Multivariable & Vector Calculus

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Lesson 60 of 60 · Module 5: Applications & Epilogue

Module 0 — Space, Surfaces & Curves (8/8)

L1. The one big idea: boundaries know what happens inside

Module 0  2026-08-05  ·  9:55  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Describe the boundary of the solid cylinder defined by $x^2 + y^2 \le 1$ and $0 \le z \le 1$.
Reveal solution
  1. The boundary consists of all points where the inequalities become equalities.
  2. The side is the surface $x^2 + y^2 = 1$ for $0 \le z \le 1$.
  3. The top is the disk $x^2 + y^2 \le 1$ at $z = 1$.
  4. The bottom is the disk $x^2 + y^2 \le 1$ at $z = 0$.

Answer: The boundary is the union of the lateral cylinder wall and the two circular end-caps.

Problem 2. If a flow represents the movement of water, and the total net flow through the boundary of a region is zero, what does the boundary interior principle suggest about the sources and sinks inside?
Reveal solution
  1. The boundary interior principle states that the total expansion inside equals the net flow through the boundary.
  2. If the boundary flow is zero, the total integral of the expansion rate inside must be zero.
  3. Expansion represents sources (positive) and sinks (negative).

Answer: The total strength of sources inside the region exactly cancels the total strength of sinks.

Problem 3. Consider a flat disk $D$ in the $xy$-plane. If we know the flow along the boundary circle $C$ is $5$, and we create a hemispherical bowl $S$ that has the same circle $C$ as its rim, what is the total twist of the field through the bowl $S$?
Reveal solution
  1. The boundary interior principle for surfaces states that the total twist through a surface equals the flow along its boundary.
  2. The boundary of the bowl $S$ is the circle $C$.
  3. The flow along $C$ is given as $5$.

Answer: The total twist through the bowl is $5$.

L2. 3D coordinates, vectors, dot and cross products — rapid review

Module 0  2026-08-06  ·  10:35  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Compute the dot product of $\vec{a} = \langle 3, -2, 5 \rangle$ and $\vec{b} = \langle 1, 2, 1 \rangle$. Are these vectors perpendicular?
Reveal solution
  1. Calculate the dot product: $(3)(1) + (-2)(2) + (5)(1)$
  2. Simplify: $3 - 4 + 5 = 4$
  3. Since the dot product is $4$, which is not $0$, the vectors are not perpendicular.

Answer: 4, No

Problem 2. Find the cross product $\vec{a} \times \vec{b}$ where $\vec{a} = \langle 2, 0, -1 \rangle$ and $\vec{b} = \langle 0, 3, 2 \rangle$.
Reveal solution
  1. Set up the determinant: $\begin{vmatrix} \mathbf{i} & \mathbf{j} & \mathbf{k} \\ 2 & 0 & -1 \\ 0 & 3 & 2 \end{vmatrix}$
  2. i component: $(0)(2) - (-1)(3) = 3$
  3. j component: $-((2)(2) - (-1)(0)) = -4$
  4. k component: $(2)(3) - (0)(0) = 6$

Answer: \langle 3, -4, 6 \rangle

Problem 3. Find a unit vector $\hat{n}$ that is perpendicular to both $\vec{u} = \langle 1, 0, 1 \rangle$ and $\vec{v} = \langle 0, 1, 1 \rangle$.
Reveal solution
  1. Find the cross product $\vec{n} = \vec{u} \times \vec{v} = \langle (0)(1)-(1)(1), -((1)(1)-(1)(0)), (1)(1)-(0)(0) \rangle = \langle -1, -1, 1 \rangle$
  2. Calculate the magnitude: $|\vec{n}| = \sqrt{(-1)^2 + (-1)^2 + 1^2} = \sqrt{3}$
  3. Normalize the vector: $\hat{n} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}} \langle -1, -1, 1 \rangle$

Answer: \langle -\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}, -\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}, \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}} \rangle

L3. Curves in space: vector-valued functions, velocity, acceleration

Module 0  2026-08-07  ·  10:44  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Find the velocity vector $\vec{v}(t)$ and the acceleration vector $\vec{a}(t)$ for the position function $\vec{r}(t) = \langle t^3, \sin(t), \sqrt{t} \rangle$.
Reveal solution
  1. Differentiate the x-component: the derivative of $t^3$ is $3t^2$.
  2. Differentiate the y-component: the derivative of $\sin(t)$ is $\cos(t)$.
  3. Differentiate the z-component: the derivative of $\sqrt{t}$ is $\frac{1}{2\sqrt{t}}$.
  4. Assemble the velocity vector: $\vec{v}(t) = \langle 3t^2, \cos(t), \frac{1}{2\sqrt{t}} \rangle$.
  5. Differentiate the velocity components for acceleration: $3t^2$ becomes $6t$, $\cos(t)$ becomes $-\sin(t)$, and $\frac{1}{2}t^{-1/2}$ becomes $-\frac{1}{4}t^{-3/2}$.
  6. Assemble the acceleration vector: $\vec{a}(t) = \langle 6t, -\sin(t), -\frac{1}{4t\sqrt{t}} \rangle$.

Answer: \vec{v}(t) = \langle 3t^2, \cos(t), \frac{1}{2\sqrt{t}} \rangle, \vec{a}(t) = \langle 6t, -\sin(t), -\frac{1}{4t\sqrt{t}} \rangle

Problem 2. A particle moves along the curve $\vec{r}(t) = \langle e^{2t}, t^2, 5t \rangle$. Find the speed of the particle at time $t = 0$.
Reveal solution
  1. Find the velocity vector $\vec{v}(t)$ by differentiating each component: $\vec{v}(t) = \langle 2e^{2t}, 2t, 5 \rangle$.
  2. Evaluate the velocity at $t = 0$: $\vec{v}(0) = \langle 2e^0, 2(0), 5 \rangle = \langle 2, 0, 5 \rangle$.
  3. Calculate the magnitude of the velocity vector: $|\vec{v}(0)| = \sqrt{2^2 + 0^2 + 5^2}$.
  4. Simplify the result: $\sqrt{4 + 0 + 25} = \sqrt{29}$.

Answer: \sqrt{29}

Problem 3. Determine the acceleration vector $\vec{a}(t)$ for a particle whose position is given by $\vec{r}(t) = \langle \cos(3t), \sin(3t), 2t \rangle$.
Reveal solution
  1. Find the velocity vector using the chain rule: $\vec{v}(t) = \langle -3\sin(3t), 3\cos(3t), 2 \rangle$.
  2. Differentiate the velocity vector to find acceleration.
  3. The derivative of $-3\sin(3t)$ is $-3 \cdot 3\cos(3t) = -9\cos(3t)$.
  4. The derivative of $3\cos(3t)$ is $3 \cdot (-3\sin(3t)) = -9\sin(3t)$.
  5. The derivative of the constant $2$ is $0$.
  6. Assemble the acceleration vector: $\vec{a}(t) = \langle -9\cos(3t), -9\sin(3t), 0 \rangle$.

Answer: \vec{a}(t) = \langle -9\cos(3t), -9\sin(3t), 0 \rangle

L4. Arc length and curvature — how bent is a path?

Module 0  2026-08-08  ·  9:53  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Find the arc length of the curve $\vec{r}(t) = \langle t, \frac{2}{3}t^{3/2}, 0 \rangle$ from $t=0$ to $t=3$.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute the velocity vector: $\vec{v}(t) = \langle 1, t^{1/2}, 0 \rangle$.
  2. Compute the speed: $|\vec{v}(t)| = \sqrt{1^2 + (t^{1/2})^2 + 0^2} = \sqrt{1+t}$.
  3. Set up the integral: $L = \int_0^3 \sqrt{1+t} \, dt$.
  4. Use u-substitution with $u=1+t$, $du=dt$: $\int_1^4 u^{1/2} \, du$.
  5. Evaluate: $[\frac{2}{3}u^{3/2}]_1^4 = \frac{2}{3}(4^{3/2} - 1^{3/2}) = \frac{2}{3}(8-1) = \frac{14}{3}$.

Answer: 14/3

Problem 2. Calculate the curvature $\kappa$ of the curve $\vec{r}(t) = \langle t, t^2, 0 \rangle$ at the point $t=0$.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute velocity: $\vec{v}(t) = \langle 1, 2t, 0 \rangle$. At $t=0$, $\vec{v}(0) = \langle 1, 0, 0 \rangle$.
  2. Compute acceleration: $\vec{a}(t) = \langle 0, 2, 0 \rangle$. At $t=0$, $\vec{a}(0) = \langle 0, 2, 0 \rangle$.
  3. Compute cross product: $\vec{v}(0) \times \vec{a}(0) = \langle 1, 0, 0 \rangle \times \langle 0, 2, 0 \rangle = \langle 0, 0, 2 \rangle$.
  4. Find magnitudes: $|\vec{v} \times \vec{a}| = 2$ and $|\vec{v}| = 1$.
  5. Apply formula: $\kappa = \frac{2}{1^3} = 2$.

Answer: 2

Problem 3. A curve is given by $\vec{r}(t) = \langle e^t, e^t, t \rangle$. Find the curvature $\kappa$ as a function of $t$.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute velocity: $\vec{v}(t) = \langle e^t, e^t, 1 \rangle$.
  2. Compute acceleration: $\vec{a}(t) = \langle e^t, e^t, 0 \rangle$.
  3. Compute cross product: $\vec{v} \times \vec{a} = \langle -e^t, e^t, 0 \rangle$.
  4. Find magnitudes: $|\vec{v} \times \vec{a}| = \sqrt{(-e^t)^2 + (e^t)^2} = \sqrt{2e^{2t}} = e^t\sqrt{2}$.
  5. Find speed: $|\vec{v}| = \sqrt{(e^t)^2 + (e^t)^2 + 1^2} = \sqrt{2e^{2t} + 1}$.
  6. Apply formula: $\kappa(t) = \frac{e^t\sqrt{2}}{(2e^{2t} + 1)^{3/2}}$.

Answer: \frac{e^t\sqrt{2}}{(2e^{2t} + 1)^{3/2}}

L5. The TNB frame — a moving coordinate system on a curve

Module 0  2026-08-09  ·  12:19  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Find the unit tangent vector $\mathbf{T}(t)$ and the unit normal vector $\mathbf{N}(t)$ for the curve $\vec{r}(t) = \langle t, t^2, 0 \rangle$ at $t=1$.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute velocity: $\vec{v}(t) = \langle 1, 2t, 0 \rangle$. At $t=1$, $\vec{v}(1) = \langle 1, 2, 0 \rangle$.
  2. Normalize velocity: $|\vec{v}(1)| = \sqrt{1^2 + 2^2 + 0^2} = \sqrt{5}$. So $\mathbf{T}(1) = \langle 1/\sqrt{5}, 2/\sqrt{5}, 0 \rangle$.
  3. Find $\mathbf{T}(t) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{1+4t^2}} \langle 1, 2t, 0 \rangle$.
  4. Differentiate $\mathbf{T}(t)$ using the quotient rule to find $\mathbf{T}'(t) = \frac{1}{(1+4t^2)^{3/2}} \langle -4t, 2, 0 \rangle$.
  5. At $t=1$, $\mathbf{T}'(1) = \frac{1}{5\sqrt{5}} \langle -4, 2, 0 \rangle$. Normalize this to find $\mathbf{N}(1) = \langle -4/\sqrt{20}, 2/\sqrt{20}, 0 \rangle = \langle -2/\sqrt{5}, 1/\sqrt{5}, 0 \rangle$.

Answer: \mathbf{T}(1) = \langle \frac{1}{\sqrt{5}}, \frac{2}{\sqrt{5}}, 0 \rangle, \mathbf{N}(1) = \langle \frac{-2}{\sqrt{5}}, \frac{1}{\sqrt{5}}, 0 \rangle

Problem 2. For the helix $\vec{r}(t) = \langle \cos t, \sin t, t \rangle$, verify that $\mathbf{T}(t) \cdot \mathbf{N}(t) = 0$ for all $t$.
Reveal solution
  1. From the lesson, $\mathbf{T}(t) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} \langle -\sin t, \cos t, 1 \rangle$.
  2. From the lesson, $\mathbf{N}(t) = \langle -\cos t, -\sin t, 0 \rangle$.
  3. Compute the dot product: $\mathbf{T} \cdot \mathbf{N} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} ((-\sin t)(-\cos t) + (\cos t)(-\sin t) + (1)(0))$.
  4. Simplify: $\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} (\sin t \cos t - \sin t \cos t + 0) = 0$.

Answer: The dot product is $0$, confirming they are orthogonal.

Problem 3. Find the unit binormal vector $\mathbf{B}(t)$ for the curve $\vec{r}(t) = \langle t, t^2, t^3 \rangle$ at $t=0$.
Reveal solution
  1. Velocity: $\vec{v}(t) = \langle 1, 2t, 3t^2 \rangle$. At $t=0$, $\vec{v}(0) = \langle 1, 0, 0 \rangle$.
  2. Unit tangent: $\mathbf{T}(0) = \langle 1, 0, 0 \rangle$.
  3. Find $\mathbf{T}(t) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{1+4t^2+9t^4}} \langle 1, 2t, 3t^2 \rangle$.
  4. Differentiate $\mathbf{T}(t)$ and evaluate at $t=0$. $\mathbf{T}'(0) = \langle 0, 2, 0 \rangle$.
  5. Normalize to get $\mathbf{N}(0) = \langle 0, 1, 0 \rangle$.
  6. Compute $\mathbf{B}(0) = \mathbf{T}(0) \times \mathbf{N}(0) = \langle 1, 0, 0 \rangle \times \langle 0, 1, 0 \rangle = \langle 0, 0, 1 \rangle$.

Answer: \mathbf{B}(0) = \langle 0, 0, 1 \rangle

L6. Surfaces I: graphs, level surfaces, and how to read them

Module 0  2026-08-10  ·  9:16  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Identify the surface described by the level surface $x^2 + 4y^2 + z^2 = 16$ and find the equation of its intersection with the $xy$-plane.
Reveal solution
  1. Divide the entire equation by $16$ to put it in standard form: $\frac{x^2}{16} + \frac{y^2}{4} + \frac{z^2}{16} = 1$.
  2. Recognize this as the equation of an ellipsoid centered at the origin.
  3. To find the intersection with the $xy$-plane, set $z = 0$.
  4. The resulting equation is $x^2 + 4y^2 = 16$, which is an ellipse in the $xy$-plane.

Answer: The surface is an ellipsoid; the intersection is the ellipse $x^2 + 4y^2 = 16$.

Problem 2. Given the function $f(x, y) = 4 - x^2 - y^2$, sketch the level curves for $k = 0, 1, 3, 4$ and describe the resulting surface.
Reveal solution
  1. For $k = 0$, $0 = 4 - x^2 - y^2 \implies x^2 + y^2 = 4$ (circle radius $2$).
  2. For $k = 1$, $1 = 4 - x^2 - y^2 \implies x^2 + y^2 = 3$ (circle radius $\sqrt{3}$).
  3. For $k = 3$, $3 = 4 - x^2 - y^2 \implies x^2 + y^2 = 1$ (circle radius $1$).
  4. For $k = 4$, $4 = 4 - x^2 - y^2 \implies x^2 + y^2 = 0$ (the point $(0,0)$).
  5. The surface is a circular paraboloid opening downwards with its peak at $(0,0,4)$.

Answer: The level curves are concentric circles with decreasing radii as $k$ increases; the surface is a downward-opening circular paraboloid.

Problem 3. Determine if the surface $z = \frac{1}{x^2 + y^2}$ can be represented as a level surface of a function $F(x, y, z) = c$. If so, provide the function $F$.
Reveal solution
  1. A graph $z = f(x, y)$ can always be rewritten as $z - f(x, y) = 0$.
  2. Substitute the given function: $z - \frac{1}{x^2 + y^2} = 0$.
  3. Alternatively, multiply by $(x^2 + y^2)$ to clear the fraction: $z(x^2 + y^2) - 1 = 0$.
  4. Define $F(x, y, z) = z(x^2 + y^2)$ and set the constant $c = 1$.

Answer: Yes, it can be represented as $F(x, y, z) = z(x^2 + y^2) = 1$ (or $F(x, y, z) = z - \frac{1}{x^2 + y^2} = 0$).

L7. Surfaces II: quadric surfaces gallery; parametrised surfaces

Module 0  2026-08-11  ·  10:21  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Identify the quadric surface given by the equation $x^2 + 2y^2 - z^2 = 6$.
Reveal solution
  1. Divide the entire equation by $6$ to get the standard form: $\frac{x^2}{6} + \frac{y^2}{3} - \frac{z^2}{6} = 1$.
  2. Observe the signs of the squared terms: two are positive and one is negative.
  3. Check the traces: setting $z=0$ gives an ellipse $\frac{x^2}{6} + \frac{y^2}{3} = 1$; setting $x=0$ gives a hyperbola $\frac{y^2}{3} - \frac{z^2}{6} = 1$.
  4. A surface with one negative squared term and a constant of $1$ is a hyperboloid of one sheet.

Answer: Hyperboloid of one sheet

Problem 2. Find a parametrisation $\vec{r}(u, v)$ for the sphere of radius $3$ centered at the origin.
Reveal solution
  1. Use spherical coordinates where $u$ is the polar angle $\phi$ and $v$ is the azimuthal angle $\theta$.
  2. The radius is fixed at $R=3$.
  3. The coordinates are $x = 3 \sin u \cos v$, $y = 3 \sin u \sin v$, and $z = 3 \cos u$.
  4. Combine these into a vector function.

Answer: \vec{r}(u, v) = \langle 3\sin u \cos v, 3\sin u \sin v, 3\cos u \rangle

Problem 3. Parametrise the surface $z = x^2 - y^2$ for $0 \le x \le 1$ and $0 \le y \le 1$.
Reveal solution
  1. Since the surface is given as a graph $z = f(x, y)$, use $x$ and $y$ as the parameters.
  2. Let $u = x$ and $v = y$.
  3. The vector components are $x(u, v) = u$, $y(u, v) = v$, and $z(u, v) = u^2 - v^2$.
  4. Specify the bounds for the parameters based on the given constraints.

Answer: \vec{r}(u, v) = \langle u, v, u^2 - v^2 \rangle, \text{ for } 0 \le u \le 1, 0 \le v \le 1

L8. Cylindrical and spherical coordinates — three languages for space

Module 0  2026-08-12  ·  9:27  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Convert the point $(0, 2, 2)$ from Cartesian coordinates to cylindrical coordinates $(r, \theta, z)$ and spherical coordinates $(\rho, \theta, \phi)$.
Reveal solution
  1. For cylindrical: $r = \sqrt{0^2 + 2^2} = 2$. Since $x=0$ and $y=2$, the point is on the positive y-axis, so $\theta = \pi/2$. $z$ remains $2$. Result: $(2, \pi/2, 2)$.
  2. For spherical: $\rho = \sqrt{0^2 + 2^2 + 2^2} = \sqrt{8} = 2\sqrt{2}$. $\theta$ is the same as cylindrical, $\pi/2$. For $\phi$, $\cos(\phi) = z/\rho = 2/(2\sqrt{2}) = 1/\sqrt{2}$, so $\phi = \pi/4$. Result: $(2\sqrt{2}, \pi/2, \pi/4)$.

Answer: Cylindrical: $(2, \pi/2, 2)$; Spherical: $(2\sqrt{2}, \pi/2, \pi/4)$

Problem 2. Convert the equation of the sphere $x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 16$ into spherical coordinates.
Reveal solution
  1. Recall the definition of $\rho$ in spherical coordinates: $\rho^2 = x^2 + y^2 + z^2$.
  2. Substitute $\rho^2$ into the equation: $\rho^2 = 16$.
  3. Taking the square root (since $\rho \ge 0$), we get $\rho = 4$.

