MATH U101 · Multivariable Calculus · Tutorial companion
Tutorial sheets 2–7: hints, then solutions
Every question from Tutorial Sheets 2–7, each mapped to the page that teaches it, with a hint (and, for Sheets 6–7, the opening move) and a collapsed full solution. Attempt → hint → solution, in that order.
These sheets are the only instructor-written problems you have before Quiz 1 (8 Sep, closed book, 40 min) — treat them as the quiz's rough draft. Working rule: attempt each question for 5 minutes before touching the hint, and open the solution only to check, never to read first. Every number below was computed independently and machine-checked; if your answer differs, find the first line where the two workings part ways.
Coverage: T2 = polar symmetry, graphing, area, arc length §11.4–11.5; T3 = vector functions, integrals, arc length §13.1–13.3; T4 = curvature and normals §13.4 plus the first Module 3 question §14.1. Nothing on the three sheets goes beyond §14.1.
Quiz 2 (Tue 29 Sep): Sheets 6–7 are its rough draft: T6 = implicit differentiation, the chain rule, directional derivatives §14.3–14.5; T7 = tangent planes, normal lines, extreme values §14.6–14.7. Each Sheet 6–7 hint ends with the opening move: the first line to write. If you can't start a question, write that line and carry on from there.
Tutorial 2 · 11 Aug · polar coordinates §11.4, 11.5
Pages: Module 1 lesson, notes. Q4–9 have worked twins (same shape, different numbers) in the problem clinic — those solutions are kept compact here and point to the twin. Q1–2 use the §11.4 symmetry tests; the handout excludes only "graphing other polar curves" from §11.4, so the tests are in scope.
Determine the symmetry of the polar curve r = 2 sin(θ/2).
Solution
The three tests (Thomas §11.4). A curve is symmetric about the x-axis if replacing (r, θ) by (r, −θ) or by (−r, π−θ) gives an equivalent equation; about the y-axis if (r, π−θ) or (−r, −θ) does; about the origin if (−r, θ) or (r, θ+π) does.
Replace θ by −θ: 2 sin(−θ/2) = −2 sin(θ/2) = −r. So whenever (r, θ) is on the curve, so is (−r, −θ). That is the second form of the y-axis test ⟹ symmetric about the y-axis.
Replace θ by θ + 2π (same direction, so the same point-name family): 2 sin(θ/2 + π) = −2 sin(θ/2) = −r. So (−r, θ+2π) = (−r, θ) is on the curve — the origin test passes ⟹ symmetric about the origin. (The direct substitutions (−r, θ) and (r, θ+π) both fail — 2 sin(θ/2 + π/2) = 2 cos(θ/2) ≠ ±r — which is exactly why the tests are "sufficient, not necessary": a curve can have a symmetry the direct test misses.)
Two symmetries give the third: reflect in the y-axis then through the origin and you have reflected in the x-axis ⟹ symmetric about the x-axis too. Final: all three symmetries.
Determine the symmetry of the polar curve r2 = sin θ.
Solution
Origin: replace r by −r: (−r)2 = r2 = sin θ, the same equation ⟹ symmetric about the origin.
y-axis: replace θ by π−θ: r2 = sin(π−θ) = sin θ, same equation ⟹ symmetric about the y-axis.
x-axis: the direct test (r, −θ) gives r2 = −sin θ — fails. But the second form (−r, π−θ) gives r2 = sin(π−θ) = sin θ ✓ ⟹ symmetric about the x-axis (also forced by the first two). All three symmetries. Note sin θ ≥ 0 is required, so the curve only exists for 0 ≤ θ ≤ π, with r = ±√(sin θ) supplying the lower half — a lemniscate-like figure-eight through the origin.
Graph the curve r = ½ + sin θ in the Cartesian xy-plane.
Solution
Shape first. r = a + b sin θ with a = ½ < b = 1: a limaçon with an inner loop, symmetric about the y-axis (sin is unchanged by θ → π−θ).
Zeros. ½ + sin θ = 0 ⟹ sin θ = −½ ⟹ θ = 7π/6, 11π/6. Between them r < 0: that stretch is the inner loop.
| θ | 0 | π/6 | π/3 | π/2 | 2π/3 | 5π/6 | π | 7π/6 | 4π/3 | 3π/2 | 5π/3 | 11π/6 | 2π |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| r | ½ | 1 | 1.37 | 3/2 | 1.37 | 1 | ½ | 0 | −0.37 | −½ | −0.37 | 0 | ½ |
Plotting the negative values: at θ = 3π/2, r = −½ means go ½ unit in the opposite direction — straight up — landing at (0, ½). So the inner loop sits inside the big loop, above the origin, with its tip at (0, ½); the outer loop's top is at (0, 3/2); the curve crosses the x-axis at (±½, 0) and passes through the origin twice (at 7π/6 and 11π/6), tangent to those rays. Sketch:
Find the area enclosed by the limaçon r = 2 − cos θ.
Solution
A = ½ ∫02π (2 − cos θ)2 dθ = ½ ∫02π (4 − 4 cos θ + cos2θ) dθ.
Power-reduce: cos2θ = ½ + ½ cos 2θ, so the integrand is 9/2 − 4 cos θ + ½ cos 2θ. Over a full period the cos θ and cos 2θ terms integrate to 0, leaving ½ · (9/2)(2π) = 9π/2.
Find the length of r = 2 sin θ + 2 cos θ, 0 ≤ θ ≤ π/2.
Solution
dr/dθ = 2 cos θ − 2 sin θ. Then r2 + r′2 = 4(sin θ + cos θ)2 + 4(cos θ − sin θ)2 = 4(1 + 2 sin θ cos θ) + 4(1 − 2 sin θ cos θ) = 8.
L = ∫0π/2 √8 dθ = 2√2 · π/2 = π√2. (Sanity: the curve is the circle of radius √2 centred at (1,1); this quarter-sweep of θ traces the half of it, so ½ · 2π√2 = π√2 ✓.)
Find the length of r = √(1 + cos 2θ), −π/2 ≤ θ ≤ π/2.
Solution
r = √(2 cos2θ) = √2 |cos θ| = √2 cos θ for −π/2 ≤ θ ≤ π/2. Then r′ = −√2 sin θ and r2 + r′2 = 2 cos2θ + 2 sin2θ = 2.
L = ∫−π/2π/2 √2 dθ = √2 · π = π√2. (The curve is the circle r = √2 cos θ of diameter √2, traced once — circumference π · √2 ✓.)
Find the area shared by the circles r = 2 cos θ and r = 2 sin θ.
Solution
2 cos θ = 2 sin θ ⟹ θ = π/4. For 0 ≤ θ ≤ π/4 the inner boundary is r = 2 sin θ; by symmetry in the line y = x the other half matches.
A = 2 · ½ ∫0π/4 (2 sin θ)2 dθ = ∫0π/4 4 sin2θ dθ = ∫0π/4 2(1 − cos 2θ) dθ = [2θ − sin 2θ]0π/4 = π/2 − 1.
The lens: below the dashed ray its edge is the sin-circle, above it the cos-circle — hence the split at θ = π/4.
Find the area inside the circle r = 4 sin θ and below the horizontal line r = 3 csc θ.
Solution
Crossing: 4 sin θ = 3/sin θ ⟹ sin2θ = ¾ ⟹ θ = π/3, 2π/3.
Split: for 0 ≤ θ ≤ π/3 and 2π/3 ≤ θ ≤ π the region's outer edge is the circle; for π/3 ≤ θ ≤ 2π/3 it is the line (the circle pokes above y = 3 there). By symmetry the two circle pieces are equal.
