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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Approximately inverting functions with Monte Carlo methods

I have the following problem: Let $f:\mathbb{R}^n \rightarrow \mathbb{R}^m$ with $n>m$ be a smooth function. I want to find input vectors $x \in \mathbb{R}^n$ which yield a given output $y\in \mathbb{R}^m$, so $f(x)=y$. My idea was to start at a…
Leon
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Continuity at a point for function of two variables

If a function of two variables is discontinuous at a particular point, say $(x,y)$, does this mean that the graph of that function has some hole around the point $(x,y,f(x,y))$? Is there any break in the graph at this point in certain direction?…
ogirkar
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Non surjectivity of $C^1$ function.

I am trying to figure out how to do the following question, but i seems to not have any success. If $f:\mathbb{R}^1\to \mathbb{R}^2$ is of class $C^1$ mapping, show that $f$ does not carry $\mathbb{R}^1$ onto $\mathbb{R}^2$. I know that if suppose…
Seth
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Partial derivatives zero implies function constant

Let $f:\mathbf{R}^k\to \mathbf{R}$ be a function such that all partial derivatives exists on all of $\mathbf{R}^k$. If $D_i f(\vec{x})=0$ for all $\vec{x}\in\mathbf{R}^k$ and all $i$, show that there exists $c\in\mathbf{R}$ such that $f(\vec{x})=c$…
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Proving integral inequality for all $f\in H^1(D)$

LET $D\subset\mathbb R^n$ and $s\ge 0$ be some constant. I want to show that there exists a constant $C$ such that for all $f\in H^1(D)$ that satisfies $s\le \sharp\{t \mid f(t)=0\}$. Can someone please give me some ideas?
MasterJ
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How does this application of the chain rule work?

Let $\bar{x_1} = x_1 \cos(x_2)$ and $ \bar{x_2} = x_1 \sin(x_2)$ Suppose that $f:\mathbb{R}^{2} \to \mathbb{R}^{2}$ is a smooth function of $\bar{x_1}$ and $\bar{x_2}.$ Show that:…
user130306
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Is my analogy of a directional derivative correct?

I find analogies to real life are a good way for me to understand some faucets of multivariate calculus, and a wrong analogy can be an exact and glaring indication of misunderstanding. As far as I am aware, in 3D space, there is no total derivative…
sangstar
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How to find the boundary curve of a surface, like the Möbius strip?

I feel like I am missing a key piece of intuition in trying to understand this. I have just recently started using Stoke's theorem and I struggle to see what the boundary curve of surfaces are. In some cases it is easy... like a hemisphere for…
Ben
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When does a gradient vector of a function not exist?

I have a question that gives me a 3d function and asks me to calculate the gradient vector of it. This part I understand. It then asks me to indicate the points at which it does not exist. When does a gradient vector not exist? Is it when it equals…
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A question about gradient field

Let $\vec{F}=(xy,x^2+y^2)$ be a vector field. Is there exist a function $f(x,y)$ such that $\vec{\nabla}f=\vec{F}$? My attempt: if $f_x=xy$ and $f_y=x^2+y^2$, then $f(x,y)=\frac{x^2y}{2}+g(y)$. Therefore $f_y=\frac{x^2}{2}+g'(y)$. Hence…
boaz
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Surface integral (Flux)

Evaluate the surface integral $ \int_{S}\int \vec{F} \cdot \vec{n}\, dS,$ with the vector field $ \vec{F} = zx\vec{i} + xy\vec{j} + yz\vec{k} \ $. $S$ is the closed surface composed of a portion of the cylinder $ x^2 + y^2 = R^2 $ that lies…
CAF
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Multivariate Calculus: Differentiating the following problem

Suppose $\mu$ is $m \times 1 $, $A$ is $m \times m$, $B$ is always $m \times n$ and $\Sigma$ is $n \times n$. Note that $\Sigma$ is symmetric. I need to differentiate the follow form: $$\ell = -\log( \det[B \Sigma B^T]) - \operatorname{tr}([B…
user1769197
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Help to use change of variables to solve the double integral

I'm trying to evaluate: $$\iint_D \left(\sqrt{a^2-x^2-y^2}-\sqrt{x^2+y^2}~\right)dxdy$$ where $D_{xy}$ is the disk $x^2+y^2\le a^2$. The exercise is to use change of variables to solve this integral. My solution I chose $\varphi…
user42912
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Why does $\lim\limits_{ (x,y) \to (0,0) } \frac{x-y}{\sqrt x - \sqrt y}$ not exist?

Why does this limit not exist? $$\lim\limits_{ (x,y) \to (0,0) } \frac{x-y}{\sqrt x - \sqrt y}$$ If you set y = 0, the limit goes to zero. If you set x = 0, the limit goes to zero. You can also manipulate it with algebra to get zero. However, if x=y…
Mike
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Triple integration in cylindrical coordinates

Determine the value of $ \int_{0}^{2} \int_{0}^{\sqrt{2x - x^2}} \int_{0}^{1} z \sqrt{x^2 +y^2} dz\,dy\,dx $ My attempt: So in cylindrical coordinates, the integrand is simply $ \rho$. $\sqrt{2x-x^2} $ is a circle of centre (1,0) in the xy plane. So…
CAF
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