3D surface plotter: z = f(x, y)

Turn surfaces z = f(x, y) in 3D and move a slice through them to see the curve it makes, whose slope is the partial derivative.

Learn partial differentiation properly

StudyAI writes clear notes on any topic you study, with practice quizzes, past-paper questions explained, and interactive models like this one in the notes.

Get free notes and a quiz on this
Free to start. No card needed.

Questions students ask

What is a saddle point?

A point where the surface curves up in one direction and down in another, like z = x² − y² at the origin: neither a maximum nor a minimum.

What is a partial derivative?

The rate of change of a function of several variables in one direction, holding the others fixed: the slope of a slice through the surface.

Free notes on partial differentiation

More mathematics tools

Quadratic graph explorer: y = ax² + bx + c
Change a, b and c and see the parabola, turning point, roots and discriminant update. Free interactive quadrat…
Interactive unit circle and trig graphs
Turn the angle on the unit circle and see sin, cos and tan on their graphs, with exact values and the CAST rul…
Derivative and tangent explorer
Move along a curve and see the tangent, the gradient and the gradient function. Find stationary points.
Area under a curve: integration and the trapezium rule
Estimate the area under a curve with rectangles, the midpoint rule or the trapezium rule and compare with the …
All interactive tools
Use this on your own site or class page

Copy this code. It is free to use, as long as the link stays.