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 $$\iint_S f(x,y) = \int^b_a\int^d_c f(x,y) \mathrm{d}y \mathrm{d}x$$

35850 questions
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surface area of torus of revolution

Here's a question from one of my exercises, Exercise 14. Let $C$ be a curve in $\mathbb{R}^2$ given by parametric equations $x=f(t)$, $y=g(t)$. Let $S$ be the surface of revolution of the curve $C$ about the $y$-axis (something like the one shown…
adsisco
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Wire mass line integral

Wire is given with $y=\sqrt{25-x}$ and density is given with $ \delta(x,y)=15-y$. Mass should be calculated using line integral. This is my first assignment in this area and I need help with reasoning and modeling this problem as integral. Any help…
1osmi
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Two variable function with four different stationary points

Let $f(x,y)$ has continuous second partial derivative. Define $$D(x,y)=f_{xx}(x,y)f_{yy}(x,y)-f_{xy}(x,y)^2.$$ If $(x_0,y_0)$ is a stationary point of a function $f(x,y$, then the second partial derivative test asserts the following: (1) If…
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Priorities in Multiple Integration

When doing a multiple integral it is often helpful/necessary to use a change of variables. In some cases the change is guided by making the region of the integration simpler - for example, turning a parallelogram into the unit square. In others, it…
user142299
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$\frac{d}{dx}(b^TAx)$ where $b, x \in R^{n\times 1}$ and $A \in R^{n\times n}$

How do you differentiate the following expressions with respect to the vector $x$. I think I might be a little conceptually confused on what happens when you take the derivative with respect to a vector. What dimensions should you end with? For…
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Finding the points where a tangent plane is parallel to a given plane?

Find the points on the hyperboloid $9x^2- 45y^2 + 5z^2 - 45$ where the tangent plane is parallel to the plane $x+5y-2z = 7$? Can anyone help me figure this one out? So far, I've figured out the gradient of the hyperboloid but I'm not sure where to…
khchan
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Setting up Triple Integral

Evaluate the integral $$\int x^2+y^2+z^2 \, dV$$ over the region within the cone $z^2=x^2+y^2$ and the sphere $x^2+y^2+z^2=z$. I started to convert everything to cylindrical coordinates but it turned out to be a bigger mess to evaluate so I…
Ayoshna
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Why this $C^1$ function is onto?

Let $f:\mathbb R^n\to \mathbb R^m $ is class $C^1$ Also $f^{-1}(B)$ is bounded whenever $B$ is bounded and $\nabla f_i(x)$ are linearly independent for each $x$. Then $f$ is onto. Why? I have no idea to explain this.
Maddy
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Partial differentiability and Continuity

If a function has, say, partial derivatives up to order n, can you conclude continuity of some or all derivatives of lower order? Especially, if a function has partial derivatives of any order is it automatically smooth?
Kofi
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Basic Question on Gradients

I am having trouble understanding how the gradient of a scalar field is the direction along the $x$-$y$ plane that yields the maximum inclination. Sure it takes into account the partial derivatives along both the x and y axes but does that mean…
user11470
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double integral with substitution

1. Find the area integral of $ \ f(x,y)=x^2 + y^2 \ $ in $ \ D=\{(x,y)\in\Bbb{R}|0\le x-2y\le2, |3x-y|\le1\} \ $ when we do a substitution $ \ u=x-2y \ $ and $ \ v=3x-y \ $ I did the calculations like this. Does it seem right? $x=\frac 15(2v-u)$ and…
ELEC
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Multivariable limit with polar coordinates

Polar coordinates do not reveal the behaviour of $f(x,y)$ when studying $$ \lim_{x^2 + y^2 \to \infty} \frac {xy}{e^{x^2y^2}} $$ In polar coordinates we have $$ \lim_{r^2 \to \infty} \frac 12 \frac { r^2 \sin (2 \varphi ) }{ e^{ \frac 14 r^4 \sin^2…
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Generalization of the Lagrange Multiplier

Let's say that I have a submanifold cut out of $\mathbb{R}^{n+k}$ as $f^{-1}(0)$ where $f:\mathbb{R}^{n+k} \rightarrow \mathbb{R}^k$ is smooth and $0$ is a regular value. The Lagrange multiplier criterion tells me that if $x\in f^{-1}(0)$ is a…
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Find extrema of $f(x, y) = x - x^2 - xy^2$ with constraints $\{(x, y) : x^2 + y^2 \le 4, x \ge 0\}$?

I know it's a bit short , But I have no idea at all how to solve such question .. I'd be very glad if you can give me some help HOW to solve it. Given fuction $f(x, y) = x - x^2 - xy^2$, and I need to find it's minimum and maximum value in the…
Billie
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Changing coordinates of vector fields

For tangent vectors at a single point, the transformation law is given by $\tilde{X}^j = \frac{\partial \tilde{x}^j}{\partial x^i} (p) X^i$, where $\tilde{X}^j$ are the components in the new coordinates, $X^i$ components of the old coordinates,…