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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Need help with identifying dependent variable in change of variables, non-independent variables problem(s)

I understand the idea behind non-independent variables and have been able to solve problems of this form: we have a function $f$, and a constraint equation that relates the variables of $f$ to each other. e.g. $w=x^2+y^2+z^2$, where $z=x^2+y^2$. To…
beginner
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Second point of intersection - parameter removes second solution?

$$\mathbf r_1 (t) = (t^2 - t, t^2 + t) \\ \mathbf r_2(u) = (u+u^2, u-u^2)$$ I'm trying to find two of the intersection points, but I'm lost as to how to approach the question. Is it possible to remove the parameter? $$\mathbf r_1 - \mathbf r_2 =…
tgun926
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Showing that if the operator norm of $Dg$ is $< 1$, then $g$ has a fixed-point

I'm trying to solve this following question: Let $g:\mathbb{R^{n}\to R^{n}}$ be a differentiable function. Show that if exists $0\le r<1$ s.t. $\forall a\in \mathbb{R^{n}} \quad \vert\vert{(Dg)_a}\vert\vert_{op}\le r$, when …
Ludwig
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Parametrization is orientation preserving.

Let $S$ be a surface parametrized by $\phi : \mathbb{R} ^2\to \mathbb{R} ^3$. We have that, if $\phi _u =\dfrac{\partial \phi}{\partial u}$ and $\phi _v =\dfrac{\partial \phi}{\partial v}$ then we say $\phi$ is orientation-preserving if $\dfrac{\phi…
user73564
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find equation of a plane that is 3d

how to find equation of a plane passing through the point $(5, 6, 8)$ and parallel to the $xz$-plane. I know you can use the equation $a(x-x_0)+ b(y-y_0)+ c(z-z_0)=0$. Do i just plug in and thats it?
jain smit
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Prove that $\frac{\partial G}{\partial t} + \frac{\partial F_2}{\partial x} + \frac{\partial F_1}{\partial y} = 0$

The following problem appears as 533 in Putnam and Beyond (2007 edition). I have some doubts about the solution given at the end of the book. I would appreciate it if someone could answer my questions (to appear at the end). Problem: Let $\vec{F} =…
nowhere
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Length of a curve given by an equation $ r(t)$

Find the length of the space curve given by $$r(t) = 2t\,\mathbf{i} + 5\cos(t)\,\mathbf{j} + 5\sin(t)\,\mathbf{k}$$ over the interval $[0,2]$. I did this and I got the answer as 10.77 Did I get the right answer? please help me i'm not very good…
jain smit
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Application of Green's Theorem

I know this is a really basic question, but I seem to be kind of rusty. $C$ is the boundary of the circle $x^2+y^2=4$ $$\int_C y^3dx-x^3 dy = \int_A -3x^2-3y^2 dA= \int_0^{2 \pi} \int_0^2 -3 r^2 r dr d \theta = -12 \pi$$ Did I make a mistake? My…
shimee
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Difficulty understanding the gradient vector

Please take a look here: Assume I want to decide the sign of $\frac{dz}{dt}|_{t=1} $ (and not t=2). As far as I can see: At $t=1$ i think that the derivative is positive... this is because the $x'(1)=0 ,y'(1)>0$ and $ z_y(3,0) > 0 $ . In one of…
czash
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Prove $\int\int_{[0,\pi]\times [0,\pi]} |\cos(x+y)| d(x,y) = 2\pi$

I have come to an exercise in a multivariate calculus book that I am having trouble with. The problem is : Show that $\int\int_{[0,\pi]\times[0,\pi]} |\cos(x+y)| d(x,y) = 2 \pi$ I have attempted solving the problem but I'm not getting the right…
scipio
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Surface integration over section of paraboloid below a plane

Let S be the finite portion of the surface $z = 4x^2 + y^2$ cut off by the plane $z = 8x + 4y - 4$. Evaluate the surface integral $(x, y, 3z)\,dS$ over the region $S$ where the normal to $S$ points upwards. I can do this using the divergence…
AronK
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Bounding the $L^\infty$ norm of the partials.

Suppose $\varphi \in C^{\infty}(\mathbf{R}^n)$. I would like to show that $$ \sum_{j=1}^n \| \partial_j \varphi \|_{L^{\infty}} \leq 2n\big(\|\varphi \|_{L^{\infty}}\big)^{\frac{1}{2}} \bigg(\sum_{j=1}^n \sum_{k=1}^n \|\partial_j \partial_k \varphi…
Suugaku
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A continuum of critical points in multi-variable calculus

In multivariable calculus, we learn to find local extrema by identifying the critical points, and deciding (using the second derivative test, or otherwise) the type of the point - a local max, a local min, or a saddle point. What if we get a…
Teddy
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Is $f$ a differentiable function?

Hello everyone I have this problem, Can somebody help me with this? $f:\mathbb{R}^2\rightarrow{}\mathbb{R}$ is defined by: $$f(x,y) = \left \{ \begin{matrix} \ln\left(\displaystyle\frac{x}{y}\right) & \mbox{if } xy\geq{0} \\ 0 & \mbox{if…
user63192
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Evaluating $\iint_s \vec F \cdot \hat n ds $ around the curved surface of cylinder cut by plane at $45^\circ $

I need to calculate the surface integral of $F(x,y,z) = \hat i x +\hat j y + \hat k z$ on the curved part of surface $x^2+z^2 = 1, x+y=2, $ and $y$ goes from $1$ to $3$ as shown in following figure. How do I evaluate $\displaystyle \iint_S \vec F…
hasExams
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