Calculus 3

Project 2 - Contour Plots

Describing Functions in the Third Dimension

April 15, 2019

Saul Sanchez Diaz de Leon

Saul Sanchez Austin Community College Calculus 3

Contour Plots

−4𝑥
Exercise: Create contour plots for 𝑧 = cos(𝑥) sin⁡(𝑦) and 𝑧 = Print these contour
𝒙𝟐 +𝒚𝟐 +𝟏

plots and then for each one, click on the contour plot to see the contours as they appear on the

surface. For each function, find a viewpoint that shows the surface and contours clearly and

print this Function 1 and graphing it. Then select the Draw Contour Plot option from the

Contour Plot menu. A dialog will appear. Be sure that Function 1 is selected on the left. For the

first function, you will then enter -1 for the First Step, 0.2 for the Step Size and 11 for the

Number of Contours. Then click on the OK button to see the contour plot appear. If you click on

the contour plot, you will see the 3D surface plot of the function will be graphed along with the

contours on the surface. For the second function, you will do the same thing, except you can

enter -2 for the First Step, and 21 for the Number of Steps

−4𝑥
𝑧 = cos(𝑥) sin⁡(𝑦) And ⁡𝑧 =
𝒙𝟐 +𝒚𝟐 +𝟏

For each contour plot, give several reasons why the functions 𝑧(𝑥, 𝑦) are shaped the way they

are and their relation to the contour plots.

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1. First, for the function 𝑧 = cos(𝑥) sin⁡(𝑦) we set up the boundaries

⁡𝐷: {(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧)| − 2𝜋 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2𝜋, −2𝜋 ≤ 𝑦 ≤ 2𝜋, −1 ≤ 𝑧 ≤ 1} to better visualize the

function’s behavior. Plotting the function, we get the following graph (figure 1).

Figure 1

Now, creating the contour plot by following the previous instructions and

parameters, gives us the following graph (figure 2).

Figure 2

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We can now combine both graphs from figure 1 and figure 2 to show how they

relate each other, and to give us a more clear way to describe its shape,

behavior, and other characteristics (figure 3).

Figure 3

To describe the function 𝑧 = cos(𝑥) 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑦) we can evaluate it from both

functions that multiply it (cos(𝑥) and⁡sin(𝑦)) separately, and see how they affect

the possible values that 𝑧(𝑥, 𝑦) can yield.

a. We know that the function cos⁡(𝑥) yields values⁡−1 ≤ cos(𝑥) ≤ 1, where 𝑥 ∈ ℕ

(is any real number), and we know that the function sin⁡(𝑥) also yields

values⁡−1 ≤ sin(𝑦) ≤ 1, where 𝑦 ∈ ℕ (is any real number)

Therefore, the range is⁡−𝟏 ≤ 𝒛 ≤ 𝟏 s, since it is bounded by the

𝐜𝐨𝐬(𝒙) 𝒔𝒊𝒏(𝒚) constraint. (1)

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Saul Sanchez Austin Community College Calculus 3

b. We can also describe the function by finding at what values⁡𝑧(𝑥, 𝑦) = 0, and if

we can find a pattern from our answers and the contour plot from figure 2 and

figure 3.

𝜋 3𝜋 𝑛𝜋
We know that cos(𝑥) = 0 when 𝑥 = , , …⁡, where 𝑛 ∈ ℤ (is any integer)
2 2 2

The function⁡𝑧 = cos(𝑥) sin(𝑦) = 0 every time⁡cos(𝑥) = 0

Therefore, we have lines of the values 𝒛(𝒙, 𝒚) = 𝟎 orthogonal to the

𝒏𝝅
y-axis every⁡ 𝟐 , where 𝒏 ∈ ℤ (is any integer) (2)

In addition, we know that sin(𝑦) = 0 when 𝑦 = 0, 𝜋, 2𝜋, …⁡, 𝑛𝜋 where 𝑛 ∈ ℤ (is

any integer)

Thus, the function 𝑧 = cos(𝑥) sin(𝑦) = 0 every time⁡sin(𝑦) = 0

Therefore, we have lines of the values 𝒛(𝒙, 𝒚) = 𝟎 orthogonal to the

x-axis every⁡𝒏𝝅, where 𝒏 ∈ ℤ (is any integer) (3)

The previous lines where 𝑧(𝑥, 𝑦) = 0 or lines of “inflection” can be seen in the

contour plots from figure 2 and in figure 3, where the function is between

negative and positive values. This can be seen in the contour line values from

figure 1 and more intuitively in figure 3.

c. We can also describe the function by finding its minimums and maximums.

