What is Multivariable: Definition and 536 Discussions

Multivariable calculus (also known as multivariate calculus) is the extension of calculus in one variable to calculus with functions of several variables: the differentiation and integration of functions involving several variables, rather than just one.

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  1. C

    Center of Mass and Surface Area (multivariable)

    Homework Statement 1. Verify the given moments of inertia and find the center of mass. Assume each lamina has a density of p=1. The problem gives a circle with a radius a. 2. Find the area of the surface of the portion of the sphere x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 25 inside the cylinder x^2 + y^2 = 9...
  2. J

    Advanced Multivariable Calculus / Continuity / Type-o?

    Homework Statement I don't need to state the whole problem; it's the definitions at the beginning that are giving me trouble. Homework Equations So it says, Definition: A function f(x,y) is continuous at a point (x0,y0) if f(x,y) is defined at (x0,y0), and if lim(x,y)-->(x0,y0)...
  3. J

    Multivariable Calc Absolute Extrema Problem

    Homework Statement F(x,y)= sin(x)sin(y)sin(x+y) over the square 0\underline{}<x\underline{}<pi and 0\underline{}<y\underline{}<pi (The values for x and y should be from 0 to pi INCLUSIVE) Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I know I need to do the partial derivatives...
  4. P

    Multivariable Calculus - a question of limits

    Homework Statement Prove the following, using the meaning of a limit: Homework Equations epsilon > 0, delta > 0 0 < sqrt(x^2 + y^2) < delta | f(x) - 0 | < epsilon (1) The Attempt at a Solution So, I know that I have to elaborate on the inequality in (1), further. However, I'm...
  5. T

    Simplifying a Tough Multivariable Limit: (8x+8)(2x+3y)^2) / (2x^2 + 16xy - 7y^2)

    Homework Statement Evaluate this limit, lim (x,y) > (0,0) f(x,y) where f(x,y) = ((8x+8)(2x+3y)^2) / (sqrt(3x^2 + 14xy + y^2) - sqrt(x^2 -2xy + 8y^2)) Homework Equations No? The Attempt at a Solution I figure the first attempt is to rationalize this fraction. But after I...
  6. D

    Multivariable Calc Books: Similar to Spivak's Calculus?

    Hello there, I'm currently enrolled in Calculus II (Integral Calculus), and I am slowly working my way through Spivak's Calculus. I intend to take Multivariable Calculus next semester. The course description is as follows: I was wondering if there were any clearly recommended books...
  7. M

    Proving Continuity of a Multivariable Function Using Inequalities

    Homework Statement Define f(0,0)=0 and f(x,y) = x2 +y2-2x2y-4x6y2/(x4+y2)2. Show for all (x,y) that 4x4y2<=(x4+y2)2 and conclude that f is continuous. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution Showing the inequality is trivial, but I do not see how I can conclude the...
  8. H

    Differentiable multivariable functions

    Defining differentiability for multivariable functions we want not only for the partial derivatives to exist but also local linearity. Because my question is the same also for the single variable case, I'll pose it with a single variable function. In one variable we have that local...
  9. W

    A course in multivariable real analysis?

    I have a question about university course offerings. This semester I'm taking a course called "Introduction to Analysis," which uses Edward Gaughan's Introduction to Analysis, and is basically just a more rigorous/proof-based coverage of the topics we learned in the first two semesters of...
  10. T

    Multivariable Calculus Limit process

    Homework Statement Determine whether the limit exists; if it does, what is it? Homework Equations take the limit as (x,y) -> (0,0) of f(x,y) where f(x,y) = (x^6-y^6)/(x^3-y^3) The Attempt at a Solution What i started doing was approaching along the line y=0 and that would give lim as...
  11. J

    Multivariable Calculus Question involving gradients

    Homework Statement Show that \nabla(r^n)=nr^(n-2)r if n is a position integer. (hint:use \nabla(fg)=f\nablag+g\nablaf) Homework Equations let r(x,y,z) = xi+yJ+zK be the position vector and let r(x,y,z)= |r(x,y,z)| The Attempt at a Solution I tried separating \nabla(r^n) to...
  12. S

    Multivariable Calculus: finding relative extrema/saddle points

    Homework Statement I was given an assignment to find all relative extrema and saddle points of the equation f(x,y) = 1/3x^4 + 1/2y^4 - 4xy^2 +2x^2 + 2y^2 + 3 I derived the first partial with respect to x and the first partial with respect to y, but when I tried to find where they both...
  13. R

    What is the Chain Rule and How is it Applied in Differentiation?

