Troubleshooting Level Curves: Tips for Sketching and Graphing

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around sketching level curves for the function f(x,y) = x^2 + 2y^2. Participants express difficulties in graphing and understanding the concept of level curves, particularly due to technical limitations with software tools.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the nature of level curves as two-dimensional representations of a three-dimensional surface. Questions are raised about how to select values for z and what the resulting graphs would look like for different z values.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered guidance on how to approach the problem by suggesting specific values for z and discussing the implications of the function's structure. There is an exploration of different interpretations of the function and its graphical representation, but no consensus has been reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention constraints related to software limitations and express frustration with their inability to graph the function effectively. The discussion includes assumptions about the nature of the function and the characteristics of its level curves.

ezdn
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im having trouble with sketching a level curve

ex. equation: f(x,y) = x^2 + 2y^2

i can't run it .. (edit: sorry, -cant run it by matlab) .. :(

cant solve can't graph can't all ... in short, can't any attempt at a solution :(((
thank for your help ..
 
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ezdn said:
1. I am having trouble with sketching a level curve



2. ex. equation: f(x,y) = x^2 + 2y^2

i can't run it :(




3. can't any attempt at a solution :(((
What do you mean you can't "run it?"

Level curves are two-dimensional slices of a surface in three dimensions. Pick several values for z and sketch graphs of the resulting curves.

For example, if z = 0, what's the graph of the equation x^2 + 2y^2 = 0 look like?
If z = 1, what's the graph of the equation x^2 + 2y^2 = 1 look like?
If z = -1, what's the graph of the equation x^2 + 2y^2 = -1 look like?

And so on...
 
ezdn said:
im having trouble with sketching a level curve

ex. equation: f(x,y) = x^2 + 2y^2

i can't run it :( can't solve can't graph can't all ... in short, can't any attempt at a solution :(((






thank for your help ..



When I had to sketch level curves, my teacher showed me a nice and easy to understand method:
Your equation is f(x,y) = x^2 + 2y^2 . Write it as z = x^2+2y^2
which could also be re-written as z=(x^2/1)+(y^2/1/2)

Now that you have a clearer idea of what this could represent : if z=k a constant then for a certain z you have an ellipse of k=(x^2/1)+(y^2/1/2)
Sketch it for some values and then connect the elements together. Since z can't be negative (x and y are both squared) it will be something like a parabola going up in the z-dir. So I guess it is a paraboloid, where each "slice" taken in z=k plane is an ellipse given by k=(x^2/1)+(y^2/1/2).
 
thank you for your attention :)
 

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