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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Definitions of differentiability

I have seen two definitions of differentiability of a real valued function and I wonder why they are equivalent. The first definition: For a function $\mathbf{F}:\mathbb R^n\to \mathbb R$ is differentiable at $\mathbf x$, if there exist a matrix…
Y.H. Chan
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Generalizing the total differential to multidimensional codomains

Consider a function $f: \mathbb{R}^n \to \mathbb{R}$ in the variables $x_1, \, x_2, \, \dots, \, x_n$. In multivariable calculus, we learn that the total differential of $f$ is defined as $$ df = \frac{\partial f}{\partial x_1} \, dx_1 +…
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Volume of a cut sphere

The sphere $x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 4$ is cut by the plane $z = 1/2$. How do you calculate the volume of two parts of the sphere using integrals? Thank you!
Eva K.
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union(new: intersection) of any number of open sets is also open

I've just begun reading Spivak's Calculus on Manifold and attempted to proof this simple result. -I've updated my proof- My proof are as follows, img http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5681270/open-set%20proofs.png My proof for the intersection case still…
adsisco
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If $\vec r = x \hat i + y \hat j + z \hat k$ and $r =| \vec r |$ show that $curl [f(r) \vec r] = 0$

I know that $\nabla \times f(r) \vec r = \nabla f(r) \times \vec r + f(r) \left ( \nabla \times \vec r \right )$. I figured that the rightmost expression is $0$. How do I prove that $\nabla f(r) \times \vec r = 0$ ? The actual question in the book…
Haresh
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Line Integral Around a Triangle

Let $R$ be the interior of the triangle with vertices $(0,0), (4,2),$ and $(0,2)$. Let $C$ be the boundary of $R$, oriented counterclockwise. Now evaluate the integral below. $$\int_C(y+e^\sqrt{x}) dx + (xe^{y^2}) dy$$ I know this has to be…
user7000
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Differentiability at a point

Let $f:\mathbb{R}^{2}\mapsto\mathbb{R}\mathbb{}^{2}$ be given by $$f(x,y) = \left(\begin{array}{c} x^{2}y+2y-x\\ 3xy+4y \end{array}\right)$$ Find a open set containing (0,0) where f has a differentiable inverse?. I know the inverse function theorum…
Massin
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Notation for i, j, k component of gradient vector at point x, y, z?

I have a function, $w=x^2+y^2-z^2$, and its gradient vector, $\nabla w=(2x, 2y, -2y)$. How can I write the equation for its tangent plane? Is something like the following accurate? $$ p=\nabla w_\hat i(x,y,z)x +\nabla w_\hat j(x,y,z)y + \nabla…
Daniel
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Evaluate a Double Integral

Evaluate $$\int_0^1\int_0^{\sqrt{1-x^2}} e^{-(x^2+y^2)}\,dy\,dx$$ Sorry if the formatting is off Is there a way to evaluate without using polar coordinates or is that the only way to integrate this? Any help is greatly appreciated
Coop
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Symmetric Tensor Differentiation?

I am looking into a problem that involves differentiation of a second order symmetric tensor. I realize that for a non symmetric tensor $C$ gives $\frac{dC_{ij}}{dC_{kl}}=\delta_{ik}\delta_{jl}$. Now, given a symmetric tensor I saw on wikipedia…
uri
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Calculating a triple integral with spherical coordinates?

I need to calculate $$\iint_D \sqrt{x^2+y^2+z^2} dx dy dz$$ where $D=\{ (x,y,z):x^2+y^2+z^2\leq z\}$ . After substituting $x=r\cos\theta\sin\phi , y=r\sin\theta\sin\phi , z=r\cos\phi $ into the inequality $x^2+y^2+z^2\leq z$, I received that…
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Surface Integral of a Right Circular Cone

Use a surface integral to show that the surface area of a right circular cone of radius $R$ and height $h$ is $\pi R \sqrt{h^2+R^2}$. Hint -- Use the parametrization $x=r\cos\theta$, $y=r\sin\theta$, $z=\dfrac{h}{R}r$, for $0\leq r \leq R$, and…
user7000
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Line Integral as Circulation - But why?

In most vector calculus texts say that if if the vector field $\vec{F}$ is viewed as the velocity vector of a fluid, then the surface integral $\iint_{S} \vec{F} \cdot d\vec{S}$, called flux, could be viewed as the amount of fluid that cross the…
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Path integral problem (mass)

Find the mass of a wire whose shape is that of a curve of intersection of the sphere $x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 1$ and the plane $x + y + z = 0$ if the density of the wire is $x^2$. I know that this problem is just a simple computation with line integrals…
user41281
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Triple integral integration limits

Integral $\iiint\limits_D \frac{1}{(x+y+z)^3} dxdydz$ should be evaluated. D is area bounded by coordinate planes and $x+y+z=1$ plane. I need help with determining integration limits. What software would you recommend for drawing 3D objects to…
1osmi
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