Circle pieces: 2 · ½ ∫0π/3 16 sin2θ dθ = ∫0π/3 8(1 − cos 2θ) dθ = [8θ − 4 sin 2θ]0π/3 = 8π/3 − 4 · (√3/2) = 8π/3 − 2√3.
Line piece: ½ ∫π/32π/3 9 csc2θ dθ = (9/2)[−cot θ]π/32π/3 = (9/2)(1/√3 + 1/√3) = 9/√3 = 3√3.
Total: 8π/3 − 2√3 + 3√3 = 8π/3 + √3 ≈ 10.11. (Check: whole circle is 4π ≈ 12.57; the cap above y = 3 of a radius-2 circle with height 1 has area 4π/3 − √3 ≈ 2.46; difference ≈ 10.11 ✓.)
Outer edge: the circle on the side pieces (0→π/3 and 2π/3→π), the line between them — exactly the three integrals in the solution.
Find the area of the shaded region (the outer loop of the limaçon r = 1 + 2 sin θ with the inner loop cut out).
Solution
Zeros: 1 + 2 sin θ = 0 ⟹ θ = −π/6, 7π/6 (equivalently 11π/6). Outer loop: −π/6 ≤ θ ≤ 7π/6. Inner loop: 7π/6 ≤ θ ≤ 11π/6.
One antiderivative serves both: ½(1 + 2 sin θ)2 = ½(1 + 4 sin θ + 4 sin2θ) = ½(3 + 4 sin θ − 2 cos 2θ), using 4 sin2θ = 2 − 2 cos 2θ. So F(θ) = ½(3θ − 4 cos θ − sin 2θ).
Outer: F(7π/6) − F(−π/6). At 7π/6: ½(7π/2 + 2√3 − √3/2) = ½(7π/2 + 3√3/2). At −π/6: ½(−π/2 − 2√3 + √3/2) = ½(−π/2 − 3√3/2). Difference: ½(4π + 3√3) = 2π + 3√3/2.
Inner: F(11π/6) − F(7π/6). At 11π/6: ½(11π/2 − 2√3 + √3/2) = ½(11π/2 − 3√3/2). Difference from the value at 7π/6: ½(2π − 3√3) = π − 3√3/2.
Shaded: (2π + 3√3/2) − (π − 3√3/2) = π + 3√3 ≈ 8.34.
The zero-rays at 7π/6 and 11π/6 bound both loops — the same limits that appear in both integrals.
Tutorial 3 · ~18 Aug (undated) · vector functions, integrals, arc length §13.1–13.3
Pages: vector functions lesson (sections 1–4) and notes Part B. Everything here is componentwise calculus plus one recurring idea: the tangent line at t0 is r(t0) + s·v(t0).
r(t) = 49(1+t)3/2 i + 49(1−t)3/2 j + 13t k. Find the angle between the velocity and acceleration vectors at t = 0.
Solution
v = ⟨49·32(1+t)1/2, −49·32(1−t)1/2, 13⟩ = ⟨23√(1+t), −23√(1−t), 13⟩ (the minus on the j term is the chain rule on 1 − t).
a = ⟨13(1+t)−1/2, 13(1−t)−1/2, 0⟩ (the two minus signs on the j term cancel).
At t = 0: v(0) = ⟨23, −23, 13⟩, a(0) = ⟨13, 13, 0⟩. Dot product: 2/9 − 2/9 + 0 = 0. Perpendicular ⟹ angle π/2.
Find parametric equations for the line tangent to r(t) = (cos 2t)i + (sin 2t)j + (cos 2t)k at t0 = π.
Solution
Point: r(π) = ⟨cos 2π, sin 2π, cos 2π⟩ = ⟨1, 0, 1⟩.
Direction: v(t) = ⟨−2 sin 2t, 2 cos 2t, −2 sin 2t⟩, so v(π) = ⟨0, 2, 0⟩.
Line: x = 1, y = 2s, z = 1 (any nonzero multiple of the direction is fine: y = s also full marks). The tangent is parallel to the y-axis.
Find the value(s) of t for which the tangent line to r(t) = −t i + t2 j + (ln t) k contains the point (2, −5, −3).
Solution
v(t) = ⟨−1, 2t, 1/t⟩. Tangent line at t: ⟨−t − s, t2 + 2ts, ln t + s/t⟩.
x: −t − s = 2 ⟹ s = −t − 2.
y: t2 + 2t(−t − 2) = −5 ⟹ −t2 − 4t + 5 = 0 ⟹ t2 + 4t − 5 = 0 ⟹ (t + 5)(t − 1) = 0. Since ln t needs t > 0, t = 1 (and s = −3).
z check: ln 1 + (−3)/1 = −3 ✓. So t = 1. (Always verify the third equation — two equations fixed the unknowns; the third is the test that the point really lies on the line.)
Evaluate ∫−π/4π/4 [ (tan t)i + (sec2t)j − (t cos t)k ] dt.
Solution
i: tan(−t) = −tan t, odd ⟹ ∫ = 0.
j: ∫−π/4π/4 sec2t dt = [tan t]−π/4π/4 = 1 − (−1) = 2.
k: t cos t is odd × even = odd ⟹ 0. (Without the shortcut: by parts, [t sin t + cos t] over the symmetric interval also gives 0.)
Result: ⟨0, 2, 0⟩ = 2j.
Solve d2r/dt2 = −(i + j + k) with r(0) = 10i + 10j + 10k and dr/dt |t=0 = 0.
Solution
v(t) = −t(i + j + k) + C; v(0) = C = 0.
r(t) = −t22(i + j + k) + D; r(0) = D = 10(i + j + k).
r(t) = (10 − t2/2)(i + j + k). Check: r″ = −(i+j+k) ✓.
A particle at (1, −1, 2) has speed 2 at t = 0, moves toward (3, 0, 3), with constant acceleration 2i + j + k. Find r(t).
Solution
Direction: (3, 0, 3) − (1, −1, 2) = ⟨2, 1, 1⟩, length √(4+1+1) = √6. So v(0) = 2⟨2, 1, 1⟩/√6 = (2/√6)⟨2, 1, 1⟩. (Note the acceleration ⟨2,1,1⟩ is along the same line — that's what keeps the motion straight.)
v(t) = ⟨2, 1, 1⟩t + v(0) = (t + 2/√6)⟨2, 1, 1⟩.
r(t) = (t2/2 + 2t/√6)⟨2, 1, 1⟩ + ⟨1, −1, 2⟩, using r(0) = ⟨1, −1, 2⟩. Componentwise, with 2/√6 = √6/3:
r(t) = ⟨1 + (2√6/3)t + t2, −1 + (√6/3)t + t2/2, 2 + (√6/3)t + t2/2⟩. Check: r″ = ⟨2, 1, 1⟩ ✓, |v(0)| = (2/√6)·√6 = 2 ✓.
Find the point on r(t) = (12 sin t)i − (12 cos t)j + 5t k at distance 13π along the curve from (0, −12, 0), in the direction of decreasing t.
Solution
v = ⟨12 cos t, 12 sin t, 5⟩, |v| = √(144 + 25) = 13, constant.
The start point: 12 sin t = 0, −12 cos t = −12, 5t = 0 ⟹ t = 0.
Distance 13π at speed 13 takes |Δt| = π; decreasing t ⟹ t = −π. r(−π) = ⟨12 sin(−π), −12 cos(−π), −5π⟩ = (0, 12, −5π).
