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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Are the derivatives of symmetric functions symmetric?

Suppose $f(x,y)=f(y,x)$. Does it follow that $\frac{\partial f}{\partial x}=\frac{\partial f}{\partial y}$? Intuitively it seems like it must, because taking a "step" in the $x$ direction must be the same as taking one in the $y$. But when I try to…
Xodarap
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How to find a trajectory $\sigma(t)$ to represent the ellipse $\{(x,y):4x^{2}+9y^{2}=36\}$?

Given the ellipse $\{(x,y):4x^{2}+9y^{2}=36\}$, find a trajectory $\sigma(t)$ which represent it. So far, I have this: The standard equation for an ellipse is: $\frac{x^{2}}{a^{2}}+\frac{y^{2}}{b^{2}}=1$ So, $4x^{2}+9y^{2}=36\}$ $=\left \langle…
InfZero
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Calculate the flux of the vector field through the sphere - please help me understand the solution

Calculate the flux of the field $F(x,y,z) = (yz, xz, xy)$ through the sphere: $$ x,y,z > 0, \space x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = a^2 $$ With outer normal. Solution says: The normal is $N = \frac{1}{a}(x,y,z)$, hence $\langle F,N \rangle = \frac{3}{a}xyz$, and…
Hila
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Closed line integral gradient relation proof

Prove the following relation: $$ \oint f \vec{\bigtriangledown}g \cdot d\vec{l} = -\oint g \vec{\bigtriangledown}f \cdot d\vec{l} $$ where f, g are scalar functions. I've tried a lot of work, but can't seem to figure this relation out. I initially…
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Higher order Derivatives.

Now we know that given two Banach spaces $E$ and $F$ and a function $\ f:E \to F $ , the derivative $ Df(x) $ is a linear map from $E$ to $F$ at some point $ x $ in $E$. Briefly $ \ Df: E \to L(E,F) $ where $ L(E,F) $ is space of all linear…
Vishesh
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Chain rule for multi-variable

If $z = x + D(x + y)$ and I let $g(x,y) = x + y$ Would I be right in saying that : $z = x + f(g(x))$ and $\frac{dz}{dx} = 1 + \frac{df}{dg}\cdot\frac{dg}{dx}$?
jedd
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Find an equation for the surface with all points which are equidistant of $(-1,0,0)$ and the plane $x=1$

Find an equation for the surface with all points which are equidistant of $(-1,0,0)$ and the plane $x=1$. Draw the surface. First, this is the graph I've depicted: Some ideas to find such equation and the corresponding graph for the surface?
InfZero
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Graph of $x=1$ in space

I'm trying to graph $x=1$ in space... this is my first idea... It is a plane parallel to the $yz$ plane. Is it correct?
InfZero
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Graph $y = x^2$ in space

I have graphed this equation $y = x^2$ and I got this output: Is it correct? On the other hand, this I what I got in Wolfram|Alpha: How do I can analog/compare these two graphs in such a way I can deduce one from the other?
InfZero
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describe the surfaces r=constant theta=constant and a =constant in the cylindrical coordinate system

A question arises in my Multivariable calculus book that appears as follows: Describe the surfaces $r=$constant, $\theta$ = constant, $z$ = constant in the cylindrical coordinate system. I am unsure they mean to consider each one separately or…
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How to plot $x^{2}=y^{2}-z^{2}$?

I have plotted this equation $x^{2}=y^{2}-z^{2}$ using Wolfram|Alpha and I got this graph: I have made these changes to the equation: First equation solution: $y=-\sqrt{y^{2}-x^{2}}$ Second equation solution: $y=\sqrt{y^{2}-x^{2}}$ I want to…
InfZero
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Calculus of Variations. Understand Epsilon's Need?

What purpose is Epsilon in Calculus of Variations? My question being what is the need for Epsilon in the equation $y(x)+\epsilon n(x)$ when we assume this as the neighborhood curve of $y(x)$? When we try to find out the Euler Lagrange condition, we…
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Partial and total derivative of a multivariable function

Given a function $f(x,y,t)$, is it correct to say $$\frac{d f}{d x} = \frac{\partial f}{\partial x} \text{ ?}$$
mononono
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Green's theorem for conservative fields - are partials equal?

I have just watched the Green's theorem proof by Khan. At 7:40 he explains why for a conservative field, the partial differentials under the double integral: $$\int \int_R \left( \frac{\partial Q}{\partial x}-\frac{\partial P}{\partial y}\right )…
alkamid
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Reconciling the classical formulation of a surface integral with a general integral over a manifold

So I was just brushing up on some calculus when I came across a problem. I was trying to perform a surface integral I found online through the more general formulation of a differential form on a manifold. This led to some trouble. I'm considering…
squiggles
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