Chapter 2 Part 4

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 + 𝑑𝑦 + 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
Group-work 1-6
1. Tangent Plane
𝑥2 𝑦2
Find the linear approximation to 𝑧 = 3 + + at (-4,3).
16 9

2. Slope of Surface
Find the slope of surface, 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 1 − 𝑥 − 1 2 − (𝑦 − 2)2 at the point (1,2,1) in the x-
direction and y-direction.
3. Calculating Error
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 volume of the box.
1 . 4 . 4 S MA L L I N CR E MENT, EST I MATI NG VALUE
1 . 4 . 5 CA LCUL AT ING E R ROR
1 . 4 . 6 LOCA L E X TR EME VA LU E
1.4.4 Small Increment, Estimating Value
Previously, single variable, estimate the change of 𝑦 if there is small changing in 𝑥:
∆𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝑠𝑚𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑦
≈ =
∆𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝑠𝑚𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑥
𝜕𝑦
Rearrange the formula: ∆𝑦 ≈ ∆𝑥
𝜕𝑥

Currently, two variable 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦), increment of 𝑧:

𝜕𝑓(𝑥,𝑦) 𝜕𝑓(𝑥,𝑦)
∆𝑧 = ∆𝑥 + ∆𝑦 or ∆𝑧 = 𝑓𝑥 ∆𝑥 + 𝑓𝑦 ∆𝑦
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦

As ∆𝑥 = 0 and ∆𝑦 = 0, total differential of 𝑧:

𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧
𝑑𝑧 = 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑑𝑦
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
1.4.4 Small Increment, Estimating Value
Case
1 Approximate change 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧
𝑑𝑧 = 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑑𝑦
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
2 Exact change 𝑑𝑧 = 𝑓 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 − 𝑓(𝑥0 , 𝑦0 )
3 Approximate value 𝑧 = 𝑓 𝑥0 , 𝑦0 + 𝑑𝑧
4 Exact value 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥1 , 𝑦1 )
Case Approximate change 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧
𝑑𝑧 = 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑑𝑦
1 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦

Example 1.4.4a
Use the differential 𝑑𝑧 to approximate the change in 𝑧 = 6 − 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 as (𝑥, 𝑦) moves from
point (1,1) to point (0.99, 1.02). Compare this approximation change with the exact change in
𝑧.
Case 1: Calculate approximate the change in 𝑧, i.e., 𝑑𝑧
𝜕𝑧 −𝑥 𝜕𝑧 −𝑦
𝑧= 6 − 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 , hence = and =
𝜕𝑥 6−𝑥 2 −𝑦 2 𝜕𝑦 6−𝑥 2 −𝑦 2 New point – original point
Given 𝑑𝑥 = 0.99 − 1 = −0.01, 𝑑𝑦 = 1.02 − 1 = 0.02
𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧 −𝑥 −𝑦
𝑑𝑧 = 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑑𝑦 = 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑑𝑦
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 6−𝑥 2 −𝑦 2 6−𝑥 2 −𝑦 2
−1 −1
= −0.01 + 0.02 = −0.005
6−12 −12 6−12 −12
 Example 1.4.4a
Use the differential 𝑑𝑧 to approximate the change in 𝑧 = 6 − 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 as (𝑥, 𝑦) moves from
point (1,1) to point (0.99, 1.02). Compare this approximation change with the exact change in
𝑧.
Case 2: Calculate exact change in 𝑧, i.e., 𝑑𝑧
𝑑𝑧 = 𝑓 0.99,1.02 − 𝑓 1,1
= 6 − 0.992 − 1.022 − 6 − 12 − 12 = 5.1316 × 10−3

Case
2 Exact change 𝑑𝑧 = 𝑓 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 − 𝑓(𝑥0 , 𝑦0 )
 Example 1.4.1b
𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = ln(𝑥 − 3𝑦), find the approximate value and exact value for 𝑓 6.9,2.06
𝜕𝑧 1 𝜕𝑧 −3
Case 3: Since 𝑧 = ln(𝑥 − 3𝑦), hence = and =
𝜕𝑥 𝑥−3𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝑥−3𝑦

Given 𝑓(6.9,2.06), hence we choose 7,2 as the initial point

𝑑𝑥 = 6.9 − 7 = −0.1, 𝑑𝑦 = 2.06 − 2 = 0.06
𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧 1 −3 1 −3
𝑑𝑧 = 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑑𝑦 = 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑑𝑦 = −0.1 + 0.06 = −0.28
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝑥−3𝑦 𝑥−3𝑦 7−3 2 7−3 2

