Chapter 14: Problem 29
Sketch the graph of the function. $$f(x, y)=\sqrt{x^{2}+y^{2}}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The graph of \( f(x, y) = \sqrt{x^2 + y^2} \) is a cone with its tip at the origin (0,0,0).
Step by step solution
01
Understand the function
The function given is \( f(x, y) = \sqrt{x^2 + y^2} \). This function takes two variables, \( x \) and \( y \), and computes the square root of the sum of their squares. This is a common expression used to describe the Euclidean distance from the origin (0, 0) to the point (x, y) in a coordinate plane.
02
Identify the Nature of the Graph
The equation \( z = \sqrt{x^2 + y^2} \) represents a three-dimensional surface. This is the formula for the radius of a circle centered at the origin in the xy-plane, but for \( z \), it represents the surface of a cone with its tip at the origin.
03
Analyze the Level Curves
In order to better understand the surface, consider fixing \( z \). When \( z \) is constant (say \( z = c \)), the equation becomes \( c = \sqrt{x^2 + y^2} \) or equivalently \( x^2 + y^2 = c^2 \). These are equations of circles of radius \( c \) centered at the origin in the xy-plane. As \( c \) increases, these circles get larger.
04
Consider the Surface in 3D
Imagine the circles \( x^2 + y^2 = c^2 \) being extruded upward along the z-axis as \( c \) increases, forming an upside-down cone. As both \( x \) and \( y \) increase in value, \( z \) also increases, maintaining the shape of a cone.
05
Draw the Sketch
Draw the graph by sketching a 3D cone. The tip of the cone should be at the origin (0, 0, 0). The cones surface represents the points \( (x, y, z) \) that satisfy \( z = \sqrt{x^2 + y^2} \), expanding outward with increasing z.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Function Graphing
Function graphing involves visualizing mathematical expressions, usually as curves or surfaces, on a set of axes. In multivariable calculus, we often extend this to represent functions with more than one variable. For the function \( f(x, y) = \sqrt{x^2 + y^2} \), this involves a 3D graph. This function is a classic example, converting from a formula in two variables \( x \) and \( y \) into a meaningful visual form.
- When we say 'graph the function,' we're looking to portray the set of points \((x, y, z)\) that satisfy \( z = f(x, y) \).
- The graph in question here is a 3D surface, which is often more intricate than simple 2D graphs.
3D Surfaces
3D surfaces are crucial in multivariable calculus, providing a tangible representation of functions with two inputs. The function \( z = \sqrt{x^2 + y^2} \) forms a cone in three-dimensional space. This means for each point \( (x, y) \), we calculate \( z \) to locate a point on the cone's surface.
- Visualize the xy-plane as a horizontal flat surface.
- The height, \( z \), is directly related to the distance from the origin on the xy-plane.
- This builds a sloping surface which increases continuously as you move further from the center.
Level Curves
Level curves are 2D slices of a 3D surface, showing lines along which the function takes constant values. Fixing \( z \) gives curves like \( x^2 + y^2 = c^2 \), which are circles in this context. Each circle represents a constant height on the cone's surface.
- These circles emerge from the xy-plane horizontally, showing constant values of \( z \).
- As \( z \) increases, the radius of these circles increases, representing larger distances from the origin.
Euclidean Distance
The concept of Euclidean distance is central in this exercise. It gives the straight-line distance between two points in the calculation \( \sqrt{x^2 + y^2} \). This is essentially the function's definition—a measure from the origin \( (0,0) \) to any point \( (x, y) \) on a plane.
- This distance formula helps in understanding why the graph is a cone.
- Every point \( z \) at height represents the distance from the origin to the point \( (x, y) \) on the circle \( x^2 + y^2 = c^2 \).