Find s(t) = ∫0t |v(τ)| dτ along r(t) = (1 − 3t)i + (1 − 2t)j + 6t k from t = 0, then use it to find the length for 0 ≤ t ≤ 1.
Solution
v = ⟨−3, −2, 6⟩, |v| = √(9 + 4 + 36) = √49 = 7. s(t) = ∫0t 7 dτ = 7t. Length on [0, 1]: s(1) = 7.
Length of one turn of r(t) = cos(t/2)i + sin(t/2)j + (t/2)k, 0 ≤ t ≤ 4π.
Solution
v = ⟨−½ sin(t/2), ½ cos(t/2), ½⟩, |v| = √(¼ + ¼) = √2/2.
L = ∫04π (√2/2) dt = 4π · √2/2 = 2π√2. (It's the unit helix ⟨cos u, sin u, u⟩ with u = t/2 — same wire, half the speed, same length as the notes' helix ✓.)
Tutorial 4 · 25 Aug · curvature, normals; functions of several variables §13.4, 14.1
Pages: vector functions lesson section 5 and notes B4 for Q1–4; the Module 3 lesson and notes for Q5. Recipe for Q1–3: v → |v| → T → dT/dt → κ = |dT/dt| / |v| → N; the circle of curvature has radius ρ = 1/κ and centre r + ρN.
Find T, N and κ for r(t) = (et sin t)i + (et cos t)j + 2k.
Solution
v = ⟨et sin t + et cos t, et cos t − et sin t, 0⟩ = et⟨sin t + cos t, cos t − sin t, 0⟩.
|v| = et √((sin t + cos t)2 + (cos t − sin t)2) = et √(1 + 2 sin t cos t + 1 − 2 sin t cos t) = et√2.
T = ⟨sin t + cos t, cos t − sin t, 0⟩ / √2 — the et cancels.
dT/dt = ⟨cos t − sin t, −sin t − cos t, 0⟩ / √2, and by the same identity |dT/dt| = √2/√2 = 1.
κ = |dT/dt| / |v| = 1/(et√2) = e−t/√2 — the spiral straightens as it grows.
N = ⟨cos t − sin t, −(sin t + cos t), 0⟩ / √2. Check T·N: [(sin+cos)(cos−sin) − (cos−sin)(sin+cos)]/2 = 0 ✓.
Find an equation for the circle of curvature of r(t) = (2 ln t)i − (t + 1/t)j, e−2 ≤ t ≤ e2, at the point (0, −2) where t = 1.
Solution
v = ⟨2/t, −1 + 1/t2⟩ = (1/t2)⟨2t, 1 − t2⟩. |v| = (1/t2)√(4t2 + 1 − 2t2 + t4) = (1/t2)√((1 + t2)2) = (1 + t2)/t2.
T = ⟨2t, 1 − t2⟩ / (1 + t2). Quotient rule on each component: dT/dt = ⟨2 − 2t2, −4t⟩ / (1 + t2)2.
At t = 1: |v| = 2, T = ⟨1, 0⟩, dT/dt = ⟨0, −4⟩/4 = ⟨0, −1⟩, so |dT/dt| = 1, κ = 1/2, ρ = 2, N = ⟨0, −1⟩.
Centre: (0, −2) + 2⟨0, −1⟩ = (0, −4). x2 + (y + 4)2 = 4. (Sanity: at t = 1 the curve is at its highest point moving horizontally and bending downward — a circle below it, tangent at (0, −2), is right.)
Find a parametrization of the osculating circle of the parabola y = x2 at x = 1.
Solution
v = ⟨1, 2t⟩, |v| = √(1 + 4t2), T = ⟨1, 2t⟩(1 + 4t2)−1/2.
Differentiate (product rule with d/dt[(1 + 4t2)−1/2] = −4t(1 + 4t2)−3/2): dT/dt = [⟨0, 2⟩(1 + 4t2) − 4t⟨1, 2t⟩] (1 + 4t2)−3/2 = ⟨−4t, 2⟩ (1 + 4t2)−3/2.
At t = 1: |v| = √5; dT/dt = ⟨−4, 2⟩/53/2, magnitude √20 / (5√5) = 2√5/(5√5) = 2/5. So κ = (2/5)/√5 = 2/(5√5), ρ = 5√5/2, N = ⟨−4, 2⟩/√20 = ⟨−2, 1⟩/√5 (up and to the left — into the concave side ✓).
Centre: (1, 1) + (5√5/2)·⟨−2, 1⟩/√5 = (1, 1) + (5/2)⟨−2, 1⟩ = (−4, 7/2).
x = −4 + (5√5/2) cos s, y = 7/2 + (5√5/2) sin s, 0 ≤ s ≤ 2π. Check it passes through (1, 1): distance from centre = √(25 + 25/4) = √(125/4) = 5√5/2 ✓.
Show that the ellipse x = a cos t, y = b sin t, a > b > 0, has its largest curvature on its major axis and its smallest on its minor axis.
Solution
For a plane curve ⟨x(t), y(t)⟩ the definition κ = |dT/dt|/|v| simplifies (Thomas §13.4 exercises, or §13.5's |v × a|/|v|3) to
Here x′ = −a sin t, x″ = −a cos t, y′ = b cos t, y″ = −b sin t. Numerator: |(−a sin t)(−b sin t) − (b cos t)(−a cos t)| = ab(sin2t + cos2t) = ab.
(using cos2 = 1 − sin2). Since a2 − b2 > 0, the denominator is smallest when sin2t = 0 (t = 0, π: the points (±a, 0), the ends of the major axis) and largest when sin2t = 1 (t = π/2, 3π/2: the points (0, ±b), ends of the minor axis). Hence κmax = ab/b3 = a/b2 on the major axis, κmin = ab/a3 = b/a2 on the minor axis. (The lesson's widget shows exactly this for a = 2, b = 1: κ from 2 down to ¼.)
For each function find (a) the domain, (b) the range, (c) the level curves, (d) the boundary of the domain, (e) whether the domain is open, closed, or neither: (a) f = y/x2, (b) f = xy, (c) f = ln(x2 + y2 − 1).
Solution
(a) f = y/x2. Domain: x ≠ 0 — the plane minus the y-axis. Range: all reals (fix x = 1, let y vary). Level curves y/x2 = c ⟹ y = cx2: parabolas through the origin with the vertex removed (for c = 0, the x-axis minus the origin). Boundary: the y-axis. Open (none of the boundary belongs to it).
(b) f = xy. Domain: the whole plane. Range: all reals. Level curves xy = c: hyperbolas with the axes as asymptotes (for c = 0, the two axes themselves). Boundary: empty. The whole plane is both open and closed.
(c) f = ln(x2 + y2 − 1). Domain: x2 + y2 > 1 — the outside of the unit circle, circle excluded. Range: all reals (the argument runs over (0, ∞)). Level curves ln(x2 + y2 − 1) = c ⟹ x2 + y2 = 1 + ec: circles centred at the origin of radius √(1 + ec) > 1. Boundary: the unit circle. Open.
Tutorial 5 · ~01 Sep · limits & continuity of multivariable functions §14.2
🎧 Narrated walkthroughs (about 7 min each, sound on): finding limits (Q1, Q6–Q9: substitution, polar, squeeze, ε–δ) · when limits fail, and continuity (Q2–Q5, Q10: the two-path test, and why "every line gives 0" isn't enough).
Pages: the Module 3 lesson (two-path test, polar and squeeze arguments) and the Module 3 notes. Every question here is one of three moves: bound it (polar / squeeze → the limit exists), split the paths (two disagreeing routes → it doesn't), or quote continuity (limit = value, or where the formula is safe).
