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====== Surfaces ======

===== Prompt =====

** "How many ways can you represent a function of several variables?" **

Simpler prompts such as "What is a surface?" 
are not as effective because they lead students 
to use non-mathematical language.

===== Context =====

This [[strategy:smallwhiteboard:|SWBQ]] probes students' notions about
surfaces.

===== Wrap Up =====

Work with students to create as long a list as possible of representations of
functions of several variables.  Possible representations include:
  * graphs (surfaces);
  * tables;
  * equations ($x^2+y^2+z^2=4$);
  * functions ($f(x,y)=x^2+y^2$);
  * level sets (contour maps);
  * geometric objects (spheres).

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