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MULTIVARIABLE FUNCTIONS
AND PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
14
We can visualize the graph S of f as
lying directly above or below its domain D
in the xy-plane.
GRAPHS OF MULTIVARIABLE FUNCTIONS
Sketch the graph of the function
f(x, y) = 6 – 3x – 2y
 The graph of f has the equation
z = 6 – 3x – 2y
or
3x + 2y + z = 6
 This represents a plane.
GRAPHS Example
To graph the plane, we first find
the intercepts.
 Putting y = z = 0 in the equation, we get x = 2
as the x-intercept.
 Similarly, the y-intercept is 3 and the z-intercept
is 6.
GRAPHS Example
This helps us sketch the portion of
the graph that lies in the first octant.
GRAPHS Example
The figure shows computer-generated graphs
of several
functions.
GRAPHS BY COMPUTERS
Notice that we get an especially good picture
of a function when rotation is used to give
views from different vantage points.
GRAPHS BY COMPUTERS
In (a) and (b), the graph of f is very flat and
close to the xy-plane except near the origin.
 This is because e –x2–y2
is small when x or y is large.
GRAPHS BY COMPUTERS
The level curves of a function f of two
variables are the curves with equations
f(x, y) = k
where k is a constant
(in the range of f).
LEVEL CURVES Definition
A level curve f(x, y) = k is the set of
all points in the domain of f at which f
takes on a given value k.
 That is, it shows where the graph of f
has height k.
LEVEL CURVE
You can see from the figure the relation
between level curves and horizontal traces.
LEVEL CURVES
The level curves f(x, y) = k are just the traces
of the graph of f in the horizontal plane z = k
projected down
to the xy-plane.
LEVEL CURVES
So, suppose you draw the level curves of
a function and visualize them being lifted up
to the surface
at the indicated
height.
 Then, you
can mentally
piece together
a picture of
the graph.
LEVEL CURVES
The surface is:
 Steep where
the level curves
are close
together.
 Somewhat
flatter where the
level curves are
farther apart.
LEVEL CURVES
One common example of level curves
occurs in
topographic maps
of mountainous
regions, such as
shown.
LEVEL CURVES
The level curves are curves of constant
elevation above
sea level.
 If you walk along
one of these
contour lines,
you neither ascend
nor descend.
LEVEL CURVES
Another common example is
the temperature function introduced
in the opening paragraph of the section.
 Here, the level curves are called isothermals.
 They join locations with the same temperature.
LEVEL CURVES
The figure shows a weather map of the world
indicating the average January temperatures.
LEVEL CURVES
The isothermals are the curves that separate
the colored bands.
LEVEL CURVES
A contour map for a function f is shown.
 Use it to estimate
the values of
f(1, 3) and f(4, 5).
LEVEL CURVES Example
The point (1, 3) lies partway between
the level curves with z-values 70 and 80.
 We estimate
that:
f(1, 3) ≈ 73
 Similarly, we estimate
that:
f(4, 5) ≈ 56
LEVEL CURVES Example
Sketch the level curves of the function
f(x, y) = 6 – 3x – 2y
for the values
k = –6, 0, 6, 12
LEVEL CURVES Example
The level curves are:
6 – 3x – 2y = k
or
3x + 2y + (k – 6) = 0
LEVEL CURVES Example
This is a family of lines with slope –3/2.
The four particular level curves with
k = –6, 0, 6, 12
are:
 3x + 2y – 12 = 0
 3x + 2y – 6 = 0
 3x + 2y = 0
 3x + 2y + 6 = 0
LEVEL CURVES Example
The level curves are equally spaced
parallel lines because the graph of f
is a plane.
LEVEL CURVES Example
Sketch the level curves of the function
for k = 0, 1, 2, 3
 The level curves are:
LEVEL CURVES
2 2
( , ) 9
g x y x y
  
Example
2 2 2 2 2
9 or 9
x y k x y k
     
This is a family of concentric circles with
center (0, 0) and radius
 The cases
k = 0, 1, 2, 3
are shown.
LEVEL CURVES Example
2
9 k

Try to visualize these level curves lifted
up to form a surface.
LEVEL CURVES Example
Then, compare the formed surface with
the graph of g (a hemisphere), as in the other
figure.
LEVEL CURVES Example
14.3
Partial Derivatives
In this section, we will learn about:
Various aspects of partial derivatives.
PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
INTRODUCTION
On a hot day, extreme humidity makes us
think the temperature is higher than it really is.
In very dry air, though, we perceive
the temperature to be lower than
the thermometer indicates.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has
devised the heat index to describe the
combined effects of temperature and humidity.
 This is also called the temperature-humidity
index, or humidex, in some countries.
HEAT INDEX
The heat index I is the perceived air
temperature when the actual temperature
is T and the relative humidity is H.
 So, I is a function of T and H.
 We can write I = f(T, H).
HEAT INDEX
HEAT INDEX
This table of values of I is an excerpt
from a table compiled by the NWS.
HEAT INDEX
Let’s concentrate on the highlighted column.
 It corresponds to a relative humidity of H = 70%.
 Then, we are considering the heat index as a function
of the single variable T for a fixed value of H.
Let’s write g(T) = f(T, 70).
Then, g(T) describes:
 How the heat index I increases as the actual
temperature T increases when the relative
humidity is 70%.
HEAT INDEX
The derivative of g when T = 96°F is
the rate of change of I with respect to T
when T = 96°F:
0
0
(96 ) (96)
'(96) lim
(96 ,70) (96,70)
lim
h
h
g h g
g
h
f h f
h


 

 

HEAT INDEX
We can approximate g’(96) using the values
in the table by taking h = 2 and –2.
(98) (96) (98,70) (96,70)
'(96)
2 2
133 125
4
2
g g f f
g
 
 

 
HEAT INDEX
(94) (96) (94,70) (96,70)
'(96)
2 2
118 125
3.5
2
g g f f
g
 
 
 

 

Averaging those values, we can say that
the derivative g’(96) is approximately 3.75
This means that:
 When the actual temperature is 96°F and
the relative humidity is 70%, the apparent temperature
(heat index) rises by about 3.75°F for every degree
that the actual temperature rises!
HEAT INDEX
HEAT INDEX
Now, let’s look at the highlighted row.
 It corresponds to a fixed temperature of T = 96°F.
The numbers in the row are values
of the function G(H) = f(96, H).
 This describes how the heat index increases
as the relative humidity H increases when
the actual temperature is T = 96°F.
HEAT INDEX
The derivative of this function when H = 70%
is the rate of change of I with respect to H
when H = 70%:
0
0
(70 ) (70)
'(70) lim
(96,70 ) (96,70)
lim
h
h
G h G
G
h
f h f
h


 

 

HEAT INDEX
By taking h = 5 and –5, we approximate
G’(70) using the tabular values:
(75) (70) (96,75) (96,70)
'(70)
5 5
130 125
1
5
G G f f
G
 
 

 
HEAT INDEX
(65) (70) (96,65) (96,70)
'(70)
5 5
121 125
0.8
5
G G f f
G
 
 
 

 

By averaging those values, we get
the estimate G’(70) ≈ 0.9
This says that:
 When the temperature is 96°F and the relative
humidity is 70%, the heat index rises about 0.9°F
for every percent that the relative humidity rises.
HEAT INDEX
PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
In general, if f is a function of two variables
x and y, suppose we let only x vary while
keeping y fixed, say y = b, where b is
a constant.
 Then, we are really considering a function
of a single variable x:
g(x) = f(x, b)
If g has a derivative at a, we call it the partial
derivative of f with respect to x at (a, b).
We denote it by:
fx(a, b)
PARTIAL DERIVATIVE
Thus,
fx(a, b) = g’(a)
where g(x) = f(a, b)
Equation 1
PARTIAL DERIVATIVE
By the definition of a derivative,
we have:
0
( ) ( )
'( ) lim
h
g a h g a
g a
h

 

PARTIAL DERIVATIVE
So, Equation 1 becomes:
PARTIAL DERIVATIVE
0
( , ) ( , )
( , ) lim
x
h
f a h b f a b
f a b
h

 

Equation 2
Similarly, the partial derivative of f with
respect to y at (a, b), denoted by fy(a, b),
is obtained by:
 Keeping x fixed (x = a)
 Finding the ordinary derivative at b
of the function G(y) = f(a, y)
PARTIAL DERIVATIVE
0
( , ) ( , )
( , ) lim
y
h
f a b h f a b
f a b
h

 

Equation 3
PARTIAL DERIVATIVE
Thus,
With that notation for partial derivatives,
we can write the rates of change of the heat
index I with respect to the actual temperature
T and relative humidity H when T = 96°F
and H = 70% as:
fT(96, 70) ≈ 3.75 fH(96, 70) ≈ 0.9
PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
If we now let the point (a, b) vary
in Equations 2 and 3, fx and fy become
functions of two variables.
PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
If f is a function of two variables, its
partial derivatives are the functions fx and fy
defined by:
0
0
( , ) ( , )
( , ) lim
( , ) ( , )
( , ) lim
x
h
y
h
f x h y f x y
f x y
h
f x y h f x y
f x y
h


 

 

Equations 4
PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
There are many alternative notations
for partial derivatives.
 For instance, instead of fx, we can write f1 or D1f
(to indicate differentiation with respect to the first
variable) or ∂f/∂x.
 However, here, ∂f/∂x can’t be interpreted as
a ratio of differentials.
NOTATIONS
If z = f(x, y), we write:
1 1
2 2
( , ) ( , )
( , ) ( , )
x x
x
y y
y
f z
f x y f f x y
x x x
f D f D f
f z
f x y f f x y
y y y
f D f D f
  
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
NOTATIONS FOR PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
To compute partial derivatives, all we
have to do is:
 Remember from Equation 1 that the partial
derivative with respect to x is just the ordinary
derivative of the function g of a single variable
that we get by keeping y fixed.
RULE TO FIND PARTIAL DERIVATIVES OF z = f(x, y)
Thus, we have this rule.
1. To find fx, regard y as a constant and
differentiate f(x, y) with respect to x.
2. To find fy, regard x as a constant and
differentiate f(x, y) with respect to y.
If
f(x, y) = x3 + x2y3 – 2y2
find
fx(2, 1) and fy(2, 1)
Example 1
PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
Holding y constant and differentiating with
respect to x, we get:
fx(x, y) = 3x2 + 2xy3
Thus,
fx(2, 1) = 3 . 22 + 2 . 2 . 13
= 16
Example 1
PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
Holding x constant and differentiating with
respect to y, we get:
fy(x, y) = 3x2y2 – 4y
Thus,
fy(2, 1) = 3 . 22 . 12 – 4 . 1
= 8
Example 1
PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
GEOMETRIC INTERPRETATION
To give a geometric interpretation of partial
derivatives, we recall that the equation
z = f(x, y) represents a surface S (the graph
of f).
 If f(a, b) = c,
then the point
P(a, b, c) lies
on S.
GEOMETRIC INTERPRETATION
By fixing y = b, we are restricting our attention
to the curve C1 in which the vertical plane
y = b intersects S.
 That is, C1 is
the trace of S
in the plane
y = b.
Likewise, the vertical plane x = a intersects S
in a curve C2.
Both the curves
C1 and C2 pass
through P.
GEOMETRIC INTERPRETATION
Notice that the curve C1 is the graph of
the function g(x) = f(x, b).
 So, the slope of
its tangent T1
at P is:
g’(a) = fx(a, b)
GEOMETRIC INTERPRETATION
The curve C2 is the graph of the function
G(y) = f(a, y).
 So, the slope of
its tangent T2
at P is:
G’(b) = fy(a, b)
GEOMETRIC INTERPRETATION
Thus, the partial derivatives fx(a, b) and fy(a,
b) can be interpreted geometrically as:
 The slopes of
the tangent lines
at P(a, b, c) to
the traces C1
and C2 of S in
the planes
y = b and x = a.
GEOMETRIC INTERPRETATION
INTERPRETATION AS RATE OF CHANGE
As seen in the case of the heat index function,
partial derivatives can also be interpreted as
rates of change.
 If z = f(x, y), then ∂z/∂x represents the rate of
change of z with respect to x when y is fixed.
 Similarly, ∂z/∂y represents the rate of change of z
with respect to y when x is fixed.
If
f(x, y) = 4 – x2 – 2y2
find fx(1, 1) and fy(1, 1) and
interpret these numbers as slopes.
Example
GEOMETRIC INTERPRETATION
We have:
fx(x, y) = -2x fy(x, y) = -4y
fx(1, 1) = -2 fy(1, 1) = -4
Example
GEOMETRIC INTERPRETATION
GEOMETRIC INTERPRETATION
The graph of f is the
paraboloid
z = 4 – x2 – 2y2
The vertical plane
y = 1 intersects it in
the parabola
z = 2 – x2, y = 1.
 As discussed,
we label it C1.
Example
GEOMETRIC INTERPRETATION
The slope of the tangent
line to this parabola at
the point (1, 1, 1) is:
fx(1, 1) = -2
Example
GEOMETRIC INTERPRETATION
Similarly, the curve C2 in
which the plane
x = 1 intersects the
paraboloid is the
parabola z = 3 – 2y2, x =
1.
 The slope of
the tangent line
at (1, 1, 1) is:
fy(1, 1) = – 4
Example
If
calculate
( , ) sin
1
and
x
f x y
y
f f
x y
 