Answer: \rho = 4

Problem 3. A surface is defined by the equation $\phi = \pi/6$ in spherical coordinates. Describe this surface in English and find its equation in cylindrical coordinates.
Reveal solution
  1. The equation $\phi = \pi/6$ represents all points at a constant angle of $30$ degrees from the positive z-axis, which is a right circular cone opening upwards.
  2. In cylindrical coordinates, we know $\tan(\phi) = r/z$.
  3. Substituting $\phi = \pi/6$, we get $\tan(\pi/6) = r/z$.
  4. Since $\tan(\pi/6) = 1/\sqrt{3}$, the equation is $1/\sqrt{3} = r/z$, or $z = r\sqrt{3}$.

Answer: A cone; $z = r\sqrt{3}$

Module 1 — Differentiation in Several Variables (12/12)

L9. Functions of several variables; limits in 2D

Module 1  2026-08-13  ·  11:23  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Evaluate the limit $\lim_{(x,y) \to (0,0)} \frac{xy^2}{x^2 + y^2}$.
Reveal solution
  1. Test the path $x=0$: the function becomes $0/y^2 = 0$.
  2. Test the path $y=0$: the function becomes $0/x^2 = 0$.
  3. Use the inequality $|x|/\sqrt{x^2+y^2} \le 1$.
  4. Rewrite the function as $|x| \cdot |y^2 / (x^2+y^2)|$.
  5. Since $y^2 / (x^2+y^2) \le 1$, the absolute value of the function is $\le |x|$.
  6. As $(x,y) \to (0,0)$, $|x| \to 0$, so by the Squeeze Theorem, the limit is $0$.

Answer: 0

Problem 2. Determine if the limit $\lim_{(x,y) \to (0,0)} \frac{x^2 - y^2}{x^2 + y^2}$ exists.
Reveal solution
  1. Test the path $y=0$: the limit is $\lim_{x \to 0} x^2/x^2 = 1$.
  2. Test the path $x=0$: the limit is $\lim_{y \to 0} -y^2/y^2 = -1$.
  3. Since $1 \neq -1$, the limit depends on the path.

Answer: Does not exist

Problem 3. Prove whether $f(x,y) = \frac{x^3}{x^2 + y^2}$ is continuous at $(0,0)$ if we define $f(0,0) = 0$.
Reveal solution
  1. Check the limit as $(x,y) \to (0,0)$.
  2. Convert to polar: $f(r, \theta) = (r^3 \cos^3(\theta)) / (r^2) = r \cos^3(\theta)$.
  3. Since $|\cos^3(\theta)| \le 1$, we have $|f(r, \theta)| \le r$.
  4. As $r \to 0$, the limit is $0$.
  5. Since the limit $0$ equals the defined value $f(0,0) = 0$, the function is continuous.

Answer: Continuous

L10. Partial derivatives — deepened

Module 1  2026-08-14  ·  10:29  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Find all second order partial derivatives $f_{xx}$, $f_{yy}$, $f_{xy}$, and $f_{yx}$ for the function $f(x,y) = 3x^3 y^2 - 5x^2 y + 7$.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute $f_x = 9x^2 y^2 - 10xy$.
  2. Compute $f_y = 6x^3 y - 5x^2$.
  3. Differentiate $f_x$ wrt $x$ to get $f_{xx} = 18xy^2 - 10y$.
  4. Differentiate $f_y$ wrt $y$ to get $f_{yy} = 6x^3$.
  5. Differentiate $f_x$ wrt $y$ to get $f_{xy} = 18x^2 y - 10x$.
  6. Differentiate $f_y$ wrt $x$ to get $f_{yx} = 18x^2 y - 10x$.

Answer: f_{xx} = 18xy^2 - 10y, f_{yy} = 6x^3, f_{xy} = f_{yx} = 18x^2 y - 10x

Problem 2. Given $f(x,y) = e^{xy}$, show that $f_{xy} = f_{yx}$.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute $f_x = y e^{xy}$ using the chain rule.
  2. Compute $f_y = x e^{xy}$ using the chain rule.
  3. Compute $f_{xy}$ by differentiating $y e^{xy}$ wrt $y$ using the product rule: $1 \cdot e^{xy} + y \cdot (x e^{xy}) = (1 + xy)e^{xy}$.
  4. Compute $f_{yx}$ by differentiating $x e^{xy}$ wrt $x$ using the product rule: $1 \cdot e^{xy} + x \cdot (y e^{xy}) = (1 + xy)e^{xy}$.

Answer: f_{xy} = f_{yx} = (1 + xy)e^{xy}

Problem 3. Find the mixed partial derivative $f_{xy}$ for $f(x,y) = \sec(x+y)$.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute $f_x = \sec(x+y)\tan(x+y)$ using the chain rule.
  2. Differentiate $f_x$ wrt $y$ using the product rule: $\frac{\partial}{\partial y}[\sec(x+y)] \tan(x+y) + \sec(x+y) \frac{\partial}{\partial y}[\tan(x+y)]$.
  3. The derivative of $\sec(u)$ is $\sec(u)\tan(u)u'$, and the derivative of $\tan(u)$ is $\sec^2(u)u'$.
  4. Substitute $u = x+y$ and $u' = 1$: $[\sec(x+y)\tan(x+y)]\tan(x+y) + \sec(x+y)[\sec^2(x+y)]$.
  5. Simplify to $\sec(x+y)\tan^2(x+y) + \sec^3(x+y)$.

Answer: f_{xy} = \sec(x+y)\tan^2(x+y) + \sec^3(x+y)

L11. Differentiability and the tangent plane

Module 1  2026-08-15  ·  11:06  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Find the equation of the tangent plane to the surface $z = x^3 + y^3$ at the point $(1, 2)$.
Reveal solution
  1. Step 1: Find $z_0 = 1^3 + 2^3 = 1 + 8 = 9$.
  2. Step 2: Compute partial derivatives: $f_x = 3x^2$ and $f_y = 3y^2$.
  3. Step 3: Evaluate partials at $(1, 2)$: $f_x(1, 2) = 3(1)^2 = 3$ and $f_y(1, 2) = 3(2)^2 = 12$.
  4. Step 4: Plug into the formula: $z - 9 = 3(x - 1) + 12(y - 2)$.
  5. Step 5: Simplify: $z = 3x - 3 + 12y - 24 + 9 = 3x + 12y - 18$.

Answer: $z = 3x + 12y - 18$

Problem 2. Determine if the function $f(x,y) = |x| + |y|$ is differentiable at the point $(0, 0)$.
Reveal solution
  1. Step 1: Check partial derivatives at $(0,0)$. $f_x(0,0) = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{|h| + 0 - 0}{h} = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{|h|}{h}$.
  2. Step 2: The limit $\lim_{h \to 0} \frac{|h|}{h}$ does not exist because it is $1$ from the right and $-1$ from the left.
  3. Step 3: Since the partial derivatives do not exist at $(0,0)$, the function cannot be differentiable there.

Answer: Not differentiable

Problem 3. Find the tangent plane to $z = e^{xy}$ at the point $(0, 1)$.
Reveal solution
  1. Step 1: Find $z_0 = e^{0 \cdot 1} = e^0 = 1$.
  2. Step 2: Compute partials: $f_x = y e^{xy}$ and $f_y = x e^{xy}$.
  3. Step 3: Evaluate at $(0, 1)$: $f_x(0, 1) = 1 \cdot e^0 = 1$ and $f_y(0, 1) = 0 \cdot e^0 = 0$.
  4. Step 4: Plug into formula: $z - 1 = 1(x - 0) + 0(y - 1)$.
  5. Step 5: Simplify: $z = x + 1$.

Answer: $z = x + 1$

L12. The gradient I — steepest ascent

Module 1  2026-08-16  ·  10:08  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Find the gradient vector $\nabla f$ for $f(x,y) = x^3 + y^3 - 6xy$ at the point $(1,1)$.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute the partial derivative with respect to $x$: $f_x = 3x^2 - 6y$.
  2. Compute the partial derivative with respect to $y$: $f_y = 3y^2 - 6x$.
  3. Evaluate $f_x$ at $(1,1)$: $3(1)^2 - 6(1) = -3$.
  4. Evaluate $f_y$ at $(1,1)$: $3(1)^2 - 6(1) = -3$.
  5. Combine into a vector: $\nabla f(1,1) = \langle -3, -3 \rangle$.

Answer: \langle -3, -3 \rangle

Problem 2. For the function $f(x,y) = e^{2x-y}$, find the direction of steepest ascent at the point $(0,0)$ and the value of the maximum slope.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute $f_x = 2e^{2x-y}$ using the chain rule.
  2. Compute $f_y = -e^{2x-y}$ using the chain rule.
  3. Evaluate at $(0,0)$: $f_x(0,0) = 2e^0 = 2$ and $f_y(0,0) = -e^0 = -1$.
  4. The direction of steepest ascent is $\nabla f(0,0) = \langle 2, -1 \rangle$.
  5. The maximum slope is $|\nabla f(0,0)| = \sqrt{2^2 + (-1)^2} = \sqrt{5}$.

Answer: \text{Direction: } \langle 2, -1 \rangle, \text{ Slope: } \sqrt{5}

Problem 3. A level curve of a function $f(x,y)$ is given by the circle $x^2 + y^2 = 25$. If the gradient at the point $(3,4)$ is $\nabla f(3,4) = \langle 6, 8 \rangle$, verify that the gradient is perpendicular to the level curve at that point.
Reveal solution
  1. The level curve is $g(x,y) = x^2 + y^2 - 25 = 0$.
  2. The tangent direction to the curve at $(3,4)$ can be found by the vector $\langle -y, x \rangle = \langle -4, 3 \rangle$.
  3. Check the dot product of the gradient $\langle 6, 8 \rangle$ and the tangent vector $\langle -4, 3 \rangle$.
  4. Compute: $(6)(-4) + (8)(3) = -24 + 24 = 0$.
  5. Since the dot product is zero, the gradient is perpendicular to the tangent of the level curve.

Answer: \text{Verified: } \langle 6, 8 \rangle \cdot \langle -4, 3 \rangle = 0

L13. The gradient II — directional derivatives in full

Module 1  2026-08-17  ·  10:48  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Find the directional derivative of $f(x,y) = x^2 + y^2$ at the point $(2,3)$ in the direction of the vector $v = \langle 4, -3 \rangle$.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute the gradient: $\nabla f = \langle 2x, 2y \rangle$.
  2. Evaluate the gradient at $(2,3)$: $\nabla f(2,3) = \langle 4, 6 \rangle$.
  3. Normalize the direction vector $v$: $|v| = \sqrt{4^2 + (-3)^2} = 5$, so $u = \langle 4/5, -3/5 \rangle$.
  4. Compute the dot product: $D_u f = \langle 4, 6 \rangle \cdot \langle 4/5, -3/5 \rangle = 16/5 - 18/5 = -2/5$.

Answer: -2/5

Problem 2. For the function $f(x,y) = 3x + 2y$, find the directional derivative in the direction $\theta = \pi/4$ radians at any point $(x,y)$.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute the gradient: $\nabla f = \langle 3, 2 \rangle$.
  2. Find the unit vector for $\theta = \pi/4$: $u = \langle \cos(\pi/4), \sin(\pi/4) \rangle = \langle \sqrt{2}/2, \sqrt{2}/2 \rangle$.
  3. Compute the dot product: $D_u f = \langle 3, 2 \rangle \cdot \langle \sqrt{2}/2, \sqrt{2}/2 \rangle = 3\sqrt{2}/2 + 2\sqrt{2}/2 = 5\sqrt{2}/2$.

Answer: 5\sqrt{2}/2

Problem 3. Find the direction $u$ (as a unit vector) in which the directional derivative of $f(x,y) = x^2 y$ at $(1,2)$ is exactly zero.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute the gradient at $(1,2)$: $\nabla f = \langle 2xy, x^2 \rangle \implies \nabla f(1,2) = \langle 4, 1 \rangle$.
  2. The directional derivative is zero when $u$ is perpendicular to the gradient: $\langle 4, 1 \rangle \cdot \langle u_1, u_2 \rangle = 0$.
  3. This implies $4u_1 + u_2 = 0$, or $u_2 = -4u_1$.
  4. Since $u$ is a unit vector, $u_1^2 + (-4u_1)^2 = 1 \implies 17u_1^2 = 1 \implies u_1 = \pm 1/\sqrt{17}$.
  5. Thus, $u = \langle 1/\sqrt{17}, -4/\sqrt{17} \rangle$ or $u = \langle -1/\sqrt{17}, 4/\sqrt{17} \rangle$.

Answer: \langle \pm 1/\sqrt{17}, \mp 4/\sqrt{17} \rangle

L14. The multivariable chain rule — tree diagrams and the matrix view

Module 1  2026-08-18  ·  11:08  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Given $z = x^2 y$, where $x = e^t$ and $y = t^2$, find the total derivative $\frac{dz}{dt}$ at $t = 1$.
Reveal solution
  1. Identify dependencies: $z$ depends on $x$ and $y$, and both depend on $t$.
  2. Apply chain rule: $\frac{dz}{dt} = \frac{\partial z}{\partial x}\frac{dx}{dt} + \frac{\partial z}{\partial y}\frac{dy}{dt}$.
  3. Compute partials: $\frac{\partial z}{\partial x} = 2xy$, $\frac{\partial z}{\partial y} = x^2$.
  4. Compute inner derivatives: $\frac{dx}{dt} = e^t$, $\frac{dy}{dt} = 2t$.
  5. Substitute: $\frac{dz}{dt} = (2xy)(e^t) + (x^2)(2t)$.
  6. Evaluate at $t=1$: $x=e$, $y=1$. So $\frac{dz}{dt} = (2e)(e) + (e^2)(2) = 2e^2 + 2e^2 = 4e^2$.

Answer: 4e^2

Problem 2. Let $f(x, y) = x + 2y$. Let $x = u^2 - v^2$ and $y = 2uv$. Use the Jacobian matrix to find $\frac{\partial f}{\partial u}$ and $\frac{\partial f}{\partial v}$.
Reveal solution
  1. Find the gradient of $f$: $\nabla f = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 2 \end{pmatrix}$.
  2. Find the Jacobian of the transformation: $J = \begin{pmatrix} \frac{\partial x}{\partial u} & \frac{\partial x}{\partial v} \\ \frac{\partial y}{\partial u} & \frac{\partial y}{\partial v} \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} 2u & -2v \\ 2v & 2u \end{pmatrix}$.
  3. Multiply $\nabla f$ by $J$: $\begin{pmatrix} 1 & 2 \end{pmatrix} \begin{pmatrix} 2u & -2v \\ 2v & 2u \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} 1(2u) + 2(2v) & 1(-2v) + 2(2u) \end{pmatrix}$.
  4. Simplify: $\begin{pmatrix} 2u + 4v & 4u - 2v \end{pmatrix}$.

Answer: \frac{\partial f}{\partial u} = 2u + 4v, \frac{\partial f}{\partial v} = 4u - 2v

Problem 3. A function $w$ depends on $x, y, z$, and each of these depends on $u$ and $v$. Write the general expression for $\frac{\partial w}{\partial u}$ using summation notation.
Reveal solution
  1. Identify the paths from $w$ to $u$.
  2. The paths are $w \to x \to u$, $w \to y \to u$, and $w \to z \to u$.
  3. The contribution of each path is the product of the partial derivatives along that path.
  4. Sum the contributions: $\frac{\partial w}{\partial u} = \frac{\partial w}{\partial x}\frac{\partial x}{\partial u} + \frac{\partial w}{\partial y}\frac{\partial y}{\partial u} + \frac{\partial w}{\partial z}\frac{\partial z}{\partial u}$.
  5. Express as a sum over indices $i=1, 2, 3$ where $x_1=x, x_2=y, x_3=z$.

Answer: \frac{\partial w}{\partial u} = \sum_{i=1}^3 \frac{\partial w}{\partial x_i} \frac{\partial x_i}{\partial u}

L15. Implicit differentiation in several variables

Module 1  2026-08-19  ·  10:59  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Given the surface $x^3 + y^3 + z^3 + 6xyz = 1$, find the expression for $\frac{\partial z}{\partial x}$.
Reveal solution
  1. Define $F(x, y, z) = x^3 + y^3 + z^3 + 6xyz - 1 = 0$.
  2. Compute $F_x = 3x^2 + 6yz$.
  3. Compute $F_z = 3z^2 + 6xy$.
  4. Apply the formula $\frac{\partial z}{\partial x} = -\frac{F_x}{F_z}$.

Answer: $\frac{\partial z}{\partial x} = -\frac{3x^2 + 6yz}{3z^2 + 6xy} = -\frac{x^2 + 2yz}{z^2 + 2xy}$

Problem 2. Find $\frac{\partial z}{\partial y}$ for the surface $\ln(z) + x^2 y + z = 10$ at the point $(1, 1, e)$.
Reveal solution
  1. Define $F(x, y, z) = \ln(z) + x^2 y + z - 10 = 0$.
  2. Compute $F_y = x^2$.
  3. Compute $F_z = \frac{1}{z} + 1$.
  4. At $(1, 1, e)$, $F_y = 1^2 = 1$ and $F_z = \frac{1}{e} + 1 = \frac{1+e}{e}$.
  5. Apply $\frac{\partial z}{\partial y} = -\frac{1}{(1+e)/e} = -\frac{e}{1+e}$.

Answer: $-\frac{e}{1+e}$

Problem 3. For the surface $x^2 + 2y^2 + 3z^2 = 6$, show that the implicit derivative $\frac{\partial z}{\partial x}$ is equal to $-\frac{x}{3z}$.
Reveal solution
  1. Define $F(x, y, z) = x^2 + 2y^2 + 3z^2 - 6 = 0$.
  2. Compute $F_x = 2x$.
  3. Compute $F_z = 6z$.
  4. Apply the formula $\frac{\partial z}{\partial x} = -\frac{2x}{6z}$.
  5. Simplify the fraction to get $-\frac{x}{3z}$.

Answer: $\frac{\partial z}{\partial x} = -\frac{x}{3z}$

L16. Taylor expansion in two variables; the Hessian

Module 1  2026-08-20  ·  12:33  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Find the second-order Taylor expansion of $f(x, y) = \sin(x) + \cos(y)$ centered at $(0, 0)$.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute $f(0, 0) = \sin(0) + \cos(0) = 1$.
  2. Compute first partials: $f_x = \cos(x)$, $f_y = -\sin(y)$. At $(0, 0)$, $f_x = 1$ and $f_y = 0$.
  3. Compute second partials: $f_{xx} = -\sin(x)$, $f_{yy} = -\cos(y)$, $f_{xy} = 0$. At $(0, 0)$, $f_{xx} = 0$, $f_{yy} = -1$, $f_{xy} = 0$.
  4. Plug into formula: $f(x, y) \approx 1 + 1(x-0) + 0(y-0) + \frac{1}{2}(0x^2 + 2(0)xy + (-1)y^2)$.

Answer: f(x, y) \approx 1 + x - \frac{1}{2}y^2

Problem 2. Compute the Hessian matrix for $f(x, y) = x^3 y^2$ at the point $(1, 2)$.
Reveal solution
  1. First partials: $f_x = 3x^2 y^2$, $f_y = 2x^3 y$.
  2. Second partials: $f_{xx} = 6xy^2$, $f_{yy} = 2x^3$, $f_{xy} = 6x^2 y$.
  3. Evaluate at $(1, 2)$: $f_{xx} = 6(1)(4) = 24$, $f_{yy} = 2(1)^3 = 2$, $f_{xy} = 6(1)^2(2) = 12$.

