Questions tagged [multivariable-calculus]

Use this tag for questions about differential and integral calculus with more than one independent variable. Some related tags are (differential-geometry), (real-analysis), and (differential-equations).

Multivariable functions are functions like $f(x,y)=xy^2$, functions that have two or more inputs but still only one output.

There exist multivariable limits, where $x$ and $y$ approach a value instead of just $x$.

In multivariable calculus, when writing $\frac{\mathrm{d}}{\mathrm{d}x} \ f(x,y)$, one does not assume $y$ to be a constant, instead it is assumed that $y$ is a function of $x$.

To indicate that $y$ is a constant, one should use $\frac{\partial}{\partial x} f(x,y)$. These are called partial derivatives.

One also has integrals of multivariable functions. We say that we integrate over a surface in case of a two-variable function. We write this as $$\iint_S f(x,y)$$

If the surface is a rectangle $S: [a,b] \times [c,d]$, and the function is continuous on this rectangle, then Fubini's theorem says that $$\iint_S f(x,y) = \int^b_a\int^d_c f(x,y) \mathrm{d}y \mathrm{d}x$$

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Is there a set of "canonical" partial derivative exercises that "tell the whole story"?

I find the field of partial differentiation of complicated multivariable expressions to have many subtleties which lead to unexpected results, or to my applying operations incorrectly. I'm wondering if there is some established set of exercises…
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How to calculate this surface area? (portion of a cylinder inside a sphere )

The surface area of ​​the portion of the cylinder $x^2+y^2=8y$ located inside of the sphere $x^2+y^2+z^2=64$ I'm stuck, so any tip will be helpful Thanks in advance!
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Tangent plane to sphere

Let $S$ be the sphere $$ x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 14$$ I need help finding: A. Tangent plane to $S$ at the point $P(1, 2, 3)$. B. Distance from $Q(3, 2, 1)$ to the above tangent plane.
Mustafa
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Line integral with vector field in polar coordinates

I have the following problem: Given a vector field in polar coordinates $$ \mathbf{F}(r,\theta) = -4 \sin \theta\ \mathbf{i}\ +\ 4 \sin \theta\ \mathbf{j},$$ calculate the work done when a particle is moved from point $(1,0)$ to the origin,…
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find a point on ellipse closest to origin

Find the points on the ellipse $2x^2 + 4xy + 5y^2 = 30$ closest and farthest from origin. How to do this problem? I know how to find a closest point if $z = f(x,y)$ is given, however, this is 2 dimensional.
Frank Xu
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How to proof $\lim\limits_{(x,y)\to(0,0)}\frac{x^2y^2}{x^2+y^4}$ using the $\epsilon-\delta$ definition?

I am stuck on proving that the limit $L = \lim\limits_{(x,y)\to(0,0)}\frac{x^2y^2}{x^2+y^4}$ does or does not exist (using the definition $\forall\epsilon\in\mathbb R_0^+:\exists\delta\in\mathbb R_0^+:\forall(x, y)\in\mathbb…
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If $f: \mathbb{R}^n \rightarrow \mathbb{R}^m$ has coordinates $f^1 \ldots f^m$, and each $f^i$ is differentiable at $0$...

...then does it follow that $f$ is differentiable at 0? My motivation for asking this is as follows: in Spivak's Calculus on Manifolds, in theorem 2.9, he uses this with the additional condition that each $f^i$ is continuously differentiable in a…
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Jacobian of a function mapping vectors to vectors

I believe the problem of trying to find the Jacobian of the following function highlights a lack of understanding of some concept on my part. I was hoping someone could either provide specific advice about solving this problem, or computing…
RandomGuy
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Why is this set not a manifold?

Set $M = \{ \, (x, y) : x^2 = y^2 \, \}$. If for every point $(a, c)$ in $M$, there exists a neighborhood $U$ containing $(a, c)$ and function $\phi(x, y)$ such that: $\phi(x, y) = 0$ on $M \cap U$; The Jacobian matrix associated with $\phi$ has…
Andy Tam
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Calculating the minimum of $\cos x \sin y$

I am about to start university in October, to study computer science, and have been asked by my university to complete a number of problem sheets. I have become stuck on the following question, and therefore would appreciate any help possible. The…
jClark94
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How to show differentiability implies continuity for functions between Euclidean spaces

A function $f: \mathbb{R^n} \to \mathbb{R^m}$ is differentiable at $a$ if there exists a linear map $ \lambda: \mathbb{R^n} \to \mathbb{R^m}$ such that $$\lim_{h \to 0} \frac{\|f(a+h) - f(a) - \lambda(h)\|}{\|h\|} = 0$$ So clearly, if $f$ is…
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surface integral of vector along the curved surface of cylinder

Evaluate $$ \iint_s (4x \hat i - 2y^2 \hat j + z^2 \hat k)\cdot \hat n ds $$ over the curved surface of $x^2 + y^2 = 4$ and $z = 0 \text{ to }z = 3$. Using method $$ \iint_s f(x,y(x,z),z)\cdot \frac{\nabla u(x, y)}{|\nabla u(x, y)|} \sqrt{ 1 +…
S L
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$\frac{\partial f_i}{x_j}=\frac{\partial f_j}{x_i}\implies(f_1,\ldots,f_n)$ is a gradient

I was reading a solution when I came across this statement. So $$\frac{\partial f_i}{x_j}=\frac{\partial f_j}{x_i}.$$ Then there exists a differentiable function $g$ on $\mathbb{R}^n$ such that $\frac{\partial g}{\partial x_i}=f_i$. Why is this…
nael
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Solving the equation: $p^a (1-p)^b = q^a (1-q)^b$

I am currently studying the following equation: $p^a(1-p)^b=q^a(1-q)^b$ where $p,q \in (0,1)$, and $a,b \in \mathbb{N}$. I would like to show that the equation is satisfied if and only if $p=q$. Is it possible to do this in an exact way? I came…
Solaris
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Graphs of functions and level sets

While going through the first few chapters of my multivariable calculus book, I came across the following: The graph of a function of two variables is a surface in $\mathbb{R}^3$ and is a level set of a function of three variables. However, not all…
user245273