Find lim(x,y)→(0,0) sin(x2 + y2) / (x2 + y2).
Solution
Let u = x2 + y2. As (x,y) → (0,0), u → 0+, and the function is exactly sin u / u — the one limit you memorised in the limits lesson (tool 3).
Limit = 1. (Numerically: at r = 0.01 the value is 0.99999999833….)
At what points (x, y, z) in space is h(x,y,z) = 1/(|y| + |z|) continuous?
Solution
|y| and |z| are continuous, so their sum is, so the quotient is continuous wherever |y| + |z| ≠ 0. A sum of two non-negative numbers is zero only when both are: y = 0 and z = 0 — the entire x-axis.
Continuous at every point of space except the x-axis {(x, 0, 0)} — where h isn't even defined. Note x is unrestricted: the "hole" is a line, not a point.
Show that lim(x,y)→(1,0) (xey − 1) / (xey − 1 + y) does not exist.
Solution
Path 1, y = 0: the function becomes (x − 1)/(x − 1) = 1 for every x ≠ 1 → limit 1.
Path 2, x = 1: the function becomes (ey − 1)/(ey − 1 + y). Divide top and bottom by y: [(ey−1)/y] / [(ey−1)/y + 1]. Since (ey − 1)/y → 1 as y → 0 (that ratio is the slope of ey at 0, i.e. the derivative e0 = 1 — same idea as sin u/u), this heads to 1/(1+1) = 1/2.
Two paths, two different answers (1 vs ½) → the limit does not exist. (Numerically along x = 1: 0.5126, 0.5013, 0.5001 at y = 0.1, 0.01, 0.001.)
Show that f(x,y) = 2x2y / (x4 + y2) has limit 0 along every straight line approaching (0, 0).
Solution
Line y = mx (x ≠ 0): f = 2x2(mx) / (x4 + m2x2) = 2mx3 / [x2(x2 + m2)] = 2mx / (x2 + m2).
For m ≠ 0: numerator → 0 while the denominator → m2 ≠ 0, so the ratio → 0. For m = 0 (the x-axis): f = 0 identically. Vertical line x = 0: f = 0/y2 = 0.
Along every straight line the limit is 0 — which is what the sheet asks; done.
Beyond the ask, but worth knowing: along the parabola y = x2, f = 2x4/(2x4) = 1 at every point — so the two-dimensional limit still does not exist. "Zero along every line" is not "the limit is zero"; curves count too. This is the twin of the Module 3 lesson's x2y/(x4 + y2) example, doubled.
If f(x0, y0) = 3, what can you say about lim(x,y)→(x0,y0) f(x,y) if f is continuous at (x0, y0)? If it is not? Give reasons.
Solution
Continuous: continuity at (x0,y0) means, by definition, that the limit exists and equals the value there. So the limit is 3 — no computation needed.
Not continuous: nothing at all. Both failure modes happen: the limit can exist but differ from 3 — e.g. g = 0 everywhere except g(x0,y0) = 3, where the limit is 0 — or the limit can fail to exist entirely, as in Q10 below. The value at one point never constrains the approach.
Does knowing |cos(1/y)| ≤ 1 tell you anything about lim(x,y)→(0,0) x cos(1/y)?
Solution
0 ≤ |x cos(1/y)| ≤ |x| · 1 = |x|, and |x| → 0 as (x,y) → (0,0). Both fences collapse to 0, so the limit exists and is 0 — the oscillation of cos(1/y) (which has no limit of its own) is squeezed out.
One care point for full marks: the function is undefined where y = 0, so the approach is understood within the domain y ≠ 0 — say so in one line.
Find lim(x,y)→(0,0) f or show it does not exist: f(x,y) = cos( (x3 − y3) / (x2 + y2) ).
Solution
The inside, in polar (x = r cos θ, y = r sin θ): (r3cos3θ − r3sin3θ)/r2 = r(cos3θ − sin3θ). Since |cos3θ − sin3θ| ≤ 2, the inside is trapped in [−2r, 2r] → 0 whatever θ does.
The outside: cos is continuous, so the limit passes through it: cos(inside) → cos 0.
Limit = 1. (Numerically along a fixed direction: 0.99956, 0.999996, 0.99999996 at r = 0.1, 0.01, 0.001.)
Define f(0,0) so that f(x,y) = ln( (3x2 − x2y2 + 3y2) / (x2 + y2) ) extends to a continuous function at the origin.
Solution
(3x2 − x2y2 + 3y2)/(x2+y2) = 3 − x2y2/(x2+y2).
The crumb, in polar: x2y2 = r4 cos2θ sin2θ, and cos2θ sin2θ = (sin 2θ)2/4 ≤ 1/4. So 0 ≤ x2y2/(x2+y2) ≤ r4/(4r2) = r2/4 → 0.
Hence the argument of ln → 3, and since ln is continuous at 3, f → ln 3. Define f(0,0) = ln 3 ≈ 1.0986, and the extension is continuous. (Numerically: 1.09784, 1.09860, 1.098612 at r = 0.1, 0.01, 0.001.)
For f(x,y,z) = (x+y+z)/(x2+y2+z2+1) and ε = 0.015, find δ > 0 such that √(x2+y2+z2) < δ implies |f(x,y,z) − f(0,0,0)| < ε.
Solution
f(0,0,0) = 0/1 = 0. Let ρ = √(x2+y2+z2). Each coordinate is at most the distance: |x|, |y|, |z| ≤ ρ, so |x+y+z| ≤ 3ρ. The denominator is ≥ 1. Therefore |f − 0| ≤ 3ρ.
Demand 3ρ < 0.015, i.e. ρ < 0.005: δ = 0.005 (= ε/3) works — the ε–δ game from the limits lesson, with the slope-3 role played by the bound 3. (Spot check: the largest |f| sampled on the sphere ρ = 0.005 is ≈ 0.0087 < 0.015 ✓.)
f(x,y) = 0 if xy ≠ 0, and f(x,y) = 1 if xy = 0. (a) Limit along y = x? (b) Along y = 0? (c) Prove f is not continuous at the origin.
Solution
(a) On y = x with x ≠ 0: xy = x2 ≠ 0, so f ≡ 0 along the path → limit 0.
(b) On y = 0: xy = 0 at every point, so f ≡ 1 → limit 1.
(c) Two paths into (0,0) give different limits (0 vs 1), so the limit does not exist. Continuity at the origin requires that limit to exist and equal f(0,0) = 1; the first requirement already fails → not continuous at (0,0). (Geometry: the axes carry the value 1 into every neighbourhood of the origin while the rest of the plane carries 0.)
Both paths end at the origin, carrying different constant values — that disagreement is the whole proof.
Tutorial 6 · partial derivatives, chain rule, directional derivatives §14.3–14.5
Pages: Module 4 lesson and notes (Q1–Q7), Module 5 lesson and notes (Q8–Q12). The sheet is three families: implicit differentiation (Q1–Q2), the chain rule (Q3–Q7: plain, rates, a change of variables, and a function watched along a curve), and directional derivatives (Q8–Q12).
🎧 Narrated walkthroughs (about 6–8 min each, sound on): implicit differentiation (Q1–Q2) · the chain rule as a tree (Q3–Q5) · rates along a curve (Q6–Q7) · gradient and directions (Q8–Q12).
Assuming that the equation defines y as a differentiable function of x, use implicit differentiation to find the value of dy/dx at the given point: xey + sin(xy) + y − ln 2 = 0, (0, ln 2)
Opening moveWrite F(x, y) = xey + sin(xy) + y − ln 2 and the formula dy/dx = −Fx/Fy before differentiating anything.