Answer: H = \begin{pmatrix} 24 & 12 \\ 12 & 2 \end{pmatrix}

Problem 3. For $f(x, y) = e^{x+y}$, show that the second-order Taylor expansion at $(0, 0)$ is $1 + x + y + \frac{1}{2}(x^2 + 2xy + y^2)$.
Reveal solution
  1. Value: $f(0, 0) = e^0 = 1$.
  2. First partials: $f_x = e^{x+y}$, $f_y = e^{x+y}$. At $(0, 0)$, both are $1$.
  3. Second partials: $f_{xx} = e^{x+y}$, $f_{yy} = e^{x+y}$, $f_{xy} = e^{x+y}$. At $(0, 0)$, all are $1$.
  4. Assemble: $f(x, y) \approx 1 + 1x + 1y + \frac{1}{2}(1x^2 + 2(1)xy + 1y^2)$.

Answer: f(x, y) \approx 1 + x + y + \frac{1}{2}(x^2 + 2xy + y^2)

L17. Critical points and the second derivative test

Module 1  2026-08-21  ·  10:59  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Find and classify the critical points of $f(x, y) = x^2 + 2y^2 + xy$.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute partials: $f_x = 2x + y$ and $f_y = 4y + x$.
  2. Set to zero: $2x + y = 0$ and $x + 4y = 0$. Solving this system gives the only critical point $(0, 0)$.
  3. Compute second partials: $f_{xx} = 2$, $f_{yy} = 4$, $f_{xy} = 1$.
  4. Calculate determinant $D = (2)(4) - (1)^2 = 7$.
  5. Since $D > 0$ and $f_{xx} = 2 > 0$, the point is a local minimum.

Answer: Local minimum at $(0, 0)$

Problem 2. Classify the critical point at $(-1, 0)$ for the function $f(x, y) = x^2 - 3y^2 + 2x$.
Reveal solution
  1. Verify critical point: $f_x = 2x + 2$, $f_y = -6y$. Setting these to zero gives $(-1, 0)$.
  2. Compute second partials: $f_{xx} = 2$, $f_{yy} = -6$, $f_{xy} = 0$.
  3. Calculate determinant $D = (2)(-6) - 0^2 = -12$.
  4. Since $D < 0$, the point is a saddle point.

Answer: Saddle point at $(-1, 0)$

Problem 3. Find and classify all critical points of $f(x, y) = x^3 - 3x + y^2$.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute partials: $f_x = 3x^2 - 3$ and $f_y = 2y$.
  2. Set to zero: $3x^2 = 3 \implies x = \pm 1$ and $2y = 0 \implies y = 0$. Critical points are $(1, 0)$ and $(-1, 0)$.
  3. Compute second partials: $f_{xx} = 6x$, $f_{yy} = 2$, $f_{xy} = 0$.
  4. At $(1, 0)$: $D = (6)(2) - 0^2 = 12$. Since $D > 0$ and $f_{xx} = 6 > 0$, it is a local minimum.
  5. At $(-1, 0)$: $D = (-6)(2) - 0^2 = -12$. Since $D < 0$, it is a saddle point.

Answer: Local minimum at $(1, 0)$ and saddle point at $(-1, 0)$

L18. Optimisation clinic

Module 1  2026-08-22  ·  13:46  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Find the absolute maximum and minimum values of $f(x, y) = x^2 + y^2$ on the region $x^2 + y^2 \le 1$.
Reveal solution
  1. Find interior critical points: $f_x = 2x = 0$ and $f_y = 2y = 0$, so $(0,0)$ is a critical point. $f(0,0) = 0$.
  2. Check the boundary $x^2 + y^2 = 1$. On this boundary, $f(x, y) = 1$ for all points.
  3. Compare values: the minimum is $0$ at $(0,0)$ and the maximum is $1$ at any point on the boundary circle.

Answer: Min: 0, Max: 1

Problem 2. Find the absolute extrema of $f(x, y) = 2x + 3y$ on the rectangle $0 \le x \le 2, 0 \le y \le 1$.
Reveal solution
  1. Interior: $f_x = 2, f_y = 3$. No critical points since the gradient is never zero.
  2. Boundary $x=0$: $f(0, y) = 3y$, max $3$ at $y=1$, min $0$ at $y=0$.
  3. Boundary $x=2$: $f(2, y) = 4 + 3y$, max $7$ at $y=1$, min $4$ at $y=0$.
  4. Boundary $y=0$: $f(x, 0) = 2x$, max $4$ at $x=2$, min $0$ at $x=0$.
  5. Boundary $y=1$: $f(x, 1) = 2x + 3$, max $7$ at $x=2$, min $3$ at $x=0$.
  6. Comparing all: absolute min is $0$ at $(0,0)$ and absolute max is $7$ at $(2,1)$.

Answer: Min: 0, Max: 7

Problem 3. A rectangular box with a square base and no top must have a volume of $32$ cubic metres. Find the dimensions that minimise the surface area.
Reveal solution
  1. Let $x$ be the side of the square base and $h$ be the height. Volume $V = x^2 h = 32$, so $h = 32/x^2$.
  2. Surface area $S = x^2 + 4xh$. Substitute $h$: $S(x) = x^2 + 4x(32/x^2) = x^2 + 128/x$.
  3. Find critical points: $S'(x) = 2x - 128/x^2 = 0$.
  4. Solve $2x^3 = 128 \implies x^3 = 64 \implies x = 4$.
  5. Find $h$: $h = 32/(4^2) = 32/16 = 2$.
  6. Check second derivative: $S''(x) = 2 + 256/x^3$, which is positive for $x=4$, confirming a minimum.

Answer: Base side 4m, Height 2m

L19. Lagrange multipliers — deepened

Module 1  2026-08-23  ·  10:30  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Find the maximum and minimum values of $f(x, y) = x + 2y$ subject to the constraint $x^2 + y^2 = 5$.
Reveal solution
  1. Set up the gradients: $\nabla f = (1, 2)$ and $\nabla g = (2x, 2y)$.
  2. Apply Lagrange equations: $1 = \lambda(2x)$ and $2 = \lambda(2y)$.
  3. Divide the equations: $\frac{1}{2} = \frac{2x}{2y} \implies y = 2x$.
  4. Substitute into constraint: $x^2 + (2x)^2 = 5 \implies 5x^2 = 5 \implies x = \pm 1$.
  5. Find points: $(1, 2)$ and $(-1, -2)$.
  6. Evaluate $f$: $f(1, 2) = 5$ and $f(-1, -2) = -5$.

Answer: Max is 5, Min is -5

Problem 2. Find the point on the line $y = 2x + 3$ that is closest to the origin $(0,0)$.
Reveal solution
  1. Minimize distance squared: $f(x, y) = x^2 + y^2$ subject to $g(x, y) = 2x - y = -3$.
  2. Gradients: $\nabla f = (2x, 2y)$ and $\nabla g = (2, -1)$.
  3. Equations: $2x = 2\lambda$ and $2y = -\lambda$.
  4. Express in terms of $\lambda$: $x = \lambda$ and $y = -\lambda/2$.
  5. Substitute into constraint: $2(\lambda) - (-\lambda/2) = -3 \implies 2.5\lambda = -3 \implies \lambda = -1.2$.
  6. Find coordinates: $x = -1.2$, $y = 0.6$.

Answer: (-1.2, 0.6)

Problem 3. Maximize $f(x, y, z) = xyz$ subject to the constraint $x + y + z = 12$ for $x, y, z > 0$.
Reveal solution
  1. Gradients: $\nabla f = (yz, xz, xy)$ and $\nabla g = (1, 1, 1)$.
  2. Equations: $yz = \lambda$, $xz = \lambda$, $xy = \lambda$.
  3. Equating them: $yz = xz \implies y = x$ (since $z > 0$) and $xz = xy \implies z = y$.
  4. Thus $x = y = z$.
  5. Substitute into constraint: $x + x + x = 12 \implies 3x = 12 \implies x = 4$.
  6. Point is $(4, 4, 4)$, and $f(4, 4, 4) = 64$.

Answer: 64

L20. Module 1 review + self-test

Module 1  2026-08-24  ·  9:49  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Find the directional derivative of $f(x, y) = e^{xy} \cos(x+y)$ at the point $(0, 0)$ in the direction of $\mathbf{v} = \langle 1, 1 \rangle$.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute partial derivatives: $f_x = y e^{xy} \cos(x+y) - e^{xy} \sin(x+y)$ and $f_y = x e^{xy} \cos(x+y) - e^{xy} \sin(x+y)$.
  2. Evaluate at $(0, 0)$: $f_x(0, 0) = 0(1)(1) - (1)(0) = 0$ and $f_y(0, 0) = 0(1)(1) - (1)(0) = 0$.
  3. The gradient is $\nabla f(0, 0) = \langle 0, 0 \rangle$.
  4. The directional derivative is the dot product of the gradient and the unit vector $\mathbf{u} = \langle 1/\sqrt{2}, 1/\sqrt{2} \rangle$.
  5. Result: $0(1/\sqrt{2}) + 0(1/\sqrt{2}) = 0$.

Answer: 0

Problem 2. Find and classify the critical points of $f(x, y) = x^2 + 2y^2 - 2xy - 4x$.
Reveal solution
  1. Find partials: $f_x = 2x - 2y - 4$ and $f_y = 4y - 2x$.
  2. Set to zero: $2x - 2y = 4$ and $2x = 4y \implies x = 2y$.
  3. Substitute $x=2y$ into first eq: $2(2y) - 2y = 4 \implies 2y = 4 \implies y = 2$. Then $x = 4$.
  4. Critical point is $(4, 2)$.
  5. Compute Hessian: $f_{xx} = 2, f_{yy} = 4, f_{xy} = -2$.
  6. Determinant $D = (2)(4) - (-2)^2 = 8 - 4 = 4$.
  7. Since $D > 0$ and $f_{xx} > 0$, it is a local minimum.

Answer: Local minimum at (4, 2)

Problem 3. Use Lagrange multipliers to find the maximum and minimum values of $f(x, y) = xy$ subject to the constraint $x^2 + y^2 = 1$.
Reveal solution
  1. Set up equations: $\nabla f = \langle y, x \rangle$ and $\nabla g = \langle 2x, 2y \rangle$.
  2. System: $y = 2\lambda x$ and $x = 2\lambda y$.
  3. Substitute $y$: $x = 2\lambda (2\lambda x) = 4\lambda^2 x$.
  4. Either $x=0$ (which implies $y=0$, but $(0,0)$ is not on the circle) or $4\lambda^2 = 1 \implies \lambda = \pm 1/2$.
  5. If $\lambda = 1/2$, $y=x$. Constraint $x^2 + x^2 = 1 \implies 2x^2 = 1 \implies x = \pm 1/\sqrt{2}$. Points: $(1/\sqrt{2}, 1/\sqrt{2})$ and $(-1/\sqrt{2}, -1/\sqrt{2})$. $f = 1/2$.
  6. If $\lambda = -1/2$, $y=-x$. Constraint $x^2 + (-x)^2 = 1 \implies 2x^2 = 1 \implies x = \pm 1/\sqrt{2}$. Points: $(1/\sqrt{2}, -1/\sqrt{2})$ and $(-1/\sqrt{2}, 1/\sqrt{2})$. $f = -1/2$.

Answer: Max value 1/2, Min value -1/2

Module 2 — Multiple Integrals (12/12)

L21. Double integrals — volume, mass, and the meaning

Module 2  2026-08-25  ·  12:03  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Compute the double integral of $f(x, y) = x^2 + y^2$ over the rectangle $R = [0, 1] \times [0, 1]$.
Reveal solution
  1. Set up the iterated integral: $\int_{0}^{1} \int_{0}^{1} (x^2 + y^2) \, dy \, dx$.
  2. Integrate with respect to $y$: $[x^2 y + \frac{1}{3}y^3]_{0}^{1} = x^2 + \frac{1}{3}$.
  3. Integrate the result with respect to $x$: $\int_{0}^{1} (x^2 + \frac{1}{3}) \, dx = [\frac{1}{3}x^3 + \frac{1}{3}x]_{0}^{1}$.
  4. Evaluate: $\frac{1}{3} + \frac{1}{3} = \frac{2}{3}$.

Answer: 2/3

Problem 2. Find the volume under the surface $z = 4 - x - y$ over the region $R$ bounded by $x=0$, $y=0$, and $x+y=1$.
Reveal solution
  1. Set up the integral with $y$ limits from $0$ to $1-x$ and $x$ limits from $0$ to $1$: $\int_{0}^{1} \int_{0}^{1-x} (4 - x - y) \, dy \, dx$.
  2. Inner integral: $[4y - xy - \frac{1}{2}y^2]_{0}^{1-x} = 4(1-x) - x(1-x) - \frac{1}{2}(1-x)^2$.
  3. Simplify the integrand: $4 - 4x - x + x^2 - \frac{1}{2}(1 - 2x + x^2) = 3.5 - 4x + 0.5x^2$.
  4. Outer integral: $\int_{0}^{1} (3.5 - 4x + 0.5x^2) \, dx = [3.5x - 2x^2 + \frac{1}{6}x^3]_{0}^{1}$.
  5. Evaluate: $3.5 - 2 + \frac{1}{6} = 1.5 + \frac{1}{6} = \frac{3}{2} + \frac{1}{6} = \frac{9+1}{6} = \frac{10}{6} = \frac{5}{3}$.

Answer: 5/3

Problem 3. A thin plate occupies the region $R$ bounded by $y=x$ and $y=x^2$. The density is $\rho(x, y) = x$. Find the total mass.
Reveal solution
  1. The curves intersect at $x=0$ and $x=1$. The line $y=x$ is the upper boundary.
  2. Set up the integral: $\int_{0}^{1} \int_{x^2}^{x} x \, dy \, dx$.
  3. Inner integral: $[xy]_{x^2}^{x} = x(x) - x(x^2) = x^2 - x^3$.
  4. Outer integral: $\int_{0}^{1} (x^2 - x^3) \, dx = [\frac{1}{3}x^3 - \frac{1}{4}x^4]_{0}^{1}$.
  5. Evaluate: $\frac{1}{3} - \frac{1}{4} = \frac{1}{12}$.

Answer: 1/12

L22. Setting up bounds I — the region_slicer method

Module 2  2026-08-26  ·  10:38  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Set up the iterated integral for the region $R$ bounded by $y = x^2$ and $y = 4$ using vertical slices (Type I).
Reveal solution
  1. Find intersection points: $x^2 = 4$ implies $x = -2$ and $x = 2$.
  2. For a vertical slice, the bottom boundary is $y = x^2$ and the top boundary is $y = 4$.
  3. The outer limits are the x-range from $-2$ to $2$.

Answer: \int_{-2}^{2} \int_{x^2}^{4} f(x, y) \, dy \, dx

Problem 2. Set up the iterated integral for the region $R$ bounded by $y = x$ and $y = x^2$ using horizontal slices (Type II).
Reveal solution
  1. Find intersection points: $x = x^2$ implies $x = 0$ and $x = 1$. This means $y$ also ranges from $0$ to $1$.
  2. Solve boundaries for $x$: $y = x$ becomes $x = y$, and $y = x^2$ becomes $x = \sqrt{y}$ (for $x \ge 0$).
  3. For a horizontal slice, the left boundary is $x = y$ and the right boundary is $x = \sqrt{y}$.

Answer: \int_{0}^{1} \int_{y}^{\sqrt{y}} f(x, y) \, dx \, dy

Problem 3. Set up the iterated integral for the region $R$ bounded by $y = e^x$, $y = 1$, and $x = 1$ using vertical slices.
Reveal solution
  1. The region is bounded by $y = e^x$ (top), $y = 1$ (bottom), and $x = 1$ (right).
  2. The left intersection is where $e^x = 1$, which is $x = 0$.
  3. Inner limits: $y$ goes from $1$ to $e^x$.
  4. Outer limits: $x$ goes from $0$ to $1$.

Answer: \int_{0}^{1} \int_{1}^{e^x} f(x, y) \, dy \, dx

L23. Setting up bounds II — swapping order

Module 2  2026-08-27  ·  10:37  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Evaluate the integral $\int_{0}^{1} \int_{x}^{1} \sin(y^2) \, dy \, dx$ by swapping the order of integration.
Reveal solution
  1. Identify the region: $x \le y \le 1$ and $0 \le x \le 1$.
  2. Swap to type two: for a fixed $y$, $x$ ranges from $0$ to $y$.
  3. The outer bounds for $y$ are $0$ to $1$.
  4. The new integral is $\int_{0}^{1} \int_{0}^{y} \sin(y^2) \, dx \, dy$.
  5. Integrate with respect to $x$: $\int_{0}^{1} [x \sin(y^2)]_{0}^{y} \, dy = \int_{0}^{1} y \sin(y^2) \, dy$.
  6. Use u-substitution $u = y^2$, $du = 2y \, dy$: $\frac{1}{2} \int_{0}^{1} \sin(u) \, du = [-\frac{1}{2} \cos(u)]_{0}^{1} = \frac{1}{2}(1 - \cos(1))$.

Answer: \frac{1}{2}(1 - \cos(1))

Problem 2. Swap the order of integration for $\int_{0}^{2} \int_{y/2}^{1} e^{x^2} \, dx \, dy$ and evaluate.
Reveal solution
  1. Region: $y/2 \le x \le 1$ and $0 \le y \le 2$.
  2. This is a triangle with vertices $(0,0), (1,0), (1,2)$.
  3. Swap to type one: $x$ ranges from $0$ to $1$.
  4. For a fixed $x$, $y$ ranges from $0$ to $2x$.
  5. New integral: $\int_{0}^{1} \int_{0}^{2x} e^{x^2} \, dy \, dx$.
  6. Inner integral: $[y e^{x^2}]_{0}^{2x} = 2x e^{x^2}$.
  7. Outer integral: $\int_{0}^{1} 2x e^{x^2} \, dx = [e^{x^2}]_{0}^{1} = e - 1$.

Answer: e - 1

Problem 3. Consider the integral $\int_{0}^{1} \int_{x}^{1} e^{y^2} \, dy \, dx$. Swap the order and evaluate.
Reveal solution
  1. Region: $x \le y \le 1$ and $0 \le x \le 1$.
  2. Swap to type two: $y$ ranges from $0$ to $1$.
  3. For a fixed $y$, $x$ ranges from $0$ to $y$.
  4. New integral: $\int_{0}^{1} \int_{0}^{y} e^{y^2} \, dx \, dy$.
  5. Inner integral: $[x e^{y^2}]_{0}^{y} = y e^{y^2}$.
  6. Outer integral: $\int_{0}^{1} y e^{y^2} \, dy = [\frac{1}{2} e^{y^2}]_{0}^{1} = \frac{1}{2}(e - 1)$.

Answer: \frac{1}{2}(e - 1)

L24. Double integrals in polar coordinates — deepened

Module 2  2026-08-28  ·  10:55  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Evaluate the double integral of $f(x, y) = x^2 + y^2$ over the region $R$ in the first quadrant bounded by the circle $x^2 + y^2 = 9$.
Reveal solution
  1. Convert to polar: $x^2 + y^2 = r^2$ and $dA = r \, dr \, d\theta$.
  2. Set bounds: $r$ goes from $0$ to $3$, and $\theta$ goes from $0$ to $\pi/2$.
  3. Set up integral: $\int_{0}^{\pi/2} \int_{0}^{3} r^2 \cdot r \, dr \, d\theta$.
  4. Integrate $r^3$: $[\frac{1}{4}r^4]_0^3 = \frac{81}{4}$.
  5. Integrate with respect to $\theta$: $\int_{0}^{\pi/2} \frac{81}{4} \, d\theta = \frac{81\pi}{8}$.

