surface example

3D Elliptic Gaussian Surface Graph

A stretched bell surface with different widths by axis.

z = exp(-(x^2 / 8 + y^2 / 2))

Teacher prompt

Which direction is narrower?

The y direction is narrower because its exponent term grows faster.

min z 0.00max z 0.0056 samples

What this graph represents

The y term shrinks faster than the x term, making the mound narrow in y.

Where it appears in calculus

Good for explaining ellipses in level curves.

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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.