So since we know the range of the function is⁡−1 ≤ 𝑧 ≤ 1 the lowest and

highest values that the function can be −1 and 1 so the minimums and

maximums occur when 𝑧 = cos(𝑥) sin(𝑦) = 0 yields those values.

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Since the product of both cos(𝑥) and 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑦) has to be equal to 1 or⁡−1, the

possible combinations depend whether the values of the functions multiplied are

both positive, both negative, or combined.

So, we get the following possibilities;

Possibilities for Minimums or Maximums

Min. or Max. 𝒄𝒐𝒔(𝒙) = 𝐬𝐢𝐧(𝒚) =

Minimum −1 1

Minimum 1 −1

Maximum 1 1

Maximum −1 −1

The function cos(𝑥) = 1 only happens when⁡𝑥 = ⁡2𝑛𝜋, where 𝑛 ∈ ℤ (is any

integer), and cos(𝑥) = −1 only happens when⁡𝑦 = ⁡2𝑛𝜋 + 𝜋, where 𝑛 ∈ ℤ (is

any integer)

𝜋
In the other hand, the function sin(𝑦) = 1 only happens when⁡𝑦 = + 2𝑛𝜋,
2

3𝜋
where 𝑛 ∈ ℤ (is any integer), and sin(𝑦) = −1 only happens when⁡𝑦 = +
2

2𝑛𝜋, where 𝑛 ∈ ℤ (is any integer)

𝒙 = ⁡𝟐𝒏𝝅
Thus, minimums can only happen when 𝒛(𝒙, 𝒚) = −𝟏 → { 𝟑𝝅
𝒚= 𝟐
+ 𝟐𝒏𝝅

𝒙 = ⁡𝟐𝒏𝝅 + 𝝅
Or 𝒛(𝒙, 𝒚) = −𝟏 → {𝒚 = 𝝅 + 𝟐𝒏𝝅
𝟐

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𝒙 = ⁡𝟐𝒏𝝅
And, the maximums can only happen when 𝒛(𝒙, 𝒚) = 𝟏 → {𝒚 = 𝝅 + 𝟐𝒏𝝅
𝟐

𝒙 = ⁡𝟐𝒏𝝅 + 𝝅
Or 𝒛(𝒙, 𝒚) = 𝟏 → { 𝟑𝝅
𝒚= 𝟐
+ 𝟐𝒏𝝅

Where 𝒏 ∈ ℤ (is any integer) (4)

The following is visual proof of the validity of our previous solution from both

contour plots figure 2 and figure 3

𝜋 𝜋 3𝜋
Minimums occurring at the⁡(𝑥, 𝑦) points;⁡(𝜋, 2 ) , (0, − 2 ) , (−𝜋, − 2 )⁡

Figure 4

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𝜋 3𝜋 𝜋
Maximums occurring at the (𝑥, 𝑦) points; (0, 2 ) , (𝜋, 2 ) , (−𝜋, − 2 )

Figure 5

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Saul Sanchez Austin Community College Calculus 3

−4𝑥
2. Now, for our second function 𝑧 = we set its boundaries and plot its graph,
𝒙𝟐 +𝒚𝟐 +𝟏

and contour plots as we did for the first one. Using the boundaries 𝐷: {(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧)| − 9 ≤

𝑥 ≤ 9, −9 ≤ 𝑦 ≤ 9, −3 ≤ 𝑧 ≤ 3} we get the following graph (figure 6)

Figure 6

Now, creating the contour plot by following the first page of instructions and previous

parameters, gives us the following graph (figure 7).

Figure 7

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We can now combine both graphs from figure 6 and figure 7 to show how they relate

each other, and to give us a more clear way to describe its shape, behavior, and other

characteristics (figure 8).

