Civil Engineering Mathematics III

Chapter 1
Multivariable Function
1.4.1 TANGENT PLANE
1.4.2 SLOPE OF SURFACE
1.4.5 CALCULATING ERROR
1.4.1 Tangent Plane
Previously, single variable, tangent line for (𝑥0 , 𝑦0 ):
𝑦 − 𝑦0 = 𝑓 ′ (𝑥0 )(𝑥 − 𝑥0 )

Currently, two variable 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦), tangent plane:

𝑧 − 𝑧0 = 𝑓𝑥 𝑥𝑜 , 𝑦0 𝑥 − 𝑥0 + 𝑓𝑦 𝑥𝑜 , 𝑦0 𝑦 − 𝑦0
Example 1.4.1
Find tangent plane 𝑧 = 3𝑥 2 + 2𝑦 2 at point (1,1,5).
Step 1: Find 𝑓𝑥 𝑥0 , 𝑦0 and 𝑓𝑦 𝑥0 , 𝑦0
𝑓𝑥 = 6𝑥 → 𝑓𝑥 1,1 = 6
𝑓𝑦 = 4𝑦 → 𝑓𝑦 1,1 = 4
Step 2: Tangent plane of surface 𝑧 − 3𝑥 2 + 2𝑦 2
𝒛 − 𝒛𝟎 = 𝒇𝒙 𝒙𝒐 , 𝒚𝟎 𝒙 − 𝒙𝟎 + 𝒇𝒚 𝒙𝒐 , 𝒚𝟎 𝒚 − 𝒚𝟎
𝑧−5=6 𝑥−1 +4 𝑦−1
𝑧 = 6𝑥 + 4𝑦 − 5
1.4.2 Slope of Surface
Previously, single variable 𝑓(𝑥), slope of line is 𝑓 ′ 𝑥

Currently, two variable, slope of surface:

𝑓𝑥 = slope of surface in x-direction
𝑓𝑦 = slope of surface in y-direction
Example 1.4.2
𝑥2 25 1
Find slope of surface, 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = − − 𝑦2 + at point ( , 1,2) in x-direction
2 8 2
and y-direction.
1 1
𝑓𝑥 = −𝑥, then 𝑓𝑥 , 1,2 = −
2 2
1
𝑓𝑦 = −2𝑦, then 𝑓𝑦 , 1,2 = −2
2
𝑥2 2 25 𝑥2 2 25
Let 𝑧 = − −𝑦 + . On xy-plane, we have +𝑦 =
2 8 2 8
(when 𝑥 = 0, then 𝑦 = ±1.76 and when 𝑦 = 0, then 𝑥 = ±2.5)
To sketch the
graph
1.4.5 Calculating Error
Previously, single variable:
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥
Error, 𝑑𝑦 = 𝑑𝑥 Relative error, =
𝑑𝑥 𝑦 𝑑𝑥 𝑦

Currently, 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦)
𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧
Error of z: 𝑑𝑧 = 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑑𝑦
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝑑𝑧 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧 𝑑𝑦
Relative error dz: = +
𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝑧 𝜕𝑦 𝑧
Example 1.4.5
1
Dimension of a closed rectangular box is 3m, 4m and 5m with possible error m. Use partial
192
derivatives to estimate the maximum possible error in calculating surface area of the box.
Surface area of the box, 𝑆 = 2𝑥𝑦 + 2𝑦𝑧 + 2𝑥𝑧
𝜕𝑆 𝜕𝑆 𝜕𝑆
Error, 𝑑𝑆 = 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑑𝑧
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

= 2𝑦 + 2𝑧 𝑑𝑥 + 2𝑥 + 2𝑧 𝑑𝑦 + 2𝑥 + 2𝑦 𝑑𝑧
1 1 1
= 2 4 +2 5 + 2 3 +2 5 + 2 3 +2 4 ) = 0.25𝑚2
192 192 192