  

 
 
 
Example
PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
Using the Chain Rule for functions of one
variable, we have:
 
2
1
cos cos
1 1 1 1
cos cos
1 1 1 1
f x x x
x y x y y y
f x x x x
y y y y y y
     
 
   
     
     
     
     
 
    
     
     
     
Example
PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
Find ∂z/∂x and ∂z/∂y if z is defined implicitly
as a function of x and y by the equation
x3 + y3 + z3 + 6xyz = 1
Example
PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
To find ∂z/∂x, we differentiate implicitly
with respect to x, being careful to treat y
as a constant:
 Solving for ∂z/∂x, we obtain:
2 2
3 3 6 6 0
z z
x z yz xy
x x
 
   
 
Example
PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
2
2
2
2
z x yz
x z xy
 
 
 
Similarly, implicit differentiation with
respect to y gives:
2
2
2
2
z y xz
y z xy
 
 
 
Example
PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
FUNCTIONS OF MORE THAN TWO VARIABLES
Partial derivatives can also be defined
for functions of three or more variables.
 For example, if f is a function of three variables
x, y, and z, then its partial derivative with respect
to x is defined as:
0
( , , ) ( , , )
( , , ) lim
x
h
f x h y z f x y z
f x y z
h

 

It is found by:
 Regarding y and z as constants.
 Differentiating f(x, y, z) with respect to x.
FUNCTIONS OF MORE THAN TWO VARIABLES
If w = f(x, y, z), then fx = ∂w/∂x can be
interpreted as the rate of change of w with
respect to x when y and z are held fixed.
 However, we can’t interpret it geometrically
since the graph of f lies in four-dimensional space.
FUNCTIONS OF MORE THAN TWO VARIABLES
In general, if u is a function of n variables,
u = f(x1, x2, . . ., xn), its partial derivative with
respect to the i th variable xi is:
1 1 1 1
0
( ,..., , , ,..., ) ( ,..., ,..., )
lim
i
i i i n i n
h
u
x
f x x x h x x f x x x
h
 




 
FUNCTIONS OF MORE THAN TWO VARIABLES
Then, we also write:
i
x i i
i i
u f
f f D f
x x
 
   
 
FUNCTIONS OF MORE THAN TWO VARIABLES
MULTIPLE VARIABLE FUNCTIONS
Find fx, fy, and fz if f(x, y, z) = exy ln z
 Holding y and z constant and differentiating
with respect to x, we have:
fx = yexy ln z
 Similarly,
fy = xexy ln z fz = exy/z
Example
If f is a function of two variables, then
its partial derivatives fx and fy are also
functions of two variables.
HIGHER DERIVATIVES
So, we can consider their partial derivatives
(fx)x , (fx)y , (fy)x , (fy)y
These are called the second
partial derivatives of f.
SECOND PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
If z = f(x, y), we use the following notation:
2 2
11 2 2
2 2
12
2 2
21
2 2
22 2 2
( )
( )
( )
( )
x x xx
x y xy
y x yx
y y yy
f f z
f f f
x x x x
f f z
f f f
y x y x y x
f f z
f f f
x y x y x y
f f z
f f f
y y y y
   
 
    
 
   
 
   
 
    
 
     
 
 
   
    
 
     
 
 
   
    
 
   
 
NOTATION
Thus, the notation fxy (or ∂2f/∂y∂x) means
that we first differentiate with respect to x
and then with respect to y.
In computing fyx , the order is reversed.
SECOND PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
Find the second partial derivatives
of
f(x, y) = x3 + x2y3 – 2y2
 In Example 1, we found that:
fx(x, y) = 3x2 + 2xy3 fy(x, y) = 3x2y2 – 4y
Example 6
SECOND PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
Hence,
 
 
 
 
2 3 3
2 3 2
2 2 2
2 2 2
3 2 6 2
3 2 6
3 4 6
3 4 6 4
xx
xy
yx
yy
f x xy x y
x
f x xy xy
y
f x y y xy
x
f x y y x y
y

   


  


  


   

Example 6
SECOND PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
The figure shows the graph of the function f
in Example 6 for:
–2 ≤ x ≤ 2, – 2 ≤ y ≤ 2
SECOND PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
These show the graphs of its first-order
partial derivatives.
SECOND PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
These show the graphs
of its second-order
partial derivatives.
SECOND PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
Notice that fxy = fyx in the Example
 This is not just a coincidence.
 It turns out that the mixed partial derivatives
fxy and fyx are equal for most functions that
one meets in practice.
SECOND PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
The following theorem, discovered by
the French mathematician Alexis Clairaut
(1713–1765), gives conditions under which
we can assert that fxy = fyx .
 The proof is given in Appendix F.
SECOND PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
CLAIRAUT’S THEOREM
Suppose f is defined on a disk D that
contains the point (a, b).
If the functions fxy and fyx are both
continuous on D, then
fxy(a, b) = fyx(a, b)
Partial derivatives of order 3 or higher
can also be defined.
 For instance,
 Using Clairaut’s Theorem, it can be shown that
fxyy = fyxy = fyyx
if these functions are continuous.
 
2 3
2
xyy xy y
f f
f f
y y x y x
 
  
  
 
    
 
HIGHER DERIVATIVES
Calculate fxxyz if f(x, y, z) = sin(3x + yz)
 fx = 3 cos(3x + yz)
 fxx = –9 sin(3x + yz)
 fxxy = –9z cos(3x + yz)
 fxxyz = –9 cos(3x + yz) + 9yz sin(3x + yz)
Example
HIGHER DERIVATIVES
TANGENT PLANES
Similarly, putting x = x0 in Equation 1,
we get:
z – z0 = b(y – y0)
This must represent the tangent line T2.
 Thus, b = fy(x0, y0).
TANGENT PLANES
Suppose a surface S has equation z = f(x, y),
where f has continuous first partial derivatives.
Let P(x0, y0, z0) be a point on S.
TANGENT PLANES
As in Section 14.3, let C1 and C2 be the
curves obtained by intersecting the vertical
planes
y = y0 and x = x0 with the surface S.
 Then, the point P
lies on both C1 and C2.
TANGENT PLANES
Let T1 and T2 be the tangent lines to
the curves C1 and C2 at the point P.
TANGENT PLANE
Then, the tangent plane to the surface S
at the point P is defined to be the plane that
contains both tangent lines T1 and T2.
TANGENT PLANES
We will see in Section 14.6 that, if C is
any other curve that lies on the surface S
and passes through P, then its tangent line
at P also lies in the tangent plane.
TANGENT PLANES
Therefore, you can think of the tangent plane
to S at P as consisting of all possible tangent
lines at P to curves that lie on S and pass
through P.
 The tangent plane at P is the plane that
most closely approximates the surface S
near the point P.
TANGENT PLANES
We know from Equation 7 in Section 12.5
that any plane passing through the point
P(x0, y0, z0) has an equation of the form
A(x – x0) + B(y – y0) + C(z – z0) = 0
TANGENT PLANES
By dividing that equation by C and letting
a = –A/C and b = –B/C, we can write it in
the form
z – z0 = a(x – x0) + b(y – y0)
Equation 1
TANGENT PLANES
If Equation 1 represents the tangent plane
at P, then its intersection with the plane y = y0
must be the tangent line T1.
TANGENT PLANES
Setting y = y0 in Equation 1
gives:
z – z0 = a(x – x0)
y = y0
 We recognize these as the equations
(in point-slope form) of a line with slope a.
TANGENT PLANES
However, we know that the slope of the
tangent T1 is fx(x0, y0).
 Therefore, a = fx(x0, y0).
TANGENT PLANES
Suppose f has continuous partial derivatives.
An equation of the tangent plane to the
surface z = f(x, y) at the point P(x0, y0, z0)
is:
z – z0 = fx(x0, y0)(x – x0) + fy(x0, y0)(y – y0)
Equation 2
TANGENT PLANES
Find the tangent plane to the elliptic
paraboloid z = 2x2 + y2 at the point (1, 1, 3).
 Let f(x, y) = 2x2 + y2.
 Then,
fx(x, y) = 4x fy(x, y) = 2y
fx(1, 1) = 4 fy(1, 1) = 2
Example 1
TANGENT PLANES
So, Equation 2 gives the equation
of the tangent plane at (1, 1, 3) as:
z – 3 = 4(x – 1) + 2(y – 1)
or
z = 4x + 2y – 3
Example 1
TANGENT PLANES
The figure shows the elliptic paraboloid
and its tangent plane at (1, 1, 3) that we
found in Example 1.
TANGENT PLANES
Here, we zoom in toward the point by
restricting the domain of the function
f(x, y) = 2x2 + y2.
TANGENT PLANES
Notice that, the more we zoom in,
 The flatter the graph appears.
 The more it resembles its tangent plane.
TANGENT PLANES
Here, we corroborate that impression by
zooming in toward the point (1, 1) on a
contour map of the function f(x, y) = 2x2 + y2.
TANGENT PLANES
Notice that, the more we zoom in, the more
the level curves look like equally spaced
parallel lines—characteristic of a plane.
LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS
In Example 1, we found that an equation of
the tangent plane to the graph of the function
f(x, y) = 2x2 + y2 at the point (1, 1, 3) is:
z = 4x + 2y – 3
LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS
Thus, in view of the visual evidence in
the previous two figures, the linear function
of two variables
L(x, y) = 4x + 2y – 3
is a good approximation to f(x, y)
when (x, y) is near (1, 1).
LINEARIZATION & LINEAR APPROXIMATION
The function L is called the linearization of f
at (1, 1).
The approximation
f(x, y) ≈ 4x + 2y – 3
is called the linear approximation or tangent
plane approximation of f at (1, 1).
LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS
For instance, at the point (1.1, 0.95), the linear
approximation gives:
f(1.1, 0.95)
≈ 4(1.1) + 2(0.95) – 3
= 3.3
 This is quite close to the true value
of f(1.1, 0.95) = 2(1.1)2 + (0.95)2 = 3.3225
LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS
However, if we take a point farther away
from (1, 1), such as (2, 3), we no longer get
a good approximation.
 In fact, L(2, 3) = 11, whereas f(2, 3) = 17.
LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS
In general, we know from Equation 2 that
an equation of the tangent plane to the graph
of a function f of two variables at the point
(a, b, f(a, b)) is:
z = f(a, b) + fx(a, b)(x – a) + fy(a, b)(y – b)
LINEARIZATION
The linear function whose graph is
this tangent plane, namely
L(x, y) = f(a, b) + fx(a, b)(x – a)
+ fy(a, b)(y – b)
is called the linearization of f at (a, b).
Equation 3
LINEAR APPROXIMATION
The approximation
f(x, y) ≈ f(a, b) + fx(a, b)(x – a)
+ fy(a, b)(y – b)
is called the linear approximation or
the tangent plane approximation of f at (a, b).
Equation 4
LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS
We have defined tangent planes for surfaces
z = f(x, y), where f has continuous first partial
derivatives.
 What happens if fx and fy are not continuous?
LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS
The figure pictures
such a function.
 Its equation is:
2 2
( , )
if( , ) (0,0)
0 if( , ) (0,0)
f x y
xy
x y
x y
x y
 


 
 

LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS
You can verify (see Exercise 46) that its
partial derivatives exist at the origin and,
in fact, fx(0, 0) = 0 and fy(0, 0) = 0.
However, fx and fy are not continuous.
LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS
Thus, the linear approximation would
be f(x, y) ≈ 0.
 However, f(x, y) = ½ at all points
on the line y = x.
LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS
Thus, a function of two variables can
behave badly even though both of its
partial derivatives exist.
 To rule out such behavior, we formulate
the idea of a differentiable function of two
variables.
LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS
Recall that, for a function of one variable,
y = f(x), if x changes from a to a + ∆x,
we defined the increment of y as:
∆y = f(a + ∆x) – f(a)
LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS
In Chapter 3 we showed that,
if f is differentiable at a, then
∆y = f’(a)∆x + ε∆x
where ε → 0 as ∆x → 0
Equation 5
LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS
Now, consider a function of two variables,
z = f(x, y).
Suppose x changes from a to a + ∆x
and y changes from b to b + ∆x.
LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS
Then, the corresponding increment
of z is:
∆z = f(a + ∆x, b + ∆y) – f(a, b)
Equation 6
LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS
Thus, the increment ∆z represents the change
in the value of f when (x, y) changes from
(a, b) to (a + ∆x, b + ∆y).
 By analogy with Equation 5, we define
the differentiability of a function of two
variables as follows.
LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS
If z = f(x, y), then f is differentiable at (a, b)
if ∆z can be expressed in the form
∆z = fx(a, b) ∆x + fy(a, b) ∆y
+ ε1 ∆x + ε2 ∆y
where ε1 and ε2 → 0 as (∆x, ∆y) → (0, 0).
Definition 7
LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS
Definition 7 says that a differentiable function
is one for which the linear approximation
in Equation 4 is a good approximation when
(x, y) is near (a, b).
 That is, the tangent plane approximates the
graph of f well near the point of tangency.
LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS
It’s sometimes hard to use Definition 7
directly to check the differentiability of
a function.
 However, the next theorem provides a
convenient sufficient condition for
differentiability.
LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS
If the partial derivatives fx and fy exist
near (a, b) and are continuous at (a, b),
then f is differentiable at (a, b).
Theorem 8
LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS
Show that f(x, y) = xexy is differentiable
at (1, 0) and find its linearization there.
Then, use it to approximate f(1.1, –0.1).
Example
LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS
The partial derivatives are:
fx(x, y) = exy + xyexy fy(x, y) = x2exy
fx(1, 0) = 1 fy(1, 0) = 1
 Both fx and fy are continuous functions.
 So, f is differentiable by Theorem 8.
Example
LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS
The linearization is:
L(x, y) = f(1, 0) + fx(1, 0)(x – 1) + fy(1, 0)(y – 0)
= 1 + 1(x – 1) + 1 . y
= x + y
Example
LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS
The corresponding linear approximation
is:
xexy ≈ x + y
So,
f(1.1, – 0.1) ≈ 1.1 – 0.1 = 1
 Compare this with the actual value
of
f(1.1, –0.1) = 1.1e–0.11 ≈ 0.98542
Example
LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS
Suppose the heat index (perceived
temperature/”real feel”) I as a function of:
 The actual temperature T
 The relative humidity H
Example
LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS Example
We gave this table of values from the National
Weather Service.
LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS
Find a linear approximation for the heat index
I = f(T, H) when T is near 96°F and H is near
70%.
Use it to estimate the heat index when
the temperature is 97°F and the relative
humidity is 72%.
Example
LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS
We read that f(96, 70) = 125.
 In Section 14.3, we used the tabular values to
estimate that: fT(96, 70) ≈ 3.75 and fH(96, 70) ≈ 0.9
Example
LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS
So, the linear approximation is:
f(T, H) ≈ f(96, 70) + fT(96, 70)(T – 96)
+ fH(96, 70)(H – 70)
≈ 125 + 3.75(T – 96) + 0.9(H – 70)
Example
LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS
In particular,
f(92, 72) ≈ 125 + 3.75(1) + 0.9(2)
= 130.55
 Thus, when T = 97°F and H = 72%,
the heat index is:
I ≈ 131°F
Example
PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
Directional Derivatives
and the Gradient Vector
In this section, we will learn how to find:
The rate of changes of a function of
two or more variables in any direction.
INTRODUCTION
This weather map shows a contour map
of the temperature function T(x, y)
for:
 The states of California
and Nevada at 3:00 PM
on a day in October.
INTRODUCTION
The level curves, or isothermals,
join locations with the same
temperature.
INTRODUCTION
The partial derivative Tx is the rate of change
of temperature with respect to distance if
we travel east from Reno.
 Ty is the rate of change
if we travel north.
INTRODUCTION
However, what if we want to know the rate
of change when we travel southeast (toward
Las Vegas), or in some other direction?
DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVE
In this section, we introduce a type of
derivative, called a directional derivative,
that enables us to find:
 The rate of change of a function of
two or more variables in any direction.
DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES
Recall that, if z = f(x, y), then the partial
derivatives fx and fy are defined as:
0 0 0 0
0 0
0
0 0 0 0
0 0
0
( , ) ( , )
( , ) lim
( , ) ( , )
( , ) lim
x
h
y
h
f x h y f x y
f x y
h
f x y h f x y
f x y
h


 

 

Equations 1
DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES
They represent the rates of change of z
in the x- and y-directions—that is, in
the directions of the unit vectors i and j.
Equations 1
DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES
Suppose that we now wish to find the rate
of change of z at (x0, y0) in the direction of
an arbitrary unit vector u = <a, b>.
DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES
To do this, we consider the surface S
with equation z = f(x, y) [the graph of f ]
and we let z0 = f(x0, y0).
 Then, the point P(x0, y0, z0) lies on S.
DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES
The vertical plane that passes through P
in the direction of u intersects S in
a curve C.
DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES
The slope of the tangent line T to C
at the point P is the rate of change of z
in the direction
of u.
DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES
Now, let:
 Q(x, y, z) be
another point
on C.
 P’, Q’ be the
projections of
P, Q on the
xy-plane.
DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES
Then, the vector is parallel to u.
So,
for some scalar h.
' '
P Q
' '
,
P Q h
ha hb

  
u
DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES
Therefore,
x – x0 = ha
y – y0 = hb
DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES
So,
x = x0 + ha
y = y0 + hb
0
0 0 0, 0
( , ) ( )
z z
z
h h
f x ha y hb f x y
h



  

DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVE
If we take the limit as h → 0, we obtain
the rate of change of z (with respect to
distance) in the direction of u.
 This is called the directional derivative of f
in the direction of u.
DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVE
The directional derivative of f at (x0, y0)
in the direction of a unit vector u = <a, b>
is:
if this limit exists.
Definition 2
0 0
0 0 0 0
0
( , )
( , ) ( , )
lim
h
D f x y
f x ha y hb f x y
h

  

u
DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES
Comparing Definition 2 with Equations 1,
we see that:
 If u = i = <1, 0>, then Di f = fx.
 If u = j = <0, 1>, then Dj f = fy.
DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES
In other words, the partial derivatives of f
with respect to x and y are just special
cases of the directional derivative.
DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES
Use this weather map to estimate the value
of the directional derivative of the temperature
function at Reno in
the southeasterly
direction.
Example 1
DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES
The unit vector directed toward
the southeast is:
u = (i – j)/
 However, we won’t need to use
this expression.
Example 1
2
DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES
We start by drawing a line through Reno
toward the southeast.
Example 1
DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES
We approximate the directional derivative
DuT by:
 The average rate
of change of the
temperature
between the points
where this line
intersects the
isothermals
T = 50 and T = 60.
Example 1
DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES
The temperature at the point southeast
of Reno is T = 60°F.
The temperature
at the point
northwest of Reno
is T = 50°F.
Example 1
DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES
The distance between these points
looks to be about 75 miles.
Example 1
DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES
So, the rate of change of the temperature
in the southeasterly direction is:
Example 1
60 50
75
10
75
0.13 F/mi
D T




u
DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES
When we compute the directional
derivative of a function defined by
a formula, we generally use the following
theorem.
DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES
If f is a differentiable function of x and y,
then f has a directional derivative in
the direction of any unit vector u = <a, b>
and
Theorem 3
( , ) ( , ) ( , )
x y
D f x y f x y a f x y b
 
u
DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES
If we define a function g of the single
variable h by
then, by the definition of a derivative,
we have the following equation.
Proof
0 0
( ) ( , )
  
g h f x ha y hb
DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES Proof—Equation 4
0
0 0 0 0
0
0 0
'(0)
( ) (0)
lim
( , ) ( , )
lim
( , )
h
h
g
g h g
h
f x ha y hb f x y
h
D f x y




  

 u
DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES
On the other hand, we can write:
g(h) = f(x, y)
where:
 x = x0 + ha
 y = y0 + hb
Proof
DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES
Hence, the Chain Rule (Theorem 2
in Section 14.5) gives:
'( )
( , ) ( , )
x y
f dx f dy
g h
x dh y dh
f x y a f x y b
 
 
 
 
Proof
DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES
If we now put h = 0,
then x = x0
y = y0
and
0 0 0 0
'(0) ( , ) ( , )
 
x y
g f x y a f x y b
Proof—Equation 5
DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES
Comparing Equations 4 and 5,
we see that:
Proof
0 0
0 0 0 0
( , )
( , ) ( , )
x y
D f x y
f x y a f x y b
 
u
DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES
Suppose the unit vector u makes
an angle θ with the positive x-axis, as
shown.
DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES
Then, we can write
u = <cos θ, sin θ>
and the formula in Theorem 3
becomes:
Equation 6
( , ) ( , )cos ( , )sin
x y
D f x y f x y f x y
 
 
u
DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES
Find the directional derivative Duf(x, y)
if:
 f(x, y) = x3 – 3xy + 4y2
 u is the unit vector given by angle θ = π/6
What is Duf(1, 2)?
Example 2
DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES
Formula 6 gives:
Example 2
 
2 1
2
2
1
2
( , ) ( , )cos ( , )sin
6 6
3
(3 3 ) ( 3 8 )
2
3 3 3 8 3 3
 
 
    
 
   
 
x y
D f x y f x y f x y
x y x y
x x y
u
DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES
Therefore,
Example 2
 
2
1
2
(1,2) 3 3(1) 3(1) 8 3 3 (2)
13 3 3
2
 
   
 


D f
u
DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES
The directional derivative Du f(1, 2)
in Example 2 represents the rate of
change of z in the direction of u.
DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES
This is the slope of the tangent line to
the curve of intersection of the surface
z = x3 – 3xy + 4y2
and the vertical
plane through
(1, 2, 0) in the
direction of u
shown here.
THE GRADIENT VECTOR
Notice from Theorem 3 that the directional
derivative can be written as the dot product
of two vectors:
( , ) ( , ) ( , )
( , ), ( , ) ,
( , ), ( , )
x y
x y
x y
D f x y f x y a f x y b
f x y f x y a b
f x y f x y
 
    
   
u
u
Expression 7
THE GRADIENT VECTOR
The first vector in that dot product
occurs not only in computing directional
derivatives but in many other contexts
as well.
THE GRADIENT VECTOR
So, we give it a special name:
 The gradient of f
We give it a special notation too:
 grad f or f , which is read “del f ”

THE GRADIENT VECTOR
If f is a function of two variables x and y,
then the gradient of f is the vector function f
defined by:
Definition 8

( , ) ( , ), ( , )
x y
f x y f x y f x y
f f
x x
   
 
 
 
i j
THE GRADIENT VECTOR
If f(x, y) = sin x + exy,
then
Example 3
( , ) ,
cos ,
(0,1) 2,0
x y
xy xy
f x y f f
x ye xe
f
   
   
   
THE GRADIENT VECTOR
With this notation for the gradient vector, we
can rewrite Expression 7 for the directional
derivative as:
 This expresses the directional derivative
in the direction of u as the scalar projection
of the gradient vector onto u.
Equation 9
( , ) ( , )
D f x y f x y
  
u u
THE GRADIENT VECTOR
Find the directional derivative of the function
f(x, y) = x2y3 – 4y
at the point (2, –1) in the direction
of the vector v = 2 i + 5 j.
Example 4
THE GRADIENT VECTOR
We first compute the gradient vector
at (2, –1):
Example 4
3 2 2
( , ) 2 (3 4)
(2, 1) 4 8
f x y xy x y
f
   
    
i j
i j
THE GRADIENT VECTOR
Note that v is not a unit vector.
However, since , the unit vector
in the direction of v is:
Example 4
| | 29

v
2 5
| | 29 29
  
v
u i j
v
THE GRADIENT VECTOR
Therefore, by Equation 9,
we have:
Example 4
(2, 1) (2, 1)
2 5
( 4 8 )
29 29
4 2 8 5 32
29 29
D f f
    
 
    
 
 
   
 
u u
i j i j
FUNCTIONS OF THREE VARIABLES
For functions of three variables, we can
define directional derivatives in a similar
manner.
 Again, Du f(x, y, z) can be interpreted as the rate
of change of the function in the direction of a unit
vector u.
THREE-VARIABLE FUNCTION
The directional derivative of f at (x0, y0, z0)
in the direction of a unit vector u = <a, b, c>
is:
if this limit exists.
Definition 10
0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0
0
( , , )
( , , ) ( , , )
lim
h
D f x y z
f x ha y hb z hc f x y z
h

   

u
THREE-VARIABLE FUNCTIONS
If we use vector notation, then we can
write both Definitions 2 and 10 of the
directional derivative in a compact form,
as follows.
THREE-VARIABLE FUNCTIONS Equation 11
0 0
0
0
( ) ( )
( ) lim
h
f h f
D f
h

