Scribd
Upload
133 views4 pages

Paraboloid Contour Mapping Techniques

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
133 views4 pages

Paraboloid Contour Mapping Techniques

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

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

You might also like