Part 1 PARTIAL DERIVATIVES MAT 295

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Chapter 1
Functions
Of Several
Variables

At the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
- Identify the notation associated with functions of several variables
- Sketch the graph of functions of two variables
- Determine domain and range for functions of several variables
- Determine limits and continuity for functions of several variables

1.1 Introduction
In this chapter the basic concepts of calculus will be extended to functions of
more than one independent variable. Many of the concepts presented are
extensions of familiar ideas from earlier knowledge of function of a single
variable.
1.2 Function of Several Variables
The surface area of a right circular cylinder is given by
. 2 2 ) , (
2
rh r h r S S t + t = = Hence, it can be stated that the variable S depends
on two independent variables r and h. This is an example of a function of two
variables. There are many functions in which a given variable depends on two
variables. For example, if Z is defined as
2
2 y x Z + = , then Z depends on
Part 1 PARTIAL DERIVATIVES MAT 295

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two variables x and y . Thus, we say that Z is a function of the two variables x
and y and can be represented by ) , ( y x Z . x and y are called the independent
variables and z is called the dependent variable. For the function given
by ) , , ( z y x f w = , where x, y and z are the independent variables, w is called
the dependent variable representing function of three variables.
Hence, a variable quantity z is called a single-valued function of the two
variables x, y, if there corresponds to each set of their values (x, y) in a given
range a unique value of z. The variables x and y are called arguments or
independent variables. The functional relation is denoted by
) , ( y x f z =
We define functions of three or more arguments in a similar manner.
Definition
A function f of two variables, is a rule that assigns to each ordered pair of real
numbers ) , ( y x in a set D a unique real number denoted by ) , ( y x f . The set
D is the domain of f and its range is the set of values that f takes on.




Figure 1.1

Definition
A function f of three variables, defined on the domain D in the xyz-space, is a
rule f that associated with each point (x, y, z) in D a unique real number,
denoted by w = f(x, y, z).




Figure 1.2

This defines a real valued function of two or three real variables.

) , ( y x f z =
f
y
x
) , , ( z y x f w =
w
y
x
z
domain range
domain range
Part 1 PARTIAL DERIVATIVES MAT 295

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Example 1
Express the volume of a cone V as a function of its slant height and its
base radius r.



We know from geometry that the volume of a cone is given by
h r V
2
3
1
t =
where h is the height of the cone. Since
2
r h = , the required
functional relation is

2 2 2
3
1
r r V t =




Figure 1.3
The value of the function ) , ( r f V = at a point ) , ( b a P i.e., when a = and
r = b, is denoted by ) , ( b a f or ) (P f . Generally speaking, the geometric
representations of a function like ) , ( r f z = in a rectangular co-ordinate
system X, Y, Z is a surface (Figure 1.4).






Figure 1.4


Solution
h
r

x
X
Y
Z z=f( ,r)
M
P( ,r)
0
Part 1 PARTIAL DERIVATIVES MAT 295

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Example 2
Find f(2, -3) and |
.
|

\
|
x
y
f , 1 if
xy
y x
y x f
2
) , (
2 2
+
= .



Substituting 2 = x and 3 = y , we find

12
13
) 3 )( 2 ( 2
) 3 ( 2
) 3 , 2 (
2 2

+
= f

Setting 1 = x and replacing y by
x
y
, we find

xy
y x
x
y
x
y
x
y
f
2
) 1 ( 2
1
, 1
2 2
2
+
=
|
.
|

\
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
= |
.
|

\
|

i.e., ) , ( , 1 y x f
x
y
f = |
.
|

\
|
.

Example 3
The volume of a cylindrical tank with radius r and height h is given by the
formula h r h r f V
2
) , ( t = = . Find the volume of a tank with radius 6 meter
and height 20 meter.



( ) ( )
3
2
2
95 . 2261
720
20 6
m
h r V
~
t =
t =
t =

Solution
Solution
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The Cobb-Douglas production function is given by

25 . 0 75 . 0
01 . 1 ) , ( K L K L P =
where L and K represent the amount of labor and capital respectively.

