1 Chapter 1: Functions of Several Variables

Function of Two Variables

 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.
However, the scope of this course is limited to the discussion of functions of two and three
variables only.

 Mapping of a Function of Two Variables

y
f

(a1,b1)
x z
D (a ,b ) f(a1,b1) f(a2,b2)
2 2

 Graph of a Function of Two Variables

The graph of a function of two variables f is the set of all points ( x, y, z )  3
such that
z  f ( x, y ) , and ( x, y ) is in domain D.
2 Chapter 1: Functions of Several Variables

The graph for a linear function f ( x, y )  ax  by  c (where a, b and c are constant) is a

plane.
For example, the graph of f ( x, y )  2 x  y is

20

10
z=f(x,y)

-10

-20
30

20 25
20
15
10 10
5
y 0 0
x

The graph of f ( x, y )  sin x  sin y is

1
z=f(x,y)

-1

-2
60

40 50
40
30
20 20
10
y 0 0
x

 Examples of Functions of Two Variables

1
i. Area of triangle, A bh (b and h are independent variables)
2
ii. Volume of cylinder, V   r 2h (r and h are independent variables)
iii. Newton’s law of motion, F  ma (m and a are independent variables)
iv. f ( x, y )  x 2  2 xy 2 (x and y are independent variables)

 Some Common Notation for Functions of Two Variables

i. f : ( x, y ) z , x  R, y  R, z  R
ii. f : RR R
3 Chapter 1: Functions of Several Variables

iii. f : ( x, y ) z
iv. f : ( x, y ) z  f ( x, y )
v. f : ( x, y ) z  R, ( x, y )  R

 Evaluating a Function of Two Variables

When evaluating a function of two variables, instead of just substituting in a x-value, now we
will substitute in values for each of the independent 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