‫الباب الخامس‬

‫)‪CHAPTER (5‬‬
‫أسطح الدرجة الثانية‬
‫‪Quadratic Surfaces‬‬
Chapter 5 Quadratic Surfaces

5.1 Lines in Space

The shown line passes through the point P  ( x0 , y0 , z 0 ) and is parallel to the
vector v = (a, b, c).


The line consists of all points Q = (x, y, z) for which the vector PQ is parallel
 
to v. Now, PQ  ( x  x0 , y  y0 , z  z0 ) . Since PQ is parallel to v = (a, b, c),

PQ =  v, where  is a scalar. Thus

( x  x0 , y  y0 , z  z0 )  PQ =  v = ( a,  b,  c)

Rewriting this equation gives ( x, y, z )  ( x0 , y0 , z0 )   (a, b, c)

Solving for the vector ( x, y, z ) gives

( x, y, z )  ( x0 , y0 , z0 )   (a, b, c)

Setting r = ( x, y , z ) , r0  ( x0 , y0 , z0 ) , and v = (a, b, c), we get the following

vector equation of a line.

Vector Equation of a Line in Space

The vector equation of a line in 3D space is given by the equation
r  r0   v,

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where, r0 = ( x0 , y0 , z0 ) is a vector whose components are made of the point

( x0 , y0 , z 0 ) on the line and v = (a, b, c) are components of a vector that is

parallel to the line . If we take the vector equation

( x, y, z )  ( x0 , y0 , z0 )   (a, b, c)
and rewrite the right hand side of this equation as one vector, we obtain
( x, y, z )  ( x0  a, y0  b, z0  c)
Equating components of this vector gives the parametric equations of a line.

Parametric Equations of a Line in Space

The parametric equations of a line in space are given by
x  x0  a, y  y0  b, z  z0  c ,

where ( x0 , y0 , z 0 ) is a point passing through the line and v = ( a, b, c ) is a

vector that the line is parallel to. The vector v = (a, b, c) is called the direction
vector for the line and its components a, b, and c are called the direction
numbers.
Assuming a  0, b  0, c  0 , if we take each parametric equation and solve for
the variable , we obtain the equations
x  x0 y  y0 z  z0
 ,  , 
a b c
Equating each of these equations gives the symmetric equations of a line.

Symmetric Equations of a Line in Space

The symmetric equations of a line in 3D space are given by
x  x0 y  y 0 z  z 0
 
a b c

where ( x0 , y0 , z 0 ) is a point passing through the line and v = ( a, b, c ) is a

vector that the line is parallel to. The vector v = (a, b, c) is called the direction

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Chapter 5 Quadratic Surfaces

vector for the line and its components a, b, and c are called the direction
numbers.

Example: Find the parametric and symmetric equations of the line passes
through the points (1, 2, 0) and (-5, 4, 2).
Solution: To find the equation of a line in 3D space, we must have at least one
point on the line and a parallel vector. We already have two points one line so
we have at least one. To find a parallel vector, we can simplify just use the
vector that passes between the two given points, which will also be on this
line. That is, if we assign the point P = (1, 2, 0) and Q= (-5, 4, 2), then the
parallel vector v is given by

v  PQ  (5  1, 4  2, 2  0)  (6, 2, 2)

Recall that the parametric equations of a line are given by

x  x0  a, y  y0  b, z  z0  c .

We can use either point P or Q as our point on the line ( x0 , y0 , z 0 ) . We

choose the point P and assign ( x0 , y0 , z 0 )  (1,2,0) . The terms a, b, and c are
the components of our parallel vector given by v = (-6, 2, 2) found above.
Hence a = -6, b = 2, and c = 2. Thus, the parametric equation of our line is
given by
x  1   (6), y  2   (2), z   (2) or x  1  6 , y  2  2, z  2

To find the symmetric equations, we solve each parametric equation for .

x 1 y2 z
This gives   ,  , 
6 2 2
Setting these equations equal gives the symmetric equations.
x 1 y  2 z
 
6 2 2

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5.2 Planes in Space

Consider the plane containing the point P  ( x0 , y0 , z 0 ) and normal vector
n = (a, b, c) perpendicular to the plane.

The plane consists of all points Q = (x, y, z) for


which the vector PQ is orthogonal to the

normal vector n = (a, b, c). Since PQ and n are
orthogonal, the following equations hold:

n  PQ  0  (a, b, c)  ( x  x0 , y  y0 , z  z0 )  0

a( x  x0 )  b( y  y0 )  c( z  z0 )  0

This gives the standard equation of a plane. If we expand this equation we

obtain the following equation:
ax  by  cz  (ax0  by0  cz 0 )  0

Setting d  (ax0  by0  cz0 ) gives the general form of the equation of a plane
in space
ax  by  cz  d  0 .

We summarize these results as follows.

Example: Find the equation of plane (in Cartesian form) passes through point
(1, 3, 2) and perpendicular to the vector n = (2, 1, -2). Is point C(-1, 1, -1) lies
in that plane.
Solution: To find the equation of plane, we can substitute in equation,
a( x  x0 )  b( y  y0 )  c( z  z0 )  0 . i.e.,
(2)( x  1)  (1)( y  3)  (2)( z  2)  0
2x  2  y  3  2z  4  0 .

