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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Question on Curl F

The problem in the book asks what the curl of $\operatorname{curl}\vec F(\vec r)= \frac {\vec r}{\|\vec r\|}$. Can someone give me a good explanation on why the curl will be zero? I would really appreciate it.
Student
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Calculate integral applying Stokes' theorem

I am trying to solve the following exercise: Let $F$ be the vector field defined by $F(x,y,z)=(-y,yz^2,x^2z)$ and $S \subset \mathbb R^3$ the surface defined as $S=\{x^2+y^2+z^2=4, z\geq 0\}$, oriented according to the exterior normal vector.…
user100106
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Calculate flux through a surface

Part of the surface, S, is: $z=x^2+y^2$ above the disk $ \ x^2+y^2 = 1 \ $ oriented in the $\vec k$ direction. I need to set up an integrated integral to calculate the flux of $\vec F = yz\vec i+xz\vec j-y^2\vec k$ through S. I am wanting to make…
Student
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Need help on Stokes Theorem in surface integral

Hello and how you doing today? I just came across a problem which need to use Stokes theorem. The problems says: Evaluate the surface integral $$ \int_{S}\nabla\times\vec{F}\cdot{\rm d}\vec{S} $$ where F(x,y,z)=$(y^2)i$ + $(2xy)j$+$(xz^2)k$ and S is…
Garett
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$f$ such that $\|Df - \text{Id}\|$ is close to zero, yet $f$ is not bijective

A problem from my differential geometry class: Suppose $f:\mathbb{R}^2 \to \mathbb{R}^2$ is a $C^1$ mapping, and for every $x\in \mathbb{R}^2$ $$\| Df(x) - \text{Id} \| < 10^{-10}.$$ Prove or disprove: $f$ must be a bijection. My intuition tells me…
Eric Auld
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Find the shortest distance between the point $(8,3,2)$ and the line through the points $(1,2,1)$ and $(0,4,0)$

"Find the shortest distance between the point $(8,3,2)$ and the line through the points $(1,2,1)$ and $(0,4,0)$" $$P = (1,2,1), Q = (0,4,0), A = (8,3,2)$$ $OP$ = vector to $P$ $$PQ_ = (0,4,0) - (1,2,1)$$ I found that the equation of the line $L$…
Ozera
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$f(x,y)=\sqrt{|xy|}$

$f(x,y)=\sqrt{|xy|}$ I need to calculate partial derivatives at $(0,0)$, and conclude whether it is differentiable there. $f_x(x,y)=\lim_{h\to 0}{f(x+h,y)-f(x,y)\over h}=0=f_y(x,y)$, so can I conclude that $f_x(0,0)=0$ and $f$ is differentiable…
nonlinear
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Inverse function theorem: how show $F \in C^k \Rightarrow F^{-1} \in C^k$ with this method?

I am reading the proof in Buck's Advanced Calculus of the inverse function theorem, on p. 359. The way he proves it is to show that $(DF)_{p_0}^{-1}$ satisfies $$F^{-1}(p_0 + h) - F^{-1}(p_0) = (DF)_{p_0}^{-1}(h) + o(h).$$ Therefore…
Eric Auld
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Helix in a helix

I am trying to work out a "helix in a helix" mathematically. Intuitively I think of this as a steel cable, which is made up of a number of smaller steel cables all bound together in spiral. If I wanted to find the length of one of the individual…
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Given $a\in\mathbb{R}^2\backslash X$ and $v\in\mathbb{R}^2$, $\exists\delta$ such that $t\in[0,\delta) \Rightarrow a+tv\in \mathbb{R}^2\backslash X$.

Let $X=\{(x,y)\in\mathbb{R}^2;\;x>0 \;\text{and}\;x^2\leq y\leq2x^2\}$. Prove that for all $(a,v)\in(\mathbb{R^2}\backslash X)\times \mathbb{R}^2$ there exists $\delta>0$ such that $$0\leq t <\delta \Rightarrow a+tv\in \mathbb{R}^2\backslash…
Pedro
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Anti-derivative of $ |x^2-1|$

I ran into a problem of finding the anti-derivative of a function which involves the absolute value function. Here is the problem: Question: If $v(t) = \langle|t^2-1|,4t-3\rangle$ is the velocity vector, find $s(t)$ the position vector. Given that…
Wang YeFei
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How do you express a circle with vector arithmetic?

I've spent the day learning elementary vector math and I'm curious: how can a circle be represented through vector notation? My textbook doesn't mention it, and Google doesn't seem to help. Thanks! Edit: in case my question doesn't make sense, what…
Danny King
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What is a directional derivative?

I have encountered this in an online PDE course I'm following but I've never really been exposed to it. I've looked for the 'formal' definitions but I've never really understood any concept by looking at the formal, mathematical definition so can…
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Help with $\int\limits_{0}^{1}\int\limits_{2x}^{2}x^2\sin(y^4)\,dy\,dx$

I usually do my problems by myself and then check the solution with Wolfram Alpha, but in this situation, it's not helping me at all... I don't know if I got the wrong answer, or if wolfram is using some trig identity that I don't know…
Mirrana
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Let $x = h(y, z), y = g(x, z), x = h(y, z)$ to calculate partial derivatives?

Problem: A $\mathbb{R}^{3}$ surface is defined by $F(x,\ y,\ z)=k$, where $k$ is a constant. Prove $ \frac{\partial x}{\partial y}\frac{\partial y}{\partial z}\frac{\partial z}{\partial x}=-1 $. I don't see the first step to this problem, which is…
user53259