 

u
x u x
x
where:
 x0 = <x0, y0> if n = 2
 x0 = <x0, y0, z0> if n = 3
THREE-VARIABLE FUNCTIONS
This is reasonable.
 The vector equation of the line through x0
in the direction of the vector u is given by
x = x0 + t u (Equation 1 in Section 12.5).
 Thus, f(x0 + hu) represents the value of f
at a point on this line.
THREE-VARIABLE FUNCTIONS
If f(x, y, z) is differentiable and u = <a, b, c>,
then the same method that was used to
prove Theorem 3 can be used to show
that:
Formula 12
( , , )
( , , ) ( , , ) ( , , )
x y z
D f x y z
f x y z a f x y z b f x y z c
  
u
THREE-VARIABLE FUNCTIONS
For a function f of three variables,
the gradient vector, denoted by or grad f,
is:
f

( , , )
( , , ), ( , , ,), ( , , )
x y z
f x y z
f x y z f x y z f x y z

  
THREE-VARIABLE FUNCTIONS
For short,
, ,
x y z
f f f f
f f f
x y z
   
  
  
  
i j k
Equation 13
THREE-VARIABLE FUNCTIONS
Then, just as with functions of two variables,
Formula 12 for the directional derivative can
be rewritten as:
( , , ) ( , , )
D f x y z f x y z
  
u u
Equation 14
THREE-VARIABLE FUNCTIONS
If f(x, y, z) = x sin yz, find:
a. The gradient of f
b. The directional derivative of f at (1, 3, 0)
in the direction of v = i + 2 j – k.
Example 5
THREE-VARIABLE FUNCTIONS
The gradient of f is:
Example 5 a
f (x, y,z)
  fx
(x, y,z), fy
(x, y,z), fz
(x, y,z)
 sin yz,xzcos yz,xycos yz
THREE-VARIABLE FUNCTIONS
At (1, 3, 0), we have:
The unit vector in the direction
of v = i + 2 j – k is:
Example 5 b
(1,3,0) 0,0,3
f
   
1 2 1
6 6 6
  
u i j k
THREE-VARIABLE FUNCTIONS
Hence, Equation 14 gives:
Example 5
(1,3,0) (1,3,0)
1 2 1
3
6 6 6
1 3
3
2
6
D f f
  
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
u u
k i j k
MAXIMIZING THE DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVE
Suppose we have a function f of two or three
variables and we consider all possible
directional derivatives of f at a given point.
 These give the rates of change of f
in all possible directions.
MAXIMIZING THE DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVE
We can then ask the questions:
 In which of these directions does f
change fastest?
 What is the maximum rate of change?
MAXIMIZING THE DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVE
The answers are provided by
the following theorem.
MAXIMIZING DIRECTIONAL DERIV.
Suppose f is a differentiable function of
two or three variables.
The maximum value of the directional
derivative Duf(x) is:
 It occurs when u has the same direction
as the gradient vector
Theorem 15
| ( ) |
f
 x
( )
f
 x
MAXIMIZING DIRECTIONAL DERIV.
From Equation 9 or 14, we have:
where θ is the angle
between and u.
Proof
| || | cos
| | cos
D f f f
f


    
 
u u u
f

MAXIMIZING DIRECTIONAL DERIV.
The maximum value of cos θ is 1.
This occurs when θ = 0.
 So, the maximum value of Du f is:
 It occurs when θ = 0, that is, when u has
the same direction as .
Proof
| |
f

f

MAXIMIZING DIRECTIONAL DERIV.
a. If f(x, y) = xey, find the rate of change
of f at the point P(2, 0) in the direction
from P to Q(½, 2).
Example 6
MAXIMIZING DIRECTIONAL DERIV.
b. In what direction does f have
the maximum rate of change?
What is this maximum rate of change?
Example 6
MAXIMIZING DIRECTIONAL DERIV.
We first compute the gradient vector:
Example 6 a
( , ) ,
,
(2,0) 1,2
x y
y y
f x y f f
e xe
f
   
  
   
MAXIMIZING DIRECTIONAL DERIV.
The unit vector in the direction of
is .
So, the rate of change of f in the direction
from P to Q is:
Example 6 a
1.5,2
PQ   
3 4
5 5
,
  
u
3 4
5 5
3 4
5 5
(2,0) (2,0)
1,2 ,
1( ) 2( ) 1
D f f u
  
    
   
u
MAXIMIZING DIRECTIONAL DERIV.
According to Theorem 15, f increases
fastest in the direction of the gradient
vector .
So, the maximum rate of change is:
Example 6 b
(2,0) 1,2
f
   
(2,0) 1,2 5
f
    
MAXIMIZING DIRECTIONAL DERIV.
Suppose that the temperature at a point
(x, y, z) in space is given by
T(x, y, z) = 80/(1 + x2 + 2y2 + 3z2)
where:
 T is measured in degrees Celsius.
 x, y, z is measured in meters.
Example 7
MAXIMIZING DIRECTIONAL DERIV.
In which direction does the temperature
increase fastest at the point (1, 1, –2)?
What is the maximum rate of increase?
Example 7
MAXIMIZING DIRECTIONAL DERIV.
The gradient of T is:
Example 7
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
2 2 2 2
2 2 2 2
160 320
(1 2 3 ) (1 2 3 )
480
(1 2 3 )
160
( 2 3 )
(1 2 3 )
T T T
T
x y z
x y
x y z x y z
z
x y z
x y z
x y z
  
   
  
  
     

  
   
  
i j k
i j
k
i j k
MAXIMIZING DIRECTIONAL DERIV.
At the point (1, 1, –2), the gradient vector
is:
Example 7
160
256
5
8
(1,1, 2) ( 2 6 )
( 2 6 )
T
     
   
i j k
i j k
MAXIMIZING DIRECTIONAL DERIV.
By Theorem 15, the temperature increases
fastest in the direction of the gradient vector
 Equivalently, it does so in the direction of
–i – 2 j + 6 k or the unit vector (–i – 2 j + 6 k)/ .
Example 7
5
8
(1,1, 2) ( 2 6 )
T
     
i j k
41
MAXIMIZING DIRECTIONAL DERIV.
The maximum rate of increase is the length
of the gradient vector:
 Thus, the maximum rate of increase
of temperature is:
Example 7
5
8
5
8
(1,1, 2) 2 6
41
T
     

i j k
5
8 41 4 C/m

TANGENT PLANES TO LEVEL SURFACES
Suppose S is a surface with
equation
F(x, y, z)
 That is, it is a level surface of a function F
of three variables.
TANGENT PLANES TO LEVEL SURFACES
Then, let
P(x0, y0, z0)
be a point on S.
TANGENT PLANES TO LEVEL SURFACES
Then, let C be any curve that lies on
the surface S and passes through
the point P.
 Recall from Section 13.1 that the curve C
is described by a continuous vector function
r(t) = <x(t), y(t), z(t)>
TANGENT PLANES TO LEVEL SURFACES
Let t0 be the parameter value
corresponding to P.
 That is,
r(t0) = <x0, y0, z0>
TANGENT PLANES
Since C lies on S, any point (x(t), y(t), z(t))
must satisfy the equation of S.
That is,
F(x(t), y(t), z(t)) = k
Equation 16
TANGENT PLANES
If x, y, and z are differentiable functions of t
and F is also differentiable, then we can use
the Chain Rule to differentiate both sides of
Equation 16:
0
F dx F dy F dz
x dt y dt x dt
  
  
  
Equation 17
TANGENT PLANES
However, as
and
Equation 17 can be written in terms
of a dot product as:
'( ) 0
F t
  
r
, ,
x y z
F F F F
   
'( ) '( ), '( ), '( )
t x t y t z t
  
r
TANGENT PLANES
In particular, when t = t0,
we have:
r(t0) = <x0, y0, z0>
So,
0 0 0 0
( , , ) '( ) 0
F x y z t
  
r
Equation 18
TANGENT PLANES
Equation 18 says:
 The gradient vector at P, ,
is perpendicular to the tangent vector r’(t0)
to any curve C on S
that passes through P.
0 0 0
( , , )
F x y z

TANGENT PLANES
If , it is thus natural to
define the tangent plane to the level surface
F(x, y, z) = k at P(x0, y0, z0) as:
 The plane that passes through P
and has normal vector
0 0 0
( , , ) 0
F x y z
 
0 0 0
( , , )
F x y z

TANGENT PLANES
Using the standard equation of a plane
(Equation 7 in Section 12.5), we can write
the equation of this tangent plane as:
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0
( , , )( ) ( , , )( )
( , , )( ) 0
x y
z
F x y z x x F x y z y y
F x y z z z
  
  
Equation 19
NORMAL LINE
The normal line to S at P is
the line:
 Passing through P
 Perpendicular to the tangent plane
TANGENT PLANES
Thus, the direction of the normal line
is given by the gradient vector
0 0 0
( , , )
F x y z

TANGENT PLANES
So, by Equation 3 in Section 12.5,
its symmetric equations are:
Equation 20
0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
( , , ) ( , , ) ( , , )
x y z
x x y y z z
F x y z F x y z F x y z
  
 
TANGENT PLANES
Consider the special case in which
the equation of a surface S is of the form
z = f(x, y)
 That is, S is the graph of a function f
of two variables.
TANGENT PLANES
Then, we can rewrite the equation as
F(x, y, z) = f(x, y) – z = 0
and regard S as a level surface
(with k = 0) of F.
TANGENT PLANES
Then,
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0
( , , ) ( , )
( , , ) ( , )
( , , ) 1
x x
y y
z
F x y z f x y
F x y z f x y
F x y z


 
TANGENT PLANES
So, Equation 19 becomes:
 This is equivalent to Equation 2
in Section 14.4
0 0 0 0 0 0
0
( , )( ) ( , )( )
( ) 0
x y
f x y x x f x y y y
z z
  
  
TANGENT PLANES
Thus, our new, more general, definition
of a tangent plane is consistent with
the definition that was given for the special
case of Section 14.4
TANGENT PLANES
Find the equations of the tangent plane
and normal line at the point (–2, 1, –3)
to the ellipsoid
Example 8
2 2
2
3
4 9
x z
y
  
TANGENT PLANES
The ellipsoid is the level surface
(with k = 3) of the function
Example 8
2 2
2
( , , )
4 9
x z
F x y z y
  
TANGENT PLANES
So, we have:
Example 8
2
3
( , , )
2
( , , ) 2
2
( , , )
9
( 2,1, 3) 1
( 2,1, 3) 2
( 2,1, 3)
x
y
z
x
y
z
x
F x y z
F x y z y
z
F x y z
F
F
F



   
  
   
TANGENT PLANES
Then, Equation 19 gives the equation
of the tangent plane at (–2, 1, –3)
as:
 This simplifies to:
3x – 6y + 2z + 18 = 0
Example 8
2
3
1( 2) 2( 1) ( 3) 0
x y z
      
TANGENT PLANES
By Equation 20, symmetric equations
of the normal line are:
2
3
2 1 3
1 2
x y z
  
 
 
Example 8
TANGENT PLANES
The figure shows
the ellipsoid,
tangent plane,
and normal line
in Example 8.
Example 8
SIGNIFICANCE OF GRADIENT VECTOR
We now summarize the ways
in which the gradient vector is
significant.
SIGNIFICANCE OF GRADIENT VECTOR
We first consider a function f of
three variables and a point P(x0, y0, z0)
in its domain.
SIGNIFICANCE OF GRADIENT VECTOR
On the one hand, we know from Theorem 15
that the gradient vector gives
the direction of fastest increase of f.
0 0 0
( , , )
f x y z

SIGNIFICANCE OF GRADIENT VECTOR
On the other hand, we know that
is orthogonal to the level
surface S of f through P.
0 0 0
( , , )
f x y z

SIGNIFICANCE OF GRADIENT VECTOR
These two properties are quite
compatible intuitively.
 As we move away
from P on the level
surface S, the value
of f does not change
at all.
SIGNIFICANCE OF GRADIENT VECTOR
So, it seems reasonable that, if we
move in the perpendicular direction,
we get the maximum increase.
SIGNIFICANCE OF GRADIENT VECTOR
In like manner, we consider a function f
of two variables and a point P(x0, y0)
in its domain.
SIGNIFICANCE OF GRADIENT VECTOR
Again, the gradient vector
gives the direction of fastest increase
of f.
0 0
( , )
f x y

SIGNIFICANCE OF GRADIENT VECTOR
Also, by considerations similar to our
discussion of tangent planes, it can be
shown that:
 is perpendicular to the level curve
f(x, y) = k that passes through P.
0 0
( , )
f x y

SIGNIFICANCE OF GRADIENT VECTOR
Again, this is intuitively plausible.
 The values of f
remain constant
as we move
along the curve.
SIGNIFICANCE OF GRADIENT VECTOR
Now, we consider a topographical map
of a hill.
Let f(x, y) represent the height above
sea level at a point with coordinates (x, y).
SIGNIFICANCE OF GRADIENT VECTOR
Then, a curve of steepest ascent can be
drawn by making it perpendicular to all of
the contour lines.
SIGNIFICANCE OF GRADIENT VECTOR
This phenomenon can also be noticed in
this figure in Section 14.1,
where Lonesome
Creek follows
a curve of steepest
descent.
SIGNIFICANCE OF GRADIENT VECTOR
Computer algebra systems have commands
that plot sample gradient vectors.
Each gradient vector is plotted
starting at the point (a, b).
( , )
f a b

