Small Group Activity: Multivariable Pictionary

Surfaces/Bridge Workshop 2023
Students draw the 3D graphs of equations using three variables. They make choices for drawing a stack of curves in parallel planes and a curve in a perpendicular plane (e.g. substituting in values for \(x\), \(y\), or \(z\). )
What students learn Students practice identifying and drawing parabolas, hyperbolas, circles, ellipses, and lines in planes, positioning those planes in space (visualization), and then drawing their 2-D representation of their 3D surface.
  • Media
    • 2823/Lab1Solutions.pdf

Working in groups of 3, solve as many of the problems below as possible. Try to resolve questions within the group before asking for help. Each person should turn in their solutions to two surfaces.

Show your work! Full credit will only be given if your answer is supported by calculations and/or explanations as appropriate.


Choose one of the eight surfaces given below.

\[ \begin{array}{|c|c|c|c|} \hline {\bf A } \hspace{.5cm} z - \frac{x^2}{4} - \frac{y^2}{4} = 0 & {\bf B } \hspace{.5cm} 18x^2 - \frac{9}{2}y^2 = 18 + 2z^2 & {\bf C } \hspace{.5cm} z - \frac{x^2}{4} + \frac{y^2}{4} = 0 & {\bf D } \hspace{.5cm} \frac{x^2}{9} + \frac{y^2}{4} = 1 - \frac{z^2}{16} \\ \hline {\bf E } \hspace{.5cm} \frac{x^2}{9} + \frac{y^2}{4} = \frac{z^2}{16} & {\bf F } \hspace{.5cm} \frac{4 x^2}{9} + y^2 = 4 + \frac{z^2}{4} & {\bf G } \hspace{.5cm} z - xy = 0 & {\bf H } \hspace{.5cm} 9y = x^2 \\ \hline \end{array} \]


  1. Ready Choose an appropriate variable for your surface (e.g. \(x,y,\) or \(z\)).


  2. Set Sketch the level curves or traces for several different values of that variable. You should have 5 different curves.


  3. Go! “Stack” the planes into position on the appropriate axis. Can you draw the surface? If so, do it! If not, what other information do you need to draw the surface?


  4. Next Go back and try this with another surfaces, chosen from a different row and column.


Keywords
Drawing 3-dimensional representations of functions of two variables
Learning Outcomes