Chapter 12: Problem 5
$$ \text { In Problems 1-10, find the gradient } \nabla f \text {. } $$ $$ f(x, y)=x^{2} y /(x+y) $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The gradient is \( \nabla f = \left(\frac{x^2y + 2xy^2}{(x+y)^2}, \frac{x^3}{(x+y)^2}\right).\)
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Function
We are given a function of two variables, \( f(x,y) = \frac{x^2 y}{x+y} \). The gradient, \( abla f \), is a vector that represents the rate and direction of the fastest increase of the function.
02
Compute the Partial Derivative with respect to x
Using the quotient rule for derivatives, the partial derivative of \( f \) with respect to \( x \) is: \[ \frac{\partial f}{\partial x} = \frac{(2xy)(x+y) - (x^2y)(1)}{(x+y)^2} = \frac{2x^2y + 2xy^2 - x^2y}{(x+y)^2} = \frac{x^2y + 2xy^2}{(x+y)^2}. \]
03
Compute the Partial Derivative with respect to y
Similarly, using the quotient rule, we find the partial derivative of \( f \) with respect to \( y \): \[ \frac{\partial f}{\partial y} = \frac{(x^2)(x+y) - (x^2y)(1)}{(x+y)^2} = \frac{x^3 + x^2y - x^2y}{(x+y)^2} = \frac{x^3}{(x+y)^2}. \]
04
Form the Gradient Vector
The gradient \( abla f \) is the vector of partial derivatives:\[ abla f = \left(\frac{x^2y + 2xy^2}{(x+y)^2}, \frac{x^3}{(x+y)^2}\right). \]
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Partial Derivatives
In calculus, partial derivatives are a way to find the rate of change of a function concerning one of its variables, while keeping others constant. When dealing with a function of multiple variables, partial derivatives allow us to explore how changes in one variable influence the function's value.
- Consider the function \( f(x, y) \). Here, we can find the partial derivative with respect to \( x \), denoted as \( \frac{\partial f}{\partial x} \), which represents the sensitivity of \( f \) to small changes in \( x \).
- Similarly, \( \frac{\partial f}{\partial y} \) is the partial derivative concerning \( y \), indicating how \( f \) responds to variations in \( y \).
Quotient Rule
The quotient rule is a technique used in calculus to manage differentiation involving division between two functions. Specifically, it applies when the function has the form \( \frac{u}{v} \), where both \( u \) and \( v \) are differentiable functions.
- The formula for the quotient rule is: \( \left( \frac{u}{v} \right)' = \frac{u'v - uv'}{v^2} \).
- This rule can be particularly helpful when computing partial derivatives of expressions that are fractions, such as \( \frac{x^2 y}{x+y} \).
- In our example, we apply the quotient rule separately for each variable while keeping the other constant, to find \( \frac{\partial f}{\partial x} \) and \( \frac{\partial f}{\partial y} \).
Gradient Vector
The gradient vector is a fundamental concept in multivariable calculus, representing the ensemble of partial derivatives of a function. For a function \( f(x, y) \), the gradient is denoted by \( abla f \) and given as:
- \( abla f = \left( \frac{\partial f}{\partial x}, \frac{\partial f}{\partial y} \right) \)
- This vector indicates the direction of steepest ascent for the function at a given point.
- For our function \( f(x, y) = \frac{x^2 y}{x+y} \), the gradient vector combines the partial derivatives derived in the earlier steps: \( abla f = \left( \frac{x^2y + 2xy^2}{(x+y)^2}, \frac{x^3}{(x+y)^2} \right) \).
Multivariable Functions
Multivariable functions are mathematical expressions that depend on more than one variable. They are central to modeling real-world relationships where outcomes hinge on multiple factors.
Take the function \( f(x, y) = \frac{x^2 y}{x+y} \) as an example. It depends on two variables, \( x \) and \( y \), reflecting how these inputs jointly affect the function's output.
- Multivariable functions require tools like partial derivatives and gradient vectors for thorough analysis.
- Understanding these functions allows you to explore how variations in each variable influence the overall function.