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 $$\iint_S f(x,y) = \int^b_a\int^d_c f(x,y) \mathrm{d}y \mathrm{d}x$$

35850 questions
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Multi-variable Limit

Question: Does the following limit exist, if so what does it equal? $$\lim_{(x, y) \to (0,0)} \frac{x^2 y^5}{2x^4 +3y^{10}}$$ - Solution 1: The limit DOES NOT exist. Let $ x=y^{5/2}$ $$\lim_{y \to 0} \frac{(y^{5/2})^2 y^5}{2(y^{5/2})^4 +3y^{10}} =…
Sam
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Prove that $\frac{d}{dt} (\vec{r} \cdot (\vec{r}' \times \vec{r}'') = \vec{r} \cdot (\vec{r}' \times \vec{r}''')$

I have $\frac{d}{dt} (\vec{r} \cdot (\vec{r}' \times \vec{r}'') \\ = \vec{r}' \cdot (\vec{r}' \times \vec{r}'') + \vec{r} \cdot (\vec{r}' \times \vec{r}'')'\\ =\vec{r}' \cdot (\vec{r}' \times \vec{r}'')+ \vec{r} \cdot (\vec{r}' \times…
user116528
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Uniqueness of derivative in $\mathbb{R}^n$

There is one confusing moment. How did Rudin get (16)? My though is the following: Since $\dfrac{|B\mathbf{h}|}{|\mathbf{h}|}\to 0$ as $\mathbf{h}\to \mathbf{0}$. Fixing $\mathbf{h}\neq\mathbf{0}$ if $t\to 0$ then $t\mathbf{h}\to 0$. Hence…
RFZ
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Verifying the divergence theorem; What is this surface?

Verify the divergence theorem for the function $\textbf{V} = xy \textbf{i} - y^2 \textbf{j} + z \textbf{k}$ and the surface enclosed by the three parts (i) $z = 0, s < 1, s^2 = x^2 + y^2$, (ii) $s = 1, 0 \le z \le 1$ and (iii) $z^2 = a^2 + (1 -…
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Change of variables in double integral. Finding limits of integration

I need to integrate $\int_ \! \int \sin \frac{1}{2}(x+y) \cos\frac{1}{2}(x-y)\,dx\,dy$ over region $R$:{triangle with vertices $(0,0),(0,2),(1,1)$}. They ask to use $u=\frac{1}{2}(x+y)$ and $v=\frac{1}{2}(x-y)$. Attempt:First, I transformed…
Koba
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Surface Integral

How to find the surface integral of such term $\int \int_{F_+} (y-z)dydz + (z-x)dzdx +(x-y)dxdy$ where $F_+$ is the surface $x^2+y^2 = z^2$ $(0 \leq z \leq h )$ oriented outward. There were other problems, where I could just parametrize the $F_+$…
rndflas
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Show that $\iint_F f(ax+by+cz)dS = 2 \pi \int_{-1}^1 f(u \sqrt{a^2+b^2+c^2})du$

Show that $$\iint_F f(ax+by+cz)dS = 2 \pi \int_{-1}^1 f(u \sqrt{a^2+b^2+c^2})du$$ where $F$ is the sphere $x^2 + y^2 +z^2 = 1$ Please provide me hints on how to proceed with this proof.
aavatar
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divergence free vector fields on non-simply connected domains

We know that divergence free vector fields are themselves curls of vector fields on simply connected domains. I want to construct a counter example in the case the domain is not simply connected. So consider an infinite line of charge along the…
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Flux of a vector field

I've been trying to solve a flux integral with Gauss' theorem so a little input would be appreciated. Problem statement: Find the flux of ${\bf{F}}(x,y,z) = (x,y,z^2)$ upwards through the surface ${\bf r}(u,v) = (u \cos v, u \sin v, u), \hspace{1em}…
docjay
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Finding the flux of the vector field $F=y^2\hat{i}+xy\hat{j}-z^2\hat{k}$ outward through the surface $z=2\sqrt{x^2+y^2}$ , $0\leq z\leq2$

I need to find $\iint_\limits{S}F\cdot\hat{n} d\sigma$ where $\hat{n}$ is the unit outward normal to the surface $S$. Here $S$ is just the conical surface without the base. If I parameterize the surface as follows : $$\gamma=r \cos\theta\hat{i}+…
R_D
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Relating the total derivative and the Jacobian matrix

Take for example $f(x,y) = x^y$. I defined the total derivative to be the best linear approximation of $f$. Without working out the Jacobian I found that $$Df(x,y)(h_1,h_2) = h_1yx^{y-1} + h_2x^y\log(x)$$ However the Jacobian gives me a $1 \times 2$…
helppls
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A question about gradient.

The gradient of a function of two variable $f(x,y)$ is given by $$\left( \frac{\partial f}{\partial x} ,\frac{\partial f}{\partial y}\right). $$ It is also evident that gradient points in the direction of the greatest increase or decrease of a…
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Calculus on Manifolds (Spivak), problem 2-41(a)

Let $f:\mathbb{R}\times\mathbb{R}\to\mathbb{R}$ be differentiable. For each $x \in \mathbb{R}$ define $g_x:\mathbb{R}\to\mathbb{R}$ by $g_x(y) = f(x,y)$. Suppose that for each $x$ there is a unique $y$ with $g_x'(y) = 0$; let $c(x)$ be this $y$. (a)…
Brian Bi
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A function with total differential 0 suffices $|f(p)-f(q)|\leq M\|p-q\|^2$

Let $f$ be of class $C^2$ in the plane, and let $S$ be a closed and bounded set such that $f_1(p) = f_2(p) = 0$ for all $p\in S$. Show that there is a constant $M$ such that $|f(p)-f(q)|\leq M\|p-q\|^2$ for all points $p,q\in S$. So I get the…
Rono
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Lies, Damn Lies and,... Gradients?

Help! I think I'm stuck in a local minimum and I can't get out! Ok that's not news, many people all over the world are stuck in local minima everyday. What is news is that in my case I know there is a path out, and I'm wondering if a gradient…
Terry
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