Practice question · Multiple choice
A function of two variables is drawn as a surface, as level curves, or as a colour map. Why do physicists reach for level curves so often?
Hints
- Ask what closely-spaced contours mean on a hiking map.
- Where does a perspective view lose information?
Show the answer
B. Because they show the function on the plane where the variables live
Why
Contour spacing is gradient magnitude made visible, and nothing is occluded. This is why weather maps, potential maps and topographic maps all use them.
Practise Functions of Several Variables
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