surface example

3D Damped Ripple Surface Graph

A ripple surface whose waves fade away from the origin.

z = sin(x^2 + y^2) / (1 + x^2 + y^2)

Teacher prompt

Why do the ripples get smaller?

The denominator grows as x and y move away from 0, shrinking the output.

min z 0.00max z 0.0056 samples

What this graph represents

The denominator grows with distance and reduces the height of far-away oscillations.

Where it appears in calculus

Use it to show bounded oscillation and damping.

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Related graphs

Open another surface page and compare shape, slices, and contour behavior.

Saddle Surface

z = x^2 - y^2

A saddle surface curves up in one direction and down in the perpendicular direction.

Gaussian Surface

z = exp(-(x^2 + y^2))

A smooth bell-shaped surface centered at the origin.

Elliptic Paraboloid

z = x^2 + y^2

A bowl-shaped surface that opens upward.

Inverted Paraboloid

z = 12 - x^2 - y^2

A dome-shaped surface with a highest point at the center.