Figure 8

−4𝑥
To describe the function 𝑧 = we can evaluate it using the second derivative
𝒙𝟐 +𝒚𝟐 +𝟏

test and evaluate the values (points) that the function yields from its critical values,

and comparing them with the graph. We can also evaluate its limits, and utilize

techniques of evaluating the graph’s behavior when x or y are a constant and

compare its behavior with the previous figures.

a. We can evaluate the function by finding its critical values.

To find the critical values (minimums and maximums) we find the partial

derivatives of the function with respect to x and y.

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𝛿 −4𝑥 (𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 +1)(−4)−(−4𝑥)(2𝑥)
So, 𝑧𝑥 = ( ) → 𝑧𝑥 =
𝛿𝑥 𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 +1 (𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 +1)2

4𝑥 2 −4𝑦 2 −4
𝑧𝑥 = (𝑥 2 Now, we set it equal to 0 to find the critical points.
+𝑦 2 +1)2

4𝑥 2 −4𝑦 2 −4
𝑧𝑥 = (𝑥 2 =0 (Equation 1)
+𝑦 2 +1)2

𝛿 −4𝑥 𝛿
Next, 𝑧𝑦 = (
𝛿𝑦 𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 +1
) → 𝑧𝑦 = 𝛿𝑦 [−4𝑥(𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 1)−1 ]

8𝑥𝑦
𝑧𝑦 = (𝑥 2 Now, we set it equal to 0 to find the critical points.
+𝑦 2 +1)2

8𝑥𝑦
𝑧𝑦 = (𝑥 2 =0 (Equation 2)
+𝑦 2 +1)2

Our goal is to find the points where both partials of the function equal 0.

We discard the denominator since it is the same in both of our partial

derivatives.

So, we solve for x from the numerator of equation 1;

4𝑥 2 − 4𝑦 2 − 4 = 0 → 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 − 1 = 0

𝑥2 = 𝑦2 + 1

𝑥 = ±√𝑦 2 + 1 (Equation 3)

Substitute the value into numerator of equation 2;

8𝑥𝑦 = 0 → 8𝑦(±√𝑦 2 + 1) = 0

Therefore, 𝑦 = 0

Now, we plug in 𝑦 = 0 to equation 3 to get the value/s of x;

𝑥 = ±√𝑦 2 + 1 → 𝑥 = ±√02 + 1

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So, 𝑥 = ±1

Thus, our critical points⁡(𝒙, 𝒚) are (−𝟏, 𝟎)⁡𝒂𝒏𝒅⁡(𝟏, 𝟎) (1)

b. We can use the previously found critical points and evaluate whether they are

min, max, or saddle.

We use the second partial derivative test 𝐷 = 𝐴𝐵 − 𝐶 2 where⁡𝐴 =

𝑓𝑥𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦), 𝐵 = 𝑓𝑦𝑦 (𝑥, 𝑦), 𝑎𝑛𝑑⁡𝐶 = 𝑓𝑦𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦). A critical point evaluated using this

method can be classified using the following criteria;

If 𝐷 = 𝐴𝐵 − 𝐶 2 > 0 then the (𝑥, 𝑦) point is either a maximum or a minimum.

If 𝐴𝐵 − 𝐶 2 > 0 and 𝑓𝑥𝑥 > 0 then the point (𝑥, 𝑦) is a local minimum

If 𝐴𝐵 − 𝐶 2 > 0 and 𝑓𝑥𝑥 < 0 then the point (𝑥, 𝑦) is a local maximum

If 𝐷 = 𝐴𝐵 − 𝐶 2 < 0 then the (𝑥, 𝑦) point is a saddle.

First, we need to find the second partial derivatives of

𝐴 = 𝑓𝑥𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦), 𝐵 = 𝑓𝑦𝑦 (𝑥, 𝑦), 𝑎𝑛𝑑⁡𝐶 = 𝑓𝑦𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦)

We can use the previous partial derivatives (equation 1, and equation 2) to save

us time.

