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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Determinant of a Modified Jacobian of a Function

Suppose $f = \left( f_1, f_2, \ldots, f_{n-1} \right) : \mathbb{R}^{n} \mapsto \mathbb{R}^{n-1}$ is a $C^{2}$ function, then show that the symbolic determinant \begin{align} \begin{vmatrix} \frac{\partial}{\partial x_{1}} &\frac{\partial…
user14082
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Prove that the second derivative are symmetric for this piecewise function at (0,0)

Based of Wikipedia -> Requirement of continuity I'm trying to figure out why the second derivative of the function is not symmetric. The function is: $$ f(x,y) = \begin{cases} \frac{xy(x^2 - y^2)}{x^2+y^2} & \mbox{ for } (x, y)…
andres
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Computing a double integral by method of change of variables. I am having trouble determining a valid diffeomorphism that "works".

I am trying to compute the integral $$\iint_{R} sin(9x^2 + 4y^2) dA$$ where R is bounded by the region $9x^2 + 4y^2 = 36$, by the change of variables method. I am having trouble determining the proper transformation $G: \mathbb{R^2} \to R$ so that…
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Why normal vector and acceleration aren't the same?

I know the derivative of position vector function $r(t)$ is velocity, and its unit vector is tangent vector, therefore, the derivative of tangent vector is the unit vector of acceleration and normal vector. Why isn't that the case?
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multi variable calculus problem

In this problem putiing it in limit 1 / n f(k/n) form it turns out to be π\4 which is not in the option . its answer is given as the first three options . how can it have three possible answers?
shadow kh
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What does one need measure zero for?

I'm taking multivariable calculus course (third one actually) and we're introduced to measure zero. What does one need measure zero for? Measure zero of a set $A$ in $\mathbb{R}^n$ means that one can find a collection of sets whose volume can be…
mavavilj
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existence of a limit of a function $f:\mathbb{R}^2 \to \mathbb{R}$

Can anyone calculate the value of K. It seems 0 is the value as I have seen it in many questions but not sure. If anyone can arrive at this value, then please.
shadow kh
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Distance between surfaces

I'm trying to find the minimal distance between the surfaces described by $z=x^2+y^2$ and $x+y-2z=8$. I would imagine there are several approaches including the use of Lagrange multipliers. I attempted to find the spot when their normal vectors are…
user351797
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Proof of the definition corollary of curl

$$(\nabla \times \mathbf{F}) \cdot \mathbf{\hat{n}} \ \overset{\underset{\mathrm{def}}{}}{=} \lim_{A \to 0}\left( \frac{1}{|A|}\oint_{C} \mathbf{F} \cdot d\mathbf{r}\right)$$ This is how the curl operator is usually defined, and I want to know the…
dervi
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Higher-order partial derivatives for functions defined $\mathbb{R}^n \rightarrow \mathbb{R}^m$.

So far I've only seen examples of high-order (ie: second, third) partial derivatives of functions $f:\mathbb{R^n} \to \mathbb{R}$, but not any with $f:\mathbb{R^n} \to \mathbb{R^m}$. Is there a reason for this? Is this because the definition of a…
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Find the values of $c\neq 0$, such that $P(x,y)>0$

Consider the polynomial $P:\mathbb{R}^{2}\to\mathbb{R}$ given by, $P(x,y)=1+c(x^3+y^3)+(x^2+y^2)^2$. Find all values of $c\neq 0$, such that $P(x,y)>0$, for all $(x,y)\in\mathbb{R}^{2}$ My approach: Clearly $(x^2+y^2)^2$ is positive. However, how…
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Find inverse of multivariable function

How do I find the inverse of $f(x_{1}, x_{2}, x_{3}) = ( \frac{ x_{1} }{1 + x_{1} + x_{2} + x_{3}} , \frac{ x_{2} }{1 + x_{1} + x_{2} + x_{3}} , \frac{ x_{3} }{1 + x_{1} + x_{2} + x_{3}})$ I already managed to prove that the function is inyective…
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Chain Rule of Partial Derivatives

If $f$ is a differentiable function defined $f: \mathbb{R}^2 \to \mathbb{R}$ and $f(2,1) = 3$ and $\nabla f(2,1) = (4,3)$, find $\nabla G(1,1)$ with $G(x,y) := x^2yf(x^2 +y^2, xy)$. I wrote the $G_x$ as $2xyf(x^2 +y^2, xy) + x^2yf'(x^2 + y^2,…
Danilo
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Continuity - Why does it require open sets in this definition?

My notes claim the following theorem: A function $f: \mathbb{R}^n \to \mathbb{R}^m$ is continuous if and only if whenever $U \subseteq R^m$ is an open set, then $f^{-1}(U) \subseteq \mathbb{R}^n$ is an open set. Why do we require both sets to be…
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Is there a lower dimensional vector operator analogous to Curl or Div?

The Curl vector operator can be defined as the limit of an infinitesimal closed line integral over a surface divided by the |area| as it approaches zero. Likewise for Div as the limit of an infinitesimal surface integral over a volume divided by the…
user10389
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