How to draw graphs and level curves?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around drawing graphs and level curves for functions of three variables, specifically f(x,y,z) = 4x² + y² + 9z² and another function xy + z². Participants are exploring how to visualize these functions in a three-dimensional context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to understand how to represent the functions graphically and what is meant by level curves or surfaces. Questions arise regarding the dimensionality of the graphs and the need for specific values to plot.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights into the nature of the functions and the challenges of visualizing them in four dimensions. There is an ongoing exploration of how to describe the surfaces corresponding to the functions and the implications of drawing them on two-dimensional media.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of needing to clarify the definitions of level curves and the requirements for plotting in higher dimensions. Participants are also considering the implications of representing these functions graphically with limited dimensionality in mind.

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Homework Statement



f(x,y,z) = 4x^2 + y^2 + 9z^2

another one is xy+z^2

how do u draw level curves and graphs for these?

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


Just need somewhere to start

Thanks
 
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Use a computer ;)

But even then you need to work out exactly what you want to plot before you can start. You haven't provided that information: neither of the examples can be plotted with just the information provided.

By "level curve" do you mean "contour"?
In which case you need to decide which direction is "up" and what value to apply to f(x,y,z) - or the function has 4 axes.
 
maybe this will clear things up
 

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sory about flipped
 
OK - you are given ##f:\mathbb{R}^3\rightarrow \mathbb{R}, (x,y,z)\rightarrow f(x,y,z)##

the problem is to "sketch or describe the surfaces in ##\small \mathbb{R}^3## which correspond to the mapping. i.e. f(x,y,z) represent 3D surfaces ... sets of them. You should have, in an earlier part of the same text, examples of various types of 3D surfaces and their equations. Compare. i.e. what is the equation for a 3D ellipsoid?
 
x^2+y^2+z^2=1?
 
how do you exactly describe it?
 
x^2+y^2+z^2=1 would be "a unit radius sphere". That's it's description.

for: f(x,y,z)=x^2+y^2+z^2 ... the surfaces in R^3 would be described as "spheres".
 
  • #10
1LastTry said:

Homework Statement



f(x,y,z) = 4x^2 + y^2 + 9z^2

another one is xy+z^2
The problem with "drawing graphs" for these is that you need three orthogonal axes for the independent variables, x, y, and z, and an axes perpendicular to all of those for the function value, f. That is, you will need a four dimensional graph.

how do u draw level curves and graphs for these?
Level curves will help you reduce a dimension by treating the function value as a constant. That is, the level curves (more correctly "level surfaces") for for f(x,y,z)= 4x^2+ y^2+ 9z^2 will be the three dimensionl graphs 4x^2+ y^2+ 9z^2= C for different values of C. Those will be a number of ellipsoids, of different sizes, one inside the other.

An added problem here is that you will probably want to draw them on paper which is only two-dimensional!

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


Just need somewhere to start

Thanks
 

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