Functions of Several Variables
Lesson 2
Topics
x Functions of two or more independent variables.
x Graphs of functions of two variables.
x Traces.
x Level curves and level surfaces.
x Applications of functions of two variables.
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x Let DEHDVHWRIRUGHUHGSDLUVRIUHDOQXPEHUV,IWRHDFKRUGHUHGSDLUͼx, yͽLQD there corresponds a
unique real number z = f ͼx, yͽWKHQf is called a function of x and y. The set D is the domain of f, and
the corresponding set of values f ͼx, yͽLVWKHrange of f.
x The graph of a function of two variables z = f ͼx, yͽFRQVLVWVRIDOOSRLQWVͼx, y, zͽVXFKWKDWz = f ͼx, yͽ
x A trace is the intersection of a surface with a plane.
x Let z = f ͼx, yͽDQGc be a constant. A level curve or contour line is the set of all points in the plane
satisfying f ͼx, yͽ c.
Summary
In this lesson, we continue our study of functions of two or more independent variables. We will formally
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such functions and also extend these ideas to functions of three or more variables. Perhaps the most important
and interesting theme of this lesson is the graph of a function of two variables. To this end, we look at traces
and level curves for functions of two variables. Typical applications of level curves are topographic maps.
Finally, we will set up an application involving the minimal cost of construction of a box.
7
Example 1 z
2
Find the domain of the function f x , y 4 x2 y2 .
1
Solution í
í
í í
í
The expression inside the radical must be nonnegative, so the domain 1
1 y
x 2
2
FRQVLVWVRIDOORUGHUHGSDLUVVDWLVI\LQJíx2íy2
Figure 2.1
So, we have D ^ x, y : x y d 4` .
2 2
The domain is a circle of radius 2. Notice that the graph of the function is a hemisphere of radius 2 centered at
the origin, x2 + y2 + z2 zͼ6HHFigure 2.1ͽ
z
Example 2
Find the largest possible value of the function of two variables
z = f ͼx, yͽ x + 4yíx2íy2.
y
Solution
f(x, y í xí 2í yí 2
By completing the square, we see that z = f ͼx, yͽ íͼxíͽ ͽíͼyíͽ .
2 2
x
Figure 2.2
Therefore, the largest possible value is 5, which is obtained when x = 1 and y = 2. Notice that there is no
VPDOOHVWYDOXHͼ6HHFigure 2.2ͽ
Example 3
z
4
Let f x , y 16 4 x 2 y 2 . Describe the level curve for c = 0. 3
ͼ6HHFigure 2.3ͽ 2
í
Lesson 2: Functions of Several Variables
í 1
Solution
y
Setting f ͼx, yͽ c, we have 2
16 4 x y 2
0. x
Figure 2.3
y2
2
7KLVVLPSOL¿HVWRWKHHOOLSVH 16 4 x 2 y 2 0 x 1.
4 16
,QWKH¿JXUHͼVHHFigure 2.4ͽZHKDYHGUDZQWKLVHOOLSVHDORQJZLWKVRPHRWKHUOHYHOFXUYHV
8
Example 4 4
c=0
A rectangular box with an open top has a length of x feet, a width of y
2 c=2
feet, and a height of zIHHWͼVHHFigure 2.5ͽ,WFRVWVSHUVTXDUHIRRWWR
EXLOGWKHEDVHDQGSHUVTXDUHIRRWWREXLOGWKHVLGHV:ULWHWKHFRVWC of
c=4
constructing the box as a function of x, y, and z. í í 2 3
í
Solution
í
The cost depends on the cost of the base and the four sides.
Figure 2.4
C = 3.00xyͼyzͽͼͽͼxzͽ xy + 4yz + 4xz.
