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Functions of Several Variables: Mountain

1) A function of two variables assigns a unique real number to each ordered pair of numbers (x,y). The graph of z = x^2 + y^2 is a sphere. 2) Contour maps, or contour plots, show lines of constant height to help visualize functions of two or three variables. Contours get closer together as the height increases, indicating a steeper slope. 3) The graph of z = cos(x) + cos(y) has contour circles that are farther apart near the origin and closer together farther away, forming a shape like half of an elliptic cone.

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63 views4 pages

Functions of Several Variables: Mountain

1) A function of two variables assigns a unique real number to each ordered pair of numbers (x,y). The graph of z = x^2 + y^2 is a sphere. 2) Contour maps, or contour plots, show lines of constant height to help visualize functions of two or three variables. Contours get closer together as the height increases, indicating a steeper slope. 3) The graph of z = cos(x) + cos(y) has contour circles that are farther apart near the origin and closer together farther away, forming a shape like half of an elliptic cone.

Uploaded by

marioasensicollantes
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Functions of Several Variables

A function of 2 variables  and  is a rule where an ordered pair of


numbers a b is assigned a unique real number.

Ex:   È     is a function of 2 variables. The domain is the


set of ordered pairs for which  gives a real number.
  a b    

To make the graph note that if we square both sides we get


        or         which we know

However   È     has a graph which is only the upper


is a sphere of radius 5 centered at the origin.

1/2 of the sphere because   

Example: Assume we have a rectangular map of the of USA. For each


point on the map there is a temperature at a given instant. This is a
function of 2 variables. The variables  and  can be used to specify a
point on the map.

Functions of several variables can get very complicated and can be


difficult to graph. To help visualize functions of 2 variables (or even
functions of 3 variables) we can look at contours and make a contour
graph.

Here is an example of a contour map to describe the change in height of


a small mountain.

Mountain 500 ft
400 ft
300 ft
200 ft
300 ft
100 ft
200 ft
Sea Level 100 ft

Topographical Map
b)   È  
Example: Draw some evenly spaced contours for the graphs of
a)     
These are called contour plots.

Use       
     is a dot a b
     is a circle of radius È  
a)

     is a circle of radius È  


     is a circle of radius 2

     is a circle of radius È  

2 8
4

Note that the contours get closer together as k increases.


The closer the contours the steeper the curve. So at 1st
the surface does not rise so quickly.
The graph is a paraboloid.

8
6 2
z
4
2 1
0
-2 0
y
-1
0 -1
x 1
2 -2
b) When    the contour is a dot at (0,0).
When k   the contour is a circle of radius 2, etc, etc.

2
4
6
8

The contours are evenly spaced. The graph is 1/2 of an


elliptic cone.

Example: The graph of        and its contour plot are
shown below. Lighter regions correspond to higher points
in the contour plot.

2
1
z
0
-1 5
-2
0
y
-5
0 -5
x
5
7.5

2.5

-2.5

-5

-7.5

-7.5 -5 -2.5 0 2.5 5 7.5

7.5
5
2 2.5
z 10 0
-1 5 -2.5
-2
0y -5
-5 -5 -7.5
0
x 5
-7.5-5
-2.502.5 57.5

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