Section 11.

6: Surfaces in Space

1. Cylinders
Let C be a curve in the plane and L a line not in a plane. The set
of all lines parallel to L through C form a cylinder. C is called the
generating curve or directrix and the lines are called rulings.
If the rulings are parallel to one coordinate axis then the generating
curve only contains the other two variables.
Examples: Sketch the cylinders z = y 2 , x2 +z 2 = 4, and y = sin(x).

2. Quadric Surfaces
Ax2 + By 2 + Cz 2 + Dxy + Exz + F yz + Gx + Hy + Iz + J = 0
Six basic types described on the text.

x2 y 2
(a) Ellipsoid: Sketch + + z2 = 1
4 9
(b) Hyperboloid of 2 sheets: 4x2 −3y 2 +12z 2 +12 = 0 can be rewritten
as

y 2 x2
− − z2 = 1
4 3
2 2
y x
• In the xy plane: − = 1 (hyperbola)
4 3
x2
• In the xz plane: − − z 2 = 1 (no trace)
3
x2
• In the y = 4 plane: + z 2 = 3 (ellipse)
3
y2
• In the yz plane: − z 2 = 1 (hyperbola)
4
• Sketch this in 3 space.

3. Mathematica (Available from Behrend WebApps).

4. Maple 11 (Also available from Behrend WebApps).

5. Simply type the equation on google search.

6. Or use Wolfram-Alpha (available on the web and also apps on smart-

phone)

Amos likes to try free CAS software like Maxima, Sage, Mathics, even Yacas.