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 $$\iint_S f(x,y) = \int^b_a\int^d_c f(x,y) \mathrm{d}y \mathrm{d}x$$

35850 questions
1
vote
2 answers

Find minimum/maximum value

I need to find the points on the surface $y^2 = 25 + xz$ that are closest to the origin. I don't have any idea how to approach this. Can someone explain to me?
1
vote
1 answer

Flux integral simple problem

Evaluate the flux integral $\displaystyle \int \int_S {\bf F \cdot n} \ dS$ Where ${\bf F}(x,y,z) = zy {\bf j}$ is the portion of the paraboloid $z = 1 - x^2 -y^2$ above the xy-plane such that also $x \geq 0$. We derived the formula: $\displaystyle…
Warz
  • 1,129
1
vote
1 answer

Finding the curl - what am I doing wrong?

I must be making a really daft mistake. If $\mathbf{F}=-y\mathbf{e}_x+x\mathbf{e}_y=r\mathbf{e}_{\phi}$ (in Cartesian and Cylindrical polars respectively): $$\nabla\times\mathbf{F}=\begin{pmatrix}\partial/\partial x\\ \partial/\partial…
WPL
  • 620
1
vote
1 answer

Centre of mass question

Find the centre of mass $\overline{P}=(\overline{x},\overline{y},\overline{z}) $ of a unconstrained body $0\le z \le e^{-(x^2+y^2)}$. The density $\delta(x,y,z)$ of the body is constant. I think we should use cylindricals. $0\le z \le e^{-r^2}$ and…
ELEC
  • 1,113
1
vote
0 answers

Is this procedure correct to know the direction a function does not change?

In my homework problem I have a function $f(x, y) = z$ and a point $P = (x_{0}, y_{0})$, and am asked in which of four direction vectors the function $f$ does not change in $P$. My plan is to calculate the directional derivative $$ D_{\vec{u}}…
1
vote
1 answer

Volume with triple integrals and substitution

Calculate the volume of a object that is restricted by parabolic cylinder $z^2=y$, $z^2=2y$, $x^2=z$,$x^2=2z$, $y^2=x$ and $y^2=2x$. At first substitute to variables $u$,$v$ and $w$ set by equations $x=uy^2$, $y=vz^2$ and $z=wx^2$ I'm not sure how…
ELEC
  • 1,113
1
vote
2 answers

Level curve of $f(x,y) = cos(x+y)$

Find and sketch the level curve of the function $f(x,y) = cos(x+y)$ when $f(x,y) = -1$ I've tried to see how this curve is using implicit derivative, but I have no clue of how this curve is. Thank you very much!
Giiovanna
  • 3,197
1
vote
0 answers

How to prove that $Df(a)(T_M(a))\subset T_N(f(a))$?

Let $M\subset\mathbb{R}^n$ and $N\subset\mathbb{R}^m$ be two manifolds and $f:U\rightarrow\mathbb{R}^m$ a function of class $C^1$ defined in an open set $U\supset M$ and such that $f(M)\subset N$. To prove: $Df(a)(T_M(a))\subset T_N(f(a))$ It's…
1
vote
2 answers

Gradient Vector of a composite function

So I have a function $$r= ( x^2 + y^2)^{1/2}$$ and I want to show that $$\operatorname{grad} f(r) = f'(r)(\operatorname{grad} r).$$ I don't really know where to begin do you say that $f(r) = (f \circ r)(x,y)$ and then use the definition of…
John
  • 11
1
vote
1 answer

Maximum steepness of hill

A hill is given by $$ z = f(x,y) = \frac {32}{1 + x^2 + y^2}$$ where $z$ is the height of the hill in meters. At what height is the hill the steepest? The standard way to do it, which is how I would do it, is to determine the gradient on vector…
1
vote
0 answers

Which are the level sets of this multivariable function?

I have to find the level sets of the function $$f(x, y) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{36 - 25x^{2} - 25y^{2}}},$$ so I make $f(x, y) = k$ and after manipulating this equation come to $$x^{2} + y^{2} = \left( 36 - \frac{1}{k^{2}} \right) \frac{1}{25}.$$ Now,…
1
vote
1 answer

polarcoordinate and just straight evaluation

Evaluate $\int_0^1 \int_0^1 xy(x^2+y^2)^{\frac{1}{2}}\ dy\ dx$. I started off using polar coordinate and then im stuck with defining the bound. And how would you solve it without polar coordinates
1
vote
1 answer

A simpler way to find the unit tangent vector?

Given $r(t) = (7\sqrt{2}t, e^{7t}, e^{-7t})$, is there any way to find the unit tangent vector more simply: $$T(t) = \frac{r'(t)}{|r'(t)|}$$ When I calculate $|r'(t)|$, I get something horrendous looking. There's no way I will be able to take the…
1
vote
0 answers

Show $f$ is differentiable and find the derivative at any given point.

$f:U \to \mathbb{R}, (x,y) \mapsto \sqrt{1-x^2-y^2}, \text{ where } U = \{(x,y)|x^2+y^2<1\}$ Okay, basically my strategy was: assume that partials exist then do them out and, Continuous partials $\implies$ differentiable $\implies$ partials exist.…
Bobby Lee
  • 1,030
1
vote
1 answer

Multivariable Calculus Work Done

I have to find the work done by $$f(x,y,z)= \left( x \cos(xz)e^y, \, z \cos(xz) e^y, \, \sin(xz) e^{y+1} \right)$$ which is parameterized by $L(t)=(2-t,3,t^3)$ where $t$ is from 0 to 1. I know that the formula for work is then line integral by…
Tony
  • 57