2x  y  2z  1  0

Substituting by point C, we find that

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Chapter 5 Quadratic Surfaces

L.H.S=2(-1)+1-2(-1)-1=-2+1+2-1=0=R.H.S
Then, point C(-1, 1, -1) lies in the plane.

5.3. Quadric Surfaces

A quadric surface is any 3D surface described by a quadratic equation in three
variables:

Ax 2  By 2  Cz 2  Dxy  Eyz  Fxz  Gx  Hy  Jz  K  0

5.3.1 Ellipsoids (includes spheres)

a- Spheres
x  x0 2   y  y0 2  z  z0 2  a 2 or
x2  y 2  z 2  a2

Notice that this corresponds to the case of A = B = C in the general quadric

equation.
Example: Sketch the 3D surface described by the equation:
 x 1   y  2   z  2  9 .
2 2 2

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b- Ellipsoids

x  x0 2   y  y0 2  z  z0 2  1 or
a2 b2 c2

x2 y2 z 2
  1
a 2 b2 c 2

Notice this corresponds to the case where A, B, and C all have the same sign.
2a, 2b, and 2c are the lengths of the axes of the ellipsoid.
Notice that the projection in the xy, xz, or yz plane is an ellipse.
Notice that if two of the lengths of the axes are equal, then the ellipsoid is a
“circular ellipsoid” that is the surface of revolution of a 2D ellipse about one
of its axes.
y2 z2
Example: Sketch the 3D surface described by the equation x 2    1.
9 4

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Chapter 5 Quadratic Surfaces

5.3.2 Elliptic Paraboloids

z  z0 
 x  x0 
2

 y  y0 
2

or
a2 b2

x2 y 2
z 
a 2 b2

Notice this corresponds to cases where A and B have the same sign and C = 0.
Notice that the “bowl” this surface generates has its minimum at (x0, y0, z0).
Notice that the trace in the xy, plane is an ellipse, and the trace in the xz and yz
planes are parabolas.
Notice that if a and b are equal, then the paraboloid is a “circular paraboloid”
that is the surface of revolution of a parabola about its axis of symmetry.

Example: Sketch the 3D surface described by the

x2 y 2
equation z   .
4 9

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 ‫الباب الخامس‬ ‫أسطح الدرجة الثانية‬

Example:

is an elliptic paraboloid that opens downward (be careful,

the “-” is on the x and y instead of the z) and starts at instead of .

Here are a couple of quick sketches of this surface.

Note that we’ve given two forms of the sketch here. The sketch on the left
has the standard set of axes but it is difficult to see the numbers on the
axis. The sketch on the right has been “boxed” and this makes it easier to see
the numbers to give a sense of perspective to the sketch. In most sketches that
actually involve numbers on the axis system we will give both sketches to help
get a feel for what the sketch looks like.

Example:

Classify the quadric surface, whose Cartesian equation is 2x = 3y2 + 4z2 .

Solution
Rearranging into standard form,

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Chapter 5 Quadratic Surfaces

x y2 z2
 
6 4 3

Compare to the standard form

Z X2 Y2
 2  2 : Z  x, X  y, Y  z, a 2, b 3, c6
c a b

The quadric surface is therefore an elliptic

paraboloid, aligned along the x axis, with its
vertex at the origin.

5.3.3. Elliptic Cones

z  z0 2  x  2x0   y  y0 2
2
 or
a b2

x2 y 2
z  2 2
2

a b

Notice this corresponds to cases where A and B have the same sign, but C has
the opposite sign.
Notice that the “touch point” of the two cones is at (x0, y0, z0).

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Notice that the trace in the xy, plane is an ellipse, and the trace in the xz and yz
planes are lines.
Notice that if a and b are equal, then the cone is a “circular cone” that is the
surface of revolution of intersecting lines about an axis bisecting their
intersection point.

y2
Example: Sketch the 3D surface described by the equation z x 
2 2
.
4

5.3.4 Hyperboloids of One Sheet

x  x0 2   y  y0 2  z  z0 2  1 or
a2 b2 c2

x2 y 2 z 2
  1
a 2 b2 c 2

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Chapter 5 Quadratic Surfaces

Notice this also corresponds to cases where A and B have the same sign, and C
has the opposite sign, but there is “still some constant K left over.”
Notice that the trace in the xy, plane is an ellipse, and the trace in the xz and yz
planes are hyperbolas.
Notice that if a and b are equal, then the hyperboloid is a “circular
hyperboloid” that is the surface of revolution of a hyperbola about an axis
perpendicular to the foci axis.
x2 z2
Example: Sketch the 3D surface described by the equation  y2   1.
4 2