(i) Identify the independent and dependent variables.
(ii) Express the amount of capital in term of production and amount
of labor.
(iii) Determine the production when L = 25 and K = 375,000.


1.3 Graph of functions of two variables
The graph of a function, f, of two variables, is the set of all points ) , , ( z y x in
space which satisfy the equation ) , ( y x f z = . It can be graphed by using
(i) traces and
(ii) level curves.


Definition
If f is a function of two variables with domain D, then the graph of f is the set
of all points ) , , ( z y x in
3
9 such that ) , ( y x f z = and ) , ( y x is in D.


Example 4
Graph the point (2, 3, 5).





Warm up exercise
Part 1 PARTIAL DERIVATIVES MAT 295

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Figure 1.5
Example 5
Graph x = 3 in 9,
2
9 and
3
9 .



Graph of x = 3 in 9

Figure 1.6
Graph of x = 3 in
2
9

Figure 1.7
Graph of x = 3 in
3
9

Figure 1.8
Solution
Solution
2
3
5
(2,3,5)
x
y
z
Part 1 PARTIAL DERIVATIVES MAT 295

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Example 6
Sketch the graph of 3 2 = x y in
2
9 and
3
9



The graph in
2
9

Figure 1.9

The graph in
3
9

Figure 1.10

Example 7
Graph the plane given by y x y x f 4 3 12 ) , ( =



Rewrite y x y x f 4 3 12 ) , ( =
as
y x z 4 3 12 = or 12 4 3 = + + z y x
Next find the intersection points with the three main coordinate axes. This
can be determined by letting two of the coordinates to be zero.
When 0 y x = = then 12 z =
When 0 z x = = then 3 y =
When 0 z y = = then 4 x =
Solution
Solution
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Hence, the intersection points are
x axis : (4, 0, 0)
y axis : (0, 3, 0)
z axis : (0, 0, 12)
The graph y 4 x 3 12 ) y , x ( f = is as shown in Figure 1.11.








Figure 1.11
The trace of the surface in the plane k z = can be determined by
substituting k z = in the equation ) , ( y x f z = .

Example 8
Sketch the graph of 4
2 2
= + y x in
2
9 and
3
9 .



The graph in
2
9

Figure 1.12
The graph in
3
9

Figure 1.13
Solution
4
3
12

x
y
z
Part 1 PARTIAL DERIVATIVES MAT 295

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Example 9
Sketch the traces of
2 2
4 10 ) , ( y x y x f = for the plane x = 1 and y = 2.



x =1:
2 2
6 4 10 ) , 1 ( y z y y f z = = =

Figure 1.14
y = 2:
2 2
4 6 4 4 10 ) 2 , ( x z x x f z = = =


Figure 1.15

Example 10
Sketch the graph of
2 2
16 ) , ( y x y x f = .



Rewrite
2 2
16 ) , ( y x y x f =
as

2 2
16 y x z = or 16
2 2 2
= + + z y x
Next find the intersection points with the three main coordinate axes. This
can be determined by letting two of the coordinates to be zero.
When 0 = = y x then 4 = z
When 0 = = z x then 4 = y
When 0 = = z y then 4 = x
Solution
Solution
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Hence, the intersection points are
x axis : (-4, 0, 0) and (4, 0, 0)
y axis : (0, -4, 0) and (0, 4, 0)
z axis : (0, 0, -4) and (0, 0, 4)
This is an equation of the sphere with center at the origin and radius 4. But,
since 0 z > , the graph is just the top half of the sphere.

Another way to visualize a function of two variables is to use level curves.
Level curves (contour lines) in two dimensions are used to represent a three
dimensional surface given by the function ) , ( y x f z = .

Definition
The level curves of a function f of two variables are the curves with equations
k y x f = ) , ( , where k is a constant (in the range of f).









Example 11
Sketch the level curves of the function y x y x f 2 3 6 ) , ( = for the values
k = -6, 0, 6, 12.