Solution
Where the formula comes from (once). Along the curve, F(x, y(x)) = 0 for every x. Differentiate both sides with respect to x by the chain rule: Fx · 1 + Fy · dy/dx = 0, so dy/dx = −Fx/Fy wherever Fy ≠ 0.
1. Fx = ey + y cos(xy) (the xey term gives ey; sin(xy) gives cos(xy) times the inner derivative y).
2. Fy = xey + x cos(xy) + 1.
3. At (0, ln 2): eln 2 = 2 and cos 0 = 1, so Fx = 2 + ln 2 and Fy = 0 + 0 + 1 = 1. (Check the point is on the curve: 0 + sin 0 + ln 2 − ln 2 = 0 ✓.)
4. dy/dx = −(2 + ln 2)/1 = −(2 + ln 2) ≈ −2.693.
Find the values of ∂z/∂x and ∂z/∂y at the point (π, π, π) for: sin(x + y) + sin(y + z) + sin(x + z) = 0
Opening moveWrite ∂z/∂x = −Fx/Fz and ∂z/∂y = −Fy/Fz, then list the three partials.
Solution
Why the formula. Treat z = z(x, y) in F(x, y, z) = 0 and differentiate with respect to x, holding y fixed: Fx + Fz · ∂z/∂x = 0. Same for y.
1. Fx = cos(x+y) + cos(x+z), Fy = cos(x+y) + cos(y+z), Fz = cos(y+z) + cos(x+z).
2. At (π, π, π) every sum is 2π and cos 2π = 1, so Fx = Fy = Fz = 2 (and Fz ≠ 0, so the formula applies). The point is on the surface: sin 2π × 3 = 0 ✓.
3. ∂z/∂x = −2/2 = −1 and ∂z/∂y = −2/2 = −1.
Find ∂w/∂r when r = 1 and s = −1 if w = (x + y + z)2, x = r − s, y = cos(r + s), and z = sin(r + s).
Opening move∂w/∂r = wx xr + wy yr + wz zr: three paths, three products.
Solution
1. wx = wy = wz = 2(x + y + z) (power rule; the inside has slope 1 in each letter).
2. The bottom edges. Each is a one-variable derivative with respect to r, with s frozen as a constant (like a number such as 5):
• x = r − s: the derivative of r is 1 and the derivative of the constant s is 0, so xr = 1.
• y = cos(r + s): this is cos of a bracket, so use the school chain rule, derivative of the outside × derivative of the inside. The outside gives cos(□) → −sin(□); the inside r + s has derivative 1 (since s is frozen). So yr = −sin(r + s) · 1 = −sin(r + s).
• z = sin(r + s): the same steps with sin(□) → cos(□), so zr = cos(r + s).
(The greyed edges down to s in the walkthrough follow the same way with r frozen: xs = −1, ys = −sin(r + s), zs = cos(r + s).)
3. So ∂w/∂r = 2(x + y + z)(1 − sin(r+s) + cos(r+s)).
4. At r = 1, s = −1: r + s = 0, so x = 2, y = cos 0 = 1, z = sin 0 = 0, and ∂w/∂r = 2(3)(1 − 0 + 1) = 12.
The lengths a, b, and c of the edges of a rectangular box are changing with time. At the instant in question, a = 1 m, b = 2 m, c = 3 m, da/dt = db/dt = 1 m/sec, and dc/dt = −3 m/sec. At what rates are the box's volume V and surface area S changing at that instant? Are the box's interior diagonals increasing in length or decreasing?
Opening moveWrite the three formulas V = abc, S = 2(ab + bc + ca), D = √(a2 + b2 + c2) and the template dQ/dt = Qa a′ + Qb b′ + Qc c′.
Solution
1. Volume. Va = bc = 6, Vb = ac = 3, Vc = ab = 2. So dV/dt = 6(1) + 3(1) + 2(−3) = 3 m³/sec (increasing).
2. Surface area. Sa = 2(b + c) = 10, Sb = 2(a + c) = 8, Sc = 2(a + b) = 6. So dS/dt = 10(1) + 8(1) + 6(−3) = 0 m²/sec (momentarily unchanging).
3. Diagonal. Da = a/D (chain rule on the square root), similarly for b, c; D = √14. So dD/dt = (1·1 + 2·1 + 3·(−3))/√14 = −6/√14 ≈ −1.60 m/sec: the diagonals are decreasing.
Suppose that we substitute polar coordinates x = r cos θ and y = r sin θ in a differentiable function w = f(x, y).
(a) Show that: ∂w/∂r = fx cos θ + fy sin θ and (1/r) ∂w/∂θ = −fx sin θ + fy cos θ
(b) Solve the equations in part (a) to express fx and fy in terms of ∂w/∂r and ∂w/∂θ.
(c) Show that: (fx)2 + (fy)2 = (∂w/∂r)2 + (1/r2)(∂w/∂θ)2
Opening moveList the four small derivatives xr = cos θ, yr = sin θ, xθ = −r sin θ, yθ = r cos θ.
Solution
(a) ∂w/∂r = fx xr + fy yr = fx cos θ + fy sin θ. And ∂w/∂θ = fx(−r sin θ) + fy(r cos θ); divide by r. ✓
(b) Write A = ∂w/∂r, B = (1/r) ∂w/∂θ, c = cos θ, s = sin θ. The equations are A = fxc + fys and B = −fxs + fyc. Multiply the first by c, the second by s, subtract: the fy terms cancel and Ac − Bs = fx(c2 + s2) = fx. Multiply the first by s, the second by c, add: As + Bc = fy. So
(c) (Ac − Bs)2 + (As + Bc)2 = A2(c2 + s2) + B2(s2 + c2) + (−2ABcs + 2ABsc) = A2 + B2: the cross terms cancel and cos² + sin² = 1. With B2 = (1/r2)(∂w/∂θ)2 that is the claim. ✓
Suppose that the partial derivatives of a function f(x, y, z) at points on the helix x = cos t, y = sin t, z = t are: fx = cos t, fy = sin t, fz = t2 + t − 2. At what points on the curve, if any, can f take on extreme values?
Opening movedf/dt = fx x′(t) + fy y′(t) + fz z′(t), then set it to 0.
Solution
1. x′ = −sin t, y′ = cos t, z′ = 1.
2. Where the formula comes from: f depends on x, y, z, and each of those depends on t. That's a tree with f on top, x, y, z in the middle and t at the bottom, with three paths, so df/dt = fx x′ + fy y′ + fz z′. The partials fx = cos t, fy = sin t, fz = t2 + t − 2 are given in the question, so copy them (f itself is never given). The derivatives x′, y′, z′ come from step 1.
df/dt = cos t(−sin t) + sin t(cos t) + (t2 + t − 2)(1) = t2 + t − 2. The first two terms are −sin t cos t and +sin t cos t, the same product with opposite signs, so they cancel.
3. t2 + t − 2 = (t + 2)(t − 1) = 0 gives t = 1 or t = −2. These are the only places f can have an extreme value on the curve: (cos 1, sin 1, 1) and (cos 2, −sin 2, −2) (using cos(−2) = cos 2, sin(−2) = −sin 2).
4. Bonus classification: d2f/dt2 = 2t + 1 is 3 > 0 at t = 1 (a local minimum along the helix) and −3 < 0 at t = −2 (a local maximum along the helix).
Let T = g(x, y) be the temperature at the point (x, y) on the ellipse x = 2√2 cos t, y = √2 sin t, 0 ≤ t ≤ 2π, and suppose that ∂T/∂x = y and ∂T/∂y = x.
