MA1104 Handout 2 2016/2017 Semester 2

1 Week 2: Functions of Two Variables, Quadric Surfaces, Limits &

Continuity
1. Definition: A function f of two variables is a rule that assigns to each ordered pair of real numbers
(x, y) in a set D R2 = R R a unique real number denoted by f (x, y). The domain of f is the
set of all pairs of (x, y) such that f (x, y) is a well-defined real number.
2. (1) A level curve of f (x, y) is the two-dimensional graph of the equation f (x, y) = k for some
constant k. (2) Horizontal/Vertical traces: resulting curves when we intersect the surface z =
f (x, y) with horizontal/vertical planes.
3. A contour plot of f (x, y) is a graph of numerous level curves f (x, y) = k for representative values
of k. To sketch the contour plots, we use values of k that are equally spaced.
4. Cylinders: A surface is a cylinder if there is a plane P such that all the planes parallel to P intersect
the surface in the same curve (when viewed in 2-dimension). For example,

Figure 1: Cylinder Example 1: y 2 + z 2 = 1 Figure 2: Cylinder Example 2: z = x2

5. A quadric surface is the graph of a second-degree equation in three variables x, y and z: Ax2 +
By 2 + Cz 2 + Dxy + Eyz + F xz + Gx + Hy + Iz + J = 0 where A, B, J are constants.
6. Excluding cylinders, there are six basic quadric surfaces:
Standard form
Equation (symmetric about z-axis) Horizontal traces Vertical traces
2
x2
a2
+ yb2 = zc Elliptic paraboloid ellipses parabolas
2
x2
a2
yb2 = zc Hyperbolic paraboloid hyperbolas parabolas
2
x2 2
a2
+ yb2 + zc2 = 1 Ellipsoid ellipses ellipses
In the planes x = k and y = k
are hyperbolas if k 6= 0;
x2 y2 z2
a2
+ b2
c2
=0 (Elliptic) cone ellipses if k = 0 is a pair of lines.
x2 y2 z2
a2
+ b2
c2
=1 Hyperboloid of one sheet ellipses hyperbolas
in z = k are ellipses
x2 y2 z2
a2
+ b2
c2
= 1 Hyperboloid of two sheets if k > c or k < c hyperbolas

Table 1: Six basic quadric surfaces (excluding cylinders)

7. Please understand/remember Fig. 1-2 of cylinders and Fig. 38 of other six basic quadric surfaces
as below:

x2 y2 z x2 y2 z
Figure 3: Elliptic paraboloid a2
+ b2
= c Figure 4: Hyperboloic paraboloid a2
b2
= c

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MA1104 Handout 2 2016/2017 Semester 2

x2 y2 z2 x2 y2 z2
Figure 5: Ellipsoid a2
+ b2
+ c2
=1 Figure 6: Elliptic cone a2
+ b2
c2
=0

2 2
x2 2 x2 2
Figure 7: Hyperboloid of one sheet a2
+ yb2 zc2 = 1 Figure 8: Hyperboloid of two sheets a2
+ yb2 zc2 =
1

8. A function f of three variables is a rule that assigns to each orderer triple of real numbers (x, y, z)
in a set D R3 a unique real number denoted by f (x, y, z). A level surface of f (x, y, z) is the
three-dimensional graph of the equation f (x, y, z) = k for some constant k.
9. Definition of Limit: Let f be a function of two variables whose domain D contains points arbitrarily
close to (a, b). We say that the limit of f (x, y) as (x, y) approaches (a, b) is L R, denoted by
lim f (x, y) = L if for any number  > 0 there exists a number > 0 such that |f (x, y)L| < 
(x,y)(a,b)
p
whenever 0 < (x a)2 + (y b)2 < . Note that f is not required to be defined at (a, b).
10. If lim f (x, y) = L, then L is unique and L is independent of the choice of path approaching
(x,y)(a,b)
(a, b).
11. Theorem (How to show limit does not exist). If f (x, y) approaches L1 as (x, y) approaches (a, b)
along a path P1 and f (x, y) approaches L2 as (x, y) approaches (a, b) along a path P2 and L1 6= L2 ,
then lim f (x, y) does NOT exist. Usually we use some paths like x = a, y = b, y = mx (when
(x,y)(a,b)
(a, b) = (0, 0), or other special curves.
12. To show limit exists: (1) we can deduce it from known/simple functions using properties of limits
or continuity; or (2) we can use the Squeeze theorem.
13. Limit Theorems: Suppose f (x, y) and g(x, y) both have limits as (x, y) approaches (a, b). Then
(1) lim (f (x, y) g(x, y)) = lim f (x, y) lim g(x, y);
(x,y)(a,b) (x,y)(a,b) (x,y)(a,b)
  
(2) lim f (x, y)g(x, y) = lim f (x, y) lim g(x, y) ;
(x,y)(a,b) (x,y)(a,b) (x,y)(a,b)
lim f (x,y)
f (x,y) (x,y)(a,b)
(3) lim = provided that lim g(x, y) 6= 0.
(x,y)(a,b) g(x,y) lim
(x,y)(a,b)
g(x,y) (x,y)(a,b)

14. Squeeze Theorem: Suppose (1) |f (x, y)L| g(x, y), (x, y) close to (a, b); and (2) lim g(x, y) =
(x,y)(a,b)
0. Then lim f (x, y) = L.
(x,y)(a,b)

15. Definition of continuity: We say that f is continuous at (a, b) if lim f (x, y) = f (a, b).
(x,y)(a,b)

16. Continuity Theorems: If f (x, y) and g(x, y) are continuous at (a, b), then (1) f g is continuous
at (a, b); (2) f g is continuous at (a, b); (3) fg is continuous at (a, b) provided that g(a, b) 6= 0.
17. Continuity and Composition: Suppose f (x, y) is continuous at (a, b) and g(x) is continuous at
f (a, b). Then h(x, y) = (g f )(x, y) = g(f (x, y)) is continuous at (a, b).