    Hello hello. In class we went over the ''mini-chain rule'' once, and haven't gone over the real chain rule yet. I really want to understand how to go about solving this equation, and to really understand what is happening here. x=u3-3uv2 y=3u2v-v3 z=u2-v2 Define z as a function of x and...
  14. mnb96

    Antiderivative of multivariable function?

    Hello, if I have the following unknown function f(x_1,\ldots,x_n) Assuming I am given all its partial derivatives \frac{\partial f}{\partial x_i} is it possible to get the original function f ? This is clearly possible for a one-variable function f(x). If we know df/dx we just need to...
  15. W

    Multivariable chain rule question

    I am trying to find the second derivative of the function C:[0,1]^{2} \rightarrow [0,1] ,\quad \mbox{defined by }C=C(u,v) evaluated at u=F(x)=1-\exp(-\lambda_{1} x),\quad \lambda_{1} \geq 0 and v=G(x)=1-\exp(-\lambda_{2} x),\quad \lambda_{2} \geq 0 First I work out the first...
  16. J

    Multivariable DE and Momentum Problem

    Ok, so I am doing a typical momentum problem with a varying mass (here dm/dt > 0). I am also taking into account air resistance (stoke's law essentially). After some manipulations I basically get: 6πnRv - mg(1 - p(water)/p(object)) = m (d/dt(v)) + v (d/dt(m)) I know I need to separate the...
  17. Topher925

    How to perform multivariable numerical integration?

    I've got a problem where I need to numerically integrate a multivariable function but I'm not sure how to do this. I'm more than familiar with how to numerically integrate a single variable function numerically but I have no clue how to do this for a multivariable function. For example let's say...
  18. M

    Critical Points - Multivariable Calc

    Hi, i was wondering if someone could please help to find and classify the critical points of : f(x,y) = (x-y)^2 What i know: I got fx = 2(x-y) and fy = -2(x-y) and in order to find the critical points we need to solve: 2(x-y) =0 -2(x-y) = 0 so if x =y then the above hold. where...
  19. A

    How to prove Taylor's expansion for multivariable function ?

    As mentioned in the title~ Could anyone give me a hint or an idea ? Thanks~
  20. D

    Lim x^2-4y^2/(x+2y) as (x,y)->(-2,1): -4 or DNE?

    lim (x^2-4y^2)/(x+2y) as (x,y)->(-2,1) Does this limit go to -4 or DNE since it is undefined all along x+2y?
  21. S

    Exploring the Domain and Range of a Multivariable Function

    Hi, Kinda need help for this question. f(x,y) = ln(y-2x) 1. Find the largest possible domain 2. Find the range of the function where the function is defined over the largest possible domain 3. find the largest possible domain if it is desired that f(x,y) > 0 Explain why two...
  22. K

    What is the type of discontinuity at the origin for the function 2x^y/x^4+y^2?

    1.) Homework Statement Sketch the domain of f(x,y,z) = ln(25-x^2-y^2-z^2) and determine it's range. Homework Equations N/a The Attempt at a Solution Im sure the domain is x^2+y^2+z^2 < 25 or (-infinity, 25) Then the range is (0,+infinity.) my problem is how would i sketch it.. i was...
  23. V

    Verify Multivariable Limits w/ Delta-Epsilon Arguments

    Homework Statement Verify the following limit by using delta-epsilon arguments Homework Equations lim (x, y) -> (1, -1) of xy^2 = 1 The Attempt at a Solution Right, so I'm having some trouble with these delta-epsilon proofs for multivariable limits. Some of them are easier than others...
  24. A

    Differential vs. Derivative of a multivariable function

    Consider a (possibly complex-valued) function F(z) = F(x,y) of two variables. Can it make sense to talk about the differential dF of this function without it having a derivative dF/dz? Or must F be differentiable before we can even start talking about dF?
  25. H

    Application of a Limit of a multivariable functionHELP

    Application of a Limit of a multivariable function..HELP! Homework Statement if f (x,y) = (xy^2)/(x+y^2). prove that for every real number a there is a path along which f (x,y) will approache a, as (x,y) is approaching (0,0). Homework Equations f (x,y) = (xy^2)/(x+y^2) A as a...
  26. H

