Proving ||∇h||^2 for h=fog using Differentiable Functions and the Dot Product

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves proving a relationship for the gradient of a composition of functions, specifically ||∇h||^2 for h=fog, where f is a differentiable function and g is defined from R3 to R2. The original poster attempts to derive the expression involving the partial derivatives of f and the components of g.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the gradient of the composition of functions and the correct representation of gradients and dot products. There are questions about the dimensionality of the gradients and how to properly express them in the context of the problem.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided feedback on the original poster's notation and approach, suggesting corrections and clarifications. The original poster acknowledges a realization about the matrix representation of gradients, indicating some progress in understanding.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of time constraints due to homework deadlines and midterm preparations, which may affect the depth of engagement in the discussion.

infinitylord
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Homework Statement


Let f:R2−>R be a differentiable function at any point, and g be the function g:R3−>R2defined by:

g(u,v,w)=(g1,g2)=(u2+v2+w2,u+v+w)

consider the function h=fog and prove that

||∇h||^2 = 4(∂f/∂x)^2*g1 + 4(∂f/∂x)(∂f/∂y)*g2 + 3(∂f/∂y)^2.

The Attempt at a Solution



H=fog=f(g1,g2)

∇h=∇(fog)=<∇f(g1,g2),∇g(u,v,w)> (dot product)

∇g(u,v,w)=(2u+2v+2w, 3)

∇f(x,y)=(∂f/∂x)+(∂f/∂y) evaluated at g1 and g2 respectively.

<∇f(g1,g2),∇g(u,v,w)>=(∂f/∂x)∇g1+(∂f/∂y)∇g2=∇h

I stopped here because looking ahead, I can see that I will ultimately be wrong here. I can see that (∂f/∂x)^2 + (∂f/∂x)(∂f/∂y) + (∂f/∂y)^2 will come from squaring my answer for ∇h., the 3 in front of (∂f/∂y)^2 is the same as ∇g2, and the 4 in front of (∂f/∂x)^2 may come from factoring out the 2 from ∇g2 and then squaring it. Any help? I would just like to know where in my process I went wrong and what I should be doing for the following step. Thank you!
 
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Could you proofread your post and place superscripts in the right places ? Good start!

Then write a dot product where you mean a divergence and nothing where you mean a gradient.

Perhaps viewing a few TeX examples here can get you a lot more help, a lot faster too!
Example: ##\nabla \cdot f## is made with ##\#\# ## \nabla \cdot f ##\#\# ##
 
Last edited:
Well, to start with, the gradient of ##f\circ g## should be a vector. For each individual gradient ##\nabla f## and ##\nabla g##, the gradient should have more indices than the original function, i.e., ##\nabla f## should be a vector (2D) and ##\nabla g## should be a 3x2 matrix. In your attempt, the gradient of f seems to be a scalar and that of g seems to be a 1x2 matrix. How can you remedy this?
 
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Thank you! I actually immediately figured it out when you mentioned the matrices.
 
Honestly because I believe I got the answer and I had to turn in the homework the following morning. I've been extremely busy with homework and preparing for my first college midterms.
 
Well, it wouldn't have hurt to post a quick "Thanks, I've got it now" or something similar to give the thread closure. It is frustrating to helpers to spend time in a thread only to have the OP never return. Some of us will quit responding to users that do that repeatedly.
 

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