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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Implicit function theorem from PMA Rudin

It's the statement of Implicit function theorem from Rudin's PMA. Why here consider mapping from $\mathbb{R}^{n+m}$ into $\mathbb{R}^{n}$? Why the dimension of domain is bigger than codomain? I guess that here $m\geqslant 1$. I can't understand…
RFZ
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Injective function of two variables

Anyone, who can help me to decide whether $v(x,y)=x\sqrt{x+y}+xy+7$ is a injective function. It is easy for me to decide whether a function of one variable is injective, but I am having trouble with more variable cases like this one. Hope someone…
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Problem 10 chapter 9 from PMA Rudin

If $f$ is a real function defined in a convex open set $E\subset \mathbb{R}^n$, such that $(D_1f)(\mathbf{x})=0$ for every $\mathbf{x}\in E$, prove that $f(\mathbf{x})$ depends only on $x_2, \dots, x_n$. Proof: Let $\overline{a}\in E$ and…
RFZ
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Evaluate $\int_{{S}}^{{}} F\cdot n$ where n is outward pointing unit normal

I am having trouble simplifying the following calculation: Let $S=\{(x,y,z)|x^2+y^2+z^2=25,-4\leq x,y,z \leq 4\}$ and $F=(x^3,y^3,z^3)$. I am asked to evaluate the surface integral $\int_{{S}}^{{}} F\cdot n$ where $n$ is the outward pointing unit…
ro44
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Angle between vectors when their dot product and norm of cross product are equal.

I had a question in the final exam that asked what the angle between vectors a and b is if: $$\vec a \cdot \vec b=|\vec a\times\vec b| $$ Any hints please.
Koba
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Is it true that $\max\limits_D |f(x)|=\max\limits\{|\max\limits_D f(x)|, |\min\limits_D f(x)|\}$?

I came across an equality, which states that If $D\subset\mathbb{R}^n, n\geq 2$ is compact, for each $ f\in C(D)$, we have the following equality $$\max\limits_D |f(x)|=\max\limits\{|\max\limits_D f(x)|, |\min\limits_D f(x)|\}.$$ Actually I can…
nuage
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Difference between these two propositions

In my multivariable calculus course they ask me to prove the following propositions: 1) $lim_{(x,y)\to(0,0)}f(x,y) = L \Leftrightarrow \forall\epsilon>0, \exists\delta>0$ such that $|g(r,\theta)-L|<\epsilon, \forall r \in(0,\delta),…
Holaloco
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Flux integral through ellipsoidal surface.

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data I am having trouble with part iii) of the following problem: Verify the divergence theorem for the function $\vec{u} = (xy,- y^2, + z)$ and the surface enclosed by the three parts: (i) $z…
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Lagrange multipliers - regarding the theory and motivation

I am new with Lagrange multipliers , and having trouble understanding what is a necessary condition and what is sufficient. Assume I want to find global exterma of $f(x,y,z) \quad s.t. \quad g(x,y,z)=0$. As far as I understand, Lagrange…
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Trying to make sense out of the transcript about divergence theorem

Sometimes our lecturer forgets to prepare his lecture beforehand and thus his notes at the blackboard seem to be more his stream of thoughts than study material. I have already seen a couple of correct and full formulations of the Divergence…
Imago
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Finding the directional derivatives of this function at the origin

I was having trouble finding the directional derivatives at the origin of the function $$f(x,y)=\begin{cases} [(2x^{2}-y)(y-x^{2})]^{1/4} & \text{for $x^{2} \leq y \leq 2x^{2}$} \\ 0 & \text{otherwise} \end{cases}$$ I understand the…
user135520
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Why do opposite lagrange multipliers describe both the minimum and the maximum distance?

When finding the closest and farthest distances between a circle and a line, I don't understand why the values I compute from the lagrange multipliers give both distances. I've attached a picture of my problem solving. I understand why the normal…
nofe
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Class of parametrization changes which do not affect the value of the path integral

We can define the path integral of a continuous function $G: \Bbb{R}^N \to \Bbb{R}$ on every path $\gamma:[0,1] \to \Bbb{R}^N$ for which the following makes sense $$ \int_\gamma G ds = \int_0^1 G(\gamma(t))|\gamma'(t)|dt. $$ We know that path…
Beni Bogosel
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Show the Jacobian back to itself is 1

I'm working through problems for revision but I've lost the solutions. Show that $\frac{\partial (x, y)}{\partial (u, v)} \frac{\partial (u, v)}{\partial (x, y)} = 1$. My attempt at a solution: Intuitively this makes sense because we convert…
goodcow
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Set up a triple iterated integral for Volume

Let $E$ be the solid bounded by the plane $y=0$, the cylinder $z=1-x^2$, and the plane $y=z$. Set up the triple integral as an iterated integral. My bounds so far are $z$ from $y$ to $1-x^2$ $y$ from $0$ to $1$ $x$ from $-1$ to $1$ Am I on the right…
user
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