Domain and range, functions of 2 variables

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding the domain and range of functions of two variables, particularly focusing on specific examples such as \( f(x,y) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{x^2+y^2}} \) and \( f(x,y) = \ln|x-y| \). Participants explore the mathematical definitions and implications of these concepts, including the conditions under which the functions are defined.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty in grasping the domain and range of functions of two variables and seeks tutorials.
  • Another participant proposes a specific function and asks for its domain and range, suggesting that the domain is defined by \( x^2 + y^2 \geq 0 \) and the range extends from negative to positive infinity.
  • Some participants challenge the correctness of earlier claims, indicating that the range is actually discontinuous and questioning the understanding of the domain.
  • A later reply clarifies that the domain should exclude the point (0,0) and suggests that the range does not include zero, prompting further questions about the reasoning behind these assertions.
  • Another participant attempts to define the domain and range using set builder notation and asks for clarification on the conditions for the range.
  • Discussion includes a proposal for a new function \( f(x,y) = \ln|x-y| \) and requests a description of its domain and range, leading to further exploration of the conditions under which these are defined.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the definitions of the domain and range for the functions discussed. There are multiple competing views and corrections regarding the conditions that define these concepts.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the mathematical definitions and implications of the domain and range, particularly regarding the exclusion of certain values and the conditions under which the functions are defined. There are also unresolved questions about the graphical representation of these functions.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students and individuals seeking to understand the concepts of domain and range in the context of functions of two variables, particularly in mathematical or calculus-related studies.

hotcommodity
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I'm having a bit of trouble grasping the domain and range of functions of 2 variables. Does anyone know of any helpful tutorials that will help me get the hang of this concept? Any help appreciated.
 
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[tex]f(x,y)=\frac{1}{\sqrt{x^2+y^2}}[/tex]
what is the domain and range of this function?
 
Last edited:
Its domain is x^2 + y^2 must be greater than or equal to zero, and its range is from minus to plus infinity?...
 
hotcommodity said:
Its domain is x^2 + y^2 must be greater than or equal to zero, and its range is from minus to plus infinity?...

do you know what domain means? you're like 1/3 of the way there. part of your answer is wrong and you didn't answer the question about the domain. but you do have something...

the range is actually discontinuous but again you're close

edit

the domain is actually discontinuous

can the function ever be negative? did you just guess?
 
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ice109 said:
the range is actually discontinuous but again you're close

How is the range of that function discontinuous?
 
d_leet said:
How is the range of that function discontinuous?

bah i meant domain, and i just realized the grievous error he made in the range as well.
 
you've probably confused the hell out of him
 
ice's post kind of inspired me to take the bull by the horns, so I opened up a calc book of mine, different from my class text, and I think I've got a handle on it. The domain would be D = {(x,y)|x^2 + y^2 >0}, and the range would be R = { z | z = f(x,y), x^2 + y^2 >0}. Is that right?
 
hotcommodity said:
ice's post kind of inspired me to take the bull by the horns, so I opened up a calc book of mine, different from my class text, and I think I've got a handle on it. The domain would be D = {(x,y)|x^2 + y^2 >0}, and the range would be R = { z | z = f(x,y), x^2 + y^2 >0}. Is that right?

Yes, but you should probably simplify those. Are you working over the reals or the complex numbers? Oh, of course you are working over the reals -- you used a >.

So for which (x, y) in R^2 is it true that x^2 + y^2 > 0? The strict quadrants, right... [itex]x\neq0\neq y[/itex]. What is the range simplified the same way?
 
  • #10
CRGreathouse said:
Yes, but you should probably simplify those. Are you working over the reals or the complex numbers? Oh, of course you are working over the reals -- you used a >.

So for which (x, y) in R^2 is it true that x^2 + y^2 > 0? The strict quadrants, right... [itex]x\neq0\neq y[/itex]. What is the range simplified the same way?

I'm not quite sure. I know the range is in R^1, and the range is every value that f(x, y) can take on... What are the "strict quadrants?"

Edit: Also, since the function takes an pair (x, y) from R^2, and turns it into R^1, is that what they call a mapping?
 
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  • #11
hotcommodity said:
I'm not quite sure. I know the range is in R^1, and the range is every value that f(x, y) can take on... What are the "strict quadrants?"

Edit: Also, since the function takes an pair (x, y) from R^2, and turns it into R^1, is that what they call a mapping?

yes a function is a mapping. let me do this one for you and then give you another one

the domain for this function is all values for x and all values of except the point (0,0), i think you know why. and the range is [itex](-\infty,0)[/itex] and [itex](0,\infty)[/itex] notice unbounded below and open notation, the parenthesis instead of brackets, and the open and unbounded above, again the parenthesis instead of brackets. do you know why the range doesn't include zero?

try this now

[tex]f(x,y)=ln|x-y|[/tex]

what is the domain and range of this function, describe it in words, set builder notation, and what it would look like on a graph
 
  • #12
ice109 said:
yes a function is a mapping. let me do this one for you and then give you another one

the domain for this function is all values for x and all values of except the point (0,0), i think you know why. and the range is [itex](-\infty,0)[/itex] and [itex](0,\infty)[/itex] notice unbounded below and open notation, the parenthesis instead of brackets, and the open and unbounded above, again the parenthesis instead of brackets. do you know why the range doesn't include zero?

try this now

[tex]f(x,y)=ln|x-y|[/tex]

what is the domain and range of this function, describe it in words, set builder notation, and what it would look like on a graph

First of all I appreciate the help.

A few questions, are you saying that the range of the function does not include zero, or that it does? And shouldn't it be for all z since z = f(x,y) ?

Ok, for [tex]f(x,y)=ln|x-y|[/tex]

The domain of this function is the set of all x and y pairs such that x - y is greater than zero. The range of the function is the set z such that z = f(x,y), and z is greater than zero, and also x and y must fulfill the constraint for the domain. So D = {(x, y) | x > y}, and R = {z | z = f(x, y), x > y}. And graphically, I think it would exist in the first octant, and have a positive slope.
 
  • #13
hotcommodity said:
First of all I appreciate the help.

A few questions, are you saying that the range of the function does not include zero, or that it does? And shouldn't it be for all z since z = f(x,y) ?

Ok, for [tex]f(x,y)=ln|x-y|[/tex]

The domain of this function is the set of all x and y pairs such that x - y is greater than zero. The range of the function is the set z such that z = f(x,y), and z is greater than zero, and also x and y must fulfill the constraint for the domain. So D = {(x, y) | x > y}, and R = {z | z = f(x, y), x > y}. And graphically, I think it would exist in the first octant, and have a positive slope.

yes the range of the first function doesn't contain zero. is the function zero anywhere?

look how i wrote the range of the previous function. it is pointless to write the range implicitly as you have. give me in interval notation. you're essentially saying that the range of the function f(x,y) is all values of f(x,y).

and about the domain graphically you're wrong
 

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