Answer: $\frac{81\pi}{8}$

Problem 2. Find the volume under the surface $z = e^{-(x^2 + y^2)}$ over the region $R$ which is the upper half-disk of radius $1$.
Reveal solution
  1. Convert to polar: $z = e^{-r^2}$ and $dA = r \, dr \, d\theta$.
  2. Set bounds: $r$ goes from $0$ to $1$, and $\theta$ goes from $0$ to $\pi$.
  3. Set up integral: $\int_{0}^{\pi} \int_{0}^{1} e^{-r^2} r \, dr \, d\theta$.
  4. Use u-substitution $u = -r^2$, $du = -2r \, dr$: $\int_{0}^{1} r e^{-r^2} \, dr = [-\frac{1}{2}e^{-r^2}]_0^1 = \frac{1}{2}(1 - e^{-1})$.
  5. Integrate with respect to $\theta$: $\int_{0}^{\pi} \frac{1}{2}(1 - e^{-1}) \, d\theta = \frac{\pi}{2}(1 - e^{-1})$.

Answer: $\frac{\pi}{2}(1 - e^{-1})$

Problem 3. Evaluate $\iint_R y \, dA$ where $R$ is the region inside the circle $r = 2 \sin \theta$.
Reveal solution
  1. The region $r = 2 \sin \theta$ is a circle centered at $(0, 1)$ with radius $1$.
  2. Bounds: $r$ goes from $0$ to $2 \sin \theta$, and $\theta$ goes from $0$ to $\pi$.
  3. Convert $y$ to polar: $y = r \sin \theta$.
  4. Set up integral: $\int_{0}^{\pi} \int_{0}^{2\sin\theta} (r \sin \theta) r \, dr \, d\theta$.
  5. Integrate $r^2$: $[\frac{1}{3}r^3]_0^{2\sin\theta} = \frac{8}{3} \sin^3 \theta \cdot \sin \theta = \frac{8}{3} \sin^4 \theta$.
  6. Integrate $\int_{0}^{\pi} \frac{8}{3} \sin^4 \theta \, d\theta$ using power reduction: $\sin^4 \theta = \frac{3}{8} - \frac{1}{2}\cos 2\theta + \frac{1}{8}\cos 4\theta$.
  7. Evaluating from $0$ to $\pi$: $\frac{8}{3} [\frac{3}{8}\theta]_0^{\pi} = \pi$.

Answer: $\pi$

L25. Applications: mass, centroids, moments of inertia

Module 2  2026-08-29  ·  10:27  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Find the mass of a semi-circular lamina $R = \{(r, \theta) : 0 \le r \le 1, 0 \le \theta \le \pi\}$ with density $\rho(x, y) = x^2 + y^2$.
Reveal solution
  1. Convert density to polar: $\rho = r^2$.
  2. Set up the integral: $m = \int_{0}^{\pi} \int_{0}^{1} r^2 \cdot r \, dr \, d\theta$.
  3. Integrate $r^3$ to get $r^4/4$ from $0$ to $1$, which is $1/4$.
  4. Integrate $1/4$ with respect to $\theta$ from $0$ to $\pi$.

Answer: \frac{\pi}{4}

Problem 2. A rectangular lamina occupies $0 \le x \le 1, 0 \le y \le 2$ with density $\rho(x, y) = x$. Find the center of mass $(\bar{x}, \bar{y})$.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute mass: $m = \int_{0}^{1} \int_{0}^{2} x \, dy \, dx = \int_{0}^{1} 2x \, dx = 1$.
  2. Compute $M_y$: $\int_{0}^{1} \int_{0}^{2} x(x) \, dy \, dx = \int_{0}^{1} 2x^2 \, dx = 2/3$.
  3. Compute $M_x$: $\int_{0}^{1} \int_{0}^{2} y(x) \, dy \, dx = \int_{0}^{1} [y^2/2]_0^2 x \, dx = \int_{0}^{1} 2x \, dx = 1$.
  4. Calculate coordinates: $\bar{x} = (2/3)/1 = 2/3$ and $\bar{y} = 1/1 = 1$.

Answer: (2/3, 1)

Problem 3. Find the moment of inertia $I_z$ for a disk of radius $1$ with constant density $\rho = 1$.
Reveal solution
  1. Use polar coordinates: $x^2 + y^2 = r^2$ and $dA = r \, dr \, d\theta$.
  2. Set up integral: $I_z = \int_{0}^{2\pi} \int_{0}^{1} r^2 \cdot 1 \cdot r \, dr \, d\theta$.
  3. Integrate $r^3$ to get $r^4/4$ from $0$ to $1$, which is $1/4$.
  4. Integrate $1/4$ from $0$ to $2\pi$.

Answer: \frac{\pi}{2}

L26. Triple integrals — setting up bounds in 3D

Module 2  2026-08-30  ·  13:00  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Set up the triple integral for the volume of the solid $E$ in the first octant bounded by the plane $z = x + y$, the plane $z = 0$, and the cylinder $x^2 + y^2 = 1$.
Reveal solution
  1. Identify the $z$ bounds: the solid is bounded below by $z = 0$ and above by $z = x + y$.
  2. Identify the shadow region $R$ in the $xy$-plane: it is the quarter disk $x^2 + y^2 \le 1$ where $x \ge 0$ and $y \ge 0$.
  3. Convert the shadow region to polar coordinates: $0 \le r \le 1$ and $0 \le \theta \le \pi/2$.
  4. Substitute $x = r \cos \theta$ and $y = r \sin \theta$ into the $z$ bound: $z_{top} = r \cos \theta + r \sin \theta$.
  5. Assemble the integral with the Jacobian $r$.

Answer: \int_{0}^{\pi/2} \int_{0}^{1} \int_{0}^{r(\cos\theta + \sin\theta)} r \, dz \, dr \, d\theta

Problem 2. Set up the triple integral to find the mass of a cube with side length 2, centered at the origin, with density $\rho(x, y, z) = |x| + |y| + |z|$.
Reveal solution
  1. The cube is centered at the origin with side length 2, so the bounds for $x$, $y$, and $z$ are all from $-1$ to $1$.
  2. Since the bounds are constants, the order of integration does not matter.
  3. The density function is $\rho(x, y, z) = |x| + |y| + |z|$.
  4. The integral is $\int_{-1}^{1} \int_{-1}^{1} \int_{-1}^{1} (|x| + |y| + |z|) \, dz \, dy \, dx$.

Answer: \int_{-1}^{1} \int_{-1}^{1} \int_{-1}^{1} (|x| + |y| + |z|) \, dz \, dy \, dx

Problem 3. A solid is bounded by the plane $z = 0$, the cylinder $y^2 + z^2 = 1$, and the planes $x = 0$ and $x = 2$. Set up the triple integral for its volume using the order $dx \, dz \, dy$.
Reveal solution
  1. The order $dx \, dz \, dy$ means $x$ is the innermost integral.
  2. The $x$ bounds are given as $x = 0$ to $x = 2$.
  3. The remaining region is the shadow in the $yz$-plane, which is the semi-disk $y^2 + z^2 \le 1$ where $z \ge 0$.
  4. For a fixed $y$, $z$ goes from $0$ to $\sqrt{1 - y^2}$.
  5. The outermost variable $y$ ranges from $-1$ to $1$.

Answer: \int_{-1}^{1} \int_{0}^{\sqrt{1-y^2}} \int_{0}^{2} 1 \, dx \, dz \, dy

L27. Cylindrical coordinates in action

Module 2  2026-08-31  ·  11:26  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Find the volume of the solid bounded by the cylinder $x^2 + y^2 = 9$, the plane $z = 0$, and the plane $z = x + 4$.
Reveal solution
  1. Convert to cylindrical: $x = r \cos \theta$, $y = r \sin \theta$, $z = z$.
  2. Bounds: $0 \le z \le r \cos \theta + 4$, $0 \le r \le 3$, $0 \le \theta \le 2\pi$.
  3. Integral: $\int_0^{2\pi} \int_0^3 \int_0^{r \cos \theta + 4} r \, dz \, dr \, d\theta$.
  4. Inner: $\int_0^{r \cos \theta + 4} r \, dz = r(r \cos \theta + 4) = r^2 \cos \theta + 4r$.
  5. Middle: $\int_0^3 (r^2 \cos \theta + 4r) \, dr = [\frac{1}{3}r^3 \cos \theta + 2r^2]_0^3 = 9 \cos \theta + 18$.
  6. Outer: $\int_0^{2\pi} (9 \cos \theta + 18) \, d\theta = [9 \sin \theta + 18\theta]_0^{2\pi} = 36\pi$.

Answer: 36\pi

Problem 2. Calculate the volume of the region inside the sphere $x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 4$ and inside the cylinder $x^2 + y^2 = 1$.
Reveal solution
  1. The sphere is $z^2 = 4 - r^2$, so $z = \pm \sqrt{4 - r^2}$.
  2. The cylinder gives $0 \le r \le 1$ and $0 \le \theta \le 2\pi$.
  3. Integral: $\int_0^{2\pi} \int_0^1 \int_{-\sqrt{4-r^2}}^{\sqrt{4-r^2}} r \, dz \, dr \, d\theta$.
  4. Inner: $2r \sqrt{4-r^2}$.
  5. Middle: $\int_0^1 2r \sqrt{4-r^2} \, dr$. Let $u = 4-r^2, du = -2r dr$. $\int_4^3 -\sqrt{u} \, du = [\frac{2}{3}u^{3/2}]_3^4 = \frac{2}{3}(8 - 3\sqrt{3})$.
  6. Outer: $2\pi \cdot \frac{2}{3}(8 - 3\sqrt{3}) = \frac{4\pi}{3}(8 - 3\sqrt{3})$.

Answer: \frac{4\pi}{3}(8 - 3\sqrt{3})

Problem 3. Find the volume of the solid bounded by the cone $z = \sqrt{3(x^2 + y^2)}$ and the sphere $x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 4$.
Reveal solution
  1. Cone: $z = \sqrt{3}r$. Sphere: $z = \sqrt{4-r^2}$.
  2. Intersection: $\sqrt{3}r = \sqrt{4-r^2} \implies 3r^2 = 4-r^2 \implies 4r^2 = 4 \implies r = 1$.
  3. Bounds: $0 \le \theta \le 2\pi$, $0 \le r \le 1$, $\sqrt{3}r \le z \le \sqrt{4-r^2}$.
  4. Integral: $\int_0^{2\pi} \int_0^1 \int_{\sqrt{3}r}^{\sqrt{4-r^2}} r \, dz \, dr \, d\theta$.
  5. Inner: $r(\sqrt{4-r^2} - \sqrt{3}r) = r\sqrt{4-r^2} - \sqrt{3}r^2$.
  6. Middle: $\int_0^1 (r\sqrt{4-r^2} - \sqrt{3}r^2) \, dr = [-\frac{1}{3}(4-r^2)^{3/2} - \frac{\sqrt{3}}{3}r^3]_0^1 = (-\frac{1}{3}(3\sqrt{3}) - \frac{\sqrt{3}}{3}) - (-\frac{1}{3}(8) - 0) = -\sqrt{3} - \frac{\sqrt{3}}{3} + \frac{8}{3} = \frac{8 - 4\sqrt{3}}{3}$.
  7. Outer: $2\pi \cdot \frac{8 - 4\sqrt{3}}{3} = \frac{8\pi(2 - \sqrt{3})}{3}$.

Answer: \frac{8\pi(2 - \sqrt{3})}{3}

L28. Spherical coordinates in action

Module 2  2026-09-01  ·  10:56  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Find the mass of a hemisphere of radius $R$ with constant density $\rho_0$.
Reveal solution
  1. Set up the integral in spherical coordinates: $M = \int_{0}^{2\pi} \int_{0}^{\pi/2} \int_{0}^{R} \rho_0 \rho^2 \sin \phi \, d\rho \, d\phi \, d\theta$.
  2. Integrate $\rho^2$ to get $R^3/3$.
  3. Integrate $\sin \phi$ from $0$ to $\pi/2$ to get $1$.
  4. Integrate $d\theta$ from $0$ to $2\pi$ to get $2\pi$.
  5. Multiply results: $\rho_0 \cdot (R^3/3) \cdot 1 \cdot 2\pi$.

Answer: M = \frac{2}{3}\pi \rho_0 R^3

Problem 2. Calculate the volume of the region inside the sphere $\rho = 4$ and the cone $\phi = \pi/6$.
Reveal solution
  1. Set up the integral: $V = \int_{0}^{2\pi} \int_{0}^{\pi/6} \int_{0}^{4} \rho^2 \sin \phi \, d\rho \, d\phi \, d\theta$.
  2. The $\rho$ integral is $4^3/3 = 64/3$.
  3. The $\phi$ integral is $[-\cos \phi]_0^{\pi/6} = 1 - \sqrt{3}/2$.
  4. The $\theta$ integral is $2\pi$.
  5. Combine: $2\pi \cdot (1 - \sqrt{3}/2) \cdot 64/3$.

Answer: V = \frac{64\pi}{3}(2 - \sqrt{3})

Problem 3. Evaluate the integral of $f(x,y,z) = \sqrt{x^2+y^2+z^2}$ over the full sphere of radius $1$.
Reveal solution
  1. Convert the function to spherical: $f = \rho$.
  2. Include the Jacobian: $\rho \cdot \rho^2 \sin \phi = \rho^3 \sin \phi$.
  3. Set bounds: $\rho \in [0, 1], \phi \in [0, \pi], \theta \in [0, 2\pi]$.
  4. Integrate $\rho^3$ to get $1/4$.
  5. Integrate $\sin \phi$ to get $2$.
  6. Integrate $d\theta$ to get $2\pi$.
  7. Multiply: $(1/4) \cdot 2 \cdot 2\pi$.

Answer: \pi

L29. The Jacobian and change of variables — the grid-warp returns

Module 2  2026-09-02  ·  11:32  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Evaluate $\iint_R (x^2 + y^2) \, dA$ where $R$ is the region bounded by $x+y=1$, $x+y=3$, $x-y=0$, and $x-y=2$.
Reveal solution
  1. Let $u = x+y$ and $v = x-y$. The bounds are $1 \le u \le 3$ and $0 \le v \le 2$.
  2. Solve for $x$ and $y$: $x = (u+v)/2$ and $y = (u-v)/2$.
  3. Compute the Jacobian: $\det J = \det \begin{pmatrix} 1/2 & 1/2 \\ 1/2 & -1/2 \end{pmatrix} = -1/2$. The absolute value is $1/2$.
  4. Substitute into the integrand: $x^2 + y^2 = ((u+v)/2)^2 + ((u-v)/2)^2 = (u^2 + 2uv + v^2 + u^2 - 2uv + v^2)/4 = (2u^2 + 2v^2)/4 = (u^2 + v^2)/2$.
  5. Set up the integral: $\int_0^2 \int_1^3 \frac{u^2 + v^2}{2} \cdot \frac{1}{2} \, du \, dv = \frac{1}{4} \int_0^2 [\frac{u^3}{3} + v^2 u]_1^3 \, dv$.
  6. Evaluate: $\frac{1}{4} \int_0^2 (\frac{26}{3} + 2v^2) \, dv = \frac{1}{4} [\frac{26}{3}v + \frac{2v^3}{3}]_0^2 = \frac{1}{4} (\frac{52}{3} + \frac{16}{3}) = \frac{1}{4} \cdot \frac{68}{3} = \frac{17}{3}$.

Answer: 17/3

Problem 2. Find the Jacobian determinant for the transformation $x = u^2 - v^2$ and $y = 2uv$.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute partials of $x$: $\frac{\partial x}{\partial u} = 2u$, $\frac{\partial x}{\partial v} = -2v$.
  2. Compute partials of $y$: $\frac{\partial y}{\partial u} = 2v$, $\frac{\partial y}{\partial v} = 2u$.
  3. Set up the determinant: $\det J = (2u)(2u) - (-2v)(2v)$.
  4. Simplify: $4u^2 + 4v^2 = 4(u^2 + v^2)$.

Answer: 4(u^2 + v^2)

Problem 3. Use a change of variables to evaluate $\iint_R e^{x-y} \, dA$ where $R$ is the region bounded by $x-y=0$, $x-y=1$, $x+y=0$, and $x+y=2$.
Reveal solution
  1. Let $u = x-y$ and $v = x+y$. The bounds are $0 \le u \le 1$ and $0 \le v \le 2$.
  2. The Jacobian for this transformation is $1/2$ (as calculated in the lesson example).
  3. The integral becomes $\int_0^2 \int_0^1 e^u \cdot \frac{1}{2} \, du \, dv$.
  4. Integrate $e^u$: $\frac{1}{2} \int_0^2 [e^u]_0^1 \, dv = \frac{1}{2} \int_0^2 (e - 1) \, dv$.
  5. Integrate with respect to $v$: $\frac{1}{2} (e-1) [v]_0^2 = \frac{1}{2} (e-1) \cdot 2 = e-1$.

Answer: e - 1

L30. Change of variables clinic

Module 2  2026-09-03  ·  11:57  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Find the area of the region bounded by the ellipse $\frac{x^2}{16} + \frac{y^2}{1} = 1$.
Reveal solution
  1. Identify semi axes $a=4$ and $b=1$.
  2. Use transformation $x=4r\cos\theta, y=r\sin\theta$.
  3. Compute Jacobian $\det J = (4)(1)r = 4r$.
  4. Set up integral $\int_0^{2\pi} \int_0^1 4r \, dr \, d\theta$.
  5. Integrate $4r$ to get $2r^2$, evaluated from $0$ to $1$ is $2$.
  6. Integrate $2$ from $0$ to $2\pi$ to get $4\pi$.

Answer: 4\pi

Problem 2. Evaluate $\iint_R (x+y) \, dA$ where $R$ is the region bounded by $x+y=0, x+y=2, x-y=0, x-y=2$.
Reveal solution
  1. Let $u=x+y$ and $v=x-y$.
  2. The bounds are $u \in [0, 2]$ and $v \in [0, 2]$.
  3. The Jacobian absolute value is $|\det J| = 1/2$.
  4. The integrand $x+y$ becomes $u$.
  5. Set up integral $\int_0^2 \int_0^2 u \cdot (1/2) \, du \, dv$.
  6. Inner integral $\int_0^2 (u/2) \, du = [u^2/4]_0^2 = 1$.
  7. Outer integral $\int_0^2 1 \, dv = 2$.

Answer: 2

Problem 3. Compute the integral $\iint_{\mathbb{R}^2} e^{-2(x^2+y^2)} \, dA$.
Reveal solution
  1. Switch to polar coordinates: $x^2+y^2 = r^2$ and $dA = r \, dr \, d\theta$.
  2. Set up integral $\int_0^{2\pi} \int_0^{\infty} e^{-2r^2} r \, dr \, d\theta$.
  3. Use substitution $w = 2r^2$, $dw = 4r \, dr$, so $r \, dr = dw/4$.
  4. Inner integral $\int_0^{\infty} e^{-w} (1/4) \, dw = [ -1/4 e^{-w} ]_0^{\infty} = 1/4$.
  5. Outer integral $\int_0^{2\pi} (1/4) \, d\theta = 2\pi/4 = \pi/2$.

