Chapter 13: Problem 32
Find an equation of the plane tangent to the given surface \(z=f(x, y)\) at the indicated point \(P\). $$ z=\sqrt{25-x^{2}-y^{2}}: P=(4,-3,0) $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The tangent plane at point \(P\) is \(z = -4x + 3y + 25\).
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Surface Equation
The surface is described by the equation \(z = \sqrt{25 - x^2 - y^2}\), which represents a hemisphere with a radius of 5 centered at the origin on the xy-plane.
02
Calculate Partial Derivatives
Find the partial derivatives \(f_x\) and \(f_y\) of the surface equation. For \(f_x = \frac{d}{dx}(\sqrt{25 - x^2 - y^2})\), use the chain rule to obtain \(f_x = \frac{-x}{\sqrt{25 - x^2 - y^2}}\). Similarly, for \(f_y = \frac{d}{dy}(\sqrt{25 - x^2 - y^2})\), use the chain rule to obtain \(f_y = \frac{-y}{\sqrt{25 - x^2 - y^2}}\).
03
Evaluate Partial Derivatives at Point P
Substitute \(x = 4\), \(y = -3\) into the partial derivatives. Thus, \(f_x(4, -3) = \frac{-4}{\sqrt{25 - 4^2 - (-3)^2}} = -4\), and \(f_y(4, -3) = \frac{-(-3)}{\sqrt{25 - 4^2 - (-3)^2}} = 3\).
04
Write Equation of Tangent Plane
The general formula for a tangent plane to a surface \(z = f(x, y)\) at a point \(P(x_0, y_0, z_0)\) is: \(z - z_0 = f_x(x_0, y_0)(x - x_0) + f_y(x_0, y_0)(y - y_0)\). Substitute \(x_0 = 4\), \(y_0 = -3\), \(z_0 = 0\), \(f_x = -4\), and \(f_y = 3\) into the formula to get the equation: \(z = -4(x - 4) + 3(y + 3)\).
05
Simplify Tangent Plane Equation
Simplify the equation from Step 4: \(z = -4x + 16 + 3y + 9\), or \(z = -4x + 3y + 25\). This is the equation of the tangent plane at point \(P\).
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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 used to measure how a function changes as its input variables change, but with respect to one variable at a time. For the function given by the surface equation \( z = \sqrt{25-x^{2}-y^{2}} \), partial derivatives \( f_x \) and \( f_y \) represent the rate of change of the function with respect to \( x \) and \( y \), respectively.
- To find \( f_x \), differentiate \( \sqrt{25-x^2-y^2} \) with respect to \( x \).
- The result is \( \frac{-x}{\sqrt{25-x^2-y^2}} \), telling us how \( z \) changes as \( x \) changes.
- Similarly, \( f_y \) is obtained by differentiating with respect to \( y \).
- This results in \( \frac{-y}{\sqrt{25-x^2-y^2}} \), describing how \( z \) changes with \( y \).
Chain Rule
The chain rule in calculus is a method for finding the derivative of a composite function. When dealing with functions involving square roots, like in the surface equation \( z = \sqrt{25-x^2-y^2} \), partial derivatives require the chain rule.
- The chain rule helps us differentiate nested functions by breaking them into simpler pieces.
- In our problem, we use \( \frac{d}{du}(\sqrt{u}) = \frac{1}{2\sqrt{u}} \) to find how changes in \( x \) and \( y \) affect \( z \).
- For \( f_x \), substitute \( u = 25-x^2-y^2 \) into the derivative formula.
- This results in parts that are easier to manage: \( \frac{-x}{\sqrt{u}} \).
Hemisphere Surface
A hemisphere is a half-sphere, and it can be described using mathematical equations. The specific equation provided, \( z = \sqrt{25-x^2-y^2} \), represents a hemisphere with a radius of 5. This surface is centered at the origin on the \( xy \)-plane.
- This formula is derived from the sphere equation \( x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 25 \).
- By setting \( z \) as a function of \( x \) and \( y \), we look only at the top half of the sphere, forming a hemisphere.
- Visualizing the surface helps understand how tangent planes interact with it.
- The tangent plane touches the hemisphere at exactly one point, giving it a linear approximation there.
Calculus Problem Solving
Calculus is a powerful mathematical tool for solving complex problems involving change and motion. Solving for tangent planes involves several steps, rooted in fundamental calculus concepts like derivatives.
- Identify the function describing the surface or shape, such as \( z = \sqrt{25-x^2-y^2} \).
- Compute partial derivatives to capture how the function changes with each variable.
- Evaluate these derivatives at a given point to understand local behavior.
- Construct the tangent plane equation using these derivatives and the point's coordinates.