Final answer:
The trace of the quadric surface x^2 + y^2 - z^2 = 81 given the plane x = k is a circle with radius 9 and center at (k, 0, 0).
Step-by-step explanation:
The given quadric surface is x2 + y2 - z2 = 81.
To find the traces of the surface given the plane x = k, we substitute k for x in the equation of the surface.
The trace is a curve formed by the intersection of the surface and the plane. In this case, the trace is a circle with radius 9 and center at (k, 0, 0).