Answer: \pi/2

L31. Integration gauntlet — choosing coordinates wisely

Module 2  2026-09-04  ·  12:25  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Evaluate the integral of $x^2 + y^2$ over the region $R$ in the first quadrant bounded by $x^2 + y^2 = 1$, $x = 0$, and $y = 0$.
Reveal solution
  1. Recognize the region is a quarter disk of radius 1, suggesting polar coordinates.
  2. Substitute $x^2 + y^2 = r^2$ and $dA = r \, dr \, d\theta$.
  3. Set bounds: $r$ from $0$ to $1$, $\theta$ from $0$ to $\pi/2$.
  4. Compute $\int_0^{\pi/2} \int_0^1 r^2 \cdot r \, dr \, d\theta = \int_0^{\pi/2} [r^4/4]_0^1 \, d\theta = \int_0^{\pi/2} 1/4 \, d\theta = \pi/8$.

Answer: \pi/8

Problem 2. Find the volume of the region bounded by the cone $z = \sqrt{x^2 + y^2}$ and the sphere $x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 1$ in the first octant.
Reveal solution
  1. The region is a spherical sector, suggesting spherical coordinates.
  2. The cone $z = \sqrt{x^2 + y^2}$ corresponds to $\phi = \pi/4$.
  3. The sphere $x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 1$ corresponds to $\rho = 1$.
  4. First octant means $\theta$ goes from $0$ to $\pi/2$.
  5. Compute $\int_0^{\pi/2} \int_0^{\pi/4} \int_0^1 \rho^2 \sin \phi \, d\rho \, d\phi \, d\theta$.
  6. $\int_0^1 \rho^2 \, d\rho = 1/3$. $\int_0^{\pi/4} \sin \phi \, d\phi = [-\cos \phi]_0^{\pi/4} = 1 - \sqrt{2}/2$.
  7. Total volume is $(\pi/2) \cdot (1/3) \cdot (1 - \sqrt{2}/2) = \frac{\pi(2-\sqrt{2})}{12}$.

Answer: \frac{\pi(2-\sqrt{2})}{12}

Problem 3. Evaluate $\iint_R (x+y)^2 e^{x-y} \, dA$ where $R$ is the square with vertices $(0,0), (1,1), (2,0), (1,-1)$.
Reveal solution
  1. The region is a rotated square. Define $u = x+y$ and $v = x-y$.
  2. The vertices in $uv$ coordinates are $(0,0), (2,0), (2,2), (0,2)$. This is a square $0 \le u \le 2, 0 \le v \le 2$.
  3. Compute the Jacobian: $x = (u+v)/2, y = (u-v)/2$. $\det J = |(1/2)(1/2) - (1/2)(-1/2)| = 1/2$.
  4. The integral becomes $\int_0^2 \int_0^2 u^2 e^v (1/2) \, du \, dv$.
  5. $\int_0^2 u^2 \, du = 8/3$. $\int_0^2 e^v \, dv = e^2 - 1$.
  6. Result is $(1/2) \cdot (8/3) \cdot (e^2 - 1) = \frac{4}{3}(e^2 - 1)$.

Answer: \frac{4}{3}(e^2 - 1)

L32. Module 2 review + self-test

Module 2  2026-09-05  ·  12:06  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Evaluate the integral $\int_{0}^{1} \int_{y}^{1} \sin(x^2) \, dx \, dy$ by swapping the order of integration.
Reveal solution
  1. Sketch the region: $y$ goes from $0$ to $1$, and $x$ goes from $y$ to $1$. This is a triangle with vertices $(0,0), (1,0), (1,1)$.
  2. Swap the order: $x$ now goes from $0$ to $1$, and for a fixed $x$, $y$ goes from $0$ to $x$.
  3. Set up the new integral: $\int_{0}^{1} \int_{0}^{x} \sin(x^2) \, dy \, dx$.
  4. Integrate with respect to $y$: $\int_{0}^{1} [y \sin(x^2)]_{0}^{x} \, dx = \int_{0}^{1} x \sin(x^2) \, dx$.
  5. Use u-substitution $u=x^2$, $du=2x dx$: $[-\frac{1}{2}\cos(x^2)]_{0}^{1} = \frac{1}{2}(1 - \cos(1))$.

Answer: $\frac{1}{2}(1 - \cos(1))$

Problem 2. Find the volume of the solid bounded by the cylinder $x^2 + y^2 = 4$ and the planes $z = 0$ and $z = x + 3$.
Reveal solution
  1. Use cylindrical coordinates: $x = r \cos \theta, y = r \sin \theta, z = z$.
  2. The region is $0 \le r \le 2, 0 \le \theta \le 2\pi, 0 \le z \le r \cos \theta + 3$.
  3. Set up the integral: $\int_{0}^{2\pi} \int_{0}^{2} \int_{0}^{r \cos \theta + 3} r \, dz \, dr \, d\theta$.
  4. Integrate $z$: $\int_{0}^{2\pi} \int_{0}^{2} r(r \cos \theta + 3) \, dr \, d\theta = \int_{0}^{2\pi} \int_{0}^{2} (r^2 \cos \theta + 3r) \, dr \, d\theta$.
  5. Integrate $r$: $\int_{0}^{2\pi} [\frac{1}{3}r^3 \cos \theta + \frac{3}{2}r^2]_{0}^{2} \, d\theta = \int_{0}^{2\pi} (\frac{8}{3} \cos \theta + 6) \, d\theta$.
  6. Integrate $\theta$: $[\frac{8}{3} \sin \theta + 6\theta]_{0}^{2\pi} = 12\pi$.

Answer: $12\pi$

Problem 3. Use a change of variables to evaluate $\iint_R (x+y)^2 e^{x-y} \, dA$ where $R$ is the square with vertices $(1,0), (2,1), (1,2), (0,1)$.
Reveal solution
  1. Define $u = x+y$ and $v = x-y$.
  2. The vertices in $(u,v)$ are: $(1,0) \to (1,1), (2,1) \to (3,1), (1,2) \to (3,-1), (0,1) \to (1,-1)$.
  3. The region $S$ is $1 \le u \le 3$ and $-1 \le v \le 1$.
  4. Compute Jacobian: $x = (u+v)/2, y = (u-v)/2$. $\det J = 1/2$.
  5. Set up integral: $\int_{-1}^{1} \int_{1}^{3} u^2 e^v \cdot \frac{1}{2} \, du \, dv$.
  6. Integrate $u$: $\frac{1}{2} \int_{-1}^{1} e^v [\frac{1}{3}u^3]_{1}^{3} \, dv = \frac{1}{2} \int_{-1}^{1} e^v (9 - 1/3) \, dv = \frac{1}{2} \cdot \frac{26}{3} \int_{-1}^{1} e^v \, dv$.
  7. Integrate $v$: $\frac{13}{3} [e^v]_{-1}^{1} = \frac{13}{3}(e - e^{-1})$.

Answer: $\frac{13}{3}(e - e^{-1})$

Module 3 — Vector Fields & Line Integrals (10/10)

L33. Vector fields — wind maps, force fields, flows

Module 3  2026-09-06  ·  10:44  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Given the vector field $\mathbf{F}(x, y) = (x+y)\mathbf{i} + (x^2y)\mathbf{j}$, find the vector at the point $(1, -2)$.
Reveal solution
  1. Identify $P(x, y) = x + y$ and $Q(x, y) = x^2y$.
  2. Substitute $x = 1$ and $y = -2$ into $P$: $P(1, -2) = 1 + (-2) = -1$.
  3. Substitute $x = 1$ and $y = -2$ into $Q$: $Q(1, -2) = (1)^2(-2) = -2$.
  4. Combine the components into a vector.

Answer: \mathbf{F}(1, -2) = -1\mathbf{i} - 2\mathbf{j} \text{ or } \langle -1, -2 \rangle

Problem 2. Find the gradient vector field $\nabla f$ for the scalar function $f(x, y) = e^{xy}$. Then, evaluate the vector at the point $(0, 1)$.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute the partial derivative with respect to $x$: $\frac{\partial f}{\partial x} = y e^{xy}$.
  2. Compute the partial derivative with respect to $y$: $\frac{\partial f}{\partial y} = x e^{xy}$.
  3. Write the gradient field: $\nabla f = y e^{xy}\mathbf{i} + x e^{xy}\mathbf{j}$.
  4. Substitute $x = 0$ and $y = 1$: $\nabla f(0, 1) = (1)e^0\mathbf{i} + (0)e^0\mathbf{j} = 1\mathbf{i} + 0\mathbf{j}$.

Answer: \nabla f(0, 1) = \mathbf{i} \text{ or } \langle 1, 0 \rangle

Problem 3. A 3D vector field is given by $\mathbf{F}(x, y, z) = \frac{x}{x^2+y^2+z^2}\mathbf{i} + \frac{y}{x^2+y^2+z^2}\mathbf{j} + \frac{z}{x^2+y^2+z^2}\mathbf{k}$. Describe the direction of the vectors in this field and find the vector at $(1, 1, 1)$.
Reveal solution
  1. Observe that the vector is a scalar multiple of the position vector $\mathbf{r} = x\mathbf{i} + y\mathbf{j} + z\mathbf{k}$.
  2. The scalar multiple is $1/(x^2+y^2+z^2)$, which is always positive. Thus, all vectors point radially away from the origin.
  3. Substitute $x=1, y=1, z=1$ into the components.
  4. The denominator is $1^2+1^2+1^2 = 3$.
  5. The components are $1/3, 1/3, 1/3$.

Answer: \mathbf{F}(1, 1, 1) = \frac{1}{3}\mathbf{i} + \frac{1}{3}\mathbf{j} + \frac{1}{3}\mathbf{k}

L34. Line integrals of scalar functions — mass of a wire

Module 3  2026-09-07  ·  12:23  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Find the mass of a wire along the line segment from $(0,0)$ to $(2,3)$ if the density is given by $f(x,y) = x^2 + y$.
Reveal solution
  1. Parameterize the line: $\mathbf{r}(t) = \langle 2t, 3t \rangle$ for $0 \le t \le 1$.
  2. Compute the derivative: $\mathbf{r}'(t) = \langle 2, 3 \rangle$.
  3. Find the speed: $|\mathbf{r}'(t)| = \sqrt{2^2 + 3^2} = \sqrt{13}$.
  4. Substitute into the density function: $f(2t, 3t) = (2t)^2 + 3t = 4t^2 + 3t$.
  5. Set up the integral: $\int_0^1 (4t^2 + 3t)\sqrt{13} \, dt$.
  6. Integrate: $\sqrt{13} [\frac{4}{3}t^3 + \frac{3}{2}t^2]_0^1 = \sqrt{13}(\frac{4}{3} + \frac{3}{2}) = \sqrt{13}(\frac{17}{6})$.

Answer: \frac{17\sqrt{13}}{6}

Problem 2. Compute the line integral $\int_C x \, ds$ where $C$ is the quarter circle $x^2 + y^2 = 4$ in the first quadrant.
Reveal solution
  1. Parameterize the curve: $\mathbf{r}(t) = \langle 2\cos t, 2\sin t \rangle$ for $0 \le t \le \pi/2$.
  2. Compute the derivative: $\mathbf{r}'(t) = \langle -2\sin t, 2\cos t \rangle$.
  3. Find the speed: $|\mathbf{r}'(t)| = \sqrt{4\sin^2 t + 4\cos^2 t} = 2$.
  4. Substitute into the integrand: $x = 2\cos t$.
  5. Set up the integral: $\int_0^{\pi/2} (2\cos t)(2) \, dt = 4 \int_0^{\pi/2} \cos t \, dt$.
  6. Evaluate: $4 [\sin t]_0^{\pi/2} = 4(1 - 0) = 4$.

Answer: 4

Problem 3. A wire follows the path $\mathbf{r}(t) = \langle t, t^2, \frac{2}{3}t^3 \rangle$ for $0 \le t \le 1$. If the density is $f(x,y,z) = 1$, find the total mass (which is the arc length).
Reveal solution
  1. Compute the derivative: $\mathbf{r}'(t) = \langle 1, 2t, 2t^2 \rangle$.
  2. Find the speed: $|\mathbf{r}'(t)| = \sqrt{1^2 + (2t)^2 + (2t^2)^2} = \sqrt{1 + 4t^2 + 4t^4}$.
  3. Recognize the perfect square: $\sqrt{(1 + 2t^2)^2} = 1 + 2t^2$.
  4. Set up the integral: $\int_0^1 (1 + 2t^2) \, dt$.
  5. Integrate: $[t + \frac{2}{3}t^3]_0^1 = 1 + \frac{2}{3} = \frac{5}{3}$.

Answer: \frac{5}{3}

L35. Line integrals of vector fields — work along a path

Module 3  2026-09-08  ·  9:32  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Compute the work done by the vector field $\mathbf{F}(x, y) = 2x\mathbf{i} + 3y\mathbf{j}$ along the straight line segment from $(0, 0)$ to $(2, 1)$.
Reveal solution
  1. Parameterize the path: $\mathbf{r}(t) = 2t\mathbf{i} + t\mathbf{j}$ for $t \in [0, 1]$.
  2. Find the velocity vector: $\mathbf{r}'(t) = 2\mathbf{i} + 1\mathbf{j}$.
  3. Substitute the path into the field: $\mathbf{F}(\mathbf{r}(t)) = 2(2t)\mathbf{i} + 3(t)\mathbf{j} = 4t\mathbf{i} + 3t\mathbf{j}$.
  4. Compute the dot product: $\mathbf{F} \cdot \mathbf{r}' = (4t)(2) + (3t)(1) = 8t + 3t = 11t$.
  5. Integrate from $0$ to $1$: $\int_0^1 11t \, dt = [5.5t^2]_0^1 = 5.5$.

Answer: 5.5

Problem 2. Find the work done by the field $\mathbf{F}(x, y) = -y\mathbf{i} + x\mathbf{j}$ along the upper semi-circle of radius $2$ from $(2, 0)$ to $(-2, 0)$.
Reveal solution
  1. Parameterize the path: $\mathbf{r}(t) = 2\cos(t)\mathbf{i} + 2\sin(t)\mathbf{j}$ for $t \in [0, \pi]$.
  2. Find the velocity vector: $\mathbf{r}'(t) = -2\sin(t)\mathbf{i} + 2\cos(t)\mathbf{j}$.
  3. Substitute into the field: $\mathbf{F}(\mathbf{r}(t)) = -2\sin(t)\mathbf{i} + 2\cos(t)\mathbf{j}$.
  4. Compute the dot product: $\mathbf{F} \cdot \mathbf{r}' = (-2\sin t)(-2\sin t) + (2\cos t)(2\cos t) = 4\sin^2 t + 4\cos^2 t = 4$.
  5. Integrate from $0$ to $\pi$: $\int_0^\pi 4 \, dt = [4t]_0^\pi = 4\pi$.

Answer: 4\pi

Problem 3. A particle moves along the path $\mathbf{r}(t) = t^2\mathbf{i} + t^3\mathbf{j}$ from $t=0$ to $t=1$. The force field is $\mathbf{F}(x, y) = y\mathbf{i} - x\mathbf{j}$. Calculate the total work done.
Reveal solution
  1. Find the velocity vector: $\mathbf{r}'(t) = 2t\mathbf{i} + 3t^2\mathbf{j}$.
  2. Substitute the path into the field: $\mathbf{F}(\mathbf{r}(t)) = t^3\mathbf{i} - t^2\mathbf{j}$.
  3. Compute the dot product: $\mathbf{F} \cdot \mathbf{r}' = (t^3)(2t) + (-t^2)(3t^2) = 2t^4 - 3t^4 = -t^4$.
  4. Integrate from $0$ to $1$: $\int_0^1 -t^4 \, dt = [-\frac{1}{5}t^5]_0^1 = -0.2$.

Answer: -0.2

L36. The Fundamental Theorem for line integrals

Module 3  2026-09-09  ·  10:46  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Determine if the vector field $\mathbf{F}(x, y) = (2xy + 1)\mathbf{i} + (x^2 + 3y^2)\mathbf{j}$ is conservative. If so, find the work done moving from $(0, 0)$ to $(1, 2)$.
Reveal solution
  1. Check conservativeness: $P_y = \frac{\partial}{\partial y}(2xy + 1) = 2x$ and $Q_x = \frac{\partial}{\partial x}(x^2 + 3y^2) = 2x$. Since $P_y = Q_x$, it is conservative.
  2. Find potential $f$: $\int (2xy + 1) dx = x^2y + x + g(y)$.
  3. Differentiate with respect to $y$: $x^2 + g'(y) = x^2 + 3y^2$, so $g'(y) = 3y^2$, which means $g(y) = y^3$.
  4. Potential function is $f(x, y) = x^2y + x + y^3$.
  5. Compute $f(1, 2) - f(0, 0) = (1^2(2) + 1 + 2^3) - 0 = 2 + 1 + 8 = 11$.

Answer: 11

Problem 2. A particle moves in a conservative field with potential $f(x, y, z) = e^{x+y} + z^2$. Calculate the work done moving from $(0, 0, 0)$ to $(1, 0, 2)$.
Reveal solution
  1. Since the potential $f$ is given, we use the Fundamental Theorem directly.
  2. Evaluate $f$ at the end point $(1, 0, 2)$: $f(1, 0, 2) = e^{1+0} + 2^2 = e + 4$.
  3. Evaluate $f$ at the start point $(0, 0, 0)$: $f(0, 0, 0) = e^{0+0} + 0^2 = 1$.
  4. Work $W = f(1, 0, 2) - f(0, 0, 0) = e + 4 - 1 = e + 3$.

Answer: e + 3

Problem 3. Show that the work done by the field $\mathbf{F}(x, y) = (y^2)\mathbf{i} + (2xy)\mathbf{j}$ around the unit circle $x^2 + y^2 = 1$ is zero.
Reveal solution
  1. Check if $\mathbf{F}$ is conservative: $P = y^2$, so $P_y = 2y$. $Q = 2xy$, so $Q_x = 2y$.
  2. Since $P_y = Q_x$, the field is conservative.
  3. The unit circle is a closed loop, meaning the start and end points are identical.
  4. By the Fundamental Theorem for Line Integrals, the integral of a conservative field over any closed loop is zero.

Answer: 0

L37. Path independence; potential functions and how to find them

Module 3  2026-09-10  ·  10:18  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Find the potential function $f(x, y)$ for the conservative vector field $\mathbf{F}(x, y) = (2x + y) \mathbf{i} + (x + 2) \mathbf{j}$.
Reveal solution
  1. Integrate $P = 2x + y$ with respect to $x$: $\int (2x + y) \, dx = x^2 + xy + g(y)$.
  2. Differentiate with respect to $y$: $\frac{\partial}{\partial y}(x^2 + xy + g(y)) = x + g'(y)$.
  3. Set equal to $Q = x + 2$: $x + g'(y) = x + 2$, so $g'(y) = 2$.
  4. Integrate $g'(y)$: $g(y) = 2y + C$.

Answer: $f(x, y) = x^2 + xy + 2y + C$

Problem 2. Find the potential function $f(x, y)$ for the vector field $\mathbf{F}(x, y) = (2xy + 1) \mathbf{i} + (x^2) \mathbf{j}$.
Reveal solution
  1. Integrate $P = 2xy + 1$ with respect to $x$: $\int (2xy + 1) \, dx = x^2 y + x + g(y)$.
  2. Differentiate with respect to $y$: $\frac{\partial}{\partial y}(x^2 y + x + g(y)) = x^2 + g'(y)$.
  3. Set equal to $Q = x^2$: $x^2 + g'(y) = x^2$, so $g'(y) = 0$.
  4. Integrate $g'(y)$: $g(y) = C$.