GRADIENT VECTOR FIELD
The figure shows such a plot—called
a gradient vector field—for the function
f(x, y) = x2 – y2
superimposed on
a contour map of f.
SIGNIFICANCE OF GRADIENT VECTOR
As expected,
the gradient vectors:
 Point “uphill”
 Are perpendicular
to the level curves

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Chap14_combined.ppt

  • 2. We can visualize the graph S of f as lying directly above or below its domain D in the xy-plane. GRAPHS OF MULTIVARIABLE FUNCTIONS
  • 3. Sketch the graph of the function f(x, y) = 6 – 3x – 2y  The graph of f has the equation z = 6 – 3x – 2y or 3x + 2y + z = 6  This represents a plane. GRAPHS Example
  • 4. To graph the plane, we first find the intercepts.  Putting y = z = 0 in the equation, we get x = 2 as the x-intercept.  Similarly, the y-intercept is 3 and the z-intercept is 6. GRAPHS Example
  • 5. This helps us sketch the portion of the graph that lies in the first octant. GRAPHS Example
  • 6. The figure shows computer-generated graphs of several functions. GRAPHS BY COMPUTERS
  • 7. Notice that we get an especially good picture of a function when rotation is used to give views from different vantage points. GRAPHS BY COMPUTERS
  • 8. In (a) and (b), the graph of f is very flat and close to the xy-plane except near the origin.  This is because e –x2–y2 is small when x or y is large. GRAPHS BY COMPUTERS
  • 9. The level curves of a function f of two variables are the curves with equations f(x, y) = k where k is a constant (in the range of f). LEVEL CURVES Definition
  • 10. A level curve f(x, y) = k is the set of all points in the domain of f at which f takes on a given value k.  That is, it shows where the graph of f has height k. LEVEL CURVE
  • 11. You can see from the figure the relation between level curves and horizontal traces. LEVEL CURVES
  • 12. The level curves f(x, y) = k are just the traces of the graph of f in the horizontal plane z = k projected down to the xy-plane. LEVEL CURVES
  • 13. So, suppose you draw the level curves of a function and visualize them being lifted up to the surface at the indicated height.  Then, you can mentally piece together a picture of the graph. LEVEL CURVES
  • 14. The surface is:  Steep where the level curves are close together.  Somewhat flatter where the level curves are farther apart. LEVEL CURVES
  • 15. One common example of level curves occurs in topographic maps of mountainous regions, such as shown. LEVEL CURVES
  • 16. The level curves are curves of constant elevation above sea level.  If you walk along one of these contour lines, you neither ascend nor descend. LEVEL CURVES
  • 17. Another common example is the temperature function introduced in the opening paragraph of the section.  Here, the level curves are called isothermals.  They join locations with the same temperature. LEVEL CURVES
  • 18. The figure shows a weather map of the world indicating the average January temperatures. LEVEL CURVES
  • 19. The isothermals are the curves that separate the colored bands. LEVEL CURVES
  • 20. A contour map for a function f is shown.  Use it to estimate the values of f(1, 3) and f(4, 5). LEVEL CURVES Example
  • 21. The point (1, 3) lies partway between the level curves with z-values 70 and 80.  We estimate that: f(1, 3) ≈ 73  Similarly, we estimate that: f(4, 5) ≈ 56 LEVEL CURVES Example
  • 22. Sketch the level curves of the function f(x, y) = 6 – 3x – 2y for the values k = –6, 0, 6, 12 LEVEL CURVES Example
  • 23. The level curves are: 6 – 3x – 2y = k or 3x + 2y + (k – 6) = 0 LEVEL CURVES Example
  • 24. This is a family of lines with slope –3/2. The four particular level curves with k = –6, 0, 6, 12 are:  3x + 2y – 12 = 0  3x + 2y – 6 = 0  3x + 2y = 0  3x + 2y + 6 = 0 LEVEL CURVES Example
  • 25. The level curves are equally spaced parallel lines because the graph of f is a plane. LEVEL CURVES Example
  • 26. Sketch the level curves of the function for k = 0, 1, 2, 3  The level curves are: LEVEL CURVES 2 2 ( , ) 9 g x y x y    Example 2 2 2 2 2 9 or 9 x y k x y k      
  • 27. This is a family of concentric circles with center (0, 0) and radius  The cases k = 0, 1, 2, 3 are shown. LEVEL CURVES Example 2 9 k 
  • 28. Try to visualize these level curves lifted up to form a surface. LEVEL CURVES Example
  • 29. Then, compare the formed surface with the graph of g (a hemisphere), as in the other figure. LEVEL CURVES Example
  • 30. 14.3 Partial Derivatives In this section, we will learn about: Various aspects of partial derivatives. PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
  • 31. INTRODUCTION On a hot day, extreme humidity makes us think the temperature is higher than it really is. In very dry air, though, we perceive the temperature to be lower than the thermometer indicates.
  • 32. The National Weather Service (NWS) has devised the heat index to describe the combined effects of temperature and humidity.  This is also called the temperature-humidity index, or humidex, in some countries. HEAT INDEX
  • 33. The heat index I is the perceived air temperature when the actual temperature is T and the relative humidity is H.  So, I is a function of T and H.  We can write I = f(T, H). HEAT INDEX
  • 34. HEAT INDEX This table of values of I is an excerpt from a table compiled by the NWS.
  • 35. HEAT INDEX Let’s concentrate on the highlighted column.  It corresponds to a relative humidity of H = 70%.  Then, we are considering the heat index as a function of the single variable T for a fixed value of H.
  • 36. Let’s write g(T) = f(T, 70). Then, g(T) describes:  How the heat index I increases as the actual temperature T increases when the relative humidity is 70%. HEAT INDEX
  • 37. The derivative of g when T = 96°F is the rate of change of I with respect to T when T = 96°F: 0 0 (96 ) (96) '(96) lim (96 ,70) (96,70) lim h h g h g g h f h f h         HEAT INDEX
  • 38. We can approximate g’(96) using the values in the table by taking h = 2 and –2. (98) (96) (98,70) (96,70) '(96) 2 2 133 125 4 2 g g f f g        HEAT INDEX (94) (96) (94,70) (96,70) '(96) 2 2 118 125 3.5 2 g g f f g          
  • 39. Averaging those values, we can say that the derivative g’(96) is approximately 3.75 This means that:  When the actual temperature is 96°F and the relative humidity is 70%, the apparent temperature (heat index) rises by about 3.75°F for every degree that the actual temperature rises! HEAT INDEX
  • 40. HEAT INDEX Now, let’s look at the highlighted row.  It corresponds to a fixed temperature of T = 96°F.
  • 41. The numbers in the row are values of the function G(H) = f(96, H).  This describes how the heat index increases as the relative humidity H increases when the actual temperature is T = 96°F. HEAT INDEX
  • 42. The derivative of this function when H = 70% is the rate of change of I with respect to H when H = 70%: 0 0 (70 ) (70) '(70) lim (96,70 ) (96,70) lim h h G h G G h f h f h         HEAT INDEX
  • 43. By taking h = 5 and –5, we approximate G’(70) using the tabular values: (75) (70) (96,75) (96,70) '(70) 5 5 130 125 1 5 G G f f G        HEAT INDEX (65) (70) (96,65) (96,70) '(70) 5 5 121 125 0.8 5 G G f f G          
  • 44. By averaging those values, we get the estimate G’(70) ≈ 0.9 This says that:  When the temperature is 96°F and the relative humidity is 70%, the heat index rises about 0.9°F for every percent that the relative humidity rises. HEAT INDEX
  • 45. PARTIAL DERIVATIVES In general, if f is a function of two variables x and y, suppose we let only x vary while keeping y fixed, say y = b, where b is a constant.  Then, we are really considering a function of a single variable x: g(x) = f(x, b)
  • 46. If g has a derivative at a, we call it the partial derivative of f with respect to x at (a, b). We denote it by: fx(a, b) PARTIAL DERIVATIVE
  • 47. Thus, fx(a, b) = g’(a) where g(x) = f(a, b) Equation 1 PARTIAL DERIVATIVE
  • 48. By the definition of a derivative, we have: 0 ( ) ( ) '( ) lim h g a h g a g a h     PARTIAL DERIVATIVE
  • 49. So, Equation 1 becomes: PARTIAL DERIVATIVE 0 ( , ) ( , ) ( , ) lim x h f a h b f a b f a b h     Equation 2
  • 50. Similarly, the partial derivative of f with respect to y at (a, b), denoted by fy(a, b), is obtained by:  Keeping x fixed (x = a)  Finding the ordinary derivative at b of the function G(y) = f(a, y) PARTIAL DERIVATIVE
  • 51. 0 ( , ) ( , ) ( , ) lim y h f a b h f a b f a b h     Equation 3 PARTIAL DERIVATIVE Thus,
  • 52. With that notation for partial derivatives, we can write the rates of change of the heat index I with respect to the actual temperature T and relative humidity H when T = 96°F and H = 70% as: fT(96, 70) ≈ 3.75 fH(96, 70) ≈ 0.9 PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
  • 53. If we now let the point (a, b) vary in Equations 2 and 3, fx and fy become functions of two variables. PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
  • 54. If f is a function of two variables, its partial derivatives are the functions fx and fy defined by: 0 0 ( , ) ( , ) ( , ) lim ( , ) ( , ) ( , ) lim x h y h f x h y f x y f x y h f x y h f x y f x y h         Equations 4 PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
  • 55. There are many alternative notations for partial derivatives.  For instance, instead of fx, we can write f1 or D1f (to indicate differentiation with respect to the first variable) or ∂f/∂x.  However, here, ∂f/∂x can’t be interpreted as a ratio of differentials. NOTATIONS
  • 56. If z = f(x, y), we write: 1 1 2 2 ( , ) ( , ) ( , ) ( , ) x x x y y y f z f x y f f x y x x x f D f D f f z f x y f f x y y y y f D f D f                           NOTATIONS FOR PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
  • 57. PARTIAL DERIVATIVES To compute partial derivatives, all we have to do is:  Remember from Equation 1 that the partial derivative with respect to x is just the ordinary derivative of the function g of a single variable that we get by keeping y fixed.
  • 58. RULE TO FIND PARTIAL DERIVATIVES OF z = f(x, y) Thus, we have this rule. 1. To find fx, regard y as a constant and differentiate f(x, y) with respect to x. 2. To find fy, regard x as a constant and differentiate f(x, y) with respect to y.
  • 59. If f(x, y) = x3 + x2y3 – 2y2 find fx(2, 1) and fy(2, 1) Example 1 PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
  • 60. Holding y constant and differentiating with respect to x, we get: fx(x, y) = 3x2 + 2xy3 Thus, fx(2, 1) = 3 . 22 + 2 . 2 . 13 = 16 Example 1 PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
  • 61. Holding x constant and differentiating with respect to y, we get: fy(x, y) = 3x2y2 – 4y Thus, fy(2, 1) = 3 . 22 . 12 – 4 . 1 = 8 Example 1 PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
  • 62. GEOMETRIC INTERPRETATION To give a geometric interpretation of partial derivatives, we recall that the equation z = f(x, y) represents a surface S (the graph of f).  If f(a, b) = c, then the point P(a, b, c) lies on S.
  • 63. GEOMETRIC INTERPRETATION By fixing y = b, we are restricting our attention to the curve C1 in which the vertical plane y = b intersects S.  That is, C1 is the trace of S in the plane y = b.
  • 64. Likewise, the vertical plane x = a intersects S in a curve C2. Both the curves C1 and C2 pass through P. GEOMETRIC INTERPRETATION
  • 65. Notice that the curve C1 is the graph of the function g(x) = f(x, b).  So, the slope of its tangent T1 at P is: g’(a) = fx(a, b) GEOMETRIC INTERPRETATION
  • 66. The curve C2 is the graph of the function G(y) = f(a, y).  So, the slope of its tangent T2 at P is: G’(b) = fy(a, b) GEOMETRIC INTERPRETATION
  • 67. Thus, the partial derivatives fx(a, b) and fy(a, b) can be interpreted geometrically as:  The slopes of the tangent lines at P(a, b, c) to the traces C1 and C2 of S in the planes y = b and x = a. GEOMETRIC INTERPRETATION
  • 68. INTERPRETATION AS RATE OF CHANGE As seen in the case of the heat index function, partial derivatives can also be interpreted as rates of change.  If z = f(x, y), then ∂z/∂x represents the rate of change of z with respect to x when y is fixed.  Similarly, ∂z/∂y represents the rate of change of z with respect to y when x is fixed.
  • 69. If f(x, y) = 4 – x2 – 2y2 find fx(1, 1) and fy(1, 1) and interpret these numbers as slopes. Example GEOMETRIC INTERPRETATION
  • 70. We have: fx(x, y) = -2x fy(x, y) = -4y fx(1, 1) = -2 fy(1, 1) = -4 Example GEOMETRIC INTERPRETATION
  • 71. GEOMETRIC INTERPRETATION The graph of f is the paraboloid z = 4 – x2 – 2y2 The vertical plane y = 1 intersects it in the parabola z = 2 – x2, y = 1.  As discussed, we label it C1. Example
  • 72. GEOMETRIC INTERPRETATION The slope of the tangent line to this parabola at the point (1, 1, 1) is: fx(1, 1) = -2 Example
