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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Differentiability at (0,0).

I always get stuck when I've to show something is differentiable,like in the following question: $f(x,y) = \begin{cases} \dfrac{x^3y^3}{x^4+y^4} & \text{if $(x,y)\neq(0,0)$} \\ 0 & \text{if $(x,y)=(0,0)$} \end{cases}$ show that f is differentiable…
Skye
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Domain in proof of Euler's theorem for homogeneous functions

$$ \newcommand{\R}{\mathbb{R}} \newcommand{\ra}{\rightarrow} \newcommand{\d}{\text{d}} $$ Most statements of Euler's theorem for homogeneous functions I found restrict the domain of the considered function, and/or the homogeneity degree, and/or the…
DavideL
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Show that $\lim_{(x,y) \to (0,0)} {\frac{x\sin y - y\sin x}{x^2 +y^2}}$ does not exist

Show that $\lim_{(x,y) \to (0,0)} {\frac{x\sin y - y\sin x}{x^2 +y^2}}$ does not exist I did use Wolfram Alpha and it says this limit does not exist. I'm trying to prove this with sequential definition of multivariable function. So basically, I have…
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What is the exact, rigorous, full statement of Divergence (Gauss') Theorem in $\mathbb{R}^3$ (without being too complicated)?

The wolfram page http://mathworld.wolfram.com/DivergenceTheorem.html states the formula $$ \int_{V} \nabla \cdot \mathbf{F} dS = \int_{\partial V} \mathbf{F} \cdot d\mathbf{S} $$ but it does not speak much of what kind of conditions should be…
le4m
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Chain rule for functions of two variables

Suppose that $f(x,y)$ is a function of two variables with $f_x(0,2) = 2$ and $f_y(0,2) = -1$. Using the chain rule compute the numerical value of $f_\theta(r\cos\theta,r\sin\theta) = 2$ at $r=2$, $\theta=\frac{\pi}{2}$. Any hints on how to do this…
Joe S
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Uniform estimate for multivariate Taylor's formula

I am wondering how the remainder in multivariate Taylor's formula could be uniformly bounded in a small ball around a point. For instance, let $f:\mathbb R^n\rightarrow\mathbb R^m$ be a function of class $C^2$ around a point $x\in \mathbb R^n$. For…
emeu
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What does $d_{\textbf{a}} f$ mean?

I have a question regarding the differential $d_{\textbf a} f$. Suppose we have the function $f(x,y)= xy$, and the vectors $\textbf a = (1,1)$ and $\textbf u = (2,1)$. Then, if I understand this correctly, $$d_{\textbf a} f(\textbf u) = \nabla…
Eivind
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Proving the origin is a saddle point.

I have the function $g(x,y) = x^6 -y^6x^2$ and want to prove that the origin is a saddle point. I know that a critical point with an indefinite Hessian matrix is a saddle point, but this is only a sufficient condition. $(0,0)$ is indeed a critical…
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Gradient of a scalar function acting on a vector function

If I have a vector function that is constructed from a scalar function acting on a vector function, what is it's gradient? $$\psi(x)=\phi(f(x))$$ where $$x\in\mathbb{R}^n, f\in\mathbb{R}^n\rightarrow\mathbb{R}^1,…
SIMEL
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Differentiation of $\operatorname{tr}(A^TB)$ if $A$ is symmetric

May be an easy question but I am quite confused. Differentiation of $\operatorname{tr}(A^TB)$ with respect to $A$ is $B$ and $\operatorname{tr}(AB)$ is $B^T$. What if $A^T = A$, that is $A$ symmetric, is the differentiation $B$ or $B^T$?
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Green's theorem and flux

Given the vector field $\vec{F}(x,y) = (x^2+y^2)^{-1}\begin{bmatrix} x \\ y \end{bmatrix}$, calculate the flux of $\vec{F}$ across the circle $C$ of radius $a$ centered at the origin (with positive orientation). It is my understanding that Green's…
user59083
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tangent plane to $\sqrt{x} + \sqrt{y} + \sqrt{z} = \sqrt{C}$

Let $ S = \left\{ (z,y,z) \in R^3 : \sqrt{x} + \sqrt{y} + \sqrt{z} = \sqrt{C} \right\} $ be a surface. a) Find the tangent plane to $S$ at $(x_{0}, y_{0}, z_{0})$. b) Let $P_{0}, Q_{0}$ and $R_{0}$ be the points where the tangent plane to $S$ at …
jjjx
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Why does Green's theorem fail for non simple curves?

In looking at the proof of Green's theorem, it is not obvious to me why it must be a simple curve. I was thinking that perhaps it would still apply for a closed curve that crosses itself a countable number of times since then it could be broken up…
Fractal20
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About Jordan volume

I have a multivariate calculus homework, and I don't understand completely the definition of Jordan volume. Here's my question: Be $R \subset \mathbb{R}^2$ with Jordan area and for each $h>0$ be $C(R,h)\subset \mathbb{R}^3$ defined by: $$C(R,h) :=…
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Integral inequality (Divergence theorem)

I'm trying to prove the following inequality: $$2 \int_U |\nabla \phi|^2 dx \leq \int_U \phi^2 dx + \int_U |\Delta \phi|^2 dx$$ where $U \subset \mathbb{R}^n$ is bounded and open and $\phi \in C^\infty_c(U)$. I actually think I have managed to prove…
rt93
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