The level curves are
k y x = 2 3 6 or ( ) 0 6 2 3 = + + k y x
a) Fix a value for z.
k = -6 : 0 12 2 3 = + y x
k = 0 : 0 6 2 3 = + y x
k = 6 : 0 2 3 = + y x
k = 12 : 0 6 2 3 = + + y x

Solution
Steps : Level curves

- Fix a value for z ( k z = )
- Sketch the curve in two dimensions given by the
equation ) , ( y x f k =
- Repeat the process for other values of z.
Part 1 PARTIAL DERIVATIVES MAT 295

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b) Sketch the curve in two dimensions given by the equation







Figure 1.16








Figure 1.17


Example 12
Sketch the level curves of the function

2 2
9 ) , ( y x y x g = for k = 0, 1, 2, 3



The level curves are
k y x =
2 2
9 or
2 2 2
9 k y x = +
This is a family of concentric circles with center (0, 0) and radius
2
9 k
a) Fix a value for z.
k = 0 : 9
2 2
= + y x
k = 1 : 8
2 2
= + y x
k = 2 : 5
2 2
= + y x
k = 3 : 0
2 2
= + y x
Solution
2
3
6

x
y
z
k=1
2
k=6 k=0 k=-6
y
x
0
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b) Sketch the curve in two dimensions given by the equation









Figure 1.18

Functions of the form ) , , ( z y x f w = cant be graphed because their graphs
would require four dimensions.



Sketch the graph of the function.
(i) 4 ) , ( = y x f (iv) 4 2 ) , ( + = y x y x f
(ii) 4 ) , ( = y y x f (v)
2
2
4
9 ) , ( y
x
y x g =
(iii) y x y x f + = 2 ) , ( (vi)
2
2
4
9 ) , ( y
x
y x g =


1.4 Domains and Range of Functions of Several
Variables
A function of two variables is just a function whose domain is a subset of
2
9 and whose range is a subset of 9. As with functions of one variable, the
most common way to describe a function of several variables is with an
equation, and unless stated otherwise, the domain of a function of two or
three variables defined by a formula is the largest set of points in
2
9 or
3
9
for which the formula makes sense.
k=0
k=1
k=2
k=3
y
x
0
(3,0)
Warm up exercise
Part 1 PARTIAL DERIVATIVES MAT 295

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Definition
The domain of definition of a function ) , ( y x f z = a set of points ) , ( y x in an
xy-plane in which the given function z (or f) is defined (i.e., in which it takes on
definite real values).

In the simplest cases, the domain is the set of all possible inputs (x, y values)
to function ) , ( y x f z = . Similarly, for a function of three variables ) , , ( z y x f w = ,
the domain is a volume in xyz-space.

Definition
The range of a function of two or three variables is the set of real number
outputs.

Hence, the range is the set of all outputs (z values) that results when x, y
varies over the domain. The following examples will illustrate how to
determine the domain for polynomial, rational functions, functions involving
radicals and logarithmic functions.


Example 13
Find the domain and range of the function
2 2
3 2 ) , ( y x y x f + = .



Domain:

2 2
3 2 ) , ( y x y x f + = is a polynomial.
Hence, the domain is all real numbers.
Notation: { } 9 9 e = x y x y x D ) , ( : ) , (

Range:
Since
2
x and
2
y always give positive values (the least is zero) then
) , ( y x f or z will results in zero or a positive real number.
Notation: { } 9 e = ) , ( : ) , ( y x f y x f R


Solution
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Example 14
Find the domain and range of the function

y x
x
y x f
5 2
3
) , (

=



Domain:
0 5 2 = y x for the function ) , ( y x f to be defined. Then

y x
y x
y x
2
5
5 2
0 5 2
=
=
=

Therefore, ) , ( y x f is defined for all real numbers except when y x
2
5
= or
x y
5
2
= .
Notation:
)
`

= 9 9 e = y x x y x y x D
2
5
, ) , ( : ) , (
Range:
Notation: { } 9 e = ) , ( : ) , ( y x f y x f R

Example 15
Find the domain and range of the function

2 2
16 ) , ( y x y x f = .