(a) Locate the maximum and minimum temperatures on the ellipse by examining dT/dt and d2T/dt2.
(b) Suppose that T = xy − 2. Find the maximum and minimum values of T on the ellipse.
🎧 Slow narrated version: Q7 from zero (9 min): every step said out loud.
Opening movedT/dt = Tx x′ + Ty y′ = y · x′ + x · y′, then substitute the parametrisation.
Solution
1. x′ = −2√2 sin t, y′ = √2 cos t.
2. Same tree as Q6, with two paths: dT/dt = Tx x′ + Ty y′ = y · x′ + x · y′, using the given Tx = y and Ty = x. On the ellipse, y = √2 sin t and x = 2√2 cos t, so substitute them (and use √2 · 2√2 = 4):
dT/dt = (√2 sin t)(−2√2 sin t) + (2√2 cos t)(√2 cos t) = −4 sin2t + 4 cos2t = 4(cos2t − sin2t) = 4 cos 2t (take out the common 4, then the double-angle identity cos²t − sin²t = cos 2t; worth tabbing for the open-book mid-sem).
3. cos 2t = 0. Cosine (the x-coordinate on the unit circle) is 0 at the top and bottom of the circle, π/2 and 3π/2, and again every full turn after that. Because 0 ≤ t ≤ 2π, the angle 2t runs from 0 to 4π, which is two full turns, so take every zero up to 4π: 2t = π/2, 3π/2, 5π/2, 7π/2. Divide by 2: t = π/4, 3π/4, 5π/4, 7π/4. (Solving only once around would give π/4 and 3π/4 and miss half the points.)
4. Differentiate 4 cos 2t again (chain rule: cos(□) → −sin(□), times the inside's derivative 2): d2T/dt2 = 4 · (−sin 2t) · 2 = −8 sin 2t. At t = π/4 and 5π/4, 2t = π/2 and 5π/2, where sin = 1, so it is −8: negative means the graph bends down like a cap, a maximum. At 3π/4 and 7π/4, 2t = 3π/2 and 7π/2, where sin = −1, so it is +8: bends up like a cup, a minimum.
5. The points: substitute each t into x = 2√2 cos t, y = √2 sin t. At π/4, cos = sin = √2/2, so x = 2√2 · √2/2 = 2 and y = √2 · √2/2 = 1: (2, 1). At the other three angles cos and sin are still ±√2/2; only the signs change with the quadrant: 3π/4 (cos −, sin +) → (−2, 1); 5π/4 (both −) → (−2, −1); 7π/4 (cos +, sin −) → (2, −1). (a) Max temperature at (2, 1) and (−2, −1); min at (−2, 1) and (2, −1).
(b) T = xy − 2 = (2√2 cos t)(√2 sin t) − 2 = 4 sin t cos t − 2 = 2 sin 2t − 2 (using sin 2t = 2 sin t cos t, so 4 sin t cos t = 2 sin 2t; and its partials really are y and x). Since sin 2t runs from −1 to 1, T runs from −4 to 0. At the max points 2 sin 2t = 2 → max T = 0; at the min points → min T = −4.
On the dashed curves xy = 2 and xy = −2, T is constant (0 and −4). They just touch the ellipse at the four answer points — no hotter or colder level curve reaches the ellipse.
Find the derivative of the function g(x, y) = (x − y)/(xy + 2) at P0(1, −1) in the direction of u = 12i + 5j.
Opening moveWrite Dug = ∇g(P0) · u/|u| with u/|u| = (12, 5)/13.
Solution
1. Quotient rule, (top′ · bottom − top · bottom′)/bottom2. For gx: top′ = 1, bottom′ = y, so gx = [(xy + 2) − (x − y)y]/(xy + 2)2 = (2 + y2)/(xy + 2)2.
2. For gy: top′ = −1, bottom′ = x, so gy = [−(xy + 2) − (x − y)x]/(xy + 2)2 = −(x2 + 2)/(xy + 2)2.
3. At (1, −1): xy + 2 = 1, so ∇g = (3, −3).
4. Dug = (3, −3) · (12, 5)/13 = (36 − 15)/13 = 21/13 ≈ 1.615.
Find the directions in which the function h(x, y, z) = ln(x2 + y2 − 1) + y + 6z increases and decreases most rapidly at P0(1, 1, 0). Then find the derivatives of the function in these directions.
Opening moveCompute ∇h(1, 1, 0) and its length; everything else is reading those off.
Solution
1. ∇h = (2x/(x2+y2−1), 2y/(x2+y2−1) + 1, 6). At (1, 1, 0) the log's argument is 1, so ∇h = (2, 3, 6).
2. |∇h| = √(4 + 9 + 36) = 7.
3. Increases fastest along u = (2, 3, 6)/7, at rate 7; decreases fastest along −u = (−2, −3, −6)/7, at rate −7.
Let f(x, y) = (x − y)/(x + y). Find the directions u and the values of Duf(−½, 3/2) for which: (a) Duf(−½, 3/2) is largest (b) Duf(−½, 3/2) is smallest (c) Duf(−½, 3/2) = 0 (d) Duf(−½, 3/2) = −2 (e) Duf(−½, 3/2) = 1
🎧 Slow narrated version: Q10 from zero (8 min): the quotient rule and part (d)'s quadratic written out line by line.
Opening moveFind ∇f(−½, 3/2) = (a, b), then for (d)–(e) write the two equations a u1 + b u2 = value and u12 + u22 = 1.
Solution
1. Quotient rule: fx = [(x + y) − (x − y)]/(x + y)2 = 2y/(x + y)2 and fy = [−(x + y) − (x − y)]/(x + y)2 = −2x/(x + y)2. At (−½, 3/2), x + y = 1, so ∇f = (3, 1) and |∇f| = √10.
(a) u = (3, 1)/√10, D = √10. (b) u = −(3, 1)/√10, D = −√10. (c) Perpendicular to (3, 1): u = (1, −3)/√10 or (−1, 3)/√10, D = 0.
(d) 3u1 + u2 = −2 gives u2 = −2 − 3u1. Substitute into u12 + u22 = 1: u12 + 4 + 12u1 + 9u12 = 1, i.e. 10u12 + 12u1 + 3 = 0, so u1 = (−12 ± √24)/20 = (−6 ± √6)/10 and u2 = −2 − 3u1 = (−2 ∓ 3√6)/10: u = ((−6 − √6)/10, (−2 + 3√6)/10) or ((−6 + √6)/10, (−2 − 3√6)/10). (Two answers exist because −2 lies between −√10 and √10.)
(e) u2 = 1 − 3u1; substituting: 10u12 − 6u1 = 0, so u1 = 0 or 3/5: u = (0, 1) or (3/5, −4/5).
Every unit direction lives on the circle. The dashed lines 3u1 + u2 = 1, 0, −2 are perpendicular to ∇f; where each meets the circle are the answers to (e), (c), (d). The value can never leave [−√10, √10].
The derivative of f(x, y) at P0(1, 2) in the direction of i + j is 2√2 and in the direction of −2j is −3. What is the derivative of f in the direction of −i − 2j? Give reasons for your answer.
First time, or stuck? Read the from-zero version (or the 🎧 narrated Q11–Q12 from zero, 10 min): every phrase translated, every step written out, with figures.
Opening moveNormalise: (1, 1)/√2 and (0, −1). Then write (a + b)/√2 = 2√2 and −b = −3.