5.3.5. Hyperboloids of Two Sheets

x  x0 2   y  y0 2  z  z0 2  1 or
a2 b2 c2

x2 y 2 z 2
   1
a 2 b2 c2

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Notice this also corresponds to cases where A and B have the same sign, and C
has the opposite sign, but the “constant K left over” is negative.
Notice that the trace in the xy, plane is an ellipse, and the trace in the xz and yz
planes are hyperbolas (that open the opposite way of a hyperboloid of one
sheet).
Notice that if a and b are equal, then the hyperboloid is a “circular hyperboloid
of two sheets” that is the surface of revolution of a hyperbola about an axis
parallel to the foci axis.
x2 z2
Example: Sketch the 3D surface described by the equation  y   1 .
2

4 2

5.3.6 Hyperbolic Paraboloids

z  z0 
 x  x0   y  y0 
2

2

or
a2 b2

x2 y 2
z  or
a 2 b2
z x2 y 2
 
c a 2 b2

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Chapter 5 Quadratic Surfaces

Notice this corresponds to cases where A and B have opposite signs, and
C = 0.
This quadric surface is “saddle shaped”.
Notice that the trace in the xy, plane is a hyperbola that opens in one direction
for z > z0 and opens in the opposite direction for z < z0. The trace in the xz and
yz planes are parabolas that open in opposite directions and that then end up
being perpendicular to each other in the third dimension.

Example: Sketch the 3D surface described by the equation z  2 y 2  x 2 .

5.3.7 Elliptic Cylinder

x  x0 2   y  y0 2 1
a2 b2
x2 y 2
or  1
a 2 b2

Note: we already looked at an example of this in the cylindrical surface

section.

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5.3.8. Parabolic Cylinder

4 p( y  y0 )  ( x  x0 )2  0 or

4 py  x 2  0

Example

Sketch the part of the cylinder z = x2 where, 0 ≤ y ≤ 2, 0 ≤ z ≤ 1.

Solution

This is a parabolic cylinder parallel to the y-axis, because y does not appear in
the equation.

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Chapter 5 Quadratic Surfaces

5.3.9. Hyperbolic Cylinder

x  x0 2   y  y0 2  1
a2 b2
x2 y 2
or   1
a 2 b2

Note: this is a cylindrical surface.

Example
Classify the quadric surface, whose Cartesian
equation is z2 = 1 + x2 .

Solution

Rearranging into standard form,

z 2  x2 = 1
Compare to the standard form
X2 Y2
 2  1: X  z , Y  x , a  b 1
a2 b

The quadric surface is therefore one of the degenerate cases.

It is a hyperbolic cylinder, center at the origin, aligned along the y axis.

5.3.10 Plotting equations using MATLAB

MATLAB’s symbolic engine has commands for plotting symbolic equations

and functions, appropriately starting with “ez.” for two-dimensional graphs.
As an example here we use the equation for the ellipse, 4x2+9y2 = 36. To
design the graph, we should obey the following steps:

 Move all to the left-hand side, i.e., 4x2+9y2 -36= 0,

 Clear and define x and y as symbolic,
 Define a variable equal to the left-hand side of the equation, inside
single straight quotation marks.
 Use ezplot.

>> clear; syms x y; z = '4*x^2+9*y^2 - 36'; ezplot(z,[-4,4,-3,3])

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The output become the following figure

4 x2+9 y2 - 36 = 0
3

0
y

-1

-2

-3
-4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4
x
Note: the command ezsurf is used to plot in 3-D as shown below.
>> clear, clc,syms x y; ex1='sqrt(4-x^2-y^2)';ezsurf(ex1,[-2,2,-2,2]);
sqrt(4-x 2-y 2)

1.5

0.5

1
0 1
0
-1
-1
y x

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 Chapter 5 Quadratic Surfaces

Exercises (5)
1. Find the angle between the line x  2  y  1  z  3 and the plane
3 1 2

3x+4y+z+5=0.

2. If the vectors aiˆ  ˆj  kˆ , iˆ  bjˆ  kˆ and iˆ  jˆ  ckˆ are co-planar, then prove that
1 1 1
   1 where a, b, c  1
1 a 1 b 1 c

3. Find the equation of the plane through the point (-4, 3, 1) that is perpendicular
to the vector a = -4 i + 7 j – 2 k.
4. Find the equation of the plane passing through the points (1, 2, -3), (2, 3, 1),
and (0, -2, -1).
5. Find the standard and general equation of a sphere that passes through the
point (2, 1, 4) and has center (4, 3, 3).
6. Find the center and radius of the sphere, 4 x 2  4 y 2  4 z 2  4 x  32 y  8z  33  0 .
7. Sketch each of the following quadric surfaces.

a)

b)

c)

d)

e)

8. Sketch the following cylinders.

a) x  y  9
2 2

b) x 2  5 z 2  25
c) x  9 z
2

9. Sketch the following ellipsoids.

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y2 z2
a) x   1
2

5 5
x2 y 2 z 2
b)   1
4 9 16
10. Sketch the following hyperboloids.
x2
a)  y2  z2  1
4
y2 z2
b)  x  1
2

4 9

2 2
x z
y  0
2
11. Sketch the cone
4 9

2 2
x z
12. Sketch the paraboloid y    0.
4 9

13.Use MATLAB to draw the following surfaces

i) z=2x2+3y2 - 9

ii) .

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