To solve this, it is best to get the idea of how the graph will behave in terms of its height.

Since the height

is the z-value, this means that you have to solve for f (x , y ) for different values of x∧ y , and check
which among the graphs matches the pattern of the heights you have solved.

For simplicity we will choose the following x∧ y values,

This is essentially checking for the heights along the diagonal of each graph as shown by the red line
below:
For 1. f ( x , y )=3 x 2+ y 2, Solving for the z-values (simply plug-in x and y and solve):

Now, that we have the f ( x , y ) across the diagonal of the graph, we have a rough idea of how the height
varies across the red diagonal line.
Based on what we have solved, the graph has should be one with a high height on each corner, with the
lowest being at the middle. This means that when we run a diagonal line across the graph, we should see
the heights going down to the middle (purple to red) and then it goes back up (red to purple).
The graph that matches this description is graph C
For 2. f ( x , y )=3 y−x 2, Solving for the z-values (simply plug-in x and y and solve):

Now, that we have the f ( x , y ) across the diagonal of the graph, we have a rough idea of how the height
varies across the red diagonal line.
Based on what we have solved, the graph has should incline upwards. This means that we should see the
colors in the bottom left corner to be red. And when we run a diagonal line across the graph, we should
see the heights going up to blue
The graph that matches this description is graph A
For 3. f ( x , y )=4−3 x 2− y 2 , Solving for the z-values (simply plug-in x and y and solve):

Now, that we have the f ( x , y ) across the diagonal of the graph, we have a rough idea of how the height
varies across the red diagonal line.
Based on what we have solved, the graph has should be one with a low height on each corner, with the
highest being at the middle. This means that when we run a diagonal line across the graph, we should see
the heights going up to the middle (red to purple) and then it goes back down (purple to red).
There are 2 graphs that matches this description: graph D and graph B.
Let’s check graph D and B by picking another point on the graph and checking whether the height
corresponds to the graphs.
By picking (x,y) = (3,0), we will solve f(x,y) = -23. This means that at point (0,3) in the graph, we should
see a low height (indicated by yellow to red color).
Notice that only graph B satisfies this condition. Hence, we pick graph B

Point (3,0)
For 4. f ( x , y )=x 2−3 y , Solving for the z-values (simply plug-in x and y and solve):

Now, that we have the f ( x , y ) across the diagonal of the graph, we have a rough idea of how the height
varies across the red diagonal line.
Based on what we have solved, the graph has should incline downwards. This means that we should see
the colors in the bottom left corner to be purple. And when we run a diagonal line across the graph, we
should see the heights going up to green.
The graph that matches this description is graph E and graph F.
Let’s pick another point to test for the height and check which graph is correct.
By picking (x,y)=(3,0), we will solve f(x,y)=9. This means that the height at point (3,0) should be the
color blue.
Notice that only graph E satisfies this condition. Hence, we pick graph E

Point (3,0)