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 to examine if multivariable functions are differentiable?

How to examine if functions: $f(x,y)=|x+y|$ and $g(x,y)=\sqrt{|xy|}$ are diffirentiable in points: $(0,0)$ for $f(x,y)$ and $(0,1)$ for $g(x,y)$
Naan
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Proving that $\iint_S (\nabla \times F) \cdot \hat{n} dS =0$

I have the following question: Prove that $$\iint_S (\nabla \times \vec{F}) \cdot \hat{n} dS =0$$ for any closed surface $S$ and twice differentiable vector field $\vec F:\mathbb{R^3} \to \mathbb{R^3} $ . I need to prove this using Stokes'…
czash
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Calculating the volume limited by $y=z^2$, $z=x^2$, $x=y^2$, $2y=z^2$, $2z=x^2$, $2x=y^2$

I've tried calculating the volume limited by the surfaces $y=z^2$, $z=x^2$, $x=y^2$, $2y=z^2$, $2z=x^2$, $2x=y^2$. I didn't know how to begin so instead I tried solving for $y=z^2$, $z=x^2$, $x=y^2$. So I checked where they intersect and they can…
iggykimi
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How to show that $\frac{dy}{dx}=-\frac{F_x(x,y)}{F_y(x,y)}$

Suppose that $y$ is defined implicitly as a function $y(x)$ by an equation on the form $F(x,y)=0$. I'm trying to show that $$\frac{dy}{dx}=-\frac{F_x(x,y)}{F_y(x,y)},$$ but I don't know where to start. Can someone please give me a hint? Both $y(x)$…
Eivind
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How to tell if a limit of a multi-variable function exists?

Since I began studying limits of multi-variable functions, I have been baffled with this question: how can one tells if a limit exists or not? I don't know if it's the right way to solve this kind of problem but I've always identified if the limit…
drawar
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Outward Flux of a Divergenceless Vector Field on an Ellipsoid

tl;dr: How do you evaluate $\iint_S \mathbf{F} \cdot d\mathbf{S}$ where $\mathbf{F}(x,y,z) = \frac{1}{(x^2+y^2+z^2)^{3/2}}\langle x,y,z\rangle$ and $\mathbf{S}$ is the outward oriented surface given by $9x^2+4y^2+16z^2=144$? Long story: My…
Samuel
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Spivak's Proof of Inverse function theorem (2nd question)

Suppose $\det f^\prime(a) \neq 0$, $f$ is continuously differentiable in an open set containing $a$. Spivak then show that there exist a closed rectangle $U$ containing $a$ in its interior such that $f(x) \neq f(a)$ for all $x \in U$. Question1:…
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Using Green's theorem to compute an area of a region

I want to use Green's theorem for computing the area of the region bounded by the $x$-axis and the arch of the cycloid: $$ x = t- \sin (t),\;\;\; y = 1 - \cos (t),\;\; 0 \leq t \leq 2\pi $$ So basically, I know the radius of this cycloid is 1. And…
40pro
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Shifrin's Multivariable Mathematics

I'm taking multivariable calc this fall. I began self-studying on my own a couple months ago, using Salas's calc text. Then I stumbled on Ted Shrifin's MTH3500/10 incredible lecture series on Youtube. His text, Multivariable Mathematics, arrived in…
Ryan
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Squeeze theorem question for limits

How can I find the following limit using the Squeeze theorem? $$\lim_{x,y\to 0} \frac{5xy^2}{x^2+y^2}$$ I am not sure what to use for the lower and upper bounds.
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Intuitively what is the second directional derivative?

I'm thinking that the second directional derivative, if both dd's are evaluated in the same direction, will just give you the concavity (the second scalar derivative) in that direction. Is that right? But what if the second directional derivative…
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Difference between $\frac{df}{dx}$, $\frac{\Delta f}{\Delta x}$, and $\frac{\partial f}{\partial x}$

[Beginning calculus question.] I've just been introduced to a number of ways of representing changes in a function value with respect to some variable in multivariable calculus. I don't get the difference between $\frac{df}{dx}$, $\frac{\Delta…
Hatshepsut
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Inverse Function Theorem, Spivak's Proof

I'm having a lot of trouble following the proof of the following theorem. This is from Spivak's Calculus on Manifolds. 2-11 Theorem (Inverse Function Theorem). Suppose that $f: \mathbb{R}^n \to \mathbb{R}^n$ is continuously differentiable in an…
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Double derivative of the composite of functions

Consider $f:\mathbb{R}^n\rightarrow\mathbb{R}^m$ and $g:\mathbb{R}^m\rightarrow\mathbb{R}^k$. Then $(g\circ f):\mathbb{R}^n\rightarrow\mathbb{R}^k$ and, if both of them are differentiable, $[D(g\circ f)_p]=(Dg)_{f(p)}\cdot (Df)_p$. If these…
Marra
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Is it ever easier to show differentiability than continuity?

I'm TAing a course right now in multivariable calculus and in the lecture notes the professor gave the students the theorem stating that differentiability implies continuity, as well as another theorem that says a function $F(x,y)$ is differentiable…
Jnkiejim
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