    Limit of a Multivariable functionNEED HELP

    Homework Statement Asked to find the limit of [6*(x^3)*(y^2)] / [2*(x^4) + (y^4)] as (x,y) is approaching (0,0) Homework Equations lim, as (x,y) ---> (0,0), of [6*(x^3)*(y^2)] / [2*(x^4) + (y^4)] x = rcos(theta); y = rsin(theta) The Attempt at a Solution Tried numerous times...
  27. I

    Limit of Multivariable Function at Origin

    Homework Statement the limit as x,y go to 0,0 of (x^2*(sin(y))^2) / (x^2 + 2y^2) The Attempt at a Solution I can see that the limit goes to 0 when x=y, and when y=0 the limit goes to 1. Is this proof that the limit does not exist? I'm trying to work ahead and learn straight from...
  28. W

    Solving Multivariable Limits: Tips & Tricks

    I'm taking multi-variable after having a while off from school, so forgive me if these are simple ones that I just don't "see" Homework Statement lim (x, y) --> 0, 0 \frac{x^2 y^2 e^y}{x^4+4y^2} and lim (x, y) --> (1, 1) \frac{x-y}{x^3-y} Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution The...
  29. R

    What is the optimal angle to set a catapult for attacking a medieval city?

    1. A medieval city has the shape of a square and is protected by walls with length 550 m and height 16 m. You are the commander of an attacking army and the closest you can get to the wall is 100 m. Your plan is to set fire to the city by catapulting heated rocks over the wall (with an initial...
  30. G

    Inverse of multivariable mappings

    If there was a function f(x,y) = z...would the inverse be defined under injection (one-to-one correspondence) only if this condition was held?: Every z corresponds to only one (x,y) pair. If this was the case...then wouldn't that imply that a good number of 2-D surfaces cannot have an inverse...
  31. V

    Help with basic multivariable problem.

    Help with basic multivariable problem. [SOLVED] Homework Statement Two surfaces intersect at a space curve C. The two surfaces are 4y2 + 9z2 = 36 and x = 2y2 - 3z2 Find a vector parametrization for C. (r(t) = ( f(t) , g(t) , h(t) ) Find a set of values for the parameter t over which C is...
  32. L

    Multivariable Calculus book for a Physics major

    Hi everybody. I'm currently taking Calculus III with applications, and the book they gave us was Multivariable Calculus by Ron Larson. I wanted to Calc III, which is more pure math as opposed to the class I'm in that's mostly for engineers (theres a third class oriented even more for...
  33. L

    Multivariable Calculus 3D co-ord. system help

    1. Write inequalities to describe the region: The solid cylinder that lies on or below the plane z=8 and on or above the disk in the xy-plane with a center the origin and radius 2. I don't understand because I'm using stewart's calculus i have no idea what the equation for a cylinder is...
  34. M

    Maclaurin series for multivariable

    Homework Statement I got a few functions I need to expand to series using Maclaurin forumlas. Homework Equations http://mathworld.wolfram.com/MaclaurinSeries.html The Attempt at a Solution So here are the ones I managed to do: f= \sqrt{1-x^2-y^2} writing it in another form...
  35. 5

    A multivariable chain rule problem

    Hello all, I am stuck on what seems like a rather simple problem: Let f:\mathbb{R}^3 \rightarrow \mathbb{R} and g:\mathbb{R}^2\rightarrow \mathbb{R} be differentiable. Let F:\mathbb{R}^2 \rightarrow \mathbb{R} be defined by the equation F(x,y)=f(x,y,g(x,y)). Find DF in terms of the...
  36. A

    Recommendations for Rigorous Multivariable/Vector Calculus Books

    Does anyone have some suggestions for a good multi-variable/vector calculus book? I have a fairly reasonable math background - managed to self-teach myself calculus through Micahael Spivak's text Calculus pretty successfully - and I'm looking for something that's fairly rigorous. One of my...
  37. R

    Need Help with Multivariable Limit? Find Solutions Here!

