Chapter 3: Problem 7
For the functions \(f(x, y)\) : (a) sketch the cross-sections of the graph \(z=\) \(f(x, y)\) with the coordinate planes, (b) sketch several level curves of \(f,\) labeling each with the corresponding value of \(c,\) and (c) sketch the graph of \(f\). $$ f(x, y)=\frac{y}{x^{2}+1} $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
Cross-sections lead to lines along axes; level curves are parabolas. The graph forms a central ridge with fan-like parabolas.
Step by step solution
01
Sketch Cross-Sections with the Coordinate Planes
To find cross-sections of the graph \( z = f(x, y) \) with coordinate planes, we start with: - **Plane \( y = 0 \):** Substitute \( y = 0 \) in the function: \[ z = \frac{0}{x^2 + 1} = 0. \] Hence, the graph on this plane will be the line \( z = 0 \), a flat line on the \( xz \)-plane.- **Plane \( x = 0 \):** Substitute \( x = 0 \) in the function: \[ z = \frac{y}{0^2 + 1} = y. \] This means on the \( yz \)-plane, the graph is the line \( z = y \).- **Plane \( z = 0 \):** Solve \( \frac{y}{x^2 + 1} = 0 \): This implies \( y = 0 \). The graph intersects the \( xy \)-plane along the \( x \)-axis.
02
Sketch Several Level Curves
Level curves occur at constant \( z = c \), so set \( f(x, y) = c \):\[ \frac{y}{x^2 + 1} = c \quad \Rightarrow \quad y = c (x^2 + 1). \]For different values of \( c \), sketch these curves on the \( xy \)-plane:- **For \( c = 0 \):** \( y = 0 \), which is the \( x \)-axis.- **For \( c = 1 \):** \( y = x^2 + 1 \), a parabola opening upward.- **For \( c = -1 \):** \( y = -x^2 - 1 \), a parabola opening downward.Sketch these parabola-like shapes for multiple \( c \) showing the pattern of the level sets.
03
Sketch the Graph of \( f \)
Using the information from previous steps:- The cross-sections on \( y = 0 \) and \( z = 0 \) both lie flat on respective planes.- The level curves in Step 2 influence how the function stretches across the plane; they form a continuous surface.- Note the behavior as \( x \to \pm \infty \), where \( \frac{y}{x^2+1} \to 0 \) for any finite \( y \).A three-dimensional sketch will have a central ridge along the \( yz \) plane from Step 1 and parabolic fans radiating out as described in Step 2.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Cross-sections
Understanding cross-sections is like taking slices out of a 3D object to see its interior structure. In the context of multivariable calculus, a cross-section involves slicing through a surface with a plane, which allows you to see how the surface behaves on this specific plane.
For the function given, the cross-sections with the coordinate planes are calculated by setting one variable to a constant value and analyzing the resulting 2D line or curve.
Here, for:
For the function given, the cross-sections with the coordinate planes are calculated by setting one variable to a constant value and analyzing the resulting 2D line or curve.
Here, for:
- **Plane \(y = 0\):** We substitute \(y = 0\) into \(f(x, y)\), resulting in \(z = \frac{0}{x^2 + 1} = 0\). This means the cross-section in this plane is a flat line on the \(xz\)-plane at \(z = 0\).
- **Plane \(x = 0\):** Substituting \(x = 0\) into the function gives \(z = y\). This forms a straight line on the \(yz\)-plane matching the equation \(z = y\).
- **Plane \(z = 0\):** Solving \(\frac{y}{x^2 + 1} = 0\) for \(y\) leads to \(y = 0\), showing the cross-section in the \(xy\)-plane is also a straight line along the x-axis.
Level curves
Level curves help us visualize a 3D surface within a 2D plane by slicing through the surface at constant height, or constant \(z\)-value, which we denote as \(c\).
To identify these curves for the function \(f(x, y)\), we set equal to \(c\): \[ \frac{y}{x^2 + 1} = c \quad \Rightarrow \quad y = c (x^2 + 1). \]
Here's how the level curves sketch out:
To identify these curves for the function \(f(x, y)\), we set equal to \(c\): \[ \frac{y}{x^2 + 1} = c \quad \Rightarrow \quad y = c (x^2 + 1). \]
Here's how the level curves sketch out:
- **For \(c = 0\):** The equation simplifies to \(y = 0\), translating to the \(x\)-axis in the \(xy\)-plane.
- **For \(c = 1\):** The level curve becomes \(y = x^2 + 1\), which is a parabola opening upwards, starting at \(y = 1\) when \(x = 0\).
- **For \(c = -1\):** Here, the curve flips to \(y = -x^2 - 1\), creating a downward-opening parabola, starting at \(y = -1\) when \(x = 0\).
Graph sketching
Graph sketching in multivariable calculus is about translating formulaic information into a visual format, offering a clearer understanding of the surface behavior of a function. By combining insights from cross-sections and level curves, we can form a comprehensive 3D graph of the function.
The critical steps involve:
The critical steps involve:
- **Using Cross-sections**: Observing that along specific planes, sections of the graph like \(z = 0\) for \(y = 0\) and the line \(z = y\) for \(x = 0\) form defining shapes on their respective planes.
- **Level Curves Influence**: Parabolic shapes outlined by the level curves illustrate how parts of the surface bow upward or downward, indicating rise or fall in the topography of the 3D graph.
- **Tendency as \(x\) approaches \(\pm \infty\)**: The value \(\frac{y}{x^2+1}\) trends towards zero, signaling that surface flattens beyond the central peaks and valleys.