  • 73. GEOMETRIC INTERPRETATION Similarly, the curve C2 in which the plane x = 1 intersects the paraboloid is the parabola z = 3 – 2y2, x = 1.  The slope of the tangent line at (1, 1, 1) is: fy(1, 1) = – 4 Example
  • 74. If calculate ( , ) sin 1 and x f x y y f f x y             Example PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
  • 75. Using the Chain Rule for functions of one variable, we have:   2 1 cos cos 1 1 1 1 cos cos 1 1 1 1 f x x x x y x y y y f x x x x y y y y y y                                                              Example PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
  • 76. Find ∂z/∂x and ∂z/∂y if z is defined implicitly as a function of x and y by the equation x3 + y3 + z3 + 6xyz = 1 Example PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
  • 77. To find ∂z/∂x, we differentiate implicitly with respect to x, being careful to treat y as a constant:  Solving for ∂z/∂x, we obtain: 2 2 3 3 6 6 0 z z x z yz xy x x         Example PARTIAL DERIVATIVES 2 2 2 2 z x yz x z xy      
  • 78. Similarly, implicit differentiation with respect to y gives: 2 2 2 2 z y xz y z xy       Example PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
  • 79. FUNCTIONS OF MORE THAN TWO VARIABLES Partial derivatives can also be defined for functions of three or more variables.  For example, if f is a function of three variables x, y, and z, then its partial derivative with respect to x is defined as: 0 ( , , ) ( , , ) ( , , ) lim x h f x h y z f x y z f x y z h    
  • 80. It is found by:  Regarding y and z as constants.  Differentiating f(x, y, z) with respect to x. FUNCTIONS OF MORE THAN TWO VARIABLES
  • 81. If w = f(x, y, z), then fx = ∂w/∂x can be interpreted as the rate of change of w with respect to x when y and z are held fixed.  However, we can’t interpret it geometrically since the graph of f lies in four-dimensional space. FUNCTIONS OF MORE THAN TWO VARIABLES
  • 82. In general, if u is a function of n variables, u = f(x1, x2, . . ., xn), its partial derivative with respect to the i th variable xi is: 1 1 1 1 0 ( ,..., , , ,..., ) ( ,..., ,..., ) lim i i i i n i n h u x f x x x h x x f x x x h         FUNCTIONS OF MORE THAN TWO VARIABLES
  • 83. Then, we also write: i x i i i i u f f f D f x x         FUNCTIONS OF MORE THAN TWO VARIABLES
  • 84. MULTIPLE VARIABLE FUNCTIONS Find fx, fy, and fz if f(x, y, z) = exy ln z  Holding y and z constant and differentiating with respect to x, we have: fx = yexy ln z  Similarly, fy = xexy ln z fz = exy/z Example
  • 85. If f is a function of two variables, then its partial derivatives fx and fy are also functions of two variables. HIGHER DERIVATIVES
  • 86. So, we can consider their partial derivatives (fx)x , (fx)y , (fy)x , (fy)y These are called the second partial derivatives of f. SECOND PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
  • 87. If z = f(x, y), we use the following notation: 2 2 11 2 2 2 2 12 2 2 21 2 2 22 2 2 ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) x x xx x y xy y x yx y y yy f f z f f f x x x x f f z f f f y x y x y x f f z f f f x y x y x y f f z f f f y y y y                                                                                 NOTATION
  • 88. Thus, the notation fxy (or ∂2f/∂y∂x) means that we first differentiate with respect to x and then with respect to y. In computing fyx , the order is reversed. SECOND PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
  • 89. Find the second partial derivatives of f(x, y) = x3 + x2y3 – 2y2  In Example 1, we found that: fx(x, y) = 3x2 + 2xy3 fy(x, y) = 3x2y2 – 4y Example 6 SECOND PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
  • 90. Hence,         2 3 3 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 6 2 3 2 6 3 4 6 3 4 6 4 xx xy yx yy f x xy x y x f x xy xy y f x y y xy x f x y y x y y                       Example 6 SECOND PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
  • 91. The figure shows the graph of the function f in Example 6 for: –2 ≤ x ≤ 2, – 2 ≤ y ≤ 2 SECOND PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
  • 92. These show the graphs of its first-order partial derivatives. SECOND PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
  • 93. These show the graphs of its second-order partial derivatives. SECOND PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
  • 94. Notice that fxy = fyx in the Example  This is not just a coincidence.  It turns out that the mixed partial derivatives fxy and fyx are equal for most functions that one meets in practice. SECOND PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
  • 95. The following theorem, discovered by the French mathematician Alexis Clairaut (1713–1765), gives conditions under which we can assert that fxy = fyx .  The proof is given in Appendix F. SECOND PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
  • 96. CLAIRAUT’S THEOREM Suppose f is defined on a disk D that contains the point (a, b). If the functions fxy and fyx are both continuous on D, then fxy(a, b) = fyx(a, b)
  • 97. Partial derivatives of order 3 or higher can also be defined.  For instance,  Using Clairaut’s Theorem, it can be shown that fxyy = fyxy = fyyx if these functions are continuous.   2 3 2 xyy xy y f f f f y y x y x                  HIGHER DERIVATIVES
  • 98. Calculate fxxyz if f(x, y, z) = sin(3x + yz)  fx = 3 cos(3x + yz)  fxx = –9 sin(3x + yz)  fxxy = –9z cos(3x + yz)  fxxyz = –9 cos(3x + yz) + 9yz sin(3x + yz) Example HIGHER DERIVATIVES
  • 99. TANGENT PLANES Similarly, putting x = x0 in Equation 1, we get: z – z0 = b(y – y0) This must represent the tangent line T2.  Thus, b = fy(x0, y0).
  • 100. TANGENT PLANES Suppose a surface S has equation z = f(x, y), where f has continuous first partial derivatives. Let P(x0, y0, z0) be a point on S.
  • 101. TANGENT PLANES As in Section 14.3, let C1 and C2 be the curves obtained by intersecting the vertical planes y = y0 and x = x0 with the surface S.  Then, the point P lies on both C1 and C2.
  • 102. TANGENT PLANES Let T1 and T2 be the tangent lines to the curves C1 and C2 at the point P.
  • 103. TANGENT PLANE Then, the tangent plane to the surface S at the point P is defined to be the plane that contains both tangent lines T1 and T2.
  • 104. TANGENT PLANES We will see in Section 14.6 that, if C is any other curve that lies on the surface S and passes through P, then its tangent line at P also lies in the tangent plane.
  • 105. TANGENT PLANES Therefore, you can think of the tangent plane to S at P as consisting of all possible tangent lines at P to curves that lie on S and pass through P.  The tangent plane at P is the plane that most closely approximates the surface S near the point P.
  • 106. TANGENT PLANES We know from Equation 7 in Section 12.5 that any plane passing through the point P(x0, y0, z0) has an equation of the form A(x – x0) + B(y – y0) + C(z – z0) = 0
  • 107. TANGENT PLANES By dividing that equation by C and letting a = –A/C and b = –B/C, we can write it in the form z – z0 = a(x – x0) + b(y – y0) Equation 1
  • 108. TANGENT PLANES If Equation 1 represents the tangent plane at P, then its intersection with the plane y = y0 must be the tangent line T1.
  • 109. TANGENT PLANES Setting y = y0 in Equation 1 gives: z – z0 = a(x – x0) y = y0  We recognize these as the equations (in point-slope form) of a line with slope a.
  • 110. TANGENT PLANES However, we know that the slope of the tangent T1 is fx(x0, y0).  Therefore, a = fx(x0, y0).
  • 111. TANGENT PLANES Suppose f has continuous partial derivatives. An equation of the tangent plane to the surface z = f(x, y) at the point P(x0, y0, z0) is: z – z0 = fx(x0, y0)(x – x0) + fy(x0, y0)(y – y0) Equation 2
  • 112. TANGENT PLANES Find the tangent plane to the elliptic paraboloid z = 2x2 + y2 at the point (1, 1, 3).  Let f(x, y) = 2x2 + y2.  Then, fx(x, y) = 4x fy(x, y) = 2y fx(1, 1) = 4 fy(1, 1) = 2 Example 1
  • 113. TANGENT PLANES So, Equation 2 gives the equation of the tangent plane at (1, 1, 3) as: z – 3 = 4(x – 1) + 2(y – 1) or z = 4x + 2y – 3 Example 1
  • 114. TANGENT PLANES The figure shows the elliptic paraboloid and its tangent plane at (1, 1, 3) that we found in Example 1.
  • 115. TANGENT PLANES Here, we zoom in toward the point by restricting the domain of the function f(x, y) = 2x2 + y2.
  • 116. TANGENT PLANES Notice that, the more we zoom in,  The flatter the graph appears.  The more it resembles its tangent plane.
  • 117. TANGENT PLANES Here, we corroborate that impression by zooming in toward the point (1, 1) on a contour map of the function f(x, y) = 2x2 + y2.
  • 118. TANGENT PLANES Notice that, the more we zoom in, the more the level curves look like equally spaced parallel lines—characteristic of a plane.
  • 119. LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS In Example 1, we found that an equation of the tangent plane to the graph of the function f(x, y) = 2x2 + y2 at the point (1, 1, 3) is: z = 4x + 2y – 3
  • 120. LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS Thus, in view of the visual evidence in the previous two figures, the linear function of two variables L(x, y) = 4x + 2y – 3 is a good approximation to f(x, y) when (x, y) is near (1, 1).
  • 121. LINEARIZATION & LINEAR APPROXIMATION The function L is called the linearization of f at (1, 1). The approximation f(x, y) ≈ 4x + 2y – 3 is called the linear approximation or tangent plane approximation of f at (1, 1).
  • 122. LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS For instance, at the point (1.1, 0.95), the linear approximation gives: f(1.1, 0.95) ≈ 4(1.1) + 2(0.95) – 3 = 3.3  This is quite close to the true value of f(1.1, 0.95) = 2(1.1)2 + (0.95)2 = 3.3225
  • 123. LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS However, if we take a point farther away from (1, 1), such as (2, 3), we no longer get a good approximation.  In fact, L(2, 3) = 11, whereas f(2, 3) = 17.
  • 124. LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS In general, we know from Equation 2 that an equation of the tangent plane to the graph of a function f of two variables at the point (a, b, f(a, b)) is: z = f(a, b) + fx(a, b)(x – a) + fy(a, b)(y – b)
  • 125. LINEARIZATION The linear function whose graph is this tangent plane, namely L(x, y) = f(a, b) + fx(a, b)(x – a) + fy(a, b)(y – b) is called the linearization of f at (a, b). Equation 3
  • 126. LINEAR APPROXIMATION The approximation f(x, y) ≈ f(a, b) + fx(a, b)(x – a) + fy(a, b)(y – b) is called the linear approximation or the tangent plane approximation of f at (a, b). Equation 4
  • 127. LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS We have defined tangent planes for surfaces z = f(x, y), where f has continuous first partial derivatives.  What happens if fx and fy are not continuous?
  • 128. LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS The figure pictures such a function.  Its equation is: 2 2 ( , ) if( , ) (0,0) 0 if( , ) (0,0) f x y xy x y x y x y         
  • 129. LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS You can verify (see Exercise 46) that its partial derivatives exist at the origin and, in fact, fx(0, 0) = 0 and fy(0, 0) = 0. However, fx and fy are not continuous.
  • 130. LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS Thus, the linear approximation would be f(x, y) ≈ 0.  However, f(x, y) = ½ at all points on the line y = x.
  • 131. LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS Thus, a function of two variables can behave badly even though both of its partial derivatives exist.  To rule out such behavior, we formulate the idea of a differentiable function of two variables.
  • 132. LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS Recall that, for a function of one variable, y = f(x), if x changes from a to a + ∆x, we defined the increment of y as: ∆y = f(a + ∆x) – f(a)
  • 133. LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS In Chapter 3 we showed that, if f is differentiable at a, then ∆y = f’(a)∆x + ε∆x where ε → 0 as ∆x → 0 Equation 5
  • 134. LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS Now, consider a function of two variables, z = f(x, y). Suppose x changes from a to a + ∆x and y changes from b to b + ∆x.
  • 135. LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS Then, the corresponding increment of z is: ∆z = f(a + ∆x, b + ∆y) – f(a, b) Equation 6
  • 136. LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS Thus, the increment ∆z represents the change in the value of f when (x, y) changes from (a, b) to (a + ∆x, b + ∆y).  By analogy with Equation 5, we define the differentiability of a function of two variables as follows.
