1 Chapter 1: Functions of Several Variables

Domain and Range

 Definition
Domain - Set of values D of which a function is defined
Range - Set of values to which D is sent by the function

To find the domain of a function, we must know the values of which the function
is undefined.

 Notation for Domain and Range

For functions of two variables, the general way of writing the domain and range are:
Domain, D = { ( x, y ) : any restriction, if applicable, x  R, y  R }
Range, R = {z: any restriction, if applicable, z  R }

For function of two variables, the domain is the xy-plane (or plane z = 0).

Similarly, the general way of writing the domain and range for functions of three
variables are:
Domain, D = { ( x, y, z ) : any restriction, if applicable, x  R, y  R, z  R }
Range, R = {w: any restriction, if applicable, w  R }

 Some Common Restrictions for Certain Functions

In order to determine the domain and range for functions, particular attention has to
be paid on functions involving square root, reciprocal, trigonometry, logarithm and
exponential function.

The restrictions on the aforementioned functions are listed as follows:

Functions Example Restriction Remarks
Square Root n f , where n  2,4,... f 0 If f  0 , n f will become
(n even number) complex number
Reciprocal 1 f 0 Any number divided by 0
f is undefined
Trigonometry sin( f ) or cos( f ) No f can be any real number
restriction
Logarithm log f or ln f f 0 log/ ln for 0 or negative
number is undefined
Exponent e f No f can be any real number
restriction
2 Chapter 1: Functions of Several Variables

More caution needed whenever to determine the range of logarithm function.

For x  0 , log x or ln x undefined

For 0  x  1 , log x or ln x < 0

For x = 1, log x or ln x = 0

For x  1 , log x or ln x > 0

For any value of x, e x  0

Example 1

Find the domain and range of the function f ( x, y )  25  x 2  y 2 . Next, sketch the
domain.

Solution

The domain of f ( x, y ) is the set of all points that satisfy the inequality:

25  x 2  y 2  0
x 2  y 2  25

 The domain is: D  {( x, y ) | x 2  y 2  25, x  R, y  R}

The range is: R  {z : z  0, z  R}

y

5 Recall that the equation of circle with

radius r and center (h, k ) is

x
-5 5 ( x  h)2  ( y  k )2  r 2

-5
 3 Chapter 1: Functions of Several Variables

Example 2

x  2y
Find the domain and range of the function f ( x, y )  . Next, sketch the domain.
x  2y

Solution

x  2y
Since is defined only for x  2 y  0
x  2y

 The domain is: D  {( x, y ) | x  2 y  0, x  R, y  R}

The range is: R  {z : z  R}

x  2 y

Example 3

Find the domain and range of the function f ( x, y )  ln(1  x 2  y 2 ) . Next, sketch the domain.

Solution

Since ln(1  x 2  y 2 ) is defined only when 1  x 2  y 2  0 ,

 x2  y 2  1

 The domain is: D  {( x, y ) | x 2  y 2  1, x  R, y  R}

The range is: R  {z : z  R}

y
1

x
-1 x2+y2=1 1

-1
 4 Chapter 1: Functions of Several Variables

Example 4

Find the domain and range of the function f ( x, y)  y 2  x . Next, sketch the domain.

Solution

Since f ( x, y)  y 2  x is only defined when y 2  x  0 ,

 y2  x

 The domain is: D  {( x, y) | y 2  x, x  R, y  R}

The range is: R  {z : z  0, z  R}