10.

1 - Functions of Two or More Independent Variables

y  f (x )  1 independent variable (x), 1 dependent variable (y)

Domain: set of all possible x-values (input)

Range: set of all possible y-values (output)

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z  f ( x, y )  2 independent variables (x and y), 1 dependent variable (z)

Domain: ordered pairs ( x, y )

Range: z  f ( x, y )

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Generalize to functions whose domain is made up of ordered n-tuples ( x1 , x 2 , ... , x n ) and range
f ( x1 , x 2 , ... , xn ).

EX: (#7) Evaluate f ( x, y )  2 x  3 y 2 at (- 1, 2).

EX: (#14) Find the largest domain for f ( x, y )  9  x2  y 2 .

Surfaces: Read p. 506-507 concerning surfaces and the figures 10.7, 10.8, 10.9 and 10.10.
Level curves and Contour lines

- level curves are drawn in the function domain

- contour lines are drawn on the surface of the graph

Definition: Suppose that f : D   and D   2 . Then the level curves of f comprise the set of all
points ( x, y ) in the x-y plane such that f is constant. ( f ( x, y )  c )

(Note: To get good information from the graphs of level curves, choose equidistant values for c.)

Back to #14: Determine the equation of the level curves f ( x, y )  c together with possible values of c.