  • 137. LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS If z = f(x, y), then f is differentiable at (a, b) if ∆z can be expressed in the form ∆z = fx(a, b) ∆x + fy(a, b) ∆y + ε1 ∆x + ε2 ∆y where ε1 and ε2 → 0 as (∆x, ∆y) → (0, 0). Definition 7
  • 138. LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS Definition 7 says that a differentiable function is one for which the linear approximation in Equation 4 is a good approximation when (x, y) is near (a, b).  That is, the tangent plane approximates the graph of f well near the point of tangency.
  • 139. LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS It’s sometimes hard to use Definition 7 directly to check the differentiability of a function.  However, the next theorem provides a convenient sufficient condition for differentiability.
  • 140. LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS If the partial derivatives fx and fy exist near (a, b) and are continuous at (a, b), then f is differentiable at (a, b). Theorem 8
  • 141. LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS Show that f(x, y) = xexy is differentiable at (1, 0) and find its linearization there. Then, use it to approximate f(1.1, –0.1). Example
  • 142. LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS The partial derivatives are: fx(x, y) = exy + xyexy fy(x, y) = x2exy fx(1, 0) = 1 fy(1, 0) = 1  Both fx and fy are continuous functions.  So, f is differentiable by Theorem 8. Example
  • 143. LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS The linearization is: L(x, y) = f(1, 0) + fx(1, 0)(x – 1) + fy(1, 0)(y – 0) = 1 + 1(x – 1) + 1 . y = x + y Example
  • 144. LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS The corresponding linear approximation is: xexy ≈ x + y So, f(1.1, – 0.1) ≈ 1.1 – 0.1 = 1  Compare this with the actual value of f(1.1, –0.1) = 1.1e–0.11 ≈ 0.98542 Example
  • 145. LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS Suppose the heat index (perceived temperature/”real feel”) I as a function of:  The actual temperature T  The relative humidity H Example
  • 146. LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS Example We gave this table of values from the National Weather Service.
  • 147. LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS Find a linear approximation for the heat index I = f(T, H) when T is near 96°F and H is near 70%. Use it to estimate the heat index when the temperature is 97°F and the relative humidity is 72%. Example
  • 148. LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS We read that f(96, 70) = 125.  In Section 14.3, we used the tabular values to estimate that: fT(96, 70) ≈ 3.75 and fH(96, 70) ≈ 0.9 Example
  • 149. LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS So, the linear approximation is: f(T, H) ≈ f(96, 70) + fT(96, 70)(T – 96) + fH(96, 70)(H – 70) ≈ 125 + 3.75(T – 96) + 0.9(H – 70) Example
  • 150. LINEAR APPROXIMATIONS In particular, f(92, 72) ≈ 125 + 3.75(1) + 0.9(2) = 130.55  Thus, when T = 97°F and H = 72%, the heat index is: I ≈ 131°F Example
  • 151. PARTIAL DERIVATIVES Directional Derivatives and the Gradient Vector In this section, we will learn how to find: The rate of changes of a function of two or more variables in any direction.
  • 152. INTRODUCTION This weather map shows a contour map of the temperature function T(x, y) for:  The states of California and Nevada at 3:00 PM on a day in October.
  • 153. INTRODUCTION The level curves, or isothermals, join locations with the same temperature.
  • 154. INTRODUCTION The partial derivative Tx is the rate of change of temperature with respect to distance if we travel east from Reno.  Ty is the rate of change if we travel north.
  • 155. INTRODUCTION However, what if we want to know the rate of change when we travel southeast (toward Las Vegas), or in some other direction?
  • 156. DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVE In this section, we introduce a type of derivative, called a directional derivative, that enables us to find:  The rate of change of a function of two or more variables in any direction.
  • 157. DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES Recall that, if z = f(x, y), then the partial derivatives fx and fy are defined as: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ( , ) ( , ) ( , ) lim ( , ) ( , ) ( , ) lim x h y h f x h y f x y f x y h f x y h f x y f x y h         Equations 1
  • 158. DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES They represent the rates of change of z in the x- and y-directions—that is, in the directions of the unit vectors i and j. Equations 1
  • 159. DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES Suppose that we now wish to find the rate of change of z at (x0, y0) in the direction of an arbitrary unit vector u = <a, b>.
  • 160. DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES To do this, we consider the surface S with equation z = f(x, y) [the graph of f ] and we let z0 = f(x0, y0).  Then, the point P(x0, y0, z0) lies on S.
  • 161. DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES The vertical plane that passes through P in the direction of u intersects S in a curve C.
  • 162. DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES The slope of the tangent line T to C at the point P is the rate of change of z in the direction of u.
  • 163. DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES Now, let:  Q(x, y, z) be another point on C.  P’, Q’ be the projections of P, Q on the xy-plane.
  • 164. DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES Then, the vector is parallel to u. So, for some scalar h. ' ' P Q ' ' , P Q h ha hb     u
  • 166. DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES So, x = x0 + ha y = y0 + hb 0 0 0 0, 0 ( , ) ( ) z z z h h f x ha y hb f x y h       
  • 167. DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVE If we take the limit as h → 0, we obtain the rate of change of z (with respect to distance) in the direction of u.  This is called the directional derivative of f in the direction of u.
  • 168. DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVE The directional derivative of f at (x0, y0) in the direction of a unit vector u = <a, b> is: if this limit exists. Definition 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ( , ) ( , ) ( , ) lim h D f x y f x ha y hb f x y h      u
  • 169. DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES Comparing Definition 2 with Equations 1, we see that:  If u = i = <1, 0>, then Di f = fx.  If u = j = <0, 1>, then Dj f = fy.
  • 170. DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES In other words, the partial derivatives of f with respect to x and y are just special cases of the directional derivative.
  • 171. DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES Use this weather map to estimate the value of the directional derivative of the temperature function at Reno in the southeasterly direction. Example 1
  • 172. DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES The unit vector directed toward the southeast is: u = (i – j)/  However, we won’t need to use this expression. Example 1 2
  • 173. DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES We start by drawing a line through Reno toward the southeast. Example 1
  • 174. DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES We approximate the directional derivative DuT by:  The average rate of change of the temperature between the points where this line intersects the isothermals T = 50 and T = 60. Example 1
  • 175. DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES The temperature at the point southeast of Reno is T = 60°F. The temperature at the point northwest of Reno is T = 50°F. Example 1
  • 176. DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES The distance between these points looks to be about 75 miles. Example 1
  • 177. DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES So, the rate of change of the temperature in the southeasterly direction is: Example 1 60 50 75 10 75 0.13 F/mi D T     u
  • 178. DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES When we compute the directional derivative of a function defined by a formula, we generally use the following theorem.
  • 179. DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES If f is a differentiable function of x and y, then f has a directional derivative in the direction of any unit vector u = <a, b> and Theorem 3 ( , ) ( , ) ( , ) x y D f x y f x y a f x y b   u
  • 180. DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES If we define a function g of the single variable h by then, by the definition of a derivative, we have the following equation. Proof 0 0 ( ) ( , )    g h f x ha y hb
  • 181. DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES Proof—Equation 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 '(0) ( ) (0) lim ( , ) ( , ) lim ( , ) h h g g h g h f x ha y hb f x y h D f x y          u
  • 182. DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES On the other hand, we can write: g(h) = f(x, y) where:  x = x0 + ha  y = y0 + hb Proof
  • 183. DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES Hence, the Chain Rule (Theorem 2 in Section 14.5) gives: '( ) ( , ) ( , ) x y f dx f dy g h x dh y dh f x y a f x y b         Proof
  • 184. DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES If we now put h = 0, then x = x0 y = y0 and 0 0 0 0 '(0) ( , ) ( , )   x y g f x y a f x y b Proof—Equation 5
  • 185. DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES Comparing Equations 4 and 5, we see that: Proof 0 0 0 0 0 0 ( , ) ( , ) ( , ) x y D f x y f x y a f x y b   u
  • 186. DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES Suppose the unit vector u makes an angle θ with the positive x-axis, as shown.
  • 187. DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES Then, we can write u = <cos θ, sin θ> and the formula in Theorem 3 becomes: Equation 6 ( , ) ( , )cos ( , )sin x y D f x y f x y f x y     u
  • 188. DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES Find the directional derivative Duf(x, y) if:  f(x, y) = x3 – 3xy + 4y2  u is the unit vector given by angle θ = π/6 What is Duf(1, 2)? Example 2
  • 189. DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES Formula 6 gives: Example 2   2 1 2 2 1 2 ( , ) ( , )cos ( , )sin 6 6 3 (3 3 ) ( 3 8 ) 2 3 3 3 8 3 3                  x y D f x y f x y f x y x y x y x x y u
  • 190. DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES Therefore, Example 2   2 1 2 (1,2) 3 3(1) 3(1) 8 3 3 (2) 13 3 3 2           D f u
  • 191. DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES The directional derivative Du f(1, 2) in Example 2 represents the rate of change of z in the direction of u.
  • 192. DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVES This is the slope of the tangent line to the curve of intersection of the surface z = x3 – 3xy + 4y2 and the vertical plane through (1, 2, 0) in the direction of u shown here.
  • 193. THE GRADIENT VECTOR Notice from Theorem 3 that the directional derivative can be written as the dot product of two vectors: ( , ) ( , ) ( , ) ( , ), ( , ) , ( , ), ( , ) x y x y x y D f x y f x y a f x y b f x y f x y a b f x y f x y            u u Expression 7
  • 194. THE GRADIENT VECTOR The first vector in that dot product occurs not only in computing directional derivatives but in many other contexts as well.
  • 195. THE GRADIENT VECTOR So, we give it a special name:  The gradient of f We give it a special notation too:  grad f or f , which is read “del f ” 
  • 196. THE GRADIENT VECTOR If f is a function of two variables x and y, then the gradient of f is the vector function f defined by: Definition 8  ( , ) ( , ), ( , ) x y f x y f x y f x y f f x x           i j
  • 197. THE GRADIENT VECTOR If f(x, y) = sin x + exy, then Example 3 ( , ) , cos , (0,1) 2,0 x y xy xy f x y f f x ye xe f            
  • 198. THE GRADIENT VECTOR With this notation for the gradient vector, we can rewrite Expression 7 for the directional derivative as:  This expresses the directional derivative in the direction of u as the scalar projection of the gradient vector onto u. Equation 9 ( , ) ( , ) D f x y f x y    u u
  • 199. THE GRADIENT VECTOR Find the directional derivative of the function f(x, y) = x2y3 – 4y at the point (2, –1) in the direction of the vector v = 2 i + 5 j. Example 4
  • 200. THE GRADIENT VECTOR We first compute the gradient vector at (2, –1): Example 4 3 2 2 ( , ) 2 (3 4) (2, 1) 4 8 f x y xy x y f          i j i j
  • 201. THE GRADIENT VECTOR Note that v is not a unit vector. However, since , the unit vector in the direction of v is: Example 4 | | 29  v 2 5 | | 29 29    v u i j v
  • 202. THE GRADIENT VECTOR Therefore, by Equation 9, we have: Example 4 (2, 1) (2, 1) 2 5 ( 4 8 ) 29 29 4 2 8 5 32 29 29 D f f                       u u i j i j