Later in this course, we will determine the minimum cost of the box,
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Study Tips z
y
x
x If z = f ͼx, yͽWKHQx and y are called the independent variables, Figure 2.5
and z is the dependent variable.
x ,QJHQHUDOWKHUDQJHRIDIXQFWLRQRIWZRYDULDEOHVLVPRUHGLI¿FXOWWRGHWHUPLQHWKDQWKHGRPDLQ
Often, a graph can help determine the range.
x <RXFDQGH¿QHIXQFWLRQVRIWKUHHRUPRUHYDULDEOHVLQDVLPLODUPDQQHU)RUH[DPSOH
f ͼx, y, zͽ x2íy2 + sin z is a function of three variables.
x You can add, subtract, and multiply functions of two or more variables. For example, if f ͼx, yͽ xy2
and g ͼx, yͽ VLQͼxyͽWKHQWKHVXPRIWKHWZRIXQFWLRQVLVͼf + gͽͼx, yͽ f ͼx, yͽg ͼx, yͽ
2xy2VLQͼxyͽ
x Level curves extend naturally to level surfaces. For example, consider the function of three variables,
f ͼx, y, zͽ x2 + y2 + z2. Each level surface is of the form 4x2 + y2 + z2 = c, which are ellipsoids.
x You will often see different letters used for the independent and dependent variables, as well as the
names of the functions.
Pitfalls
x You cannot form the composition of two functions, each of two variables. However, if g is a function
of a single variable and f is a function of two variables, then the following composition makes sense:
g D f x, y g f x, y .
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x Make sure you understand if you are working in the plane or in space. For example, the graph of the
equation y = x is a line in the plane, but a plane in space.
x The graph of a function of two variables is a surface in space, whereas its level curves are graphs in
the xy-plane.
x Keep in mind that for a surface in space, its level curves lie in the xy-plane. On the other hand, a trace
is the intersection of the surface with a plane.
Problems
1. Calculate f ͼͽLIf ͼx, y, zͽ x y z .
x y
2. Describe the domain of the function f ͼx, yͽ .
xy
3. Describe the domain of the function f ͼx, yͽ OQͼíxíyͽ
4. Describe the graph of the function f ͼx, yͽ
5. Describe the graph of the function f ͼx, yͽ 1 x 2 y 2 .
6. Describe the level curves of the function f ͼx, yͽ íxíy for c = 0, 2, 4.
7. Describe the level curves of the function f ͼx, yͽ xy for c = ±1, ±3.
8. Describe the level surface of the function f ͼx, y, zͽ x2 + y2 + z2 at c = 9.
9. Complete the square for the function z = f ͼx, yͽ x + 4yíx2íy2WRFRQ¿UPWKDWWKHODUJHVWYDOXHRIWKH
function is z = 5.
Lesson 2: Functions of Several Variables
10. A propane tank is constructed by welding hemispheres to the ends of a right circular cylinder. Write the
volume of the tank as a function of r and x, where r is the radius of the cylinder and hemispheres and x is
the length of the cylinder.
10
Limits, Continuity, and Partial Derivatives
Lesson 3
Topics
x Limits of functions of two variables.
x Disks in the plane.
x 7KHIRUPDOGH¿QLWLRQRIOLPLW
x Continuity of functions of two variables.
x Partial derivatives.
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į
x /HWͼx0 , y0ͽEHDSRLQWLQWKHSODQH (x0, y0 )
7KHRSHQGLVNFHQWHUHGDWͼx0 , y0ͽZLWKUDGLXVį is the set of points
^ x, y : x x0
2
y y0 2
`
į .ͼ6HHFigure 3.1ͽ
Figure 3.1
x Let fEHDIXQFWLRQRIWZRYDULDEOHVGH¿QHGH[FHSWSRVVLEO\DWͼx0 , y0ͽRQDQRSHQGLVNFHQWHUHGDW
ͼx0 , y0ͽDQGOHWL be a real number.
Then,
lim f ( x, y ) L
x , y o x0 , y0
if, for every ѓ > 0, there exists į > 0 such that
2 2
f x , y L < ѓ whenever 0 x x0 y y0 < į.
x A function of two variables is continuousDWDSRLQWͼx0, y0ͽLIf ͼx0, y0ͽLVGH¿QHGDQG
lim f ( x , y ) f x0 , y 0 .
x , y o x0 , y0
11