Spring 2023 February 15, 2023

Math 2551 Worksheet 11: Gradient, Tangent Planes, Linearizations,

Differentials

1. Let f (x, y) = −x2 y + xy 2 + xy and P = (2, 1).

(a) Find the direction of maximal increase of f at P .

(b) What is the maximum rate of change of f at P ?
(c) Find the direction of maximal decrease of f at P .
(d) Find a direction u such that Du f (P ) = 0 (note this forces u to be a unit vector!).

2. Graph the function z = x1/3 y 1/3 . Examine the graph at (0, 0) - does it look like the
function can be well-approximated by a tangent plane there? Based on your conclusion,
is this function differentiable at (0, 0)?
√
3. Find the equation for the plane tangent to the graph of f (x, y) = y − x when x = 1
and y = 2.

4. Find the linearization of f (x, y) = e2y−x at (1, 2).

5. Find the linearization of f (x, y, z) = tan−1 (xyz) at (1, 1, 0).

p
6. Use the total differential to approximate f (2.95, 7.1) for the function f (x, y) = x2 + y,
knowing that f (3, 7) = 4.