Answer: $f(x, y) = x^2 y + x + C$

Problem 3. Find the potential function $f(x, y, z)$ for the 3D vector field $\mathbf{F} = (2xz) \mathbf{i} + (2yz) \mathbf{j} + (x^2 + y^2) \mathbf{k}$.
Reveal solution
  1. Integrate $P = 2xz$ with respect to $x$: $f = x^2 z + g(y, z)$.
  2. Differentiate with respect to $y$: $\frac{\partial f}{\partial y} = 0 + \frac{\partial g}{\partial y}$. Set equal to $Q = 2yz$: $\frac{\partial g}{\partial y} = 2yz$.
  3. Integrate $\frac{\partial g}{\partial y}$ with respect to $y$: $g(y, z) = y^2 z + h(z)$.
  4. Now $f = x^2 z + y^2 z + h(z)$. Differentiate with respect to $z$: $\frac{\partial f}{\partial z} = x^2 + y^2 + h'(z)$.
  5. Set equal to $R = x^2 + y^2$: $x^2 + y^2 + h'(z) = x^2 + y^2$, so $h'(z) = 0$.

Answer: $f(x, y, z) = (x^2 + y^2)z + C$

L38. When is a field conservative? The curl test in 2D

Module 3  2026-09-11  ·  9:58  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Determine if the vector field $\mathbf{F}(x, y) = \langle 3x^2 + y, 2xy + e^y \rangle$ is conservative on the entire $xy$-plane.
Reveal solution
  1. Identify $P = 3x^2 + y$ and $Q = 2xy + e^y$.
  2. Compute $\frac{\partial P}{\partial y} = \frac{\partial}{\partial y}(3x^2 + y) = 1$.
  3. Compute $\frac{\partial Q}{\partial x} = \frac{\partial}{\partial x}(2xy + e^y) = 2y$.
  4. Compare the results: $1 \neq 2y$.

Answer: Not conservative

Problem 2. Check if $\mathbf{F}(x, y) = \langle 2x + e^y, x e^y + 3y^2 \rangle$ is conservative on the entire $xy$-plane.
Reveal solution
  1. Identify $P = 2x + e^y$ and $Q = x e^y + 3y^2$.
  2. Compute $\frac{\partial P}{\partial y} = e^y$.
  3. Compute $\frac{\partial Q}{\partial x} = e^y$.
  4. Since $\frac{\partial P}{\partial y} = \frac{\partial Q}{\partial x}$ and the domain is simply connected, the field is conservative.

Answer: Conservative

Problem 3. Consider the field $\mathbf{F}(x, y) = \langle \frac{-y}{x^2+y^2}, \frac{x}{x^2+y^2} \rangle$. Is it conservative on its domain $\mathbb{R}^2 \setminus \{(0,0)\}$?
Reveal solution
  1. Identify $P = \frac{-y}{x^2+y^2}$ and $Q = \frac{x}{x^2+y^2}$.
  2. Compute $\frac{\partial P}{\partial y} = \frac{y^2-x^2}{(x^2+y^2)^2}$ using the quotient rule.
  3. Compute $\frac{\partial Q}{\partial x} = \frac{y^2-x^2}{(x^2+y^2)^2}$ using the quotient rule.
  4. The partials are equal, but the domain is not simply connected. A line integral around the unit circle yields $2\pi$, not $0$, so the field is not conservative.

Answer: Not conservative

L39. Divergence — local sources and sinks

Module 3  2026-09-12  ·  10:39  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Compute the divergence of the vector field $\mathbf{F}(x, y) = \langle x^3 + y^2, \cos(xy) \rangle$.
Reveal solution
  1. Identify $P(x, y) = x^3 + y^2$ and $Q(x, y) = \cos(xy)$.
  2. Compute $\frac{\partial P}{\partial x} = 3x^2$.
  3. Compute $\frac{\partial Q}{\partial y} = -x\sin(xy)$ using the chain rule.
  4. Sum the partials: $\text{div } \mathbf{F} = 3x^2 - x\sin(xy)$.

Answer: 3x^2 - x\sin(xy)

Problem 2. Determine if the vector field $\mathbf{F}(x, y, z) = \langle yz, xz, xy \rangle$ is solenoidal.
Reveal solution
  1. Identify components: $P = yz$, $Q = xz$, $R = xy$.
  2. Compute $\frac{\partial P}{\partial x} = 0$.
  3. Compute $\frac{\partial Q}{\partial y} = 0$.
  4. Compute $\frac{\partial R}{\partial z} = 0$.
  5. Sum the partials: $0 + 0 + 0 = 0$.

Answer: Yes, it is solenoidal.

Problem 3. Find the divergence of $\mathbf{F}(x, y) = \langle \ln(x^2+1), e^{2y} \rangle$ and evaluate it at the point $(1, 0)$.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute $\frac{\partial P}{\partial x} = \frac{1}{x^2+1} \cdot 2x = \frac{2x}{x^2+1}$.
  2. Compute $\frac{\partial Q}{\partial y} = 2e^{2y}$.
  3. The general divergence is $\text{div } \mathbf{F} = \frac{2x}{x^2+1} + 2e^{2y}$.
  4. Evaluate at $(1, 0)$: $\frac{2(1)}{1^2+1} + 2e^{2(0)} = \frac{2}{2} + 2(1) = 1 + 2 = 3$.

Answer: 3

L40. Curl — local rotation

Module 3  2026-09-13  ·  9:43  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Compute the curl of the vector field $\mathbf{F}(x, y) = 3xy \mathbf{i} + x^2 \mathbf{j}$. Is the field irrotational?
Reveal solution
  1. Identify $P = 3xy$ and $Q = x^2$.
  2. Compute $\frac{\partial Q}{\partial x} = 2x$.
  3. Compute $\frac{\partial P}{\partial y} = 3x$.
  4. Subtract them: $\text{curl } \mathbf{F} = 2x - 3x = -x$.

Answer: \text{curl } \mathbf{F} = -x; \text{ not irrotational}

Problem 2. Find the curl of $\mathbf{F}(x, y) = e^x \mathbf{i} + \sin(y) \mathbf{j}$.
Reveal solution
  1. Identify $P = e^x$ and $Q = \sin(y)$.
  2. Compute $\frac{\partial Q}{\partial x} = 0$ since $\sin(y)$ does not depend on $x$.
  3. Compute $\frac{\partial P}{\partial y} = 0$ since $e^x$ does not depend on $y$.
  4. Subtract them: $0 - 0 = 0$.

Answer: \text{curl } \mathbf{F} = 0

Problem 3. A vector field is given by $\mathbf{F}(x, y) = (y^3) \mathbf{i} + (3xy^2) \mathbf{j}$. Determine the curl and explain the rotation at the point $(1, 2)$.
Reveal solution
  1. Identify $P = y^3$ and $Q = 3xy^2$.
  2. Compute $\frac{\partial Q}{\partial x} = 3y^2$.
  3. Compute $\frac{\partial P}{\partial y} = 3y^2$.
  4. Subtract them: $3y^2 - 3y^2 = 0$.

Answer: \text{curl } \mathbf{F} = 0; \text{ no rotation at } (1, 2)

L41. Grad, div, curl: the identities and what they forbid

Module 3  2026-09-14  ·  10:02  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Determine if the vector field $\mathbf{F} = \langle 2xy + z, x^2, x \rangle$ can be written as the gradient of a scalar function $f$.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute the curl of $\mathbf{F}$.
  2. The x-component of the curl is $\frac{\partial}{\partial y}(x) - \frac{\partial}{\partial z}(x^2) = 0 - 0 = 0$.
  3. The y-component of the curl is $\frac{\partial}{\partial z}(2xy + z) - \frac{\partial}{\partial x}(x) = 1 - 1 = 0$.
  4. The z-component of the curl is $\frac{\partial}{\partial x}(x^2) - \frac{\partial}{\partial y}(2xy + z) = 2x - 2x = 0$.
  5. Since the curl is the zero vector, the field is irrotational and can be a gradient.

Answer: Yes, it can be a gradient because $\text{curl } \mathbf{F} = \mathbf{0}$.

Problem 2. Given a vector field $\mathbf{G} = \text{curl } \mathbf{A}$, where $\mathbf{A} = \langle x^2, y^2, z^2 \rangle$, find the divergence of $\mathbf{G}$ without computing $\mathbf{G}$ explicitly.
Reveal solution
  1. Identify that $\mathbf{G}$ is defined as the curl of another vector field $\mathbf{A}$.
  2. Apply the identity $\text{div}(\text{curl } \mathbf{F}) = 0$.
  3. Since $\mathbf{G} = \text{curl } \mathbf{A}$, then $\text{div } \mathbf{G} = \text{div}(\text{curl } \mathbf{A}) = 0$.

Answer: 0

Problem 3. Given a vector field $\mathbf{V} = \langle x^2 + y^2, 2xy, z^2 \rangle$, determine if it can be written as the curl of another field $\mathbf{G}$ by computing its divergence.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute the divergence of $\mathbf{V}$.
  2. $\text{div } \mathbf{V} = \frac{\partial}{\partial x}(x^2 + y^2) + \frac{\partial}{\partial y}(2xy) + \frac{\partial}{\partial z}(z^2)$.
  3. $\text{div } \mathbf{V} = 2x + 2x + 2z = 4x + 2z$.
  4. Since the divergence is not zero everywhere, the field is not solenoidal.
  5. By the identity $\text{div}(\text{curl } \mathbf{G}) = 0$, a field must have zero divergence to be a curl.

Answer: No, it cannot be a curl because $\text{div } \mathbf{V} \neq 0$.

L42. Module 3 review + self-test

Module 3  2026-09-15  ·  10:20  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Compute the work done by the vector field $\mathbf{F} = \langle 2xy, x^2 + 1 \rangle$ along the path $C$ given by $y = x^2$ from $x = 0$ to $x = 1$.
Reveal solution
  1. Check for conservativity: $\frac{\partial P}{\partial y} = 2x$ and $\frac{\partial Q}{\partial x} = 2x$. The field is conservative.
  2. Find the potential function $f(x,y)$: $\int 2xy dx = x^2 y + g(y)$. Differentiating with respect to $y$ gives $x^2 + g'(y) = x^2 + 1$, so $g'(y) = 1$ and $g(y) = y$.
  3. The potential function is $f(x,y) = x^2 y + y$.
  4. Evaluate at endpoints: $f(1,1) = 1^2(1) + 1 = 2$ and $f(0,0) = 0$.
  5. Work is $2 - 0 = 2$.

Answer: 2

Problem 2. Use Green's Theorem to evaluate $\oint_C (y^2 dx + 3xy dy)$ where $C$ is the boundary of the rectangle $[0, 1] \times [0, 2]$ oriented counter-clockwise.
Reveal solution
  1. Identify $P = y^2$ and $Q = 3xy$.
  2. Compute the curl: $\frac{\partial Q}{\partial x} = 3y$ and $\frac{\partial P}{\partial y} = 2y$.
  3. The integrand is $3y - 2y = y$.
  4. Set up the double integral: $\int_0^1 \int_0^2 y dy dx$.
  5. Inner integral: $[\frac{1}{2}y^2]_0^2 = 2$.
  6. Outer integral: $\int_0^1 2 dx = 2$.

Answer: 2

Problem 3. Given the vector field $\mathbf{F} = \langle e^x \sin y, -e^x \cos y \rangle$, determine if the field is solenoidal, irrotational, or both.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute divergence: $\frac{\partial}{\partial x}(e^x \sin y) + \frac{\partial}{\partial y}(-e^x \cos y) = e^x \sin y + e^x \sin y = 2e^x \sin y$. Not zero, so not solenoidal.
  2. Compute curl: $\frac{\partial}{\partial x}(-e^x \cos y) - \frac{\partial}{\partial y}(e^x \sin y) = -e^x \cos y - e^x \cos y = -2e^x \cos y$. Not zero, so not irrotational.
  3. The field is neither.

Answer: Neither solenoidal nor irrotational

Module 4 — Green, Stokes & Divergence (14/14)

L43. Green's theorem I — statement and the boundary-interior idea made precise

Module 4  2026-09-16  ·  10:22  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Use Green's Theorem to evaluate $\oint_C ((x+y) dx + x^2 dy)$ where $C$ is the boundary of the square with vertices $(0,0), (1,0), (1,1), (0,1)$ oriented counter-clockwise.
Reveal solution
  1. Identify $P = x+y$ and $Q = x^2$.
  2. Compute partial derivatives: $\frac{\partial Q}{\partial x} = 2x$ and $\frac{\partial P}{\partial y} = 1$.
  3. The integrand is $2x - 1$.
  4. Set up the double integral over the square: $\int_0^1 \int_0^1 (2x - 1) dy dx$.
  5. Integrate with respect to $y$: $\int_0^1 (2x - 1) dx$.
  6. Integrate with respect to $x$: $[x^2 - x]_0^1 = (1-1) - (0-0) = 0$.

Answer: 0

Problem 2. Evaluate $\oint_C (y^2 dx + 3xy dy)$ where $C$ is the circle $x^2 + y^2 = 4$ oriented counter-clockwise.
Reveal solution
  1. Identify $P = y^2$ and $Q = 3xy$.
  2. Compute partial derivatives: $\frac{\partial Q}{\partial x} = 3y$ and $\frac{\partial P}{\partial y} = 2y$.
  3. The integrand is $3y - 2y = y$.
  4. Set up the double integral over the disk $R$ of radius 2: $\iint_R y dA$.
  5. By symmetry, the integral of $y$ over a disk centered at the origin is 0.

Answer: 0

Problem 3. A vector field is given by $\mathbf{F} = (e^x - y) \mathbf{i} + (e^y + x) \mathbf{j}$. Find the circulation around the boundary of the region $R$ defined by $0 \le x \le 2$ and $0 \le y \le 1$.
Reveal solution
  1. Identify $P = e^x - y$ and $Q = e^y + x$.
  2. Compute partial derivatives: $\frac{\partial Q}{\partial x} = 1$ and $\frac{\partial P}{\partial y} = -1$.
  3. The integrand is $1 - (-1) = 2$.
  4. The region $R$ is a rectangle with area $2 \times 1 = 2$.
  5. The integral is $\iint_R 2 dA = 2 \times \text{Area}(R) = 2 \times 2 = 4$.

Answer: 4

L44. Green's theorem II — proof sketch and computations

Module 4  2026-09-17  ·  11:25  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Use Green's Theorem to evaluate $\oint_C ((y + x^2) dx + (x + y^2) dy)$ where $C$ is the boundary of the square $[0, 1] \times [0, 1]$ oriented counter-clockwise.
Reveal solution
  1. Identify $P = y + x^2$ and $Q = x + y^2$.
  2. Compute the 2D curl: $\frac{\partial Q}{\partial x} = 1$ and $\frac{\partial P}{\partial y} = 1$.
  3. The integrand is $1 - 1 = 0$.
  4. The double integral of $0$ over the square is $0$.

Answer: 0

Problem 2. Evaluate $\oint_C (y^2 dx + 3xy dy)$ where $C$ is the boundary of the semi-circle $x^2 + y^2 = 1, y \ge 0$ and the segment from $(-1, 0)$ to $(1, 0)$, oriented counter-clockwise.
Reveal solution
  1. Identify $P = y^2$ and $Q = 3xy$.
  2. Compute the 2D curl: $\frac{\partial Q}{\partial x} = 3y$ and $\frac{\partial P}{\partial y} = 2y$.
  3. The integrand is $3y - 2y = y$.
  4. Set up the double integral in polar coordinates: $\int_0^\pi \int_0^1 (r \sin \theta) r dr d\theta$.
  5. Integrate $r^2$ to get $1/3$ and $\sin \theta$ from $0$ to $\pi$ to get $2$.
  6. The result is $2/3$.

Answer: 2/3

Problem 3. A vector field is given by $\mathbf{F} = (e^x - y, e^y + x)$. Calculate the work done by this field around the circle $x^2 + y^2 = 4$ oriented clockwise.
Reveal solution
  1. Identify $P = e^x - y$ and $Q = e^y + x$.
  2. Compute the 2D curl: $\frac{\partial Q}{\partial x} = 1$ and $\frac{\partial P}{\partial y} = -1$.
  3. The integrand is $1 - (-1) = 2$.
  4. The double integral over the disk of radius $2$ is $2 \times \text{Area} = 2 \times (\pi \cdot 2^2) = 8\pi$.
  5. Since the orientation is clockwise, multiply by $-1$.

Answer: -8\pi

L45. Green's theorem III — area by boundary; the planimeter

Module 4  2026-09-18  ·  12:21  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Use the formula $\text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \oint_C (x dy - y dx)$ to find the area of the ellipse defined by $x = 2 \cos t$ and $y = \sin t$ for $t \in [0, 2\pi]$.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute differentials: $dx = -2 \sin t dt$ and $dy = \cos t dt$.
  2. Substitute into the integrand: $x dy - y dx = (2 \cos t)(\cos t dt) - (\sin t)(-2 \sin t dt)$.
  3. Simplify the expression: $2 \cos^2 t dt + 2 \sin^2 t dt = 2(\cos^2 t + \sin^2 t) dt = 2 dt$.
  4. Integrate from $0$ to $2\pi$: $\int_0^{2\pi} 2 dt = 4\pi$.
  5. Multiply by the factor of $1/2$: $\text{Area} = \frac{1}{2}(4\pi) = 2\pi$.

Answer: 2\pi

Problem 2. Find the area of the region bounded by the curve $x = t^2$ and $y = t^3 - 3t$ for $t \in [-\sqrt{3}, \sqrt{3}]$.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute differentials: $dx = 2t dt$ and $dy = (3t^2 - 3) dt$.
  2. Substitute into $x dy - y dx$: $(t^2)(3t^2 - 3) dt - (t^3 - 3t)(2t dt)$.
  3. Expand and simplify: $(3t^4 - 3t^2) dt - (2t^4 - 6t^2) dt = (t^4 + 3t^2) dt$.
  4. Integrate from $-\sqrt{3}$ to $\sqrt{3}$: $\int_{-\sqrt{3}}^{\sqrt{3}} (t^4 + 3t^2) dt = [\frac{1}{5}t^5 + t^3]_{-\sqrt{3}}^{\sqrt{3}}$.
  5. Evaluate: $(\frac{9\sqrt{3}}{5} + 3\sqrt{3}) - (-\frac{9\sqrt{3}}{5} - 3\sqrt{3}) = \frac{18\sqrt{3}}{5} + 6\sqrt{3} = \frac{48\sqrt{3}}{5}$.
  6. Multiply by $1/2$: $\text{Area} = \frac{24\sqrt{3}}{5}$.

Answer: \frac{24\sqrt{3}}{5}

Problem 3. A region is bounded by the line $y = x$ and the parabola $y = x^2$. Use the boundary integral $\oint_C x dy$ to find the area.
Reveal solution
  1. The boundary consists of two parts: $C_1$ from $(0,0)$ to $(1,1)$ along $y=x^2$, and $C_2$ from $(1,1)$ back to $(0,0)$ along $y=x$.
  2. For $C_1$: $x=t, y=t^2, dy=2t dt$ for $t \in [0,1]$. $\int_{C_1} x dy = \int_0^1 t(2t dt) = \int_0^1 2t^2 dt = [\frac{2}{3}t^3]_0^1 = \frac{2}{3}$.
  3. For $C_2$: $x=t, y=t, dy=dt$ for $t$ from $1$ to $0$. $\int_{C_2} x dy = \int_1^0 t dt = [\frac{1}{2}t^2]_1^0 = 0 - \frac{1}{2} = -\frac{1}{2}$.
  4. Sum the integrals: $\text{Area} = \frac{2}{3} - \frac{1}{2} = \frac{4-3}{6} = \frac{1}{6}$.

