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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How do we know that $(\frac {\partial \mathbf r}{\partial u} \times \frac {\partial \mathbf r}{\partial v}) $ is a unit vector?

The two formulas I have for surface integrals are $\int_S \mathbf v \cdot \mathbf n dS$ and $\int_{\gamma} \mathbf v(\mathbf r(u,v)) \cdot \left(\frac {\partial \mathbf r}{\partial u} \times \frac {\partial \mathbf r}{\partial v}\right) dudv$. If…
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Setting up the intergal but do not integrate

I'm having a little trouble with this problem. Let D be the solid bounded by y=x, z=1-y^2, x=0, and z=0 1) Sketch the region of integration using 2 and dimensional sketches to show the region clearly. 2). Setup 6 different integrals for…
Mathman
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Partial derivative and change of coordinates

A colleague posted this on the door outside his office: $$\frac{\partial}{\partial(x+y)}(xy)=?$$ Trying to be helpful, I gave it a shot: $$u = x + y \\v = x - y \\ x = \frac{u+v}{2} \\ y = \frac{u-v}{2} \\ xy = \frac{u^2 -…
John
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Find minima of the multivariable function $\frac{4}{x^2+y^2+1}+2 xy$

$$f(x,y)=\frac{4}{x^2+y^2+1}+2 xy \\ \text{within the domain: }1/5\leq x^2+y^2\leq 4$$ I am able to find the maximum of the function at $x^2+y^2=4$ by substituting x,y for $\cos(t)$ and $\sin(t)$ and I am able to start working for a solution in the…
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Parameterize Tangent Line to Level Curve

$$f(x, y) = x^2y + yx - xy^2$$ Find a parameterization of the tangent line to the level curve of $f$ through the point $(1, 1)$. I have already computed the gradient of $f$ and found the critical points. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
Jenn
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calculating partial derivatives at $(0,0)$

Let $f:\mathbb R^2 \to \mathbb R$ given by := $$f(x,y) = \begin{cases} 0 & \text{, if xy=0 } \\ 1 & \text{, if xy $\neq$ 0} \end{cases}$$ I've to show that $\partial_1 f(0,0)=0=\partial_2 f(0,0)$. Also show that $f$ is not continuous at $0$.. I…
patang
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What the implicit function theorem is actually showing

Theorem: Let $F: X\subseteq \mathbb{R}^n \rightarrow \mathbb{R}$ be of class of $C^1$ and let $a$ be a point of the level set $S=\{x\in\mathbb{R}^n \mid F(x)=c\}$. If $F_{x_n}(a)\neq 0$ then there is a neighborhood $U$ of $(a_1,a_1\dots a_{n-1})…
johnny
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Vector field and normal of the field are both gradient fields

Are there any general conditions to use to find a vector field f(x,y) that is a gradient field and f(-y,x) is also a gradient field. It seems to me like if their second partial derivatives are zero then this is true or at least I haven't find an…
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How to convert Cartesian Vector to a Cylindrical Vector

I was wondering how exactly to convert a vector in cartesian coordinates, to one in cylindrical coordinates. Given A $= 5x/(x^2+y^2) \hat i + 5y/(x^2+y^2) \hat j + z \hat k$ how would I convert A in terms of r, theta, and z? Sorry in advance for…
Aiva
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Apostol vector calculus exercise

I am self-studying multivariable calculus using MIT's publicly available materials, and I have been stumped by this exercise from Chapter 14.4 of the first volume of Apostol's calculus text: A vector-valued function $F$, which is never zero and has…
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What is the easiest way to evaluate this integral?

\begin{equation*} \int_{0}^{64}\int_{\frac{1}{2}\sqrt[3]{y}}^{2} \frac{y^2}{\sqrt{x^{10} +1}} dxdy \end{equation*} I'm probably doing something really wrong, because I'm stuck. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks.
user78723
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Are the plane and the line parallel?

Problem In the picture above are given the coordinates of the points $O(0,0,0)$, $A(6,0,0)$, $C(0,12,0)$, $D(0,0,5)$, $K(0,6,5)$, $L(6,12,4)$, $M(6,8,0)$, $N(0,8,0)$. It seems as if line $KL$ is parallel to plane $DEM$. Show if they are indeed…
rae306
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Directional derivatives

For a function of one variables $f(x)$, $f'(x)>1$ implies that the rate of increase of $f(x) $ at $x$ is more than 1. How can we define the analogous notion for a function of two variables $f(x,y)$, i.e. whenever $f(x,y)$ increases, the rate of…
webster
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Taylor polynomial in two variables

I'm given a function in two variables $\;f(x,y)\;$ which has continuous partial derivatives of order $\;2\;$ in some open neighborhood $\;D\;$ of $\;(0,0)\;$ . We're also given that in $\;D\;$ : i) $\;f_x(x,y)+xf_y(x,y)= f(x,y)\;$ ii)…
user177692
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If $S \in L(X,Y)$ and lim$_{r \to 0}\frac{\|Sr\|}{\|r\|}=0$,then $S=0$.

Here is a lemma whose proof is as under: If $S \in L(X,Y)$ and lim$_{r \to 0}\frac{\|Sr\|}{\|r\|}=0$,then $S=0$. Proof: The condition lim$_{r \to 0}\Big(\frac{\|Sr\|}{\|r\|}\Big)=0$means that for each $\epsilon \gt 0$ there is a $\delta \gt 0$…
coool
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