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Definition
A function of two variables is a rule that assigns to each ordered pair of real numbers
( x, y ) in a set D a unique real number denoted by f ( x, y ) , in which it can be
represented in the form of:
f : ( x, y ) z f ( x, y )
where
Set D is the domain of f
The corresponding set of values that f takes on is the range of f
x and y are the independent variables
z is the dependent variable
Similar definition can be extended to functions of three, four or n variables, where the
domain consist of ordered triples ( x1, x2 , x3 ) , quadruples ( x1, x2 , x3 , x4 ) and n-tuples
( x1, x2 ,..., xn ) , respectively.
For example:
Function Notation Example
One variable y f ( x) y 2 x2
Two variables z f ( x, y) z x y
Three variables w f ( x, y, z ) w xy z 2
Four variables u f (w, x, y, z ) u xyzw
However, the scope of this course is limited to the discussion of functions of two and
three variables only.
(a1,b1)
x z
D (a ,b ) f(a1,b1) f(a2,b2)
2 2
f
2 Chapter 1: Functions of Several Variables
20
10
z=f(x,y)
-10
-20
30
20 25
20
15
10 10
5
y 0 0
x
1
z=f(x,y)
-1
-2
60
40 50
40
30
20 20
10
y 0 0
x
3 Chapter 1: Functions of Several Variables
For example, evaluating the function f ( x, y ) 2 x 2 y 2 for (1,1), (2,3) and (5,y), we
have:
f (1,1) 2(1)2 (1)2 3
f (2,3) 2(2)2 (3)2 17
f (5, y ) 2(5)2 ( y )2 50 y 2