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
2 answers

Show that the limit exists or does not exist

$\lim_{(x, y) \to (0,0)} \frac{5x^2}{x^2 + y^2}$ let $y = 0$ $\lim_{x \to 0} \frac{5x^2}{x^2} = 5$ let $y = x$ $\lim_{x \to 0} \frac{5x^2}{2x^2} = \frac{5}{2}$ Since different values the limit does not exist. Would this be right?
shah
  • 461
2
votes
1 answer

Smoothness of a parametric curve

Suppose that f(t) and g(t) are differentiable on [a, b]. What can be said about the smoothness of the curve parameterized by x = f(t) and y = g(t) on [a, b]? (Smooth here is used in the sense of having no corners or cusps.) A) It must be smooth B)…
Bobert
  • 35
2
votes
0 answers

Prove or disprove each of the follow function has limits $x \to a$ by the definition $\lim_{(x, y) \to (0, 0)} \frac{xy}{x^2 + y^2}$

Prove or disprove each of the follow function has limits $x \to a$ by the definition $\lim_{(x, y) \to (0, 0)} \frac{xy}{x^2 + y^2}$ Using $y = mx$ in $\frac{xy}{x^2 + y^2} = \frac{x \cdot mx}{x^2 + (mx)^2} = \frac{m}{1+m^2}$ Meaning it depends on…
Tree Garen
  • 709
  • 5
  • 15
2
votes
1 answer

Calculating the distance between an ellipse and a point.

I have the following parametrization of a curve (an ellipse): \begin{align} x(t) &=\frac{-17(\cos(t)-\sqrt{2}\sin(t))+23}{6} \\ y(t) &=\frac{17(\cos{(t)}-\sqrt{2}\sin(t))+23}{6} \\ z(t) &=\frac{17\sqrt{2}\sin(t)+26}{6} \end{align} for $0\leq…
John Keeper
  • 1,281
2
votes
1 answer

How to solve $v f^{'}_v + f = 0$, $f(0, y) = y^2$

So I was presented with this equation in my textbook, currently studying multi variable calculus: $$yf^{'}_x(x,y) - xf^{'}_y(x,y) = f(x,y)$$ Using the substitution: $$x^2 + y^2 = u$$ $$e^{{-x^2}{/2}} = v$$ I get the equation (which is correct): $$v…
2
votes
3 answers

Vector Calculus proof bogus or not?

Consider an arbitrary vector real valued function smooth and continuous $\mathbf{r}$ and $\mathbf{r} \cdot \mathbf{r} = \| \mathbf{r} \|^2$ Given $ (\| \mathbf{r} \|^2)' = (\mathbf{r} \cdot \mathbf{r})' = \mathbf{r}' \cdot \mathbf{r} + \mathbf{r}…
Lemon
  • 12,664
2
votes
1 answer

Evaluate the integral with and without Green's theorem

Evaluate the line integral $\oint_C y^2dx + xdy$ when $C$ has the vector equation $\alpha(t)=(2\cos^3t)i+(2\sin^3t)j$, $0 \leq t \leq 2\pi$. My attempt BY USING GREEN's THEOREM, i.e., $P=y^2$, $Q=x$ we get $\iint_c 1-2y dxdy$ Now putting…
Abc1729
  • 53
2
votes
1 answer

Continuity of $2$ variable function in $R^2$ when one variable function is differentiable.

I have this question in an assignment and I am unable to figure it out. "Suppose $f(x,y)$ is a function defined in $R^2$. Set $g(x) = f(x, 0)$, $h(y) = f(0, y)$. If $g$ and $h$ are differentiable at $0$ as functions in one variable does it follows…
2
votes
0 answers

How to apply the divergence theorem to a parametric surface

let $$F(r(u,v))= P(r(u,v)) i + Q(r(u,v))j + R(r(u,v))k$$ be a vector field in $R^3$ and $$ r(u,v)= x(u,v) i + y(u,v) j + z(u,v) k $$ is the equation of a closed parametric surface how do we apply the divergence theorem to the surface integral…
Km356
  • 842
2
votes
1 answer

What does it mean for an integral to be stationary?

I may have the wrong group. I could not find calculus of variations and had to start somewhere. In the calculus of variations we start by finding the 0 points where the functions are at minimum or maximum. Is this the same as stationary that is…
Sedumjoy
  • 1,569
2
votes
1 answer

Finding the absolute maximum

You are in charge of manufacturing the snazzy new mobile tablets that everyone wants to own. The revenue function, in dollars, is given by $R(s,t) = 8s+6t-s^2-2t^2+2st$ , s denotes "steel" model and t denotes "titanium" model, both in units of…
kronos
  • 185
2
votes
1 answer

Find the stationary points of w = $ −3x^2 − 4xy − y^2− 12y + 16x $ which reside at 1st quadrant

Find the stationary points of w = $ −3x^2 − 4xy − y^2− 12y + 16x $ which reside at 1st quadrant. I did this problem with traditional method : like find $f_x$ = 0 $f_y$ = 0 and checking $f_{xx} f_{yy} - f_{xy}^2 $ which I got negative. I got the…
2
votes
1 answer

When does Order of Second Partial Derivatives Matter?

My professor was saying that, for a function of multiple variables, usually the order in which you take the order of partial derivatives did not matter. (ex: $f_{xy} = f_{yx}$). Under what circumstances is this not true?
Bryden C
  • 642
  • 6
  • 20
2
votes
2 answers

Generalized divergence theorem

In the common divergence theorem, shall the boundary (surface) not be smooth everywhere? Is there a version of this theorem where the boundary is nowhere differentiable?
pluton
  • 1,209
  • 2
  • 11
  • 30
2
votes
1 answer

Lagrange multipliers: find minimum with constraints

Find the minimum of $f(x,y,z) = z$ subject to the constraints $x + y + z = 1$ and $x^2 + y^2 = 1.$ So far, I have $$(0,0,1)=\lambda(1,1,1)+\mu(2x,2y,0)$$ $$0=\lambda+2\mu x \implies 2\mu x=-1 \implies x=-1/2\mu$$ $$0=\lambda+2\mu y \implies 2\mu…
B.can
  • 75