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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Computing $\int_C (xz+1) \,\mathrm{d}x + (yz + 2x) \,\mathrm{d}y$ with Stokes's theorem - verifying my calculation

I'm not sure if I'm doing this right. I'll write out what I've done so far and if anyone could point out any mistakes, I would really appreciate it. Let $C$ be the curve of intersection of $y + z = 0$ and $x^2 + y^2 = a^2$ oriented in the…
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Independence of path in a closed curve line integral

Let $f(t)$ be a continuous function. Let $C$ be a smooth closed curve. Show that $$\oint\limits_C xf(x^2 + y^2)\,dx + y f(x^2 + y^2)\,dy = 0$$ Hint: Remember that $f(t)$ has a primitive function $F(t)$. Use this fact to construct a potential…
user_777
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Proof of transformation law for double integrals

The second volume of Apostol's Calculus seems rather circumspect in its discussion of the change of variables formula for double integrals. Section 11.29 offers a proof under the following very limited circumstances: Let $R$ be a rectangle, $R^*$…
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Inconclusive second derivative test at (0,0) for $x^{4} + y^{4} - 2x^{2} - 2y^{2} +4xy $

Second derivative test is inconclusive here , given f( x, y) is $x^{4} + y^{4} - 2x^{2} - 2y^{2} +4xy $ At (0,0) how do i check nature ? Also i would like to know general tactics when things like these happen .Thank You
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How to interpret a double integral

If you have an integral $\int_c^{d}\int_{a}^{b} f(x_1,x_2)\,dx_2\, dx_1$. I am not sure how to visualize this.I know that you are adding two dimensional rectangles but I cannot see the relationship between the formula and the visualization. Do you…
lord12
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How to draw a contour map of $ f(x,y)=x^2+y^2+xy$

I have used a program to see that it is an ellipse but I want to know the process of thinking to actually draw the contour map myself. $x^2+y^2+xy=C$ for $C=0,1,2,3,...$ I can't seem to get it into an ellipse form. What should I do? Thanks!
Nash
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To check if (0,0) is local minima for$F ( x, y) = x (x - 2y^{2}) $

Hello Thanks for your time $F ( x, y) = x (x - 2y^{2}) $ . I have applied second derivative test which does not give any result . By looking at function i see that when x is greater than $2y^{2} $ , f is positive otherwise negative , So…
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Extremum in $f:R^2\to R$ via partial differential?

In my math lectures, I learnt that an extremum of a function $f:\mathbb R^2\to \mathbb R$ requires $\mathrm{grad}(f)=0$. So if $f$ was $f(x_1, x_2)$ that means $(∂f/∂x_1, ∂f/∂x_2) \cdot (x_1, x_2)^{\top}=0$. (Sorry for my poor Tex skills, am working…
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Finding extreme value of a multivariable function

I am trying to find the extreme value of this function $$f(x_1,\ldots,x_n) = x_1x_2^2\cdots x_n^n(1-x_1-2x_2 - \cdots - nx_n),$$ with $x_1,\ldots,x_n > 0$. I computed the partial derivatives and set them equal to $0$ which gives me $x_i = 1$ so the…
Paul555
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Double integral: How to switch to polar coordinates with a difficult domain

i have this double integral: $$ I=\int \int_{R} (x+y),\;\; R=\left \{ (x,y):\frac{x^{2}}{3} \leq y\leq 3,\; -1\leq x\leq 3\right \} $$ and this is the domain of integration NOT in polar coordinates: i don't see any radial simmetry, so how can i…
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Help me to understand Line integral problem solution

I was thinking as to why $\theta$ has been taken from $0$ to $2\pi$ . It is not obvious from the picture . Also can it be done using stokes.Thanks
godonichia
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proving gradient of a function is always perpendicular to the contour lines

Can someone give an explanation of how such a proof would go, given a function example: $y = f(x)$
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How does algebra on differential forms work?

Let $\omega$ be a 1-form such that: $\omega = a\,dx + b\,dy$ and $\eta$ is a 0-form. I've seen a lot of times where $\eta \wedge \omega$ is written as $\eta \omega$... which kind of makes sense as $\eta \wedge \omega = (\eta a)\,dx + (\eta b)\,dy$.…
Luke
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Triple integration using spherical coordinates

Write a triple integral including limits of integration that gives the volume of the cap of the solid sphere $$x^2+y^2+z^2 ≤ 2$$ cut off by the plane z=1 and restricted to the first octant. Note: In your answer(s), type theta, rho, and phi in place…
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Find $b$ so that $f(x,y) = y^3+3x^2y-15y-12bx$ has some critical point

I am trying to solve this excersice but I can't seem to get to anything but dead ends. Let $b\gt 0$ and $f(x,y) = y^3+3x^2y-15y-12bx$, find all possible values of $b$ so that $f$ has at least one critical point. I started by deriving: $f_x(x,y) =…
John
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