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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Determining what set of points a curve can be expressed as a singlevariable-function

The curve $$x^2y^3-3xy^2-9y+9=0$$ is given. I want to determine what points on the curve, for a neighbourhood to said points, $y$ can safely be expressed as a function of $x$. I guess what this means is that I need to find sets $A$ such that for…
Lozansky
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Difference between path and vector field

What is the difference between a path and a vector field? From what I understand the unit vectors $\mathbf i$, $\mathbf j$, and $\mathbf k$ are actually vector fields (constant vector fields to be exact). Then if we have a path $$\mathbf r(t) =…
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A valid method of finding limits in two variables functions?

I was wondering if in finding the limit of a two variables function (say, $F(x,y)$), I can choose the path by let $y=f(x)$, then find the limit in the same way of that in one variable functions. For example, $$ \lim_{(x,y) \to (0,0)}…
Sumo
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Area of triangle and uncertainty estimation

Heron's formula states that if a plane triangle has sides $a,b{\text{ and }}c$, then its area is given by $A = \sqrt {s(s - a)(s - b)(s - c)} $, where $s = \frac{1}{2} \cdot (a + b + c)$ is half the circumference of the triangle. This can also be…
user1812
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Find $\nabla \cdot (f\textbf r)$ and $\nabla \times (f\textbf r)$ of the function $f(x,y,z) = (x^2+y^2)\log(1-z)$

I have been given the function $f(x,y,z) = (x^2+y^2)\log(1-z)$ and I need to find the divergence $\nabla \cdot (f\textbf r)$ and curl $\nabla \times (f\textbf r)$ where $\textbf r$ is the position vector. I understand that $$\nabla \cdot F =…
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Fundamental theorem of calculus in multivariable calculus

I'm not sure if this is the right name for it but with the theorem: Let $f:\sigma \rightarrow \mathbb{R} $ be a smooth scalar field and assume $r: [a,b] \rightarrow \mathbb {R}^n$ is a piecewise parametrisation of a path $C$ whose image is included…
snowman
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Evaluating the triple integral $\iiint \limits_R ze^{-(x^2+y^2+z^2)} \, \, dV$

Evaluate the following triple integrals as a repeated integral using an appropriate coordinate systems: $$\iiint\limits_R ze^{-(x^2+y^2+z^2)} \, \, dV ,$$ where $$R=\{ (x,y,z): \, x,y \in (-\infty, \infty), \, 0 \leq z \leq 1 \}.$$ It is simple to…
snowman
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Level surface undefined

Can a level surface be undefined at some point, even if the original fuction is defined at the same point? example: $w(x,y,z) = xy+yz+xz$ is defined at $p=(1,-1,2).$ Its level surface at $p$ is $z=-\frac{1}{(x+y)}-\frac{xy}{(x+y)},$ which is NOT…
MBdr
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How do I find $C^1$ mapping with given range

I have a following question. Find a one-to-one $C^1$ mapping $f$ from the first quadrant of the $xy$-plane to the first quadrant of the $uv$-plane such that the region where $x^2 \leq y \leq 2x^2$ and $1 \leq xy \leq 3$ is mapped to a rectangle. Can…
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Multi Variable Limit

Can anyone show me the steps? The limit is $0$ but I am facing some difficulties in getting to that point! I know that $\ln(1+u) \leq u$ for $u>-1$. $$\lim_{x,y\to 0}\frac{(x^3y+xy^3)\ln(1+x^2+y^4)}{x^4+6x^2y^2+y^4}$$
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limits of r in cylindrical coordinates

Find the volume of a sphere $x^2+y^2+z^2\leq 1$ contained between planes $z=1/2$ and $z=1/\sqrt2$ using cylindrical coordinates. So the limits of $\theta$ would be $0$ to $2\pi$. Limits of $z$ would be the given planes. But why cant the limits of…
snowman
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Reducing the proof of the smoothness of a multivariable function to that of a $\mathbb{R} \rightarrow \mathbb{R}$ function

Let $$g_1 (x)=\frac{1}{e^{\frac{1}{x}}}, g_2 \equiv 0.$$ Can someone please explain to me how to show, that the function $$f:\mathbb{R} \rightarrow \mathbb{R},\ x \mapsto \begin{cases} g_1 (x) & x>0\\ g_2 (x) & \text{else}\\ \end{cases} $$ is in…
user19822
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circle as polar coordinates

Let $D$ be the interior of the circle of $x^2+y^2=2x$. Find $$\int \int _D \sqrt{x^2+y^2} dA$$ I have a solution to this but it is not clear. It just says in the polar coordinates, the circle is $r^2 =2r\cosθ ⇒ r =0$ and $2\cosθ$. How did they…
snowman
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Prove that a set is closed

Let $f : \mathbb{R}^m \rightarrow \mathbb{R}^n$ be a $C^1$ function. Prove or disprove that $\{x \in \mathbb{R}^m : f(x) = 0 \}$ is a closed set. How would you prove this?? I do not even understant what $f(x)=0$ represnets. I assume that it…
eChung00
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