# Gradients and level curves, getting started with my homework

## Homework Statement

f(x,y)=y-x
iii) compute the level curve that passes through the point (2,1)
iiii) on the xy-plane, sketch the level curve from iii and the gradient vector gradf(2,1) you found in ii. Verify that they meet orthogonally

## The Attempt at a Solution

I was out sick all last week from class so I need a little leg up on what we are doing...

for i) wouldn't this just be <-1,1> ?
and if so, I'm a little confused on ii) which I assumed to be <-1,1> still regardless of what point it was 'evaluated' at.

And then from here I'm not sure how to compute the level curve for this. Am I looking for a vector, equation, scalar? Before this when we talked about level curves in class, we were always given a set of constants to set them equal to.

And as far as iiii) goes, I'm a bit confused what this is supposed to look like since ii) would always be the vector <-1,1>

LCKurtz
Homework Helper
Gold Member

## Homework Statement

f(x,y)=y-x
iii) compute the level curve that passes through the point (2,1)
iiii) on the xy-plane, sketch the level curve from iii and the gradient vector gradf(2,1) you found in ii. Verify that they meet orthogonally

## The Attempt at a Solution

I was out sick all last week from class so I need a little leg up on what we are doing...

for i) wouldn't this just be <-1,1> ?
and if so, I'm a little confused on ii) which I assumed to be <-1,1> still regardless of what point it was 'evaluated' at.

You are correct. In this example the gradient field is constant

And then from here I'm not sure how to compute the level curve for this. Am I looking for a vector, equation, scalar? Before this when we talked about level curves in class, we were always given a set of constants to set them equal to.

The level curves are f(x,y) = C for various constants C. But you are being asked for just one of them. Figure out C for your point and what equation do you get for your single level curve?

And as far as iiii) goes, I'm a bit confused what this is supposed to look like since ii) would always be the vector <-1,1>

So show the vector is perpendicular to the level curve in ii.

Okay, so for iii, setting y-x=c c is -1 when we plug in the given point which gives us the equation y=x-1.

but for part 4, y=x-1 is pretty much the line y=x but shifted 1 down and to the right, and the line I get for part 2 is a straight horizontal line across the plane, which isn't perpedicular to the level curve.

HallsofIvy