt.show() is missing parentheses

B. plt.plot() missing x values

C. plt.xlim() requires three arguments

D. xlim limits are reversed; min should be less than max

Solution

1. Step 1: Check the xlim arguments

   The call plt.xlim(5, 1) sets the lower limit to 5 and upper limit to 1, which is reversed.

2. Step 2: Understand axis limit rules

   Axis limits must have the minimum value first and maximum second. Reversed limits cause unexpected behavior or warnings.

3. Final Answer:

   xlim limits are reversed; min should be less than max -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Lower limit must be less than upper limit in xlim [OK]

Hint: Always put smaller number first in xlim and ylim [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Reversing min and max values in limits
• Thinking xlim needs three arguments
• Ignoring function call syntax

5. You have a scatter plot with x values ranging from 0 to 100 and y values from 0 to 50. You want to zoom in on the region where x is between 20 and 40 and y is between 10 and 30. Which code correctly sets these axis limits?

hard

A. plt.xlim(20, 40)
plt.ylim(10, 30)

B. plt.xlim(10, 30)
plt.ylim(20, 40)

C. plt.xlim([10, 30])
plt.ylim([20, 40])

D. plt.axis([10, 30, 20, 40])

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify correct axis limits for x and y

   The question states x between 20 and 40, y between 10 and 30.

2. Step 2: Match limits to correct functions

   plt.xlim(20, 40) sets x-axis limits, plt.ylim(10, 30) sets y-axis limits correctly.

3. Final Answer:

   plt.xlim(20, 40) plt.ylim(10, 30) -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Use xlim for x-axis, ylim for y-axis limits [OK]

Hint: Match xlim to x-axis range, ylim to y-axis range [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Swapping x and y limits
• Using list brackets in xlim/ylim
• Using plt.axis with wrong order