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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How is the Directional Derivative a linear transform?

So I know basically what a directional derivative is and how to calculate it using the gradient vector, but I'm a bit lost on the more advanced approach of looking at it as a linear transform. I've read that multivariable calculus is about…
Fgilan
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A simple question on the Lipschitz property

Suppose $f:\mathbb{R}^n\to\mathbb{R}$ is differentiable and $L$-Lipschitz, namely $$|f(x) - f(y)|\leq L ||x-y||_2 \ \ \forall x,y\in\mathbb{R}^n~.$$ How does this imply $$||\nabla f||_2\leq L\ ?$$ It's clear when $n=1,$ but how can it be shown for…
Hedonist
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Finding the maximum on an inside an octahedron

Let $B$ be the closed domain in $\mathbb{R}^3$ defined by $|x_1|+|x_2|+|x_3|\leq 1$. Find the maximum of $F(x_1,x_2,x_3)=\sum_{i=1}^3x_i^2+\sum_{i=1}^3a_ix_i$ on $B$. Using Lagrange multiplier seems too complicated. We can write $F$ as…
nerd
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Approximating a two variable function.

A cylindrical tank is 4 feet high and has on outer diameter of 2 feet. The walls of the tank are 0.2 inches thick. We need to approximate the volume of the interior of the tank assuming that the tank has a top and a bottom that are both also 0.2…
User9523
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Is there a constant $C$ such that $z=x^2+y^2+C$ is tangent to $x^2+y^2=z^2$?

Per the title, does a constant $C$ exist such that the surface of the paraboloid $z=x^2+y^2+C$ is tangent to the surface of the cone $x^2+y^2=z^2$? How would I find this constant? Thanks a lot!
ro44
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Tangent vectors and parametric curves

Consider the curve $C$ defined by $(x,y,z) = \bar{r}(t)$, where $$\bar{r}(t)=\langle t\sin t, t\cos t, t^2 \rangle~~; t \in \mathbb{R}^3$$ Show that $C$ lies on the paraboloid $z= x^2 + y^2$ Find a vector tangent to $C$ at the point…
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What's wrong in computing the gradient like this?

Say $u(x,y)=x^2+y^2$. Its gradient at (1,1) is (2,2). Since I'm sure the gradient is directed towards y=x direction. I set y=x. Then $u(x,y)=2x^2=2y^2$. Now compute the gradient again. It's $\nabla u=(\partial_x u,\partial_y u)=(4x,4y)=(4,4)$. So…
Tim
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Finding a Surface Integral for the Vector Field: $F=\langle xz,x^2+y^2,y \rangle$

I need help calculating $$\iint_S F\cdot ds$$ where $$F=\langle xz,x^2+y^2,y \rangle$$ and $$S=\left\{(x,y,z)\mid x^2+y^2+z^2=25 ,y\ge0\right\}$$ oriented in the positive $y$ direction. My Thoughts: Maybe we can do the following: $$\iint_S F\cdot…
user19289
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Calculating the Flux of $F$ over $S$

I need help calculating $$\iint_S F\cdot ds$$ where $F=\langle z,y,x \rangle$ and $$S=\left\{(x,y,z)\mid \frac{x^2}{a^2}+\frac{y^2}{b^2}+\frac{z^2}{c^2}=1\right\}$$ and is oriented outwards. Would the divergence theorem be used here, I'm not sure…
user19289
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Calculus 3, Stokes' Theorem

So I'm trying to solve this by using Stokes' :$F(x,y,z)=2y\cos(z)i+e^x\sin(z)j+xe^yk$, where $S$ is the hemisphere $x^2+y^2+z^2=9$ oriented upward, $z$ larger than or equal to $0$. I do this by letting $r(t)=3\cos ti+3\sin tj+0k$ , and then evaluate…
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Total derivative of $f(A,B)$ , where $f:M(n,\mathbb{R}) \times M(n,\mathbb{R}) \to M(n,\mathbb{R})$

Find the Total derivative of i)$f(A,B)=A+B$ , ii)$g(A,B)=AB$ iii)$h(A,B)=A^2$ where $f,g:M(n,\mathbb{R}) \times M(n,\mathbb{R}) \to M(n,\mathbb{R})$ and $h:M(n,\mathbb{R}) \to M(n,\mathbb{R})$ Let $A=[a_{ij}]$ , $B=[b_{ij}]$, where $ 1 \le i \le…
tattwamasi amrutam
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Trig substitution for integral of $z/(x^2+z^2)$?

So I have an integral $\int_1^4\int_y^4\int_0^z\frac{z}{x^2+z^2}\,dx\,dz\,dy$ but I can't figure out what trig substitution to use on the first step. When I try $z=\cos$ and $x=\sin$, I end up with $\int\cos$ but the book comes up with…
PoGaMi
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Does $\int_cf\:dx$ depend on the parameterization of $C$?

As long as we don't switch the orientation, does $\int_cf\:dx$ depend on the parameterization of $C$ or no? I have a feeling that it does not depend. However, can someone give me a rigorous proof as to why it does not depend?
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Change of variable (Fourier Transform related)

Consider a problem below... The solution offered to this particular question (1)a)) simply state the change of variable ksi to by to yield the result, I'm failing miserably to see how.
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Why does $\nabla F{(x,y,z)}$ point in the direction of greatest increase of the function, and why is $|\nabla F(x,y,z)|$ its slope?

Why does $$\nabla F{(x,y,z)}$$ point in the direction of greatest increase of the function and why is $$|\nabla F{(x,y,z)}|$$ it's slope (I should actually ask what the slope would mean here as I'm not entirely sure here as we are working in $3D$…