Approximate value: 𝑓 6.9, 2.06 = 𝑓 7,2 + 𝑑𝑧 = ln 7 − 3 2 − 0.28 = −0.28

Exact value: 𝑓 6.9,2.06 = ln(6.9 − 3 2.06 ) = −0.3285

3 Approximate value 𝑧 = 𝑓 𝑥0 , 𝑦0 + 𝑑𝑧
4 Exact value 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥1 , 𝑦1 )
1.4.6 Local Extreme Value
Previously, single variable:
Local maximum Infection point Local minimum
𝑑2𝑦 𝑑2 𝑦
= 0 or undefined 𝑑2𝑦
𝑑𝑥 2 >0
𝑑𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥 2

Currently, two variables:

First partial derivatives test:
Step 1: Find 𝑓𝑥 and 𝑓𝑦
Step 2: Let 𝑓𝑥 𝑎, 𝑏 = 0, 𝑓𝑦 𝑎, 𝑏 = 0. Then, find all the critical point (𝑎, 𝑏)
1.4.6 Local Extreme Value
Second partial derivatives test:
Step 3: Find 𝑓𝑥𝑥 , 𝑓𝑥𝑦 and 𝑓𝑦𝑦
2
Step 4: Find 𝐺 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥𝑥 𝑥, 𝑦 × 𝑓𝑦𝑦 𝑥, 𝑦 − 𝑓𝑥𝑦 (𝑥, 𝑦) and 𝐺(𝑎, 𝑏), then make the
conclusion based on following cases:
Case 𝑮(𝒂, 𝒃) Result
1 𝐺 𝑎, 𝑏 > 0 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) has a local maximum value at (𝑎, 𝑏)
𝑓𝑥𝑥 𝑎, 𝑏 < 0
2 𝐺 𝑎, 𝑏 > 0 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) has a local minimum value at (𝑎, 𝑏)
𝑓𝑥𝑥 𝑎, 𝑏 > 0
3 𝐺 𝑎, 𝑏 < 0 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑎 𝑠𝑎𝑑𝑑𝑙𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑡 (𝑎, 𝑏)
4 𝐺 𝑎, 𝑏 = 0 inconclusive
Example 1.4.6
Find the local extreme value of 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 2𝑥 2 − 𝑦 3 − 2𝑥𝑦
Step 1: Find 𝑓𝑥 and 𝑓𝑦
𝑓𝑥 = 4𝑥 − 2𝑦 𝑓𝑦 = −3𝑦 2 − 2𝑥
Step 2: Find all critical points
Let 𝑓𝑥 = 0 → 4𝑥 − 2y = 0 (i)
Let 𝑓𝑦 = 0 → −3𝑦 2 − 2𝑥 = 0 (ii)
𝑦 𝑦
From (i) 𝑥 = substitute into (ii) → −3𝑦 2 − 2( ) = 0 → 𝑦 −3𝑦 − 1 = 0
2 2
1 1
Critical points: (0,0) and (− , − )
6 3
Example 1.4.6
Find the local extreme value of 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 2𝑥 2 − 𝑦 3 − 2𝑥𝑦
Step 3: Find 𝑓𝑥𝑥 , 𝑓𝑥𝑦 and 𝑓𝑦𝑦
𝑓𝑥𝑥 = 4, 𝑓𝑦𝑦 = −6𝑦, 𝑓𝑥𝑦 = −2
Step 4: Find 𝐺 = 𝑓𝑥𝑥 𝑓𝑦𝑦 − 𝑓𝑥𝑦 2 and evaluate 𝐺 𝑎, 𝑏 .
For point 0,0 : 𝑓𝑥𝑥 = 4, 𝑓𝑦𝑦 = −6 0 = 0, 𝑓𝑥𝑦 = −2
𝐺 0,0 = 4 0 − −2 2 = −4 < 0 → function 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) has a saddle point located at 0,0 .
To find the saddle point, we substitute 𝑥 = 0 and 𝑦 = 0 to the function 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 2𝑥 2 − 𝑦 3 −
2𝑥𝑦, i.e. 𝑓 0,0 = 0. Thus the saddle point is (0,0,0).
1 1
For point (− , − ) ??? 𝐺 𝑎, 𝑏 > 0 𝑓𝑥𝑥 𝑎, 𝑏 > 0 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) has a local minimum value at (𝑎, 𝑏)
6 3
Group-work
1. Given 𝑧 = 1 + 𝑥𝑦 and (𝑥, 𝑦) changes from (2,1) to (1.97,1.04). Use total differential to find
the approximation to ∆𝑧. Calculate the exact change in z.

2. If 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 3 + 4𝑦, find its critical points and determine whether 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) at
that point is local maximum or a local minimum, or the value of a saddle point.
Question 3
Slide 4