iPadOS 26 Gets New 3D Graphing Feature for Math Notes

Apple improved the Math Notes feature in iOS 26 and iPadOS 26, allowing users to input equations to create graphs in three dimensions.

ios 26 math notes
Math Notes was added in iOS 18 and iPadOS 18. It works in the Notes app, or through a Math Notes option that's accessible through the Calculator app. The feature is designed to solve math problems or equations when an equals sign is entered. On the iPhone, Math Notes works with typed equations, but on the iPad, you can write out equations by hand with the Apple Pencil and get in-line results.

With ‌iOS 26‌ and ‌iPadOS 26‌, when you write an equation with three variables, Math Notes is able to create a graph with three dimensions. So, for example, if you write an equation like z=sin(x^2 + y^2), you'll get a ripple graph.

To use the feature, write or type an equation and then tap on one of the variables and choose the Insert 3D graph option. 3D graphs can be enlarged, resized, and moved using tap and drag gestures. While it is available on both ‌iPhone‌ and ‌iPad‌, the feature works better on the ‌iPad‌ due to the larger display area. If you're handwriting Math Notes on the ‌iPad‌, write an equation and then circle it to get to the graphing options.

The new 3D graphic functionality could be useful for linear algebra and multivariable calculus visualizations, and the graphs that are output can be copied and pasted into other apps.

‌iOS 26‌ and ‌iPadOS 26‌ are in the early stages of testing and are only available to developers at the current time. Apple plans to release a public beta in July, and a launch will follow in September.

Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26
Related Forum: iOS 26

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Top Rated Comments

Reason077 Avatar
8 months ago
Traumatic flashbacks to using Mathematica in my student days. I’ll be steering well clear of this.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MacLawyer Avatar
8 months ago
Now THAT's nice. Well done Apple.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Avidos1 Avatar
8 months ago
Been available on the mac for 40 years…
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tonywalker23 Avatar
8 months ago
All because two guys forty years ago were willing to sneak into Apple and work for free...

https://www.pacifict.com/Story/
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
platinumaqua Avatar
8 months ago
Reminds me of the days when I had to use Graphing Calculator (Mac OS 9) and Grapher (Mac OS X)
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DocMultimedia Avatar
8 months ago

Traumatic flashbacks to using Mathematica in my student days. I’ll be steering well clear of this.
Yeah, simple notes app is now as powerful as the best product for math sorts just a decade ago. Really impressive.

Soon it will be able to replicate my thesis in nuclear physics. ??
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)