NAME:

Math 234 - Quiz 4

Problem 1 (3 points)
Find the directions in which the function increases and decreases most rapidly at P0 . Then find
the derivatives of the function in these directions.
1
g(x, y, z) = xey + z 2 , P0 = (1, ln 2, ).
2
Solution:
The gradient of g at P0 is

ey 
  
2
∇g|P0 = xey  = 2 .
2z (1,ln 2, 12 ) 1
Then, the direction in which g increases most rapidly is:
2
∇g 3
û = =  23 
|∇g| 1
3
The derivative in this direction is:
  2
 2 3
= 2 ·  23  = 3.

Du g  
P0 1 1
3

The direction in which g decreases most rapidly is:

 2
−3
∇g
û = − = − 23 
|∇g|
− 13
The derivative in this direction is:
   2
 2 −3
Du g  = 2 · − 23  = −3.

P0 1 − 13