Domain:
For the domain to be defined, the value of
2 2
16 y x cannot be
negative.
16 16
0 16
2 2 2 2
2 2
s + + >
>
y x or y x
y x

Solution
Solution
Part 1 PARTIAL DERIVATIVES MAT 295

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The domain of f is a circle of radius 4, located at origin and includes all the
edges.






Figure 1.19

Notation: { } 16 , ) , ( : ) , (
2 2
s + 9 9 e = y x x y x y x D

Range:
The value of ) , ( y x f can either be zero or a value greater than zero.
Notation: { } 0 ) , ( , ) , ( : ) , ( > 9 e = y x f y x f y x f R


Example 16
Find the domain and range of the function

2 2
16
1
y x
z

= .



The function has real values if
0 16
2 2
> y x or 16
2 2
< + y x



Figure 1.20
Solution
x
O
4 -4
y
x
O
4 -4
y
Part 1 PARTIAL DERIVATIVES MAT 295

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The last inequality is satisfied by the co-ordinates of points lying inside a
circle of radius 4 with centre at the origin. The domain of definition of the
function is the interior of the circle (Figure 1.20).
Domain: { } 16 , ) , ( : ) , (
2 2
< + 9 9 e = y x x y x y x D
Range : { } 0 ) , ( , ) , ( : ) , ( > 9 e = y x f y x f y x f R

Example 17
Find the domains and range of the following function.

1
1
) , (

+ +
=
x
y x
y x f



The expression for f makes sense if the denominator is not 0 and the
quantity under the square root sign is nonnegative.
Domain: { } 1 , 0 1 , ) , ( : ) , ( = > + + 9 9 e = x y x x y x y x D
Range: { } 9 e = ) , ( : ) , ( y x f y x f R

The inequality 0 1> + + y x or 1 > x y , describes the points that lie on
or above the line 1 = x y , while 1 = x means that the points on the line
x = 1 must be excluded from the domain (Figure 1.21)


Figure 1.21

x=1
x
-1
0
-1
Solution
y
x+y+1=0
Part 1 PARTIAL DERIVATIVES MAT 295

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Find the domain and range of the function.
(i) 4 ) , ( = y x f (iv) 4 2 ) , ( + = y x y x f
(ii) 4 ) , ( = y y x f (v)
2
2
4
9 ) , ( y
x
y x g =
(iii) y x y x f + = 2 ) , ( (vi)
2
2
4
9 ) , ( y
x
y x g =


1.5 Limits and continuity
Definition
Let f be a function of two variables whose domain D includes points arbitrarily
close to (a, b). Then we say that the limit of ) , ( y x f as ) , ( y x approaches
) , ( b a is L and we write
L y x f
b a y x
=

) , ( lim
) , ( ) , (

if for every number 0 > there is a corresponding number 0 > o such that
< L y x f ) , ( whenever D y x e ) , ( and ( ) ( ) o < + < =
2 2
0 b y a x r
Other notations for the limit are
L y x f
b y
a x
=

) , ( lim and L y x f ) , ( as ) , ( ) , ( b a y x

Example 18
Show that a x
b a y x
=
) , ( ) , (
lim .



Let x y x f = ) , ( and a L = . We need to show that for each 0 > , there
exists a od neighborho o about (a, b) such that
Solution
Warm up exercise
Part 1 PARTIAL DERIVATIVES MAT 295

18

< = a x L y x f ) , (
whenever ) b , a ( ) y , x ( = lies in the neighborhood. First, observe that from
( ) ( ) o < + < =
2 2
0 b y a x r
it follows that
( )
( ) ( )
o <
+ s
=
=
2 2
2
) , (
b y a x
a x
a x a y x f

So we can choose = o , and the limit is verified.

Definition
A function f of two variables is called continuous at ) , ( b a if
) , ( ) , ( lim
) , ( ) , (
b a f y x f
b a y x
=

We say f is continuous on D if f is continuous at every point ) , ( b a in D.
The intuitive meaning of continuity is that if the point ) , ( y x changes by a
small amount, then the value of ) , ( y x f changes by a small amount. This
means that a surface that is the graph of a continuous function has no hole or
no break.
A function which is continuous at all points of a given range is said to be
continuous over this range.
A function ) , ( y x f may cease to be continuous either at separate points
(isolated points of discontinuity) or at points which form one or several lines
(lines of discontinuity) or at times more complex geometric objects.