    I've been stuck on this problem for quite a while now and could use some assistance: Find the limit (or prove that it does not exist): lim{(x,y)->(1^+,oo)} x^(-y) I've tried switching to polar and end up with y=rsin(@) implying r diverges, which implies cos(@) must tend to zero for x...
  38. C

    Solving an area problem in Multivariable Calculus, Polar mode

    Homework Statement Find the average area of an inscribed triangle in the unit circle. Assume that each vertex of the triangle is equally likely to be at any point of the unit circle and that the location of one vertex does not affect the likelihood the location of another in any way. (Note...
  39. C

    Help with Multivariable Calculus

    Find the average area of an inscribed triangle in the unit circle. Assume that each vertex of the triangle is equally likely to be at any point of the unit circle and that the location of one vertex does not affect the likelihood the location of another in any way. (Note that, as seen in Problem...
  40. S

    Multivariable Calculus, inspection of (0,0) for f(x,y) = y^2+3x^4-4yx^2

    The Problem: Problem is reference to Problem 23 on Page 210 of Basic Multivariable Calculus by Marsden, Tromba, Weinstein. But my problem is a bit different. The main problem is: For the function f(x,y) = y2+3x4-4x2y , is (0,0) a local maxima, minima or saddle point? The secondary...
  41. F

    Limit of Multivariable Function: x^2+y^2+2xy

    Homework Statement Find the limit of: (x^2+y^2+2xy)/(x^2+y^2)Homework Equations x = r*cos(theta) y= r*sin(theta) The Attempt at a Solution So what I did was change to polar coordinates. Then it simplifies to: (r^2 + 2r^2cos(theta)sin(theta) )/r^2 Factoring out an r^2 from everything you...
  42. M

    Multivariable Calculus Text: Adams vs Stewart?

    hi, my calc class' designated textbook is calculus:several variables by robert a. adams. however, stewarts' multivariable calculus is also recommended. which one would you recommend out of the two?
  43. J

    Is the Set Defined by a Continuous Almost Everywhere Function Rectifiable?

    let g:[a,b] -> R be a function that is continuous almost everywhere. assume that g(x) > 0 on [a,b]. Show that the set S = { (x,y): 0 <= y <= g(x) , a <= x <= b} is rectifiable. One way to attack it, is to show that S is bounded and boundary of S has measure zero. the problem I am having is...
  44. S

    Exploring Multivariable Limits with CAS: A Mathematica Example

    Homework Statement I would like to be able to compute multivariable limits with a CAS. I have Mathematica, Derive and an HP 50g. For example, how would I compute: \lim_{(x,y)\rightarrow(0,0)}\frac{x^2}{y} Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution On Mathematica I tried: Limit[x^2/y, {x, y}...
  45. N

    Multivariable state space where forcing function has derivative terms

    Homework Statement Hi, I have two linear differential equations describing some multivariable dynamic system, and I need to represent the system in a state space representation. This would be normally very easy if the forcing functions on the RHS did not contain derivative terms e.g...
  46. R

    How to evaluate the following multivariable limit?

    Homework Statement lim (x,y)->(0,0) (cos(x) - 1 + (x^2/2)) / ( x^4 + y^4) The Attempt at a Solution Am I correct in assuming that I have to solve by looking for a path where the limit doesn't exist/is different to another path (given that the epsilon thing is beyond the scope of the course)...
  47. K

    Rigorous book for multivariable + vector calc?

    whats a good book to learn multivariable and vector calculus in a rigorous fashion, similar to spivak. id prefer the vector calculus to stick to R3 (ie stokes), ill save the n case for analysis. apostol II looks like a good book, but its very expensive and i generally don't like apostol...
  48. B

    Chances of Getting Into an REU with Math Major & 4.0?

    i'm going into the second semester of my sophomore year. I'm a math major, looking to go to grad school for pure math. i was just wondering my chances of getting into an reu this summer (anywhere/anytype) including this upcoming semester i will have taken: -multivariable calc -*advanced...
  49. C

    Finding the Directional Derivative in Multivariable Calculus

    Homework Statement Let f: R^n -> R be defined as follows: f(x) = x*L(x) where * denotes the standard inner product and L: R^n -> R^n is a linear function. I'm trying to find the directional derivative f'(x;u). Homework Equations I know that f'(x;u) (the directional derivative of...
  50. U

    Finding Limit of Multivariable Function

    How do I go about finding the limit of a multivariable function? Example: limit as (x,y) approach (0,0) of: (x + 2y) / sqrt (x^2 + 4(y^2)) Do I need to use partial derivatives?
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