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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Vector Calculus Proof

Preamble: dr/ds≡T where T is a unit vector tangent to a curve, C, with arc length κ is known as the curvature. It is the proportionality constant defined by T′=κN, where the prime denotes the derivative with respect to arc length. J. (statement) If…
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Saddle point or not?

Consider the function $f(x,y)=2xy-x^3-y^2$. One of the stationary points is $(0,0)$. At this point, $f_{xx}f_{yy}-f_{xy}f_{yx}<0$. According to me, this indicates that (0,0) is a saddle point. However, the text I am referring to calls this "neither…
PGupta
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How to visualize the partial derivation of $f(x,y,z)$ with respect to only one of the axes?

given a function $f(x,y)$, we can easily visualize the partial derivation of $f(x,y)$ with respect to $x$ or $y$.1. The output of the function $f(x,y)$ is in the z direction. Just like the output of $f(x)$ is in the y direction. 2. $\frac{\partial…
Sami
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Find the work done by the force field $\vec{F}(x, y, z) = (x, y)$ when a particle is moved along the straight line-segment from $(0,0,1)$ to $(3,1,1)$

Find the work done by the force field $\vec{F}(x, y, z) = (x, y)$ when a particle is moved along the straight line-segment from $(0,0,1)$ to $(3,1,1)$ Attempt: $\vec{C}(t) = (3t, t, 1), 0 \leq t \leq 1$ Work done is $\int_{C} \vec{F}(\vec{C}(t)) =…
Bas
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General quadratic functions in two variables

Consider the quadratic function $2x^2-4xy+y^2-3x+4y$. This can be expressed as $2(x-5/4)^2+(y-1/2)^2-4(x-5/4)(y-1/2)-7/8$ Is there any advantage of expressing in the latter form? Are there some features of the function that become apparent by…
PGupta
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Determine whether or not each of the given vector fields is conservative.

Determine whether or not each of the given vector fields is conservative. If the vector field is conservative, find a potential function for the field. (a) $\vec{F}\left(x, y\right) = \left(x^2 + y^2\right)\vec{i} - 2x\vec{j}$ (b) $\vec{F}\left(x,…
Tinler
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parametrization of a circle given a property

Provide a parametrization with the given properties: The curve is circled at point $(a, b)$. It is traced once counterclockwise, starting at the point $(a+r, b)$ with $t \in[0,2π]$ attempt: $x = a + r cos(t), y = a+rsin(t)$ for $t \in [0, 2\pi]$ is…
Tinler
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Arc length parametrisation is reparametrisation

I was trying to show that if $\gamma : [a,b] \to \mathbb R^3$ is a curve and $$ p(t) = \int_{t_0}^t |\gamma'(\tau)|d\tau$$ where $t_0 \in [a,b]$ then $p^{-1}: [c,d] \to [a,b]$ is a reparametrisation of $\gamma$. This is exercise 2 here. But I am…
dolan
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Equation of the tangent plane to the surface $z=x^2+2y^3$ at the point $(1,1,3)$

Find the equation of the tangent plane to the surface $z=x^2+2y^3$ at the point $(1,1,3)$. I think that it is $z=2x+6y-5$. Is that right?
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Proving that a function derived from $\arctan(x/y)$ is continuous on $y\ne0$

$\Omega_1 = \{y > 0\} $ $\Omega_2 = \{y < 0\} $ $\Omega_3 = \mathbb R^2 \backslash \{x \leq 0 \ \ ; \ \ y = 0 \} $ \begin{equation} f(x,y) = \left \{ \begin{aligned} &- \arctan \frac x y + \pi, && \text{if}\ (x,y) \in \Omega_1 \\ &…
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Optimize vector function

this is a question about vector differentiation. I had to optimize the following function: $(b-Ax)^T(b-Ax)$ $A$ is matrix, $x$ and h are column vectors $$A(t) = A^T$$ I worked this out and computed the differential, $df$ which was: $$h(t)A(t)Ax +…
Nedellyzer
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Switching order of integration on unbounded domain

Let's say ${f\left( {x,y} \right)}$ is a continuous function and assume that: $\int\limits_{ - \infty }^\infty {\left| {f\left( {x,y} \right)} \right|dx} $ converges for all $y $ 2) $\int\limits_{ - \infty }^\infty {\left| {f\left( {x,y} \right)}…
zokomoko
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Proving there exists a unique solution close to a point in a non linear system of equations.

Consider the system of non linear equations $$\begin{cases}x^2y^3+x^3y^2+x^5y+1=a \\ xy^2-2x^2y^4+3x^3y=b\end{cases}$$ How can I prove that for a $(a,b)$ close to $(4,2)$ there is a unique solution $x=f(a,b)$, $y=g(a,b)$ close to $(1,1)$? Note that…
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Converting rectangular to polar coordinates

Why when converting rectangular to polar is theta only $0$ to $\pi/2$ and not $0$ to $2\pi$?? problem I'm working with
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Give the forth order taylor polynomial for the function $f(x, y) = cos(xy)$ around the point $(x, y) = (0,0)$

Give the forth order taylor polynomial for the function $f(x, y) = cos(xy)$ around the point $(x, y) = (0,0)$ $f(x, y) = cos(x, y)|_{0,0} = 1$ $f_{x}(x, y) = -xsin(xy)|_{0,0} = 0$ $f_{y}(x, y) = -xsin(x, y)|_{0,0} = 0$ $f_{xx}(x, y) = -x^2cos(x,…
Tinler
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