Visualizing a strange quadric surface

In summary, the quadric surface x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = z can be simplified and visualized as a sphere centered at 0, 0, 1/2 with a radius of 1/2. This is found by bringing z to the left hand side, completing the square, and simplifying the equation to (z-1/2)^2 = 1/4.
  • #1
Woland
18
0
Hi all,

I am trying to visualize the following quadric surface:
x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = z

Could someone please help me understand what this surface looks like? I could not find an example of this one on the internet.

Thank you.
 
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  • #2
Do some algebra to simplify it. (e.g. things like collecting similar terms, completing the square, factoring, change of variable, etc)
 
  • #3
Consider what the surface
(x-a)^2 + (y-b)^2 + (z-c)^2 = d

looks like
 
  • #4
(x-a)^2 + (y-b)^2 + (z-c)^2 = d is a sphere centered at a, b, c with radius square root of d.

Now regarding the first post, I can bring the z over to the left hand side:

x^2 + y^2 + z^2 - z = 0

Then complete the square

x^2 + y^2 + (z - 1/2)^2 -1/4 = 0
[(z - 1/2)^2 = z^2 - 2*1/2 z + 1/4]

Then

x^2 + y^2 + (z-1/2)^2 = 1/4

This means that this is a sphere centered at 0,0, 1/2. Is that correct?
 
  • #5
This means that this is a sphere centered at 0,0, 1/2. Is that correct?

Yes and the radius is 1/2.
 

1. What is a quadric surface?

A quadric surface is a type of 3-dimensional surface that is defined by a quadratic equation. It is a curved surface that can have many different shapes, such as a cylinder, cone, or sphere. These surfaces are often used in mathematics, physics, and engineering to model real-world objects.

2. How can we visualize a quadric surface?

There are several ways to visualize a quadric surface. One method is to use a computer program to plot the surface in 3D space. Another method is to create a physical model of the surface using materials such as clay or paper. You can also use mathematical equations to describe the surface and generate a 2D representation of it.

3. What are some real-life examples of quadric surfaces?

Quadric surfaces can be found in many objects around us. For example, a cylinder is a type of quadric surface that can be seen in everyday objects such as cans and pipes. A cone is another type of quadric surface that can be found in traffic cones and ice cream cones. Spheres are also quadric surfaces and can be seen in objects like basketballs and planets.

4. What are the uses of quadric surfaces in science?

Quadric surfaces have many practical applications in science. They are used to model objects and phenomena in physics, such as electric and magnetic fields. In engineering, quadric surfaces are used to design and analyze structures and machines. They are also used in computer graphics to create 3D images and animations.

5. How do quadric surfaces relate to other mathematical concepts?

Quadric surfaces are closely related to other mathematical concepts such as conic sections and coordinate geometry. In fact, conic sections are a subset of quadric surfaces. Additionally, quadric surfaces can be described using equations involving coordinates, which is a fundamental concept in geometry and algebra.

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