Chapter 13: Problem 14
Sketch the level curve \(f(x, y)=c\). \(f(x, y)=6 x^{2} ; c=6,24\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
Level curves \( x = \pm 1 \) for \( c = 6 \) and \( x = \pm 2 \) for \( c = 24 \).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the function
The given function is a product of the variable squared and its coefficient, specifically, the function is \( f(x, y) = 6x^2 \). This implies that the function depends solely on the variable \( x \), and does not vary with \( y \).
02
Set up equations for level curves
We need to find the level curves for different constant values \( c \). For \( c = 6 \) and \( c = 24 \), we set up the equations \( 6x^2 = 6 \) and \( 6x^2 = 24 \) respectively.
03
Solve the first level curve equation
For the level curve when \( c = 6 \), solve the equation \( 6x^2 = 6 \) to find \( x \).Divide both sides by 6:\[ x^2 = 1 \]Solve for \( x \):\[ x = \pm 1 \].This implies that the level curve for \( c = 6 \) is a pair of vertical lines \( x = 1 \) and \( x = -1 \).
04
Solve the second level curve equation
For the level curve when \( c = 24 \), solve the equation \( 6x^2 = 24 \).Divide both sides by 6:\[ x^2 = 4 \]Solve for \( x \):\[ x = \pm 2 \].Thus, the level curve for \( c = 24 \) is a pair of vertical lines \( x = 2 \) and \( x = -2 \).
05
Sketch the level curves on the coordinate plane
To sketch the level curves:1. Draw the y-axis as a vertical line and the x-axis as a horizontal line.2. Draw vertical lines at \( x = 1 \) and \( x = -1 \) for \( c = 6 \).3. Draw vertical lines at \( x = 2 \) and \( x = -2 \) for \( c = 24 \).4. Since the function \( f(x, y) = 6x^2 \) is independent of \( y \), the level curves are parallel lines unaffected by the value of \( y \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Graphing Level Curves
Level curves are a great way to visualize functions of two variables. They show sets of points where the function takes the same constant value. For the function \( f(x, y) = 6x^2 \), we need to graph level curves for specific values of \( c \). The process starts by setting the function equal to a constant \( c \). Once you solve this equation, the level curves emerge.
- For \( c = 6 \), the equation becomes \( 6x^2 = 6 \). Solving for \( x \), you find \( x = \pm 1 \).
- For \( c = 24 \), the equation is \( 6x^2 = 24 \). Solving gives \( x = \pm 2 \).
Single-Variable Functions
The function in our exercise, \( f(x, y) = 6x^2 \), is an example of how specific calculations often revolve around just one variable, even in two-variable situations. Since there is no \( y \) variable in this function, it is effectively a single-variable function disguised as a two-variable one.
- This type of problem often simplifies complexity, focusing only on one key variable.
- Here, you can directly see that any change in \( y \) does not influence the function's value.
- The function boils down to finding where \( 6x^2 \) equals a constant.
Coordinate Plane Sketching
Sketching level curves on a coordinate plane involves identifying where those curves will lie and how they are positioned relating to the axes. Start with drawing your basic coordinate plane: - The \( x \)-axis is horizontal- The \( y \)-axis is verticalFor our task:
- Mark where \( x = 1 \) and \( x = -1 \) with vertical lines for the level curve with \( c = 6 \).
- Do the same for \( x = 2 \) and \( x = -2 \) for \( c = 24 \).