Example 19
Find the discontinuities of the function
y x
xy
z

+
=
2
1
.

Part 1 PARTIAL DERIVATIVES MAT 295

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The function is undefined if 0
2
= y x . Therefore, z is discontinuous when
2
x y = (equation of a parabola).

Example 20
Where is the function
2 2
2 2
) , (
y x
y x
y x f
+

= continuous?



) , ( y x f is undefined at (0,0). Hence, the function is discontinuous at (0, 0).
Observe that ) , ( y x f is a rational function, it is continuous on its domain,
which is the set { } ) 0 , 0 ( ) , ( , ) , ( : ) , ( = 9 9 e = y x x y x y x D .


Example 21
Discuss the continuity of
a)
) 0 , 0 ( ) , (
) 0 , 0 ( ) , (
0
) , ( 2 2
2 2
=
=

=
y x if
y x if
y x
y x
y x g
b)
) 0 , 0 ( ) , (
) 0 , 0 ( ) , (
0
5
) , ( 2 2
2
=
=

+
=
y x if
y x if
y x
y x
y x f



a) ) , ( y x g is defined at (0,0) but g is still discontinuous at 0 since
2 2
2 2
) 0 , 0 ( ) , (
lim
y x
y x
y x
+

does not exist (Refer Ex. 20).

Solution
Solution
Solution
Part 1 PARTIAL DERIVATIVES MAT 295

20

b) ) , ( y x f is continuous for ) 0 , 0 ( ) , ( = y x since it is defined on its domain
and the limit also exist. At (0,0) the function is defined and the limit also
exists .
) 0 , 0 ( 0
5
lim ) , ( lim
2 2
2
) 0 , 0 ( ) , ( ) 0 , 0 ( ) , (
f
y x
y x
y x f
y x y x
= =
+
=

.
Therefore, f is continuous at (0,0), and so it is continuous on
2
9 .




Find the limit, if it exists.
(i)
2 2
) 2 , 2 ( ) , (
lim y x
y x
+

(iii)
2 2
2
) 0 , 0 ( ) , (
lim
y x
x
y x
+

Exercise 1

1. Let
2
7 ) , ( y x y x f + = . Evaluate f(0,0), f(0,1) and f(1,0) and f(2,5). Sketch these
points in the Cartesian coordinate system. Sketch the graph of the function.
2. Let ) 1 ln( ) , ( + = y x y x f .Evaluate f(1,1) and f(e,1).
3. Determine the domain and range of f.
a) y y x f = ) , ( e)
) 2 (
) , (
v u
uv
v u f

=
b) y x y x f = 9 ) , ( f) ( )
2 2 2
25 , , r q p r q p f =
c) ) ( 9 ) , (
2 2
y x y x f + = g) x y x f 2 cos ) , ( =
d) ) ( 9 ) , (
2 2
y x y x f + = h)
x
e y x f
2
) , ( =

4. If
2 2 2
) , , ( y x t y x t Z + + = , tabulate the values of t, x, y, Z. Which values are in the
set of domain of Z and which values are in the set of range of Z?

Warm up exercise
Part 1 PARTIAL DERIVATIVES MAT 295

21

t x y Z
0 0 0
0 0 1
0 1 0
0 0 1
1 1 1
1 2 1
2 2 9
2 2 12
3 2 13
3 2 14
5 1 30

5. Sketch the graph of the given function.
a) y y x f = ) , ( e) ) ( 9 ) , (
2 2
y x y x f + =
b) y x y x f = 9 ) , ( f)
x
e y x f
2
) , ( =
c) ) ( 9 ) , (
2 2
y x y x f + = g) x y x f 2 cos ) , ( =

6. Find the point(s) of discontinuity of the functions.
a)
2
1
) x y (
) y , x ( f

= b) ) y x ( ln ) y , x ( f 1 + + =