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 $$\iint_S f(x,y) = \int^b_a\int^d_c f(x,y) \mathrm{d}y \mathrm{d}x$$

35850 questions
2
votes
1 answer

Showing that a divergence free vector field is curl of a vector potential

(This must have been asked somewhere before but for some reason I could not find an answer) In physics one often meets the criterion that a vector field has zero divergence, e.g. $$\nabla\cdot\mathbf{v}= 0 \quad (1)$$ Based on this one often claim…
2
votes
3 answers

Applying mean value theorem to function of two variables

If I am given a function $f$ of two variables, where partial derivatives exist on all of $\mathbb{R}^2$. Can I apply the mean value theorem on an interval $[x_1,x_2]$ to $f(x,y)$ by fixing a $y_0$ and then apply the mean value theorem for functions…
Scott Frazier
  • 1
  • 1
  • 11
2
votes
2 answers

Find constant $c$ such that all intersection points of two spheres have perpendicular tangent planes

I have come to a problem in a multivariable calculus book that I'm having trouble with. The problem statement is : "Find a constant $c$ such that for any point of intersection of the two spheres $(x-c)^{2} + y^{2} + z^{2} = 3$ and $x^{2} + (y-1)^{2}…
scipio
  • 595
2
votes
1 answer

Bounds on triple integral (Cartesian)

I want to setup a triple integral for the volume of the surface in the ordering $dy \hspace{1mm} dx \hspace{1mm} dz$: So far I have that for $0\leq z \leq 1, 0 \leq y \leq x$ and for $1 \leq z \leq 2, 0 \leq y \leq \sqrt{2-z}$. I'm having trouble…
Buddhapus
  • 323
2
votes
1 answer

Show that $x^{2}\frac{\partial^{2}u}{\partial x^{2}}+2xy\frac{\partial^{2}u}{\partial x\partial y}+y^{2}\frac{\partial^{2}u}{\partial y^{2}}=0$

I want to prove that $x^{2}\frac{\partial^{2}u}{\partial x^{2}}+2xy\frac{\partial^{2}u}{\partial x\partial y}+y^{2}\frac{\partial^{2}u}{\partial y^{2}}=0$ where $u(x,y)=\frac{xy}{x+y}$. I know that it could be done by calculating each partial…
2
votes
1 answer

Need help on setting up a double integral over a given region, in polar coordinates

The task is as follows: Find double integral (in polar coordinates) over region $D$ of $f(x,y) = (x^2 + y)$ by $dxdy$. The region $D$ is bounded by a circle of radius $3$ and a circle of radius $2$, with upper angle $a1$ being $\frac{\pi}{4}$ and…
Cecile
  • 888
2
votes
1 answer

Show that the image of a cube is almost a cube

Let $C_r = \left \{ x \in \mathbb{R}^n : |x^i| < r \forall 1 \leq i \leq n \right \}$ and $ g \in C^1(U, \mathbb{R}^n)$ for some open $\left \{ 0 \right \} \subset U$ s.t $dg(\vec{0}) = I, g(\vec{0})=\vec{0}$. and let us choose some $0 <…
paxtibimarce
  • 645
  • 5
  • 13
2
votes
1 answer

Application of implicit theorem

Find conditions on the function $f$ and $g$ which permit you to solve the equations $$f(xy)+g(yz)=0\ \ \textrm{and} \ \ g(xy)+f(yz)=0 $$ for $y$ and $z$ as functions of $x$, near the point $x=y=z=1$ and $f(1)=g(1)=0$. Attempt: This problem seems to…
apa
  • 385
2
votes
1 answer

Prove that $ \sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\frac{f_{i}}{2^{i}} $ is integrable function.

Let $ I\subseteq\mathbb{R}^{n} $ be a box.Let $ f_{i}:I\to[0,1] $ be integrable functions. Prove that $ \sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\frac{f_{i}}{2^{i}} $ is integrable function. My first intuition was to use Weierstrass M-test, but we never proved it for…
2
votes
1 answer

Length of the intersection between a sphere and a cylinder

Note: while writing this question I realized what I was missing so there is no question here, but I thought it is a nice exercise to share, and I'd like to see more solutions. I am trying to calculate the length of the curve given by…
paxtibimarce
  • 645
  • 5
  • 13
2
votes
1 answer

Extreme values of $f(x, y)=\frac{(x+y)^{2}}{2}+\frac{(x-y)^{3}}{3}$ on $D=\left\{(x, y) \in \mathbb{R}^{2}:|y| \leq 1-|x|\right\}$

Extreme values of $f(x, y)=\frac{(x+y)^{2}}{2}+\frac{(x-y)^{3}}{3}$ on $D=\left\{(x, y) \in \mathbb{R}^{2}:|y| \leq 1-|x|\right\}$ I resolved by taking the partial derivatives and computing the Hessian matrix, so $(0,0)$ is a saddle point. For the…
2
votes
1 answer

Can Green's theorem be used in a plane other than the xy-plane?

In the following 2D case, Green's theorem solves the following problem: $$\vec{F}=\langle{xy+\ln{(\sin{e^{x})},x^2+e^{y^2}}}\rangle$$ $$\oint_C\vec{F}\cdot{d\vec{r}}=\iint_Dx\space{dA}$$ where C is the unit circle $x^2+y^2=1$, and D is the unit disk…
2
votes
2 answers

Finding the range of a vector valued function

For a single valued function, I can infer if the function is monotone from its derivative. For a vector valued function, is it possible to infer monotonicity from the directional derivative? For example, define $$ D=[1,2]\times[1,2], $$…
user14108
2
votes
1 answer

Neumann problem, stuck on a boundary condition.

I am stuck on a problem that I am trying for exam practice and I would very much appreciate a hint to help me out, here is the section where I am stuck: A solution is sought to the Neumann problem for $\nabla^2 u = 0$ in the half plane $z > 0$: …
user27182
  • 2,124
  • 17
  • 30
2
votes
1 answer

Double solid angle integration with integrand only dependent on relative angle

Suppose one has an integral of the following form, $$ \int \text{d} \Omega_{1} \text{d} \Omega_{2} f(\gamma). $$ Where gamma is the relative angle between $(\theta_1, \phi_1)$ and $(\theta_2, \phi_2)$, $$ \cos \gamma = \cos \theta_1 \cos \theta_2 +…