Answer: 1/6

L46. Flux form of Green's theorem — the 2D divergence theorem

Module 4  2026-09-19  ·  10:40  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Compute the outward flux of the vector field $\mathbf{F} = 3x\mathbf{i} + 2y\mathbf{j}$ across the boundary of the disk $x^2 + y^2 \le 9$.
Reveal solution
  1. Identify $P = 3x$ and $Q = 2y$.
  2. Compute the divergence: $\frac{\partial P}{\partial x} + \frac{\partial Q}{\partial y} = 3 + 2 = 5$.
  3. Apply the flux form of Green's Theorem: $\text{Flux} = \iint_R 5 dA$.
  4. The area of the disk with radius 3 is $\pi(3)^2 = 9\pi$.
  5. The total flux is $5 \times 9\pi = 45\pi$.

Answer: 45\pi

Problem 2. Find the net outward flux of $\mathbf{F} = (x+y)\mathbf{i} + (x-y)\mathbf{j}$ across the boundary of the rectangle $0 \le x \le 2, 0 \le y \le 1$.
Reveal solution
  1. Identify $P = x+y$ and $Q = x-y$.
  2. Compute the divergence: $\frac{\partial P}{\partial x} = 1$ and $\frac{\partial Q}{\partial y} = -1$.
  3. The divergence is $1 + (-1) = 0$.
  4. The integral of zero over any region is zero.

Answer: 0

Problem 3. Calculate the outward flux of $\mathbf{F} = e^y\mathbf{i} + x^2\mathbf{j}$ across the boundary of the region $R$ defined by $0 \le x \le 1$ and $0 \le y \le x$.
Reveal solution
  1. Identify $P = e^y$ and $Q = x^2$.
  2. Compute the divergence: $\frac{\partial P}{\partial x} = 0$ and $\frac{\partial Q}{\partial y} = 0$.
  3. The divergence is $0 + 0 = 0$.
  4. The total flux is the double integral of zero, which is zero.

Answer: 0

L47. Parametrised surfaces and surface area

Module 4  2026-09-20  ·  11:46  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Find the area of the part of the plane $x + y + z = 1$ that lies in the first octant ($x \ge 0, y \ge 0, z \ge 0$).
Reveal solution
  1. Rewrite the surface as $z = 1 - x - y$.
  2. Compute partial derivatives: $f_x = -1$ and $f_y = -1$.
  3. Find the area element: $\sqrt{1 + (-1)^2 + (-1)^2} = \sqrt{3}$.
  4. Identify the domain $D$ in the $xy$-plane: the triangle bounded by $x=0, y=0,$ and $x+y=1$.
  5. Integrate: $\int_0^1 \int_0^{1-x} \sqrt{3} \, dy dx = \sqrt{3} \int_0^1 (1-x) dx = \sqrt{3} [x - x^2/2]_0^1 = \sqrt{3}/2$.

Answer: $\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}$

Problem 2. Calculate the area of the surface $z = xy$ over the region $0 \le x \le 1, 0 \le y \le 1$.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute partial derivatives: $f_x = y$ and $f_y = x$.
  2. The area element is $\sqrt{1 + y^2 + x^2}$.
  3. Set up the integral: $\int_0^1 \int_0^1 \sqrt{1 + x^2 + y^2} \, dx dy$.

Answer: $\int_0^1 \int_0^1 \sqrt{1 + x^2 + y^2} \, dx dy$

Problem 3. A cylinder of radius $R$ and height $H$ is parametrised by $\mathbf{r}(\theta, z) = \langle R\cos\theta, R\sin\theta, z \rangle$. Use the surface area formula to verify the lateral area is $2\pi RH$.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute $\mathbf{r}_\theta = \langle -R\sin\theta, R\cos\theta, 0 \rangle$.
  2. Compute $\mathbf{r}_z = \langle 0, 0, 1 \rangle$.
  3. Compute the cross product: $\mathbf{r}_\theta \times \mathbf{r}_z = \langle R\cos\theta, R\sin\theta, 0 \rangle$.
  4. Find the magnitude: $\sqrt{R^2\cos^2\theta + R^2\sin^2\theta + 0} = R$.
  5. Integrate over $0 \le \theta \le 2\pi$ and $0 \le z \le H$: $\int_0^H \int_0^{2\pi} R \, d\theta dz = R(2\pi)(H) = 2\pi RH$.

Answer: $2\pi RH$

L48. Surface integrals of scalar functions

Module 4  2026-09-21  ·  11:58  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Compute the surface integral of $f(x, y, z) = x + y + z$ over the part of the plane $x + y + z = 1$ that lies in the first octant ($x, y, z \ge 0$).
Reveal solution
  1. Parameterise the surface as $z = 1 - x - y$ over the domain $D: 0 \le x \le 1, 0 \le y \le 1 - x$.
  2. Compute the surface area element: $z_x = -1, z_y = -1$, so $dS = \sqrt{1 + (-1)^2 + (-1)^2} dx dy = \sqrt{3} dx dy$.
  3. Substitute $z$ into the function: $f = x + y + (1 - x - y) = 1$.
  4. Set up the integral: $\int_0^1 \int_0^{1-x} 1 \cdot \sqrt{3} dy dx$.
  5. Evaluate: $\sqrt{3} \int_0^1 (1 - x) dx = \sqrt{3} [x - x^2/2]_0^1 = \sqrt{3}/2$.

Answer: $\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}$

Problem 2. Find the total mass of a thin hemispherical shell of radius $R = 2$ defined by $x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 4, z \ge 0$, if the density is $\rho(x, y, z) = z$.
Reveal solution
  1. Use spherical coordinates with $\rho = 2$. The area element is $dS = R^2 \sin \phi d\theta d\phi = 4 \sin \phi d\theta d\phi$.
  2. The density is $\rho = z = 2 \cos \phi$.
  3. Set up the integral: $\int_0^{2\pi} \int_0^{\pi/2} (2 \cos \phi)(4 \sin \phi) d\phi d\theta$.
  4. Simplify the integrand: $8 \sin \phi \cos \phi = 4 \sin(2\phi)$.
  5. Evaluate: $2\pi \int_0^{\pi/2} 4 \sin(2\phi) d\phi = 2\pi [-2 \cos(2\phi)]_0^{\pi/2} = 2\pi [2 - (-2)] = 8\pi$.

Answer: $8\pi$

Problem 3. Calculate the average value of $f(x, y, z) = x^2 + y^2$ over the cylinder $x^2 + y^2 = 1$ for $0 \le z \le 2$.
Reveal solution
  1. Parameterise the cylinder: $x = \cos \theta, y = \sin \theta, z = z$.
  2. Compute $dS$: $\mathbf{r}_\theta = (-\sin \theta, \cos \theta, 0)$ and $\mathbf{r}_z = (0, 0, 1)$. The cross product is $(\cos \theta, \sin \theta, 0)$, and its magnitude is $1$. So $dS = d\theta dz$.
  3. Substitute into $f$: $f = \cos^2 \theta + \sin^2 \theta = 1$.
  4. Compute the total integral: $\int_0^2 \int_0^{2\pi} 1 \cdot 1 d\theta dz = 4\pi$.
  5. Compute the surface area: $\text{Area}(S) = \int_0^2 \int_0^{2\pi} 1 d\theta dz = 4\pi$.
  6. Average value: $f_{\text{avg}} = 4\pi / 4\pi = 1$.

Answer: $1$

L49. Flux integrals — flow through a membrane

Module 4  2026-09-22  ·  10:35  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Compute the flux of $\mathbf{F} = \langle z, x, y \rangle$ through the unit disk $x^2 + y^2 \le 1$ in the $xy$-plane, oriented upwards.
Reveal solution
  1. The surface is $z=0$, so the parameterisation is $\mathbf{r}(u, v) = \langle u, v, 0 \rangle$ with $u^2 + v^2 \le 1$.
  2. The normal vector is $\mathbf{r}_u \times \mathbf{r}_v = \langle 0, 0, 1 \rangle$.
  3. Substitute the surface into the field: $\mathbf{F}(\mathbf{r}(u, v)) = \langle 0, u, v \rangle$.
  4. Compute the dot product: $\langle 0, u, v \rangle \cdot \langle 0, 0, 1 \rangle = v$.
  5. Integrate $v$ over the unit disk: $\iint_D v \, du dv$.
  6. By symmetry, the integral of $v$ over a disk centered at the origin is zero.

Answer: 0

Problem 2. Find the flux of $\mathbf{F} = \langle 0, 0, x^2 + y^2 \rangle$ through the cylinder $x^2 + y^2 = 1$ for $0 \le z \le 2$, oriented outwards.
Reveal solution
  1. Parameterise the cylinder: $\mathbf{r}(\theta, z) = \langle \cos\theta, \sin\theta, z \rangle$ for $0 \le \theta \le 2\pi, 0 \le z \le 2$.
  2. Compute tangents: $\mathbf{r}_\theta = \langle -\sin\theta, \cos\theta, 0 \rangle$ and $\mathbf{r}_z = \langle 0, 0, 1 \rangle$.
  3. Cross product: $\mathbf{r}_\theta \times \mathbf{r}_z = \langle \cos\theta, \sin\theta, 0 \rangle$. This points outwards.
  4. Substitute into field: $\mathbf{F} = \langle 0, 0, \cos^2\theta + \sin^2\theta \rangle = \langle 0, 0, 1 \rangle$.
  5. Dot product: $\langle 0, 0, 1 \rangle \cdot \langle \cos\theta, \sin\theta, 0 \rangle = 0$.
  6. The integral of zero is zero.

Answer: 0

Problem 3. Compute the flux of $\mathbf{F} = \langle x, y, 0 \rangle$ through the upper hemisphere $x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 1, z \ge 0$, oriented upwards.
Reveal solution
  1. Use the graph form $z = \sqrt{1 - x^2 - y^2}$.
  2. Compute partials: $z_x = -x/\sqrt{1-x^2-y^2}$ and $z_y = -y/\sqrt{1-x^2-y^2}$.
  3. The normal element is $\mathbf{n} dS = \langle -z_x, -z_y, 1 \rangle dx dy = \langle x/z, y/z, 1 \rangle dx dy$.
  4. Dot product: $\mathbf{F} \cdot \mathbf{n} dS = \langle x, y, 0 \rangle \cdot \langle x/z, y/z, 1 \rangle dx dy = (x^2/z + y^2/z) dx dy = \frac{x^2+y^2}{z} dx dy$.
  5. Convert to polar: $\iint_D \frac{r^2}{\sqrt{1-r^2}} r dr d\theta$.
  6. Integrate $r^3/\sqrt{1-r^2}$ from $0$ to $1$ using $u = 1-r^2$. The result is $2/3$.
  7. Multiply by $2\pi$ from the $\theta$ integral to get $4\pi/3$.

Answer: 4\pi/3

L50. The Divergence Theorem I — statement and intuition

Module 4  2026-09-23  ·  11:10  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Compute the flux of $\mathbf{F} = \langle x, 2y, 3z \rangle$ through the sphere $x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 1$.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute the divergence: $\nabla \cdot \mathbf{F} = 1 + 2 + 3 = 6$.
  2. Apply the Divergence Theorem: $\Phi = \iiint_V 6 dV$.
  3. The volume of the sphere is $\frac{4}{3}\pi(1)^3 = \frac{4}{3}\pi$.
  4. The flux is $6 \cdot \frac{4}{3}\pi = 8\pi$.

Answer: 8\pi

Problem 2. Find the flux of $\mathbf{F} = \langle x^3, y^3, z^3 \rangle$ through the unit cube $[0, 1] \times [0, 1] \times [0, 1]$.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute the divergence: $\nabla \cdot \mathbf{F} = 3x^2 + 3y^2 + 3z^2$.
  2. Set up the triple integral: $\int_0^1 \int_0^1 \int_0^1 (3x^2 + 3y^2 + 3z^2) dx dy dz$.
  3. Integrate $3x^2$ over the cube: $\int_0^1 3x^2 dx = [x^3]_0^1 = 1$.
  4. By symmetry, the integrals of $3y^2$ and $3z^2$ are also 1.
  5. Total flux is $1 + 1 + 1 = 3$.

Answer: 3

Problem 3. A vector field has a constant divergence $\nabla \cdot \mathbf{F} = -5$. If the flux through a closed surface $S$ is $-100\pi$, what is the volume of the region enclosed by $S$?
Reveal solution
  1. Use the Divergence Theorem: $\Phi = \iiint_V (\nabla \cdot \mathbf{F}) dV$.
  2. Substitute the known values: $-100\pi = \iiint_V -5 dV$.
  3. Pull the constant out: $-100\pi = -5 \cdot \text{Volume}(V)$.
  4. Solve for volume: $\text{Volume}(V) = \frac{-100\pi}{-5} = 20\pi$.

Answer: 20\pi

L51. The Divergence Theorem II — computations and Gauss's law

Module 4  2026-09-24  ·  11:24  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Compute the flux of $\mathbf{F} = \langle x, 2y, 3z \rangle$ through the surface of a sphere of radius $2$ centered at the origin.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute the divergence: $\nabla \cdot \mathbf{F} = 1 + 2 + 3 = 6$.
  2. Apply the Divergence Theorem: $\Phi = \iiint_V 6 dV$.
  3. The volume of a sphere is $\frac{4}{3}\pi r^3$. For $r=2$, $V = \frac{4}{3}\pi(8) = \frac{32\pi}{3}$.
  4. The flux is $6 \cdot \frac{32\pi}{3} = 64\pi$.

Answer: 64\pi

Problem 2. Find the flux of $\mathbf{F} = \langle x^3, y^3, z^3 \rangle$ through the unit cube $[0, 1] \times [0, 1] \times [0, 1]$.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute the divergence: $\nabla \cdot \mathbf{F} = 3x^2 + 3y^2 + 3z^2$.
  2. Set up the triple integral: $\int_0^1 \int_0^1 \int_0^1 (3x^2 + 3y^2 + 3z^2) dx dy dz$.
  3. Integrate each term: $\int_0^1 3x^2 dx = 1$. By symmetry, the other two terms are also $1$.
  4. The total flux is $1 + 1 + 1 = 3$.

Answer: 3

Problem 3. A vector field is given by $\mathbf{F} = \langle x, y, e^z \rangle$. Calculate the flux through the closed surface bounding the cylinder $x^2 + y^2 \le 1$ and $0 \le z \le 1$.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute the divergence: $\nabla \cdot \mathbf{F} = 1 + 1 + e^z = 2 + e^z$.
  2. Use cylindrical coordinates: $\int_0^{2\pi} \int_0^1 \int_0^1 (2 + e^z) r dz dr d\theta$.
  3. Integrate with respect to $z$: $[2z + e^z]_0^1 = 2 + e - 1 = 1 + e$.
  4. Integrate with respect to $r$ and $\theta$: $(1 + e) \cdot \pi(1)^2 = \pi(1 + e)$.

Answer: \pi(1 + e)

L52. Stokes' theorem I — statement and intuition

Module 4  2026-09-25  ·  10:32  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Use Stokes' Theorem to compute the circulation of $\mathbf{F} = \langle zx, xy, yz \rangle$ around the boundary of the triangle with vertices $(0,0,0)$, $(2,0,0)$, and $(0,2,0)$.
Reveal solution
  1. Step 1: Compute the curl of $\mathbf{F}$. $\nabla \times \mathbf{F} = \langle z-x, x-y, y-z \rangle$.
  2. Step 2: Identify the surface $S$. The simplest surface is the flat triangle in the $xy$-plane where $z=0$.
  3. Step 3: Determine the normal vector. For the $xy$-plane, $\mathbf{n} = \langle 0, 0, 1 \rangle$.
  4. Step 4: Compute the dot product $(\nabla \times \mathbf{F}) \cdot \mathbf{n} = y-z$. Since $z=0$ on the surface, this is just $y$.
  5. Step 5: Integrate $y$ over the triangle region $D$ bounded by $x=0, y=0, x+y=2$. $\int_0^2 \int_0^{2-x} y dy dx = \int_0^2 \frac{1}{2}(2-x)^2 dx = [-\frac{1}{6}(2-x)^3]_0^2 = 0 - (-\frac{8}{6}) = \frac{4}{3}$.

Answer: 4/3

Problem 2. Explain why the flux of the curl of any smooth vector field $\mathbf{F}$ through a closed sphere is always zero using Stokes' Theorem.
Reveal solution
  1. Step 1: A closed sphere has no boundary curve $C$.
  2. Step 2: According to Stokes' Theorem, the surface integral of the curl equals the line integral around the boundary.
  3. Step 3: Since the boundary is empty (or a single point), the line integral is zero.
  4. Step 4: Therefore, the surface integral of the curl over any closed surface must be zero.

Answer: The boundary curve is empty, so the line integral is zero.

Problem 3. Calculate the circulation of $\mathbf{F} = \langle -y, x, e^{z^2} \rangle$ around the circle $x^2 + y^2 = 9$ in the plane $z=2$.
Reveal solution
  1. Step 1: Compute the curl. $\nabla \times \mathbf{F} = \langle 0, 0, 1 - (-1) \rangle = \langle 0, 0, 2 \rangle$.
  2. Step 2: Choose the surface $S$ as the flat disk $x^2 + y^2 \le 9$ at $z=2$.
  3. Step 3: The normal vector is $\mathbf{n} = \langle 0, 0, 1 \rangle$.
  4. Step 4: The dot product is $(\nabla \times \mathbf{F}) \cdot \mathbf{n} = 2$.
  5. Step 5: Integrate 2 over the area of the disk with radius 3. $\iint_S 2 dS = 2 \times (\pi \cdot 3^2) = 18\pi$.

Answer: 18\pi

L53. Stokes' theorem II — computations; consistency with Green

Module 4  2026-09-26  ·  10:21  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Compute the circulation of $\mathbf{F} = [xy, xz, yz]$ around the triangle with vertices $(0,0,0)$, $(1,0,0)$, and $(0,1,0)$ using Stokes' Theorem.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute the curl: $\nabla \times \mathbf{F} = [z-x, 0-z, z-y] = [z-x, -z, z-y]$.
  2. The surface is the triangle in the $xy$-plane, so $z=0$ and $\mathbf{n} = [0,0,1]$.
  3. The dot product is $(\nabla \times \mathbf{F}) \cdot \mathbf{n} = z-y$. Since $z=0$ on the surface, the integrand is $-y$.
  4. Integrate $-y$ over the triangle: $\int_0^1 \int_0^{1-x} -y dy dx = \int_0^1 [-\frac{1}{2}y^2]_0^{1-x} dx = \int_0^1 -\frac{1}{2}(1-x)^2 dx$.
  5. Evaluating the integral: $[\frac{1}{6}(1-x)^3]_0^1 = 0 - \frac{1}{6} = -\frac{1}{6}$.

Answer: -\frac{1}{6}

Problem 2. Use Stokes' Theorem to find the circulation of $\mathbf{F} = [z^2, x^2, y^2]$ around the circle $x^2 + y^2 = 4$ in the plane $z = 3$.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute the curl: $\nabla \times \mathbf{F} = [2y-0, 2z-0, 2x-0] = [2y, 2z, 2x]$.
  2. The surface is a flat disk at $z=3$ with $\mathbf{n} = [0,0,1]$.
  3. The dot product is $(\nabla \times \mathbf{F}) \cdot \mathbf{n} = 2x$.
  4. Integrate $2x$ over the disk $x^2 + y^2 \le 4$.
  5. By symmetry, the integral of $x$ over a disk centered at the origin is zero.