Solution
1. Reason. Assuming f is differentiable at P0, Duf = ∇f · u for every unit u. The two given directions are not parallel, so they pin down both components of ∇f.
2. From −2j (unit (0, −1)): −b = −3, so b = 3. From i + j (unit (1, 1)/√2): (a + b)/√2 = 2√2, so a + b = 4 and a = 1. So ∇f(P0) = (1, 3).
3. Unit direction of −i − 2j: (−1, −2)/√5. Duf = (1·(−1) + 3·(−2))/√5 = −7/√5 ≈ −3.13.
Consider the function f : ℝ2 → ℝ defined by: f(x, y) = xy/(x2 + y2) for (x, y) ≠ (0, 0), and 0 for (x, y) = (0, 0). Let u = ⟨u1, u2⟩ be a unit vector (u12 + u22 = 1).
(a) Show that fx(0, 0) and fy(0, 0) exist and find their values.
(b) Determine all unit vectors u for which Duf(0, 0) exists using the limit definition.
(c) Explain why the formula Duf = ∇f · u cannot be used here.
First time, or stuck? Read the from-zero version (or the 🎧 narrated Q11–Q12 from zero, 10 min): every phrase translated, every step written out, with figures and a widget.
Opening moveWrite Duf(0, 0) = limh→0 [f(hu1, hu2) − f(0, 0)]/h and simplify f(hu1, hu2) first.
Solution
(a) Along the x-axis f(h, 0) = 0, so [f(h, 0) − 0]/h = 0 → 0: fx(0, 0) = 0. Likewise f(0, h) = 0 gives fy(0, 0) = 0.
(b) f(hu1, hu2) = h2u1u2/(h2(u12 + u22)) = u1u2 (a constant along each line). So the quotient is u1u2/h, which has a limit as h → 0 only if u1u2 = 0. Duf(0, 0) exists only for u = (±1, 0) and (0, ±1), with value 0.
(c) The formula needs f differentiable at the point. This f is not even continuous at (0, 0): along y = x it equals x2/(2x2) = ½ ≠ 0 = f(0, 0). Using ∇f · u = (0, 0) · u anyway would wrongly predict 0 in every direction, when in fact the directional derivative doesn't exist off the axes.
Tutorial 7 · tangent planes, normal lines, extreme values §14.6–14.7
Pages: Module 5 lesson and notes (Q1–Q3), Module 6 lesson and notes (Q4–Q6). Two families: normals (∇F is perpendicular to a level surface; for a curve on two surfaces, the tangent is perpendicular to both normals) and extremes (classify critical points; on a closed region, list every candidate and compare).
🎧 Narrated walkthroughs (about 6–8 min each, sound on): tangent planes and curves of intersection (Q1–Q3) · absolute extrema on a triangle (Q4) · the second-derivative test (Q5–Q6).
Find equations for the tangent plane and normal line at the point P0(0, 1, 2) on the surface: cos(πx) − x2y + exz + yz = 4
Opening moveWrite F = cos(πx) − x2y + exz + yz − 4 and the two templates: plane Fx(x−x0) + Fy(y−y0) + Fz(z−z0) = 0, line P0 + t∇F.
Solution
1. Fx = −π sin(πx) − 2xy + zexz, Fy = −x2 + z, Fz = xexz + y.
2. At (0, 1, 2): Fx = 0 − 0 + 2·1 = 2, Fy = 0 + 2 = 2, Fz = 0 + 1 = 1. So ∇F = (2, 2, 1). (The point is on the surface: 1 − 0 + 1 + 2 = 4 ✓.)
3. Plane: 2(x − 0) + 2(y − 1) + 1(z − 2) = 0, i.e. 2x + 2y + z = 4.
4. Normal line: x = 2t, y = 1 + 2t, z = 2 + t.
Find parametric equations for the line tangent to the curve of intersection of the surfaces x2 + y2 = 4 and x2 + y2 − z = 0 at the point (√2, √2, 4).
Opening moveName F = x2 + y2 − 4, G = x2 + y2 − z, and write "direction = ∇F × ∇G at the point".
Solution
1. ∇F = (2x, 2y, 0) = (2√2, 2√2, 0) and ∇G = (2x, 2y, −1) = (2√2, 2√2, −1) at the point.
2. Cross product (a × b = (a2b3 − a3b2, a3b1 − a1b3, a1b2 − a2b1)), one component at a time:
i: 2√2·(−1) − 0·2√2 = −2√2; j: 0·2√2 − 2√2·(−1) = 2√2; k: 2√2·2√2 − 2√2·2√2 = 0.
3. Direction (−2√2, 2√2, 0), or more simply (−1, 1, 0). x = √2 − t, y = √2 + t, z = 4.
4. Sanity check: the two surfaces meet where z = x² + y² = 4, the circle of radius 2 at height 4. Its tangent at (√2, √2) is horizontal and at right angles to the radius (1, 1): exactly (−1, 1, 0) ✓.
Find parametric equations for the line tangent to the curve of intersection of the surfaces x + y2 + z = 2 and y = 1 at the point (½, 1, ½).
Opening moveF = x + y2 + z − 2, G = y − 1; direction = ∇F × ∇G at (½, 1, ½).
Solution
1. ∇F = (1, 2y, 1) = (1, 2, 1), ∇G = (0, 1, 0).
2. i: 2·0 − 1·1 = −1; j: 1·0 − 1·0 = 0; k: 1·1 − 2·0 = 1. Direction (−1, 0, 1).
3. x = ½ − t, y = 1, z = ½ + t.
4. Check: putting y = 1 into the first surface gives x + z = 1, a straight line in the plane y = 1. So the tangent line is the curve itself, and every point (½ − t, 1, ½ + t) satisfies x + z = 1 ✓.
Find the absolute maximum and minimum values of f(x, y) = 4xy − x4 − y4 + 16 on the triangular region R bounded below by the line y = −2, above by the line y = x, and on the right by the line x = 2.
Opening moveDraw the triangle, label its three edges, and start the candidate table with the three corners.
Solution
1. Critical points. fx = 4y − 4x3 = 0 and fy = 4x − 4y3 = 0 give y = x3 and x = y3. Substituting: x = x9, i.e. x(x8 − 1) = 0, so x = 0, ±1: the points (0, 0), (1, 1), (−1, −1). All three lie on the edge y = x, not strictly inside, so they're picked up in step 2.
2. Edge y = x (−2 ≤ x ≤ 2): f = 4x2 − 2x4 + 16; derivative 8x − 8x3 = 8x(1 − x)(1 + x) → x = 0, ±1, values 16, 18, 18; endpoints x = ±2: 16 − 32 + 16 = 0.
3. Edge y = −2 (−2 ≤ x ≤ 2): f = −8x − x4 − 16 + 16 = −8x − x4; derivative −8 − 4x3 = 0 → x3 = −2, x = −∛2 ≈ −1.26 (inside [−2, 2]). Value: 8∛2 − (∛2)4 = 8∛2 − 2∛2 = 6∛2 ≈ 7.56 (because (∛2)4 = (∛2)3·∛2 = 2∛2). Endpoints: x = −2 → 16 − 16 = 0; x = 2 → −16 − 16 = −32.