4𝑥 2 −4𝑦 2 −4 8𝑥𝑦
So, we have; 𝑧𝑥 = and 𝑧𝑦 =
(𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 +1)2 (𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 +1)2

𝛿 4𝑥2 −4𝑦2 −4
𝑓𝑥𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝛿𝑥 [ 2]
(𝑥2 +𝑦2 +1)

We can set it as a product of two functions to simplify the derivative.

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𝛿
𝑓𝑥𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝛿𝑥 [(4𝑥 2 − 4𝑦 2 − 4)(𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 1)−2 ]⁡

𝑓𝑥𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦) = (𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 1)−2 (8𝑥) + (4𝑥 2 − 4𝑦 2 + 1)(−2)(𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 +

1)−3 (2𝑥)

8𝑥 4𝑥(4𝑥 2 −4𝑦 2 −4)

𝑓𝑥𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦) = (𝑥 2 − We can further simplify it.
+𝑦 2 +1) 2 (𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 +1)3

(8𝑥)(𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 +1)−(4𝑥)(4𝑥 2 −4𝑦 2 −4)

𝑓𝑥𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦) = (𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 +1)3
(Equation 4)

𝛿 8𝑥𝑦
Now, 𝑓𝑦𝑦 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝛿𝑦 [ 2 ]
(𝑥2 +𝑦2 +1)

We set it as a product of two functions to simplify the derivative.

𝛿
𝑓𝑦𝑦 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝛿𝑦 [(8𝑥𝑦)(𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 1)−2 ]

𝑓𝑦𝑦 (𝑥, 𝑦) = (8𝑥)(𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 1)−2 + (8𝑥𝑦)(−2)(𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 1)−3 (2𝑦)

8𝑥 32𝑥𝑦 2
𝑓𝑦𝑦 (𝑥, 𝑦) = (𝑥 2 − (𝑥 2 We can further simplify it.
+𝑦 2 +1) 2 +𝑦 2 +1)3

8𝑥(𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 +1)−32𝑥𝑦 2
𝑓𝑦𝑦 (𝑥, 𝑦) = (𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 +1)3
(Equation 5)

𝛿 8𝑥𝑦
Finally, 𝑓𝑦𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝛿𝑥 [ 2]
(𝑥2 +𝑦2 +1)

We set it as a product of two functions to simplify the derivative.

𝛿
𝑓𝑦𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝛿𝑥 [(8𝑥𝑦)(𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 1)−2 ]

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𝑓𝑦𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦) = (8𝑦)(𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 1)−2 + (8𝑥𝑦)(−2)(𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 1)−3 (2𝑥)

8𝑦 32𝑥 2 𝑦
𝑓𝑦𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦) = (𝑥 2 − (𝑥 2 We can further simplify it.
+𝑦 2 +1) 2 +𝑦 2 +1)3

8𝑦(𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 +1)−32𝑥 2 𝑦
𝑓𝑦𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦) = (𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 +1)3
(Equation 6)

We can now evaluate each of the critical points (𝑥, 𝑦) = (−1,0)⁡and⁡(1,0) with

the double partial derivative technique.

2
𝐷(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑓𝑥𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦) ∗ 𝑓𝑦𝑦 (𝑥, 𝑦) − (𝑓𝑦𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦))

We can evaluate the first critical point (−1,0)

2
𝐷(−1,0) = 𝑓𝑥𝑥 (−1,0) ∗ 𝑓𝑦𝑦 (−1,0) − (𝑓𝑦𝑥 (−1,0))

(8(−1))((−1)2 +(0)2 +1)−(4(−1))(4(−1)2 −4(0)2 −4)

𝑓𝑥𝑥 (−1,0) =
((−1)2 +(0)2 +1)3

−8(2)+4(4−4) 16
𝑓𝑥𝑥 (−1,0) = → 𝑓𝑥𝑥 (−1,0) = −
23 8

𝑓𝑥𝑥 (−1,0) = −2

8(−1)((−1)2 +(0)2 +1)−32(−1)(0)2

𝑓𝑦𝑦 (−1,0) =
((−1)2 +(0)2 +1)3

−8(2)+32(0) 16
𝑓𝑦𝑦 (−1,0) = → 𝑓𝑦𝑦 (−1,0) = −
23 8

𝑓𝑦𝑦 (−1,0) = −2

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8(0)((−1)2 +(0)2 +1)−32(−1)2 (0)

