
        
        
            
                
                
                    plt.xlim(-5,5)
plt.ylim(-5,5)

# (starting_x, starting_y, dx, dy, ...)
plt.arrow(-2, -1, 3, 5, head_width=0.5, head_length=0.5, color='black')
plt.show()

This generates the following:

The line (without the arrow) begins at (-2,-1) and ends at (-2+3,-1+5)=(1,4). However, the presence of the arrow makes the length of the line a slightly longer. To make the arrow end at the specified endpoint (i.e. (1,4) in this case), set the parameter length_includes_head=True.

The head_width and head_length function, otherwise you will see just a line without the arrow.

Helper function to draw an arrow given starting and ending coordinate

Matplotlib asks you to provide dx and dy to plot your arrow, yet most of the time, you have the starting coordinate and ending coordinate in hand. In these cases, you might prefer to use the following helper function:


        
        
            
                
                
                    def draw_arrow(plt, arr_start, arr_end):
       dx = arr_end[0] - arr_start[0]
       dy = arr_end[1] - arr_start[1]
       plt.arrow(arr_start[0], arr_start[1], dx, dy, head_width=0.5, head_length=0.5, length_includes_head=True, color='black')

We can use the function like so:


        
        
            
                
                
                    plt.xlim(-5,5)
plt.ylim(-5,5)
draw_arrow(plt, [-1,-2], [3,4])
plt.show()

This generates the following:

Published by Isshin Inada

Edited by 0 others

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