4. Edge x = 2 (−2 ≤ y ≤ 2): f = 8y − 16 − y4 + 16 = 8y − y4; derivative 8 − 4y3 = 0 → y = ∛2, value 8∛2 − 2∛2 = 6∛2. Endpoints: y = −2 → −32; y = 2 → 0.
| Candidate | Where it came from | value of f |
|---|---|---|
| (1, 1), (−1, −1) | critical points on the edge y = x | 18 |
| (0, 0) | critical point on the edge y = x | 16 |
| (−∛2, −2), (2, ∛2) | edge critical points | 6∛2 ≈ 7.56 |
| (−2, −2), (2, 2) | corners | 0 |
| (2, −2) | corner | −32 |
5. Compare: absolute max 18 at (1, 1) and (−1, −1); absolute min −32 at (2, −2). (A brute-force grid over R agrees.)
Every candidate on the triangle with its value. The winners sit on the slanted edge (max) and at the lower-right corner (min): nothing strictly inside R competes.
Find all the local maxima, local minima, and saddle points of the function, f(x, y) = 2x3 + 2y3 − 9x2 + 3y2 − 12y.
Opening moveSet fx = 0 and fy = 0, factor each, and write the three second partials fxx, fyy, fxy before testing any point.
Solution
1. fx = 6x2 − 18x = 6x(x − 3) → x = 0 or 3. fy = 6y2 + 6y − 12 = 6(y + 2)(y − 1) → y = 1 or −2. Critical points: (0, 1), (0, −2), (3, 1), (3, −2).
2. fxx = 12x − 18, fyy = 12y + 6, fxy = 0, so D = (12x − 18)(12y + 6).
| Point | fxx | fyy | D | Verdict | value of f |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (0, 1) | −18 | 18 | −324 | saddle | −7 |
| (0, −2) | −18 | −18 | 324 | local max (D > 0, fxx < 0) | 20 |
| (3, 1) | 18 | 18 | 324 | local min (D > 0, fxx > 0) | −34 |
| (3, −2) | 18 | −18 | −324 | saddle | −7 |
3. Local max f(0, −2) = 20; local min f(3, 1) = −34; saddle points at (0, 1) and (3, −2) (value −7 at both).
Critical points are where a line fx = 0 (dashed vertical: x = 0, 3) crosses a line fy = 0 (dashed horizontal: y = 1, −2): four crossings, four points.
Find all the local maxima, local minima, and saddle points of the function, f(x, y) = x2 + xy + 3x + 2y + 5.
Opening movefx = 2x + y + 3 = 0, fy = x + 2 = 0; solve, then compute D.
Solution
1. fy = 0 gives x = −2; then 2(−2) + y + 3 = 0 gives y = 1. One critical point: (−2, 1).
2. fxx = 2, fyy = 0, fxy = 1, so D = 2·0 − 12 = −1 < 0.
3. Saddle point at (−2, 1), where f = 3; no local maximum or minimum. (Even though fxx > 0: once D < 0, the sign of fxx doesn't matter.)
What the sheets tell you
| Pattern family | Where it appears | Count | Page that drills it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polar area (single curve, lens, loop, line cut) | T2 Q4, 7, 8, 9 | 4 | polar pipeline drill |
| Polar arc length (simplify the radicand) | T2 Q5, 6 | 2 | polar pipeline drill |
| Polar symmetry tests / graphing | T2 Q1, 2, 3 | 3 | Module 1 notes |
| Tangent line to a space curve | T3 Q2, 3 | 2 | tutorial practice |
| Vector integral / initial value problem | T3 Q4, 5, 6 | 3 | tutorial practice |
| Arc length & the parameter s | T3 Q7, 8, 9 | 3 | tutorial practice |
| T, N, κ and the circle of curvature | T4 Q1, 2, 3, 4 | 4 | tutorial practice |
| Domain / range / level curves (§14.1) | T4 Q5 | 1 (×3 parts) | Module 3 notes |
| Evaluate a 2-var limit: known limit / polar bound / squeeze (§14.2) | T5 Q1, 6, 7, 8, 9 | 5 | Module 3 lesson |
| Two-path "does not exist" proofs (§14.2) | T5 Q3, 4, 10 | 3 | Module 3 lesson |
| Continuity: domains, definition, removable extension (§14.2) | T5 Q2, 5, 8, 10c | 4 | Module 3 notes |
| Implicit differentiation, −Fx/Fy and −Fx/Fz (§14.4) | T6 Q1, 2 | 2 | Module 4 notes |
| Chain rule: tree, rates, change of variables, along a curve (§14.4) | T6 Q3–7 | 5 | Module 4 notes |
| Directional derivatives: ∇f · u, steepest, given value, limit definition (§14.5) | T6 Q8–12 | 5 | Module 5 notes |
| Tangent plane, normal line, tangent to a curve of intersection (§14.6) | T7 Q1–3 | 3 | Module 5 notes |
| Classify critical points; absolute extrema on a closed region (§14.7) | T7 Q4–6 | 3 | Module 6 notes |
Every T3 and T4 question is the same five-step pipeline — v → |v| → T → dT/dt → κ, N — cut off at different points. T3 stops at |v| (arc length); T4 runs it to the end. Whoever can do the pipeline on the two helices in the lesson blindfolded can do 13 of those 23 questions. T5 changes register: all 10 questions are decided by three moves — bound it (polar/squeeze), split the paths, or quote continuity — and naming the move before computing is most of the mark.
The instructors like a "nice" radicand. In every arc-length and curvature problem here, |v| collapsed to a constant or a perfect square (5, 7, 13, √2/2, et√2, (1+t2)/t2). If yours doesn't, re-check the derivative before integrating anything ugly.
Quiz 1 has happened (8 Sep): the actual paper — a limaçon cut by a line (limits only, with a tangency root), T and N of ⟨t, et⟩, and domain + partials of a log of a ratio — is rebuilt question by question on the Quiz 1 post-mortem. The prediction below is kept for the record.
Quiz 1 (8 Sep) will most likely draw from: a polar area with a limit to find (T2 Q7–9 style), a T/N/κ workout on a helix-type curve (T4 Q1), and a tangent-line or IVP (T3 Q2–6). §14.1 vocabulary (T4 Q5) is plausible as a short question — the sheet dated 25 Aug already includes it. — and the official scope (LMS, 31 Aug) runs to §14.3: so also expect a two-path limit or a compute-the-limit (§14.2, exactly the T5 families) and a bare-hands partial-derivative computation, first and second partials (§14.3; see the Module 4 notes, sections s1–s2). The chain rule (§14.4) is not in Quiz 1 Tutorial 5, issued for the ~01 Sep class, is entirely §14.2 — a strong hint that Module 3 limits are in play for the quiz, but the same rule applies: confirm.
If you only redo three: T2 → Q9, Q8, Q5. T3 → Q3, Q6, Q7. T4 → Q1, Q3, Q5. T5 → Q3, Q8, Q10.
T2 Q1–2: a failed direct symmetry test does not mean no symmetry — try the second form of each test. T2 Q6: dropping the absolute value when un-squaring 2 cos2θ (harmless here because cos ≥ 0 on the interval — but say so). T3 Q3: accepting t = −5 — ln t forbids it; and skipping the third-equation check. T3 Q7: stepping t forward when the question says "decreasing". T4 Q2–3: the centre of the circle of curvature is r + ρN, not r + ρT, and ρ = 1/κ, not κ. T5 Q4: "limit 0 along every straight line" is not "the limit is 0" — the parabola y = x² gives 1; lines never prove a limit exists, only bounds do. T5 Q3: the base point is (1, 0), not the origin — aim the paths at the right point.
Paste a question and say: "Don't solve it. Tell me which section of Thomas 15e §11.5 / §13.1–13.4 / §14.1 it maps to, and name only the first step." Then, after your attempt: "Here is my working for T4 Q1 — find the first line where I went wrong, explain why, and stop there." Never "solve Tutorial 3 Q6" — a read solution evaporates by quiz day.