surface example
3D Fourier Demo Surface Graph
A layered wave made from several sine terms.
z = sin(x) + sin(2*y)/2 + sin(3*x)/3Teacher prompt
Why is the wave shape more complex?
Several sine waves with different frequencies are added together.
min z 0.00max z 0.0056 samples
What this graph represents
The added harmonics create richer surface detail.
Where it appears in calculus
Use it as a first visual for Fourier-style composition.
Embed this graph
Use the Embed button in the calculator to copy a ready iframe for blogs, LMS pages, and lesson notes.
Open embed pageRelated graphs
Open another surface page and compare shape, slices, and contour behavior.
Saddle Surface
z = x^2 - y^2A 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^2A bowl-shaped surface that opens upward.
Inverted Paraboloid
z = 12 - x^2 - y^2A dome-shaped surface with a highest point at the center.