𝑓𝑦𝑥 (−1,0) =
((1)2 +(0)2 +1)3

16(0)−32(0)
𝑓𝑦𝑦 (−1,0) = 23

𝑓𝑦𝑦 (−1,0) = 0

Thus, 𝐷(−1,0) = (−2)(−2) − (0)2 = 4 > 0

And 𝑓𝑥𝑥 (−1,0) = −2 < 0

Therefore, the point (−𝟏, 𝟎) is a maximum (2)

Now let’s evaluate the second critical point (1,0)

2
𝐷(1,0) = 𝑓𝑥𝑥 (1,0) ∗ 𝑓𝑦𝑦 (1,0) − (𝑓𝑦𝑥 (1,0))

(8(1))((1)2 +(0)2 +1)−(4(1))(4(1)2 −4(0)2 −4)

𝑓𝑥𝑥 (1,0) =
((1)2 +(0)2 +1)3

8(2)+4(4−4) 16
𝑓𝑥𝑥 (−1,0) = → 𝑓𝑥𝑥 (1,0) =
23 8

𝑓𝑥𝑥 (−1,0) = 2

8(1)((1)2 +(0)2 +1)−32(1)(0)2

𝑓𝑦𝑦 (1,0) =
((1)2 +(0)2 +1)3

−8(2)−32(0) 16
𝑓𝑦𝑦 (−1,0) = → 𝑓𝑦𝑦 (1,0) =
23 8

𝑓𝑦𝑦 (−1,0) = 2

8(0)((1)2 +(0)2 +1)−32(1)2 (0)

𝑓𝑦𝑥 (−1,0) =
((1)2 +(0)2 +1)3

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16(0)−32(0)
𝑓𝑦𝑦 (1,0) = 23

𝑓𝑦𝑦 (1,0) = 0

Thus, 𝐷(1,0) = (2)(2) − (0)2 = 4 > 0

And 𝑓𝑥𝑥 (1,0) = 2 > 0

Therefore, the point (𝟏, 𝟎) is a minimum (3)

We can try plotting the points and proving graphically that we are correct.

The following figure (figure 9) has the point (−1,0)

Figure 9

We can see how the point is among the positive contour lines, and in the point

of steepest value.

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Now, we can plot the other critical point (1,0) and evaluate its placement within

the contour plot below (figure 10).

Figure 10

For a more visually intuitive proof, we can use the graph with the contour plot

and the 3D graph to show both points in the graph.

Figure 11

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c. We can also describe the function by finding its limits when letting either x or y

be an arbitrary constant, and compare the functions to the graph’s behavior.

First let 𝑦 = 𝑘 where⁡𝑘 ∈ ℕ (is an arbitrary constant), so our equation becomes;

−4𝑥
𝑧=
𝒙𝟐 + 𝒌𝟐 + 𝟏

Since we only have one variable (k became a constant) our function can be
evaluated as a regular function with a single independent variable;
Our new equation is a quotient of two equations, with the denominator having a
higher degree than its numerator.

Thus, the function has an asymptote at 𝒛 = 𝟎 along all the x-axis

We can prove this by looking at the following graph of the zx-plane (figure 12).

Figure 12

We can see that as the function approaches infinity from either side it gets closer
−4𝑥
to the x-axis, thus lim ( )=0
𝑥→∞ 𝒙𝟐 +𝒌𝟐 +𝟏

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d. Now, using the previous technique, we let 𝑥 = 𝑘 where 𝑘 ∈ ℕ (is any arbitrary
constant) and evaluate the function.

−4𝑘
Our equations now becomes. 𝑧 =
𝒌𝟐 +𝒚𝟐 +𝟏
𝑘
The equation becomes 𝑧 = (where k is an arbitrary constant)
𝑦 2 +𝑘

Thus, the equation has an asymptote at 𝒛 = 𝟎 along the y-axis

This asymptotic behavior can be seen in the following graph of the zy-plane
(figure 13).

Figure 13

We can see that as the function approaches infinity from either side it gets closer
𝑘
to the y-axis, thus lim ( )=0
𝑦→∞ 𝒚𝟐 +𝒌

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