Answer: 0

Problem 3. Verify Stokes' Theorem for $\mathbf{F} = [-y, x, 0]$ around the boundary of the upper hemisphere $x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 1, z \ge 0$.
Reveal solution
  1. Line integral: $C$ is the unit circle in $xy$-plane. $\mathbf{r}(t) = [\cos t, \sin t, 0]$, $\mathbf{r}'(t) = [-\sin t, \cos t, 0]$. $\mathbf{F} \cdot \mathbf{r}' = [-\sin t, \cos t, 0] \cdot [-\sin t, \cos t, 0] = 1$. $\int_0^{2\pi} 1 dt = 2\pi$.
  2. Surface integral: $\nabla \times \mathbf{F} = [0, 0, 2]$.
  3. Using the flat disk $S$ as the surface: $\mathbf{n} = [0,0,1]$. $\iint_S [0,0,2] \cdot [0,0,1] dS = 2 \times \text{Area}(\text{disk}) = 2\pi$.
  4. Both sides equal $2\pi$.

Answer: 2\pi

L54. The unified view — all four theorems as one

Module 4  2026-09-27  ·  10:22  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Compute the flux of $\mathbf{F} = \langle x, y, z \rangle$ through the surface of a cube with vertices at $(0,0,0)$ and $(2,2,2)$ using the Divergence Theorem.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute the divergence: $\nabla \cdot \mathbf{F} = \frac{\partial x}{\partial x} + \frac{\partial y}{\partial y} + \frac{\partial z}{\partial z} = 1 + 1 + 1 = 3$.
  2. Identify the volume of the cube: $V = 2 \times 2 \times 2 = 8$.
  3. Apply the Divergence Theorem: $\iint_S \mathbf{F} \cdot \mathbf{n} dS = \iiint_V 3 dV = 3 \times 8 = 24$.

Answer: 24

Problem 2. Use the unified view to explain why the line integral of a conservative field $\mathbf{F} = \nabla f$ around a closed loop $C$ is always zero.
Reveal solution
  1. By the unified view (Stokes' Theorem), the line integral around $C$ equals the surface integral of the curl of $\mathbf{F}$ over a surface $S$ bounded by $C$.
  2. The curl of a gradient field is always zero: $\nabla \times (\nabla f) = 0$.
  3. Integrating zero over the surface $S$ results in zero.

Answer: 0

Problem 3. Find the triple integral of $f(x,y,z) = 3$ over the region $V$ bounded by the sphere $x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 4$. Then, identify a vector field $\mathbf{F}$ such that this integral represents the total flux through the boundary surface $S$ via the Divergence Theorem.
Reveal solution
  1. The integral is $3 \times \text{Volume of sphere} = 3 \times (\frac{4}{3}\pi 2^3) = 3 \times \frac{32\pi}{3} = 32\pi$.
  2. We need $\nabla \cdot \mathbf{F} = 3$.
  3. A simple field satisfying this is $\mathbf{F} = \langle x, y, z \rangle$.

Answer: 32\pi, \mathbf{F} = \langle x, y, z \rangle

L55. Maxwell's equations — the vocabulary of light, finally readable

Module 4  2026-09-28  ·  10:28  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Given a charge density $\rho(x, y, z) = 3x^2 + 2y^2 + z^2$ inside a unit cube $V = [0, 1] \times [0, 1] \times [0, 1]$, use the Divergence Theorem and Maxwell's first equation to find the total electric flux $\iint_S \mathbf{E} \cdot \mathbf{n} dS$ through the surface of the cube.
Reveal solution
  1. By the Divergence Theorem, the flux is $\iiint_V (\nabla \cdot \mathbf{E}) dV$.
  2. Substitute Maxwell's first equation: $\iiint_V \frac{\rho}{\epsilon_0} dV$.
  3. Compute the integral: $\frac{1}{\epsilon_0} \int_0^1 \int_0^1 \int_0^1 (3x^2 + 2y^2 + z^2) dx dy dz$.
  4. The integral is $[x^3]_0^1 + [\frac{2}{3}y^3]_0^1 + [\frac{1}{3}z^3]_0^1 = 1 + \frac{2}{3} + \frac{1}{3} = 2$.
  5. The total flux is $2 / \epsilon_0$.

Answer: $2 / \epsilon_0$

Problem 2. A magnetic field is given by $\mathbf{B} = (y^2, x^2, 0)$. Show that this field satisfies Maxwell's second equation and explain what this means physically.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute the divergence: $\nabla \cdot \mathbf{B} = \frac{\partial}{\partial x}(y^2) + \frac{\partial}{\partial y}(x^2) + \frac{\partial}{\partial z}(0)$.
  2. The result is $0 + 0 + 0 = 0$.
  3. Since the divergence is zero, it satisfies the equation $\nabla \cdot \mathbf{B} = 0$.
  4. Physically, this means there are no magnetic monopoles in this field; every field line that enters a region must leave it.

Answer: The divergence is $0$, so it satisfies the equation; no monopoles are present.

Problem 3. A changing magnetic field creates an electric field such that $\nabla \times \mathbf{E} = (0, 0, -2t)$. Use Stokes' Theorem to find the voltage $\oint_C \mathbf{E} \cdot d\mathbf{r}$ around a circle of radius $R=2$ in the $xy$-plane.
Reveal solution
  1. By Stokes' Theorem, $\oint_C \mathbf{E} \cdot d\mathbf{r} = \iint_S (\nabla \times \mathbf{E}) \cdot \mathbf{n} dS$.
  2. The normal vector to the $xy$-plane is $\mathbf{n} = (0, 0, 1)$.
  3. The dot product is $(0, 0, -2t) \cdot (0, 0, 1) = -2t$.
  4. The integral is $\iint_S -2t dS = -2t \times \text{Area of circle}$.
  5. Area is $\pi R^2 = \pi (2^2) = 4\pi$.
  6. The voltage is $-2t(4\pi) = -8\pi t$.

Answer: $-8\pi t$

L56. Module 4 review + self-test

Module 4  2026-09-29  ·  11:55  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Compute the flux of $\mathbf{F} = \langle x^2, y^2, z^2 \rangle$ through the surface of the unit cube $V = [0, 1] \times [0, 1] \times [0, 1]$ using the Divergence Theorem.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute the divergence: $\nabla \cdot \mathbf{F} = 2x + 2y + 2z$.
  2. Set up the triple integral over the cube: $\int_0^1 \int_0^1 \int_0^1 (2x + 2y + 2z) dx dy dz$.
  3. Integrate $2x$ over the cube: $\int_0^1 2x dx = 1$, and the other dimensions contribute $1 \times 1$. Total for $2x$ is $1$.
  4. By symmetry, the integrals of $2y$ and $2z$ are also $1$.
  5. Sum the results: $1 + 1 + 1 = 3$.

Answer: 3

Problem 2. Use Green's Theorem to evaluate $\oint_C (y^2 dx + 3xy dy)$ where $C$ is the boundary of the semi-circle $x^2 + y^2 \le 1, y \ge 0$ oriented counter-clockwise.
Reveal solution
  1. Identify $P = y^2$ and $Q = 3xy$.
  2. Compute the curl: $\frac{\partial Q}{\partial x} - \frac{\partial P}{\partial y} = 3y - 2y = y$.
  3. Set up the double integral over the semi-disk: $\iint_D y dA$.
  4. Use polar coordinates: $\int_0^\pi \int_0^1 (r \sin\theta) r dr d\theta$.
  5. Integrate $r^2$ from $0$ to $1$ to get $1/3$.
  6. Integrate $\sin\theta$ from $0$ to $\pi$ to get $2$.
  7. Multiply: $1/3 \times 2 = 2/3$.

Answer: 2/3

Problem 3. A vector field is given by $\mathbf{F} = \langle z, x, y \rangle$. Find the circulation around the triangle with vertices $(1,0,0), (0,1,0), (0,0,1)$ using Stokes' Theorem.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute the curl: $\nabla \times \mathbf{F} = \langle 1-0, 1-0, 1-0 \rangle = \langle 1, 1, 1 \rangle$.
  2. The surface $S$ is the plane $x + y + z = 1$. The unit normal vector is $\mathbf{n} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}\langle 1, 1, 1 \rangle$.
  3. Compute the dot product: $(\nabla \times \mathbf{F}) \cdot \mathbf{n} = \langle 1, 1, 1 \rangle \cdot \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}\langle 1, 1, 1 \rangle = \frac{3}{\sqrt{3}} = \sqrt{3}$.
  4. The area of the triangle is $\frac{1}{2} |\mathbf{AB} \times \mathbf{AC}|$. $\mathbf{AB} = \langle -1, 1, 0 \rangle, \mathbf{AC} = \langle -1, 0, 1 \rangle$.
  5. Cross product is $\langle 1, 1, 1 \rangle$, magnitude is $\sqrt{3}$. Area is $\sqrt{3}/2$.
  6. Integral is $\sqrt{3} \times \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} = 3/2$.

Answer: 3/2

Module 5 — Applications & Epilogue (4/4)

L57. The continuity equation — conservation laws from the divergence theorem

Module 5  2026-09-30  ·  11:30  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Given a density $\rho(x, y, z, t) = e^{-3t}(x^2 + y^2 + z^2)$ and a current density $\mathbf{J} = e^{-3t}(2x, 2y, 2z)$, check if the continuity equation $\frac{\partial \rho}{\partial t} + \nabla \cdot \mathbf{J} = 0$ is satisfied.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute the time derivative of density: $\frac{\partial \rho}{\partial t} = -3 e^{-3t}(x^2 + y^2 + z^2)$.
  2. Compute the divergence of $\mathbf{J}$: $\nabla \cdot \mathbf{J} = e^{-3t}(2 + 2 + 2) = 6 e^{-3t}$.
  3. Sum them: $-3 e^{-3t}(x^2 + y^2 + z^2) + 6 e^{-3t}$.
  4. Observe that this sum is not zero for all $x, y, z$.

Answer: Not satisfied.

Problem 2. A fluid has a constant density $\rho = 1$. Find the condition on the velocity field $\mathbf{v}$ such that the continuity equation is satisfied, given $\mathbf{J} = \rho \mathbf{v}$.
Reveal solution
  1. Substitute $\rho = 1$ into the continuity equation: $\frac{\partial (1)}{\partial t} + \nabla \cdot (1 \mathbf{v}) = 0$.
  2. The time derivative of a constant is $0$.
  3. The equation simplifies to $\nabla \cdot \mathbf{v} = 0$.

Answer: The velocity field must be solenoidal (divergence-free), $\nabla \cdot \mathbf{v} = 0$.

Problem 3. Suppose $\mathbf{J} = (t, 0, 0)$ and the continuity equation is satisfied. Find the general form of the density $\rho(x, y, z, t)$.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute the divergence of $\mathbf{J}$: $\nabla \cdot \mathbf{J} = \frac{\partial}{\partial x}(t) + 0 + 0 = 0$.
  2. The continuity equation becomes $\frac{\partial \rho}{\partial t} + 0 = 0$.
  3. This means $\rho$ does not depend on $t$.
  4. Therefore, $\rho$ can be any function of space only: $\rho = f(x, y, z)$.

Answer: \rho = f(x, y, z)

L58. Heat, waves, and Laplace revisited in vector language

Module 5  2026-10-01  ·  9:53  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Determine if the function $u(x, y, z) = x^2 - y^2 + z^2$ satisfies Laplace's equation $\nabla^2 u = 0$.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute the gradient: $\nabla u = [2x, -2y, 2z]$.
  2. Compute the divergence of the gradient: $\nabla \cdot [2x, -2y, 2z] = \frac{\partial}{\partial x}(2x) + \frac{\partial}{\partial y}(-2y) + \frac{\partial}{\partial z}(2z)$.
  3. Simplify the derivatives: $2 - 2 + 2 = 2$.
  4. Since $2 \neq 0$, the function does not satisfy Laplace's equation.

Answer: No, $\nabla^2 u = 2$

Problem 2. Given the heat equation $u_t = k \nabla^2 u$ with $k = 0.5$, find the rate of change of temperature $u_t$ at the origin for the distribution $u(x, y) = 10 - (x^2 + 2y^2)$.
Reveal solution
  1. Find the first partials: $u_x = -2x$ and $u_y = -4y$.
  2. Find the second partials: $u_{xx} = -2$ and $u_{yy} = -4$.
  3. Compute the Laplacian: $\nabla^2 u = -2 - 4 = -6$.
  4. Apply the heat equation: $u_t = 0.5 \cdot (-6) = -3$.

Answer: -3

Problem 3. Verify if $u(x, t) = e^{-t} \sin(x)$ satisfies the heat equation $u_t = k \nabla^2 u$ for some constant $k$. If so, find $k$.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute the time derivative: $u_t = -e^{-t} \sin(x)$.
  2. Compute the spatial second derivative: $u_x = e^{-t} \cos(x)$, so $u_{xx} = -e^{-t} \sin(x)$.
  3. Set up the equation: $-e^{-t} \sin(x) = k (-e^{-t} \sin(x))$.
  4. Divide both sides by $-e^{-t} \sin(x)$ to find $k = 1$.

Answer: Yes, $k = 1$

L59. A glimpse of differential forms

Module 5  2026-10-02  ·  11:04  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Given the vector field $\mathbf{F} = \langle 3x^2, 2y \rangle$, write the corresponding 1-form $\omega$ and compute its exterior derivative $d\omega$.
Reveal solution
  1. The 1-form is constructed by replacing the components of the vector field with coefficients of $dx$ and $dy$: $\omega = 3x^2 dx + 2y dy$.
  2. The exterior derivative is $d\omega = (\frac{\partial(2y)}{\partial x} - \frac{\partial(3x^2)}{\partial y}) dx \wedge dy$.
  3. Computing the partials: $\frac{\partial(2y)}{\partial x} = 0$ and $\frac{\partial(3x^2)}{\partial y} = 0$.
  4. Thus, $d\omega = (0 - 0) dx \wedge dy = 0$.

Answer: d\omega = 0

Problem 2. Consider the 1-form $\omega = y^2 dx + x^2 dy$. Compute $d\omega$ and explain what this result represents in terms of vector calculus.
Reveal solution
  1. The exterior derivative is $d\omega = (\frac{\partial(x^2)}{\partial x} - \frac{\partial(y^2)}{\partial y}) dx \wedge dy$.
  2. Computing the partials: $\frac{\partial(x^2)}{\partial x} = 2x$ and $\frac{\partial(y^2)}{\partial y} = 2y$.
  3. The result is $d\omega = (2x - 2y) dx \wedge dy$.
  4. In vector calculus, this represents the 2D curl (or the k-component of the curl) of the vector field $\mathbf{F} = \langle y^2, x^2 \rangle$.

Answer: d\omega = (2x - 2y) dx \wedge dy

Problem 3. If $\omega$ is a 2-form in 3D space given by $\omega = x z dy \wedge dz + y z dz \wedge dx + x y dx \wedge dy$, compute $d\omega$.
Reveal solution
  1. The exterior derivative of a 2-form is $d\omega = (\frac{\partial P}{\partial x} + \frac{\partial Q}{\partial y} + \frac{\partial R}{\partial z}) dx \wedge dy \wedge dz$, where $P, Q, R$ are the coefficients of $dy \wedge dz, dz \wedge dx, dx \wedge dy$ respectively.
  2. Here $P = xz$, $Q = yz$, and $R = xy$.
  3. Compute partials: $\frac{\partial(xz)}{\partial x} = z$, $\frac{\partial(yz)}{\partial y} = z$, and $\frac{\partial(xy)}{\partial z} = 0$.
  4. Summing them: $z + z + 0 = 2z$.
  5. The result is $d\omega = 2z dx \wedge dy \wedge dz$.

Answer: d\omega = 2z dx \wedge dy \wedge dz

L60. Grand review & epilogue

Module 5  2026-10-03  ·  12:16  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Compute the total flux of the vector field $\mathbf{F} = \langle x, y, z \rangle$ through the surface of a cube centered at the origin with side length $2$.
Reveal solution
  1. Step 1: Compute the divergence of $\mathbf{F}$. $\nabla \cdot \mathbf{F} = \frac{\partial}{\partial x}(x) + \frac{\partial}{\partial y}(y) + \frac{\partial}{\partial z}(z) = 1 + 1 + 1 = 3$.
  2. Step 2: Use the Divergence Theorem. The flux is the triple integral of the divergence over the volume of the cube.
  3. Step 3: The volume of a cube with side length $2$ is $2^3 = 8$.
  4. Step 4: The flux is $\iiint_V 3 dV = 3 \times 8 = 24$.

Answer: 24

Problem 2. Use Green's Theorem to find the area of the region enclosed by the ellipse $\frac{x^2}{a^2} + \frac{y^2}{b^2} = 1$.
Reveal solution
  1. Step 1: Use the area formula $\text{Area} = \oint_C \frac{1}{2}(x dy - y dx)$.
  2. Step 2: Parameterize the ellipse: $x = a \cos t$, $y = b \sin t$ for $t \in [0, 2\pi]$.
  3. Step 3: Compute differentials: $dx = -a \sin t dt$, $dy = b \cos t dt$.
  4. Step 4: Substitute into the integral: $\int_0^{2\pi} \frac{1}{2}( (a \cos t)(b \cos t) - (b \sin t)(-a \sin t) ) dt$.
  5. Step 5: Simplify: $\int_0^{2\pi} \frac{1}{2} ab (\cos^2 t + \sin^2 t) dt = \int_0^{2\pi} \frac{1}{2} ab dt$.
  6. Step 6: Evaluate: $\frac{1}{2} ab (2\pi) = \pi ab$.

Answer: \pi ab

Problem 3. A vector field is given by $\mathbf{F} = \langle 2xy, x^2 + z^2, 2yz \rangle$. Determine if the field is conservative. If so, find the potential function $\phi$.
Reveal solution
  1. Step 1: Check the curl. $\nabla \times \mathbf{F} = \langle \frac{\partial}{\partial y}(2yz) - \frac{\partial}{\partial z}(x^2 + z^2), \frac{\partial}{\partial z}(2xy) - \frac{\partial}{\partial x}(2yz), \frac{\partial}{\partial x}(x^2 + z^2) - \frac{\partial}{\partial y}(2xy) \rangle$.
  2. Step 2: Compute components: $\langle 2z - 2z, 0 - 0, 2x - 2x \rangle = \langle 0, 0, 0 \rangle$. The field is conservative.
  3. Step 3: Integrate $F_x$ with respect to $x$: $\phi = \int 2xy dx = x^2 y + g(y, z)$.
  4. Step 4: Differentiate $\phi$ with respect to $y$: $\frac{\partial \phi}{\partial y} = x^2 + \frac{\partial g}{\partial y}$. Match with $F_y = x^2 + z^2$, so $\frac{\partial g}{\partial y} = z^2$.
  5. Step 5: Integrate $\frac{\partial g}{\partial y}$ with respect to $y$: $g(y, z) = y z^2 + h(z)$. Thus $\phi = x^2 y + y z^2 + h(z)$.
  6. Step 6: Differentiate $\phi$ with respect to $z$: $\frac{\partial \phi}{\partial z} = 2yz + h'(z)$. Match with $F_z = 2yz$, so $h'(z) = 0$.
  7. Step 7: Final potential: $\phi(x, y, z) = x^2 y + y z^2 + C$.

Answer: \phi(x, y, z) = x^2 y + y z^2 + C