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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Find the flux of the vector field

Find the flux of the vector field $F = [x^2,y^2,z^2]$ outward across the given surfaces. Each surface is oriented, unless otherwise specified, with outward-pointing normal pointing away from the origin. the upper hemisphere of radius 2 centered at…
Mark
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Dirac Delta identity

Reading through the proof on the Helmholtz decomposition of a vector field, I came across the following identity: $$\delta(x-x')=-1/4\pi*\nabla^2*(|x-x'|)^{-1}$$ Does anyone have any insight on how to prove/derive this identity? Thanks in advance.…
Mr. Vubio
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Integral$\int_{0}^{1} \int_{-1}^{1} |x + y|\,\mathrm dy\,\mathrm dx$

Here is the question. I put the equation in the following double integral: $$\int_{0}^{1} \int_{-1}^{1} |x + y|\,\mathrm dy\,\mathrm dx$$ I know you can break up the absolute function into the following. I'm not really sure what to do next. I looked…
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Line integrals of given curves

This question has an integral $$\int(x^4+4xy^3)dx+(6x^2y^2-5y^4)dy$$to be evaluated on the parametric curve $$C:(-(t+2)\cos(\pi t^2), t-1)$$I took the partial derivatives of the terms in the bracket and subtracted them to get $0$. However, this is…
Artemisia
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Triple integral using spherical coordinates

The following function is given: $$\iiint_{x^2+y^2+z^2\leq z} \sqrt{x^2+y^2+z^2}dx\,dy\,dz$$ And I have to calculate this integral using spherical coordinates. The substitutions are standard, I think, but I am having a problem with the limits.…
Artemisia
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Tangent plane and Parametrized Surface

"Given a sphere of radius $2$ centered at the origin, find the equation for the plane that is tangent to it at the point $(1,1,\sqrt[]{2})$ by considering the sphere as a surface parametrzed by $\Phi(\theta, \phi) = (2\cos(\theta)\sin(\phi),…
Ozera
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Calculus of an integral

I'm trying to calculate the following integral $$\int\limits_S \exp\left\{\sum_{i=1}^n \lambda _ix_i\right\} \, d\sigma$$ where the $\lambda_i$ are constant real parameters, $S$ is a surface in $\mathbb{R}^n$ determined by the conditions $$\sum…
a06e
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Multivariable calculus- Two tangent circles

Another question from a midterm: Let $f:\mathbb{R}^3 \to \mathbb{R} $ be differentiable. It is also given that $f$ is constant on the following two spheres: $ S_1 = \{(x,y,z)|x^2 + y^2 +z^2 =1\} $ and $ S_2 = \{(x,y,z)| (x-1)^2 + (y-1)^2 + (z-1)^2…
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What's $\partial_x^{\alpha}$ when the coordinate system changes?

In ${\mathbb R}^n$, let $F$ be a smooth one-to-one mapping of $\Omega$ onto some open set $\Omega'$, where $\Omega\subset{\mathbb R}^n$ is open. Set $y=F(x)$. Assume that the Jacobian matrix $J_x=[(\partial y_i/\partial x_j)(x)]$ is nonsingular for…
user9464
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Lagrange Multipliers where no solutions(s) satisfy the constraints

$f(x) = x-y$ subject to constraint $x^2-y^2=2$ Using the method of Lagrange Multipliers, we get: $(1, -1) = \lambda(2x, -2y)$ which gives $x=y$ but this does not satisfy $x^2-y^2=2$ Is this because the Lagrange method is not applicable here? Or…
EggHead
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At what time is the speed minimum?

The position function of a particle is given by $r(t) = \langle-5t^2, -1t, t^2 + 1t\rangle$. At what time is the speed minimum?
bbm
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Partial derivatives of second order

Find all functions $f:\mathbb{R}^2\rightarrow \mathbb{R}$ of class ${\cal C}^2$, such that: $\frac{\partial^2f}{\partial x\partial y} = 0$ $\frac{\partial^2f}{\partial x^2} = \frac{\partial^2f}{\partial y^2}$ (Separate questions) For the first…
MathGuest
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Proof for the projection of vector u on v

I was trying to prove that $proj_v(u)=\frac{v·u}{||v||^2}$ v, and I was getting close, but then a friend spoiled the fun of completing the proof by giving me what he called a "hint". Blurting out a key part in a proof isn't a "hint". Needless to…
Hautdesert
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Partial derivative paradox

Okay, perhaps not a paradox, but somewhat of a lack of understanding on my part. Let $z$ equal some function of $x$ and $y$, i.e. $z = f(x, y)$ and take partial derivatives $\frac{\partial z}{\partial x} = f_x$ and $\frac{\partial z}{\partial y} =…
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Integral of $f(x,y,z)=x+2y+z$ over a tetrahedron.

Let $S$ be the tetrahedron in $\mathbb{R}^{3}$ having vertices $(0,0,0),(1,2,3), (0,1,2)$ and $(-1,1,1)$. Evaluate $\int_{S} f$, where $f(x,y,z)=x+2y-z$.
user39723