Chapter 13: Problem 75
Let \(z=3 x^{2}-y^{2}\). Find all points at which \(\|\nabla z\|=6\).
Short Answer
Expert verified
The points lie on the ellipse \(9x^2 + y^2 = 9\).
Step by step solution
01
Find the Gradient
First, calculate the gradient of the function \(z = 3x^{2} - y^{2}\). The gradient \(abla z\) is given by \(\left( \frac{\partial z}{\partial x}, \frac{\partial z}{\partial y} \right)\). Calculate each partial derivative:\[\frac{\partial z}{\partial x} = 6x\]\[\frac{\partial z}{\partial y} = -2y\]Thus, \(abla z = (6x, -2y)\).
02
Calculate the Magnitude of the Gradient
To find \(\|abla z\|\), calculate the magnitude of the gradient vector \(abla z = (6x, -2y)\):\[\|abla z\| = \sqrt{(6x)^{2} + (-2y)^{2}}\]Simplify the expression:\[\|abla z\| = \sqrt{36x^{2} + 4y^{2}}\]
03
Set Magnitude Equal to Given Value and Solve
Set the calculated magnitude of the gradient equal to 6:\[\sqrt{36x^{2} + 4y^{2}} = 6\]Square both sides to eliminate the square root:\[36x^{2} + 4y^{2} = 36\]Divide through by 4:\[9x^{2} + y^{2} = 9\]
04
Identify and Describe Solution
The equation \(9x^{2} + y^{2} = 9\) represents an ellipse centered at the origin. Solve for points on this ellipse by rearranging if needed to highlight the relationship:\[\frac{x^{2}}{1} + \frac{y^{2}}{9} = 1\]This describes an ellipse with semi-major axis along the \(y\)-axis and semi-minor axis along the \(x\)-axis, where the semi-minor axis length is 1, and the semi-major axis length is 3.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Partial Derivative
The partial derivative is a fundamental concept in calculus used to measure how a function changes as its variables change. When dealing with a multivariable function like \(z = 3x^2 - y^2\), the partial derivatives tell us how \(z\) changes with slight changes in just one variable while keeping the other variable constant.
- Partial Derivative with respect to \(x\): For \(z = 3x^2 - y^2\), the partial derivative with respect to \(x\) is found by differentiating the function treating \(y\) as a constant. Thus we get \(\frac{\partial z}{\partial x} = 6x\).
- Partial Derivative with respect to \(y\): Similarly, we find the partial derivative with respect to \(y\) by treating \(x\) as a constant, resulting in \(\frac{\partial z}{\partial y} = -2y\).
Magnitude of Gradient
The magnitude of a gradient vector \(abla z\) provides insight into how rapidly a function is changing. For the function \(z = 3x^2 - y^2\), its gradient is given by the vector \((6x, -2y)\).
- Magnitude Calculation: To find the magnitude \(\|abla z\|\), we use the formula for the magnitude of a vector: \(\sqrt{(6x)^2 + (-2y)^2}\).
- Simplification: Simplifying this expression gives \(\|abla z\| = \sqrt{36x^2 + 4y^2}\).
- Interpretation: Setting this equal to a given value, like 6 in the exercise, allows us to solve for points where the change represented by the gradient is exactly that value.
Ellipse
An ellipse is a geometric figure representing the set of points where the sum (or difference) of distances from two fixed points, called foci, is constant. In this problem, the equation transformed into \(9x^2 + y^2 = 9\) represents an ellipse.
- Rewriting the Equation: To make it clear, express it as \(\frac{x^2}{1} + \frac{y^2}{9} = 1\), which showcases its elliptical shape.
- Axis Orientation & Lengths: This equation tells us that the ellipse is centered at the origin, with its semi-major axis along the y-axis (length 3) and semi-minor axis along the x-axis (length 1).
- Geometric Meaning: The orientation and lengths indicate how stretched the ellipse is in each direction.