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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Show that $f$ is constant on each sphere in $\mathbb{R}^3$ centered at the origin

Hi everyone this is a past exam question that I am studying as I go through my class that I am having trouble with, the full question is this: Let $f:\mathbb{R}^3 \rightarrow \mathbb{R}$ be a differentiable function and suppose that $$ \nabla…
JackReacher
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Can any function be parametrised?

I'm going over surface integrals for my Calc 2 exam in May and the questions rely heavily on parametrization. Can it be proven that any function $\mathbb{R^n}\rightarrow \mathbb{R^m}$ (more specifically focusing on the case $m=1$) can be written as…
George1811
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Looking for a specific function from $\mathbb R^2 \rightarrow \mathbb R$ ,something with directional derivatives

this function has to be continuous at the origin, have finite directional derivatives there,but they are not bounded. (meaning for some vectors v with |v|=1 the directional derivatives at 0 can be as large as we want) I first thought about…
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Does the Laplacian and gradient commute?

If I have function $u: \mathbb{R}^n \longrightarrow \mathbb{R}$ smooth, does it always hold that: $$\nabla^2(\nabla u)= \nabla(\nabla^2 u)$$ this is true in general?
Porufes
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For vectors in three-dimensional space, if $a \cdot b$ and $a \cdot c$ are equal, and $a \times b$ and $a \times c$ are equal, are b and c equal?

For vectors in three-dimensional space, if $a \cdot b$ and $a \cdot c$ are equal, and $a \times b$ and $a \times c$ are equal, are b and c equal? I tried looking for counter-examples or using coordinate-by-coordinate proofs, but that didn't get me…
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Area between two circles as a double integral in polar coordinates

Find the area between the circles $x^{2} + y^{2} = 4$ and $x^{2} + y^{2} = 6x$ using polar coordinates. I have found that the equation of the first circle, call it $C_1$, is $r=2$ on the other hand, for $C_2$, I get that its equation is $r =…
arcbloom
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How to find the equation of a plane containing a given point and perpendicular to a given line?

I am asked to find the plane that contains the point $(-4, 7, -3)$ and is perpendicular to the line defined by the parametric equations $x = -4 + t$, $y = 7 + 3t$ and $z = -2t$. Now, I know that if $n = (a, b, c)$ is a normal vector to a plane $P$…
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Problems with limits of functions of two variables

I have the following function: $$f(x,y):=\begin{cases}\frac{x^3y}{x^6+y^2}&,\;\;(x,y)\neq (0,0)\\{}\\0&,\;\;(x,y)=(0,0)\end{cases}$$ I'm asked about continuity at the origin and the limit of function there. Now, the limit doesn't exist…
Timbuc
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proving that $\vec{a} \times \vec{b} + \vec{b} \times \vec{c} + \vec{c} \times \vec{a}$ is the normal to the plane.

$P$, $Q$, and $R$ are points in $ \mathbb{R}^3 $ which are not on the same line. if $\vec{a} = \vec{OP}$, $\vec{b} = \vec{OQ}$, and $\vec{c} = \vec{OR}$, show that $\vec{a} \times \vec{b} + \vec{b} \times \vec{c} + \vec{c} \times \vec{a}$ is…
Evan
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Studying the differential form $w(x,y)=xy^ndx+x^mydy$

Let $w$ be a differential form defined by $w(x,y)=xy^ndx+x^mydy$ where $m$ and $n$ are non negative integers. 1) For which values of $m$ and $n$ the differential form $w$ is closed? 2) For these values, is $w$ exact ? if yes then determine all of…
palio
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How can I calculate $\iint_S\frac{\bf x}{|{\bf x}|^3}\cdot d{\bf S}$ with a semisphere $S$ not centered at the origin?

Let $$ F(x,y,z)=\frac{x{\bf i}+y{\bf j}+z{\bf k}}{(x^2+y^2+z^2)^{3/2}}. $$ How can I calculate $$ \iint_SF\cdot d{\bf S} $$ where $S$ a the "upper semi-unit-sphere" and the boundary of $S$ given by …
user9464
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What information can one get from $f(x,y)\geq -3x+4y$ provided that $f$ is continuously differentiable near $(0,0)$?

Let $V$ be a neighborhood of the origin in ${\Bbb R}^2$ and $f:V\to{\Bbb R}$ be continuously differentiable. Assume that $f(0,0)=0$ and $f(x,y)\geq -3x+4y$ for $(x,y)\in V$. Prove that there is a neighborhood $U$ of the origin in ${\Bbb R}^2$ and a…
user9464
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Trouble with partial derivatives

I've no clue how to get started .I'am unable to even understand what the hint is saying.I need your help please. Given $$u = f(ax^2 + 2hxy + by^2), \qquad v = \phi (ax^2 + 2hxy + by^2),$$ then prove that $$\frac{\partial }{\partial y} \left (…
alok
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Uniform Convergence/continuity

Let $A$ be a compact set of $\mathbb{R}^n$ and $f$ continuous on $A$. Let $F=f_A$, and let $I_0$ be a cube containing $A$. Divide $I_0$ in $2^n$ equal subcubes $I_{1_1},\dots, I_{1_{2^n}}$.On $I_0$ we define $F_0=max f_A$. We define $A_{k_i}=A\cap…
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Knowing when to use Green/Stokes/Divergence theorem to evaluate line/surface integrals

$\newcommand{\mbf}{\mathbf}$ Evaluate $$ \iint \limits_{S} \mbf{F} \cdot d \mbf{S} $$ where $\mbf{F} = 3xy^2 \mbf{i} + 3x^2y \mbf{j} + z^3 \mbf{k}$ and $S$ is the surface of the unit sphere. I have written my solution below -- is it correct? …