  • 203. FUNCTIONS OF THREE VARIABLES For functions of three variables, we can define directional derivatives in a similar manner.  Again, Du f(x, y, z) can be interpreted as the rate of change of the function in the direction of a unit vector u.
  • 204. THREE-VARIABLE FUNCTION The directional derivative of f at (x0, y0, z0) in the direction of a unit vector u = <a, b, c> is: if this limit exists. Definition 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ( , , ) ( , , ) ( , , ) lim h D f x y z f x ha y hb z hc f x y z h       u
  • 205. THREE-VARIABLE FUNCTIONS If we use vector notation, then we can write both Definitions 2 and 10 of the directional derivative in a compact form, as follows.
  • 206. THREE-VARIABLE FUNCTIONS Equation 11 0 0 0 0 ( ) ( ) ( ) lim h f h f D f h     u x u x x where:  x0 = <x0, y0> if n = 2  x0 = <x0, y0, z0> if n = 3
  • 207. THREE-VARIABLE FUNCTIONS This is reasonable.  The vector equation of the line through x0 in the direction of the vector u is given by x = x0 + t u (Equation 1 in Section 12.5).  Thus, f(x0 + hu) represents the value of f at a point on this line.
  • 208. THREE-VARIABLE FUNCTIONS If f(x, y, z) is differentiable and u = <a, b, c>, then the same method that was used to prove Theorem 3 can be used to show that: Formula 12 ( , , ) ( , , ) ( , , ) ( , , ) x y z D f x y z f x y z a f x y z b f x y z c    u
  • 209. THREE-VARIABLE FUNCTIONS For a function f of three variables, the gradient vector, denoted by or grad f, is: f  ( , , ) ( , , ), ( , , ,), ( , , ) x y z f x y z f x y z f x y z f x y z    
  • 210. THREE-VARIABLE FUNCTIONS For short, , , x y z f f f f f f f x y z              i j k Equation 13
  • 211. THREE-VARIABLE FUNCTIONS Then, just as with functions of two variables, Formula 12 for the directional derivative can be rewritten as: ( , , ) ( , , ) D f x y z f x y z    u u Equation 14
  • 212. THREE-VARIABLE FUNCTIONS If f(x, y, z) = x sin yz, find: a. The gradient of f b. The directional derivative of f at (1, 3, 0) in the direction of v = i + 2 j – k. Example 5
  • 213. THREE-VARIABLE FUNCTIONS The gradient of f is: Example 5 a f (x, y,z)   fx (x, y,z), fy (x, y,z), fz (x, y,z)  sin yz,xzcos yz,xycos yz
  • 214. THREE-VARIABLE FUNCTIONS At (1, 3, 0), we have: The unit vector in the direction of v = i + 2 j – k is: Example 5 b (1,3,0) 0,0,3 f     1 2 1 6 6 6    u i j k
  • 215. THREE-VARIABLE FUNCTIONS Hence, Equation 14 gives: Example 5 (1,3,0) (1,3,0) 1 2 1 3 6 6 6 1 3 3 2 6 D f f                        u u k i j k
  • 216. MAXIMIZING THE DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVE Suppose we have a function f of two or three variables and we consider all possible directional derivatives of f at a given point.  These give the rates of change of f in all possible directions.
  • 217. MAXIMIZING THE DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVE We can then ask the questions:  In which of these directions does f change fastest?  What is the maximum rate of change?
  • 218. MAXIMIZING THE DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVE The answers are provided by the following theorem.
  • 219. MAXIMIZING DIRECTIONAL DERIV. Suppose f is a differentiable function of two or three variables. The maximum value of the directional derivative Duf(x) is:  It occurs when u has the same direction as the gradient vector Theorem 15 | ( ) | f  x ( ) f  x
  • 220. MAXIMIZING DIRECTIONAL DERIV. From Equation 9 or 14, we have: where θ is the angle between and u. Proof | || | cos | | cos D f f f f          u u u f 
  • 221. MAXIMIZING DIRECTIONAL DERIV. The maximum value of cos θ is 1. This occurs when θ = 0.  So, the maximum value of Du f is:  It occurs when θ = 0, that is, when u has the same direction as . Proof | | f  f 
  • 222. MAXIMIZING DIRECTIONAL DERIV. a. If f(x, y) = xey, find the rate of change of f at the point P(2, 0) in the direction from P to Q(½, 2). Example 6
  • 223. MAXIMIZING DIRECTIONAL DERIV. b. In what direction does f have the maximum rate of change? What is this maximum rate of change? Example 6
  • 224. MAXIMIZING DIRECTIONAL DERIV. We first compute the gradient vector: Example 6 a ( , ) , , (2,0) 1,2 x y y y f x y f f e xe f           
  • 225. MAXIMIZING DIRECTIONAL DERIV. The unit vector in the direction of is . So, the rate of change of f in the direction from P to Q is: Example 6 a 1.5,2 PQ    3 4 5 5 ,    u 3 4 5 5 3 4 5 5 (2,0) (2,0) 1,2 , 1( ) 2( ) 1 D f f u             u
  • 226. MAXIMIZING DIRECTIONAL DERIV. According to Theorem 15, f increases fastest in the direction of the gradient vector . So, the maximum rate of change is: Example 6 b (2,0) 1,2 f     (2,0) 1,2 5 f     
  • 227. MAXIMIZING DIRECTIONAL DERIV. Suppose that the temperature at a point (x, y, z) in space is given by T(x, y, z) = 80/(1 + x2 + 2y2 + 3z2) where:  T is measured in degrees Celsius.  x, y, z is measured in meters. Example 7
  • 228. MAXIMIZING DIRECTIONAL DERIV. In which direction does the temperature increase fastest at the point (1, 1, –2)? What is the maximum rate of increase? Example 7
  • 229. MAXIMIZING DIRECTIONAL DERIV. The gradient of T is: Example 7 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 160 320 (1 2 3 ) (1 2 3 ) 480 (1 2 3 ) 160 ( 2 3 ) (1 2 3 ) T T T T x y z x y x y z x y z z x y z x y z x y z                               i j k i j k i j k
  • 230. MAXIMIZING DIRECTIONAL DERIV. At the point (1, 1, –2), the gradient vector is: Example 7 160 256 5 8 (1,1, 2) ( 2 6 ) ( 2 6 ) T           i j k i j k
  • 231. MAXIMIZING DIRECTIONAL DERIV. By Theorem 15, the temperature increases fastest in the direction of the gradient vector  Equivalently, it does so in the direction of –i – 2 j + 6 k or the unit vector (–i – 2 j + 6 k)/ . Example 7 5 8 (1,1, 2) ( 2 6 ) T       i j k 41
  • 232. MAXIMIZING DIRECTIONAL DERIV. The maximum rate of increase is the length of the gradient vector:  Thus, the maximum rate of increase of temperature is: Example 7 5 8 5 8 (1,1, 2) 2 6 41 T        i j k 5 8 41 4 C/m 
  • 233. TANGENT PLANES TO LEVEL SURFACES Suppose S is a surface with equation F(x, y, z)  That is, it is a level surface of a function F of three variables.
  • 234. TANGENT PLANES TO LEVEL SURFACES Then, let P(x0, y0, z0) be a point on S.
  • 235. TANGENT PLANES TO LEVEL SURFACES Then, let C be any curve that lies on the surface S and passes through the point P.  Recall from Section 13.1 that the curve C is described by a continuous vector function r(t) = <x(t), y(t), z(t)>
  • 236. TANGENT PLANES TO LEVEL SURFACES Let t0 be the parameter value corresponding to P.  That is, r(t0) = <x0, y0, z0>
  • 237. TANGENT PLANES Since C lies on S, any point (x(t), y(t), z(t)) must satisfy the equation of S. That is, F(x(t), y(t), z(t)) = k Equation 16
  • 238. TANGENT PLANES If x, y, and z are differentiable functions of t and F is also differentiable, then we can use the Chain Rule to differentiate both sides of Equation 16: 0 F dx F dy F dz x dt y dt x dt          Equation 17
  • 239. TANGENT PLANES However, as and Equation 17 can be written in terms of a dot product as: '( ) 0 F t    r , , x y z F F F F     '( ) '( ), '( ), '( ) t x t y t z t    r
  • 240. TANGENT PLANES In particular, when t = t0, we have: r(t0) = <x0, y0, z0> So, 0 0 0 0 ( , , ) '( ) 0 F x y z t    r Equation 18
  • 241. TANGENT PLANES Equation 18 says:  The gradient vector at P, , is perpendicular to the tangent vector r’(t0) to any curve C on S that passes through P. 0 0 0 ( , , ) F x y z 
  • 242. TANGENT PLANES If , it is thus natural to define the tangent plane to the level surface F(x, y, z) = k at P(x0, y0, z0) as:  The plane that passes through P and has normal vector 0 0 0 ( , , ) 0 F x y z   0 0 0 ( , , ) F x y z 
  • 243. TANGENT PLANES Using the standard equation of a plane (Equation 7 in Section 12.5), we can write the equation of this tangent plane as: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ( , , )( ) ( , , )( ) ( , , )( ) 0 x y z F x y z x x F x y z y y F x y z z z       Equation 19
  • 244. NORMAL LINE The normal line to S at P is the line:  Passing through P  Perpendicular to the tangent plane
  • 245. TANGENT PLANES Thus, the direction of the normal line is given by the gradient vector 0 0 0 ( , , ) F x y z 
  • 246. TANGENT PLANES So, by Equation 3 in Section 12.5, its symmetric equations are: Equation 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ( , , ) ( , , ) ( , , ) x y z x x y y z z F x y z F x y z F x y z     
  • 247. TANGENT PLANES Consider the special case in which the equation of a surface S is of the form z = f(x, y)  That is, S is the graph of a function f of two variables.
  • 248. TANGENT PLANES Then, we can rewrite the equation as F(x, y, z) = f(x, y) – z = 0 and regard S as a level surface (with k = 0) of F.
  • 249. TANGENT PLANES Then, 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ( , , ) ( , ) ( , , ) ( , ) ( , , ) 1 x x y y z F x y z f x y F x y z f x y F x y z    
  • 250. TANGENT PLANES So, Equation 19 becomes:  This is equivalent to Equation 2 in Section 14.4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ( , )( ) ( , )( ) ( ) 0 x y f x y x x f x y y y z z      
  • 251. TANGENT PLANES Thus, our new, more general, definition of a tangent plane is consistent with the definition that was given for the special case of Section 14.4
  • 252. TANGENT PLANES Find the equations of the tangent plane and normal line at the point (–2, 1, –3) to the ellipsoid Example 8 2 2 2 3 4 9 x z y   
  • 253. TANGENT PLANES The ellipsoid is the level surface (with k = 3) of the function Example 8 2 2 2 ( , , ) 4 9 x z F x y z y   
  • 254. TANGENT PLANES So, we have: Example 8 2 3 ( , , ) 2 ( , , ) 2 2 ( , , ) 9 ( 2,1, 3) 1 ( 2,1, 3) 2 ( 2,1, 3) x y z x y z x F x y z F x y z y z F x y z F F F              
  • 255. TANGENT PLANES Then, Equation 19 gives the equation of the tangent plane at (–2, 1, –3) as:  This simplifies to: 3x – 6y + 2z + 18 = 0 Example 8 2 3 1( 2) 2( 1) ( 3) 0 x y z       
  • 256. TANGENT PLANES By Equation 20, symmetric equations of the normal line are: 2 3 2 1 3 1 2 x y z        Example 8
  • 257. TANGENT PLANES The figure shows the ellipsoid, tangent plane, and normal line in Example 8. Example 8
  • 258. SIGNIFICANCE OF GRADIENT VECTOR We now summarize the ways in which the gradient vector is significant.
  • 259. SIGNIFICANCE OF GRADIENT VECTOR We first consider a function f of three variables and a point P(x0, y0, z0) in its domain.
  • 260. SIGNIFICANCE OF GRADIENT VECTOR On the one hand, we know from Theorem 15 that the gradient vector gives the direction of fastest increase of f. 0 0 0 ( , , ) f x y z 
  • 261. SIGNIFICANCE OF GRADIENT VECTOR On the other hand, we know that is orthogonal to the level surface S of f through P. 0 0 0 ( , , ) f x y z 
  • 262. SIGNIFICANCE OF GRADIENT VECTOR These two properties are quite compatible intuitively.  As we move away from P on the level surface S, the value of f does not change at all.
  • 263. SIGNIFICANCE OF GRADIENT VECTOR So, it seems reasonable that, if we move in the perpendicular direction, we get the maximum increase.
  • 264. SIGNIFICANCE OF GRADIENT VECTOR In like manner, we consider a function f of two variables and a point P(x0, y0) in its domain.
  • 265. SIGNIFICANCE OF GRADIENT VECTOR Again, the gradient vector gives the direction of fastest increase of f. 0 0 ( , ) f x y 
  • 266. SIGNIFICANCE OF GRADIENT VECTOR Also, by considerations similar to our discussion of tangent planes, it can be shown that:  is perpendicular to the level curve f(x, y) = k that passes through P. 0 0 ( , ) f x y 
  • 267. SIGNIFICANCE OF GRADIENT VECTOR Again, this is intuitively plausible.  The values of f remain constant as we move along the curve.
  • 268. SIGNIFICANCE OF GRADIENT VECTOR Now, we consider a topographical map of a hill. Let f(x, y) represent the height above sea level at a point with coordinates (x, y).
  • 269. SIGNIFICANCE OF GRADIENT VECTOR Then, a curve of steepest ascent can be drawn by making it perpendicular to all of the contour lines.
  • 270. SIGNIFICANCE OF GRADIENT VECTOR This phenomenon can also be noticed in this figure in Section 14.1, where Lonesome Creek follows a curve of steepest descent.
  • 271. SIGNIFICANCE OF GRADIENT VECTOR Computer algebra systems have commands that plot sample gradient vectors. Each gradient vector is plotted starting at the point (a, b). ( , ) f a b 
  • 272. GRADIENT VECTOR FIELD The figure shows such a plot—called a gradient vector field—for the function f(x, y) = x2 – y2 superimposed on a contour map of f.
  • 273. SIGNIFICANCE OF GRADIENT VECTOR As expected, the gradient vectors:  Point “uphill”  Are perpendicular to the level curves