1 Chapter 1: Functions of Several Variables

Level Curve and Contour Line

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

The collection of the level curves (set of level curves) is known as the contour lines or
contour map.

Example 1

For the function f ( x, y ) 9 x 2 y 2 , sketch the level curves f ( x, y ) 0 , f ( x, y ) 1 ,

f ( x, y ) 2 and f ( x, y ) 3 .

Solution

For f ( x, y ) 0 , 9 x2 y2 0 x2 y 2 9

For f ( x, y ) 1 , 9 x2 y 2 1 x2 y 2 8

For f ( x, y ) 2 , 9 x2 y2 2 x2 y 2 5

For f ( x, y ) 3 , 9 x2 y2 3 x2 y 2 0

The level curves of the function are as follow:

x2 y 2 9

x2 y2 8

x2 y2 5

x2 y2 0
x
 2 Chapter 1: Functions of Several Variables

Example 2

Sketch a contour map and a graph for function f ( x, z ) x 2 9 z 2 .

Solution

The given function can be rewritten as y x 2 9 z 2 . We know that the graph for this function is a
paraboloid.

Since the independent variable y does not exist, the surface is parallel to the xz-plane.

Let x 2 9 z 2 k .

Firstly, we simple select a few values for k in order to sketch the contour map.

1
Let k = 1, x 2 9 z 2 1 (When x 0 , z ;when z 0, x 1 )
3

2
Let k = 4, x 2 9 z 2 4 (When x 0 , z ;when z 0, x 2 )
3

Let k = 9, x 2 9 z 2 9 (When x 0 , z 1 ;when z 0, x 3 )

Note:

We simple choose the values of k as 1, 4 and 9 so that we can get a whole number or simple fraction
for the x- and z-intercepts.

Other values of k are acceptable.

z z

x2 9z2 9
1 x2 9z2 1
2/3
1/3
x y
1 2 3 1 4 9

x2 9z2 4
x
Contour Map Graph
 3 Chapter 1: Functions of Several Variables

Example 3

Sketch a few level curves for f ( x, y ) y x.

Solution

Let f ( x, y ) y x k y

Let k = 0, yx0

yx
x
Let k = 1, y x 1

y 1 x

Let k = -1, y x 1

y x 1

Example 4

y
Sketch a few level curves for f ( x, y ) .
x2

Solution

y
Since is defined only for x 0 , the domain is: D {( x, y ) | x 0, x R, y R}
x2

y
Let f ( x, y ) k y
x2

y
Let k = 1, 1, y x 2
x2

y
Let k = -1, 2
1, y x 2
x x

y
Let k = 2, 2
2, y 2 x 2
x

y
Let k = -2, 2, y 2 x 2
x2