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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Finding the tangent plane

Find the tangent plane to $$z=4 x^3+3 xy +4 y^3$$ at $(-1,1,-3)$. Answer on the form $z=Ax+By+C$. I don't know how to solve these problems, should I find the derivative of x and y, then let those be the vectors on my plane? If I see how this…
jacob
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Approach to the integral $\int d^3u \exp(-\alpha|\mathbf{w}-\mathbf{u} |^2)\delta(\mathbf{k}\cdot\mathbf{u})$

I am trying to evaluate the integral $\int d^3u \exp(-\alpha|\mathbf{w}-\mathbf{u} |^2)\delta(\mathbf{k}\cdot\mathbf{u})$ where I have 3 vectors w,u, and k, a constant alpha, and the integral is taken over all u (3 spatial coordinates). Usually for…
Anode
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Finding the intersection of two three-dimensional functions

I have two large equations, both of the same form which I am trying to find the intersections of. The equations are: $$ f(x, y) = \frac{\frac{x ^ 2}{r_1} + \frac{y ^ 2}{r_2}} {1 + \sqrt{1 - \frac{p_1 x ^ 2}{ r_1 ^ 2} - \frac{p_2 y ^ 2}{r_2 ^ 2}}} +…
Danyule
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Write the line integral of a vector field F over a boundary C as a sum of three one-variable integrals with correct limits and integrands?

Let S be the paraboloid $z = 5x^2 + 3y^2$ in $\mathbb{R}^3$ lying over the region $R$ in the $xy$-plane bounded by the lines $x+y=3$ and the coordinate axes. Suppose that the orientation of $S$ is such that the normal ${\bf n}$ is pointing upwards.…
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Finding unit vector perpendicular to U

given u=[0,4,3]T a unit vector that is prependicular to u is How can I find the normal? I am new to these stuff. Thanks
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Help with Stokes problem

Well, I hope this is a stokes problem. Im honestly a bit lost on this so please help me out! Suppose I have a simple closed curve, C, in the plane w/ counterclockwise direction. I need to calculate $\int_C F\bullet dr$ in terms of the area inside…
Student
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Change of limits in integration

Is there any way to change the limits of a 3-D function without sketching its graph? I mean, can I obtain the same results algebraically for 3-D? For example $$\int_{0}^{2}\int_{0}^{x}\int_{-\sqrt{4-2x}}^{\sqrt{4-2x}}f(x,y,z) dy dz dx$$ to…
Artemisia
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Eigenvalues and index

If I have a set of eigenvalues for a Hessian matrix of a non-degenerate critical point, and I have to determine its index, must I consider all negative eigenvalues, or must the negative eigenvalues be unique? I mean, $$(\lambda + 1)(\lambda + 2)^2 =…
Artemisia
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Divergence Theorem Identity

I am having difficulty understanding how the following identity is suppose to come from the divergence theorem: Question $\int_{B(y, r)} \Delta u(x) dx = \int_{\partial B(y, r)} {\partial u(x) \over \partial \nu} do(x) $ Where $do(x)$ is a volume…
BBaire
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solid angle vector field

I learned that solid angle vector field is A(r) = r/ |r|^3, and it measures the solid angle of a surface S by integrating this vector field on surface S. But nobody can explain this result. Can you tell me a
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Minima maxima for a 3 variable function on a whole Critical line ( and not a point)

Say if i have a function $f(x,y,z)= xyz(16-x-y-2z)$ and i am looking for maxima and minima for it. With a quick calculation and after demanding that the $\nabla f = 0$ We get that the critical values are $ (4, 2 , 2)$ and the maix axes lines…
Simba
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Continuity of a multivariable absolute value function

The function is as follows: $$f(x,y)=\sqrt{\left |xy \right |} $$ I have to check whether it is continuous, differentiable and has defined partial derivatives at $(0,0)$. My attempt is as follows: Function is discontinuous at the origin. Not…
Artemisia
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Trying to find the tangent plane to a surface

I'm trying to find the tangent plane to the surface defined by $z^2 =x^2 - y^2$ at the point $P(1, 1, 0)$. It seems trivial, but I hit a roadblock because I end up with a line, not a plane! I define a function $F(x,y,z) = x^2 - y^2 - z^2$, and the…
hlouis
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Morse index and local minimum/maximum

I have a function in 3-D. The morse index for one of its critical points is 2 and the other is 3. Which one is the local maximum and which is the saddle point?
Artemisia
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Show discontinuity of $\frac{xy}{x^2+y^2}$

How to show this function's discontinuity? $ f(n) = \left\{ \begin{array}{l l} \frac{xy}{x^2+y^2} & \quad , \quad(x,y)\neq(0,0)\\ 0 & \quad , \quad(x,y)=(0,0) \end{array} \right.$
plhn
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