What is a single valued surface and why is it important in mathematics?

[coverband]

What is a "single valued surface"...?

physical explanation would be appreciated...

 

[EnumaElish]

My guess is that a s.v.s. is a single-valued function defined on two coordinates, such as z = f(x,y). For example, z = x + y.

 

[coverband]

whats a single valued function

 

[HallsofIvy]

In terms of real valued functions, all functions are, by definition, "single valued". You normally only see "single valued function" or "single valued (Riemann) surface" in functions of complex numbers. Is that what you are asking about?

 

[arildno]

Hmm..he might mean an orientable surface such that at every point of it, we may uniquely assign the proper "outwards" normal vector.

(The Moebius strip the most famous non-orientable surface)