1

Chapter 1: Functions of Several Variables

Level Curve and Contour Line

Definition The level curves of a function f of two variables are the curves with equations f ( x, y ) k , where k is a constant and within the range of f. The collection of the level curves (set of level curves) is known as the contour lines or contour map. Example 1 For the function f ( x, y ) 9 x 2 y 2 , sketch the level curves f ( x, y ) 0 , f ( x, y ) 1 ,

f ( x, y ) 2 and f ( x, y ) 3 .
Solution For f ( x, y ) 0 , For f ( x, y ) 1 , For f ( x, y ) 2 , For f ( x, y ) 3 ,

9 x2 y2 0 9 x2 y 2 1 9 x2 y2 2 9 x2 y2 3

x2 y 2 9
x2 y 2 8 x2 y 2 5

x2 y 2 0

The level curves of the function are as follow: y

x2 y 2 9
x2 y2 8

x2 y2 5 x2 y2 0
x

Chapter 1: Functions of Several Variables

Example 2 Sketch a contour map and a graph for function f ( x, z ) x 2 9 z 2 . Solution The given function can be rewritten as y x 2 9 z 2 . We know that the graph for this function is a paraboloid. Since the independent variable y does not exist, the surface is parallel to the xz-plane. Let x 2 9 z 2 k . Firstly, we simple select a few values for k in order to sketch the contour map. Let k = 1, x 2 9 z 2 1 (When x 0 , z ;when z 0, x 1 )

1 3

Let k = 4, x 2 9 z 2 4 Let k = 9, x 2 9 z 2 9 Note:

(When x 0 , z

2 ;when z 0, x 2 ) 3

(When x 0 , z 1 ;when z 0, x 3 )

We simple choose the values of k as 1, 4 and 9 so that we can get a whole number or simple fraction for the x- and z-intercepts. Other values of k are acceptable. z z

x2 9z2 9

1 2/3 1/3 1

x2 9z2 1

x 1 4 9

x2 9z2 4
Contour Map

x Graph

Chapter 1: Functions of Several Variables

Example 3 Sketch a few level curves for f ( x, y ) y x. Solution Let

f ( x, y ) y x k yx0

Let k = 0,

yx
Let k = 1,

y x 1 y 1 x

Let k = -1,

y x 1 y x 1

Example 4 Sketch a few level curves for f ( x, y ) Solution Since

y . x2

y is defined only for x 0 , the domain is: D {( x, y ) | x 0, x R, y R} x2

f ( x, y ) y k x2
y

Let

Let k = 1,

y 1, y x 2 x2 y 1, y x 2 2 x y 2, y 2 x 2 2 x y 2, y 2 x 2 x2

Let k = -1,

Let k = 2,

Let k = -2,