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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Calculate $\int^{1/2}_0\int^{1-x}_x (x+y)^9(x-y)^9 \, dy \, dx$

How can I find the following integral: $$\int^{1/2}_0 \int^{1-x}_x (x+y)^9(x-y)^9 \, dy \, dx $$ My thoughts: Can we possibly convert this to spherical or use change of variables?
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Is there a quadruple product rule?

The triple product rule in multivariable calculus is widely used. Can a quadruple product rule equation be written for an equation f(x,y,z,z2)=0?
Brian
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About the double integral.

In my text book it says that the volume between the some region $R$ in the $xy$ plane and the surface $z=f(x,y)$ can be found by calculating $$\iint_D f(x,y)~dxdy$$ yet in the next page it uses this formula to calculate an area in the $xy$ plane not…
Matthew
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How to find a vector potential (inverse curl)?

If you are given a vector field, how do you find a vector potential for it? In my particular case, I need to find a vector field $\vec{A}$ such that $$ \vec{\nabla} \times \vec{A}(\,\vec{r}) = \begin{cases} B_0\hat{z} && \text{if $\vec{r} \in$ some…
user541686
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Converting an integral from Cartesian to Polar coordinates.

I'm trying to evaluate the double integral $$\int_0^{10}\int_0^{(5/2)\sqrt{4-x^2}}4-x^2-\frac{4}{25}y^2 \; dy \; dx$$ but using Cartesian coordinates requires the idea of trigonometric substitution and the limits aren't very nice either. So, my…
Hautdesert
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Square of the distance function

I am confused about a certain type of problem. I was taught that when solving for a point on a plane (must use partial derivatives) say, $x+y+z=1$ that is closest to the origin, we are to minimize the square of the distance function, i.e. minimize…
Quality
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Derivative of a multivariable function

Let us define a function $f$ from $M(n,\mathbb{R})$ to $M(n,\mathbb{R})$ by treating $M(n,\mathbb{R})\approx\mathbb{R}^{n^2}$, by $$f(X)=e^X+X$$ where $$e^X=1+X/{1!}+X^2/{2!}+\dots$$ I want to find the (Frechet) derivative of $f$. We know, if…
Kumara
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Is there a relationship between curl and area?

The cross product of two vectors is a new vector which lies on a new direction perpendicular to the plane of the multiplicand vectors. Its magnitude is the area of the parallelogram formed between these multiplicand vectors. On the other hand, the…
user137035
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Show that constant curvature $\kappa = 1/r$ is necessary and sufficient that the curve is a circular arc of radius $r$

We have to prove that a curve has constant curvature $\kappa = 1/r$ if and only if it is in a circular arc of radius $r$. I am confused because doesn't a helix also have a constant curvature given by $\frac{a}{a^2 + b^2}$ where $a$ is the radius…
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How to find that triple integral?

How to find the triple integral of $$ \frac{(z-z_0)z}{\sqrt{(x-x_0)^2+(y-y_0)^2+(z-z_0)^2}}$$ over the sphere $ \{(x,y,z):x^2+y^2+z^2 \le 1 \} $ under the assumption $x_0^2+y_0^2+z_0^2 \le 1?$ Its physical interpretation suggests the integral can…
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Implicit function theorem for $f:\mathbb{R}^{3} \rightarrow \mathbb{R}$

I am stuck at this problem and I would be glad if somebody helped me out: By the implicit function theorem, it should be shown that: $$f(x,y,z) := z^{3}+2xy-4xz+2y-1 .$$ The zero level set $f^{-1}(0)$ in a neighborhood $U$ of $(x_0, y_0) = (1,1)$…
Tashi
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Continuous second order partial derivates in open region $R$

Does having continuous second order partial derivatives at a point $(x_0,y_0)$ in an open region of $\mathbb{R}^2$ imply having continuous first order partial derivatives in the same open region $\mathbb{R}^2$?
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Does chain rule require continuously differentiability?

Recently I read the book Advanced Calculus written by Fitzpatrick. The Theorem 15.34 tells that If $F:\mathbb R^n\to\mathbb R^m$ is CONTINUOUSLY differentiable (all partial derivatives exist and continuous) and $g:\mathbb R^m\to\mathbb R$ is also…
Y.H. Chan
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Computation of a certain flux integral

Let $$\Omega = \{(x_1, x_2, x_3) \in \mathbb{R}^3 : \max(|x|_1, |x|_2, |x|_3) \leq 1\}$$ $$F_i(x) = \frac{x_i}{\|x\|^3}$$ and suppose $\varphi(y)$ be a continuously differentiable function of $y_i = x_i/\|x\|$, with $\varphi$ having average value…
user182973
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What does $\iint_S (\hat{\mathbf{n}} \times \nabla \psi) \; dS$ mean?

In the Wikipedia article on vector calculus identities, we have the following $$\oint_{\partial S} \psi \; d\mathbf{\ell} = \iint_S (\hat{\mathbf{n}} \times \nabla \psi) \; dS$$ The right hand side is an integral of a vector field over a surface…
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