UNIT 4.

Functions of Several
Variables
 Introduction

In real life we deal with things that have more

than one point.
Examples:

1. Rice yield is a factor of the quality of the

seed,the amount of rainfall, the amount
of sunlight, the quality of fertilizer, etc.
 Introduction
2. For our own happiness: it is a function of
how much money we have, our number
of friends, our grades in the courses we
are taking, etc.

Thus, the study of functions of multiple

variables is essential in the modern world.
 The Three-Dimensional Space

The set of all ordered triples is called as the

3
three-dimensional space, denoted by .

Each ordered triple  x, y, z  is called a

point in the three-dimensional space.
The Three-Dimensional Space
z  axis
y  axis

x  axis
 Example 4.1.1

Locate the following points on the three-

dimensional space.
P  2,3, 4  Q  3, 2,1 R  5, 4, 3 
 z
P2 ,3 ,4  5

Q 3 ,2 ,1 4 y

3
R5 ,4 ,3 
5
4
2 3
1 2
1
x
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5
-2 -1
-3
-4 -2
-5 -3
-4
-5
Activity 4.1.1
 Example 4.1.2
Consider the function defined by g  x, y   100 x 2  25 y 2 .
 Example 4.1.2
Evaluate the following:
1. g  0, 0 
2. g  0, 1
3. g 1, 0 
Solution:
1. g  0, 0   100  0   25  0   0
2 2

2. g  0, 1  100  0   25  1  25

2 2

3. g 1, 0   100 1  25  0   100

2 2
 Example 4.1.2

What is the domain of g ?

Since there are no values for x and y
that will make g undefined, then Dg  2
 Example 4.1.3
x2  y 2
Consider the function defined by f  x, y   3 .
x y 3
 Example 4.1.3
Find the following:
1. f 1,1
2. f 1, 0 
3. f  0, 2 
4. f  0, 0 
5.Domain of f
 Example 4.1.3
Solution:
1  1
2 2
0
1. f 1,1  3  0
1  1
3
2

1   0 
2 2
1
2. f 1, 0   3  1
1   0 
3
1

 0   2
2 2
4 1
3. f  0, 2    
 0   2
3 3
8 2
 Example 4.1.3
Solution:
 0   0
2 2

4. f  0, 0  
 0   0
3 3

is undefined since the denominator is 0.

5. Since f is a rational function and cannot

have 0 as the denominator, then
D f   x, y  / x  y  0 .
3 3
 Example 4.1.4
Consider the function defined by h  x, y   log  x  y 
 Example 4.1.4
Find the following:
1. h  2,1
2. h  1, 11
3. h  0,1
4. h  0, 0 
5.Domain of h
 Example 4.1.4
Solution:

1. h  2,1  log  2  1  log 1  0

2. h  1, 11  log  1   11   log 10   1

3. h  0,1  log  0  1
is undefined since this will make the
argument negative.
 Example 4.1.4
Solution:
4. h  0, 0   log  0  0 
is undefined since this will make the
argument zero.

5. Since the argument of a logarithmic function

should be greater than 0, then
Dh   x, y  / x  y  0   x, y  / x  y.
 Example 4.1.5
Consider the function defined by s  x, y, z   sin  x  y  2 z  .
Find the following:
1. s  0, 0, 0   sin  0  0  2  0    sin  0   0
     
2. s   , 2 ,   sin    2  2     sin  4   0
 2   2 
       9  2
3. s  2 , , 0   sin  2   2  0    sin  
 4   4   4  2
4. Domain of s.Since there are no values for x, y, and z
that will make s undefined then Ds  3
 Example 4.1.6
Consider the function defined by t  x, y, z   e x  yz .
Find the following:
1. t  0, 0, 0   e0 0  1
2. t  2, 4,3  e
2  4 3
 e 212  e14  1, 202, 604.284
3. t  0, 2, 2   e
0  2 2 
 e 4  54.598
4. Domain of t.Since there are no values for x, y, and z
that will make t undefined then Dt  3
Graphs of Functions of Two Variables

The graph of the function of f of two variables

is the set of all points  x, y, z  for which
 x, y   D f and z  f  x, y  . The graph of
the function f representsa plane, cylinder
3
or surface in .
 Example 4.1.7
Below is the graph of the function defined by f  x, y   2.

The graph of the example above is called a plane.

 Example 4.1.8
Below is the graph of the function defined by f  x, y   ln x.

The graph of the example above is called a cylinder.

 Example 4.1.9
Below is the graph of the function defined by f  x, y   sin x.

The graph of the example above is called a cylinder.

 Example 4.1.10
Below is the graph of the function defined by f  x, y   x 2  y 2 .

The graph of the example above is called a surface.

 Example 4.1.11
Below is the graph of the function defined by f  x, y   x 2  y 2 .

The graph of the example above is called a surface.

END