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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Finding the area enclosed by a curve without usual 1-D explicit integration.

I am trying to find the area enclosed by the curve $$x^4 + y^4 = 4xy$$ in the first quadrant. Solving the roots of a quartic polynomial $y$ does not seem to be an efficient way to approach this. I am considering simplifying the problem converting to…
Joseph
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Finding the net outward flux of a sphere

Use the Divergence Theorem to compute the net outward flux of: $$ F = \langle x^2, y^2, z^2 \rangle $$ $S$ is the sphere: $$ \{(x,y,z): x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 25\} $$ First, I took: $$ \nabla \cdot F = 2x + 2y + 2z $$ Then, I tried setting up the…
dendritic
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Using Stokes' Theorem Finding $\int_C{F\bullet dr}$

Suppose that $C$ is the intersection of $z=2x+5y$ and $x^2+y^2=1$ which is oriented counterclockwise when viewed from above. Now let $$F=\langle \sin{x}+y, \sin{y}+z, \sin{z}+x \rangle$$ How can I find $\int_C{F\bullet dr}$? So far I know that the…
user19289
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Vector Field Conceptual Question

Given that: $$F = \langle yz-2xy^2, axz-2x^2y+z, xy+y \rangle$$ in which $a$ is some constant. Now, for what $a$ would make the vector field of $F$ conservative? Why is there only one, or are there many? How can we find an $f$ with $\nabla f=F$?…
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Can't Finish Double Integral in Polar or Cartesian

Alright, so I'm stuck on what I think should be a simple double integral. It is $\int_0^1\int_{\sqrt x}^1e^{y^3} \, dy \, dx$. This is just the volume between the surface $z=e^{y^3}$ and the area bounded by $y=\sqrt x$ and $y=1$, $0\le x \le 1$. I…
PoGaMi
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Evaluating line integral technique.

I'm trying to do a few questions set by a lecturer on line integrals. I was struggling with a few of them and decided to look at the solutions: Often when $$\int_C \vec{F}\cdot d\vec{r}$$ is tricky to evaluate he will say $$\int_C~ \vec{F}\cdot…
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Points on Surface, Distance Optimized

How do I find the points on the surface: $$x^3+y^3+z^3=1$$ such that the distance to the origin is minimized? My Thoughts: Perhaps we can minimize the distance squared? Not sure.
gabby
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Is $f$ bijective on$\mathbb{R}^2$?

Let $f(x,y)=(x^2-y^2,2xy)$ a function from $\mathbb{R}^2\to\mathbb{R}^2$. Study if $f$ does have an inverse in whole $\mathbb{R}^2$? My approach: Since $\det(Df(x,y))=(2x)(2x)-(-2y)(2y)=4x^2+4y^2\neq 0$ for $x,y\neq 0$ then $f$ is locally…
apa
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What's wrong with my calculation for checking the divergence law?

Here is a problem in Griffiths Introduction to Electrodynamics as follows. Check the divergence theorem for the function $\mathbf{v} = r^2\mathbf{\hat{r}}$, using as your volume, the sphere of radius R, centered at the origin? Here is my calculation…
Jichao
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How can we define the Inner Product of multi-variable functions?

How can we define the Inner Product of multi-variable functions? For example, what is the value of the inner product of $\nabla f$ and $\nabla g$? $$\langle \nabla f, \nabla g\rangle = ?? $$ Here $\langle\cdot,\cdot\rangle$ is used for the inner…
Misaj
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Why does curl($F$)=$0$ $\iff$ $F$ is conservative?

Why is it true that$$\displaystyle curl (\vec{F})=0 \iff \vec{F} \text{ is conservative}$$ i.e. $$\displaystyle \exists f \text{ s.t. }\nabla f=\vec{F}$$
Alex
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intuition behind saddle point

Recently,I'm studying multivariable calculus. One of my friend said to me that the graph of $z=y^2-x^2$ has a saddle point .I don't understand the concept of saddle point with intuition.Can anyone explain the concept of saddle point with intuition…
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Determine if first and second partial derivatives are positive, negative or zero based on level curves

Assuming I have a point on a level curves graph for function f(x,y), how would I determine whether the first and second partial derivatives are positive, negative, or zero? I understand that for a regular graph, the slope and concavity would be the…
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Double integral over trapezoid

Compute $$\iint_D \frac{1}{(1+(x+2y)^2)^2} \,dx\,dy$$ where $D$ is given by $x \geq 0 , \, y \geq 0, \, 1 \leq x+2y \leq 2 \\$. I am supposed to solve it with the help of contour lines. By drawing $D$ we get a trapezoid with the corners $(1,0), \,…
Lozansky
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