Chapter 13: Problem 6
Find the gradient of the function at the given point. Then sketch the gradient together with the level curve that passes through the point. $$f(x, y)=\tan ^{-1} \frac{\sqrt{x}}{y}, \quad(4,-2)$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
Gradient is \((-\frac{1}{16}, -\frac{1}{4})\) at point (4,-2).
Step by step solution
01
Find the Partial Derivatives
To find the gradient, we first need the partial derivatives of the function given. The function is \( f(x, y) = \tan^{-1} \frac{\sqrt{x}}{y} \). Let's find the partial derivative with respect to \(x\): The derivative of \( \tan^{-1} u \) with respect to \( u \) is \( \frac{1}{1+u^2} \). Here, \( u = \frac{\sqrt{x}}{y} \), so the partial derivative with respect to \( x \) is:\[ \frac{\partial f}{\partial x} = \frac{1}{1 + (\frac{\sqrt{x}}{y})^2} \cdot \frac{1}{2\sqrt{x}y}. \]Now, the partial derivative with respect to \( y \): \[ \frac{\partial f}{\partial y} = \frac{1}{1 + (\frac{\sqrt{x}}{y})^2} \cdot \frac{-\sqrt{x}}{y^2}. \]
02
Evaluate the Partial Derivatives at (4, -2)
Next, we evaluate the partial derivatives at the point \((4, -2)\).For \(\frac{\partial f}{\partial x}\):- Substitute \(x = 4\) and \(y = -2\):- \( u = \frac{\sqrt{4}}{-2} = -1 \)\[ \frac{\partial f}{\partial x} = \frac{1}{1 + (-1)^2} \cdot \frac{1}{2\cdot 2\cdot (-2)} = \frac{1}{2} \cdot \frac{1}{-8} = -\frac{1}{16}. \]For \(\frac{\partial f}{\partial y}\):- Using \( u = -1 \):\[ \frac{\partial f}{\partial y} = \frac{1}{1 + (-1)^2} \cdot \frac{-2}{(-2)^2} = \frac{1}{2} \cdot \frac{-2}{4} = -\frac{1}{4}. \]
03
Write the Gradient Vector
The gradient vector \( abla f \) at any point \((x, y)\) is given by \( abla f = \left( \frac{\partial f}{\partial x}, \frac{\partial f}{\partial y} \right) \).From our calculations:\[ abla f(4, -2) = \left( -\frac{1}{16}, -\frac{1}{4} \right). \]
04
Sketch the Level Curve and Gradient
The level curve for a function \( f(x, y) = c \) is the set of all points \((x, y)\) where the function equals a constant \( c \). Since the point \((4, -2)\) is on the level curve, we must have:\[ \tan^{-1} \left( \frac{\sqrt{4}}{-2} \right) = c. \]This simplifies to \( c = \tan^{-1}(-1) = -\frac{\pi}{4} \).The gradient vector is \( \left( -\frac{1}{16}, -\frac{1}{4} \right) \), which can be drawn as an arrow originating from \((4, -2)\) and pointing in the direction of steeper ascent on the surface.On a sketch, the level curve would be an implicit equation and the vector would point perpendicularly to this curve at the point \((4, -2)\).
Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!
-
Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
-
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
-
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
-
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.
Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!
Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Partial Derivatives
Partial derivatives help us understand how a function changes as each variable changes while keeping the others constant. Imagine a multivariable function like \( f(x, y) = \tan^{-1} \frac{\sqrt{x}}{y} \), which depends on both \( x \) and \( y \). To find how the function behaves with respect to \( x \) alone, we compute its partial derivative \( \frac{\partial f}{\partial x} \).
- The formula for the derivative of the arctangent function, \( \tan^{-1}(u) \), with respect to \( u \) is \( \frac{1}{1+u^2} \).
- In our function, \( u = \frac{\sqrt{x}}{y} \). For the partial derivative with respect to \( x \), we also include the derivative of the inside expression \( \frac{\sqrt{x}}{y} \) with respect to \( x \), which is \( \frac{1}{2\sqrt{x}y} \).
- The partial derivative with respect to \( y \) involves a similar process, resulting in \( \frac{-\sqrt{x}}{y^2} \).
Level Curves
Level curves are a fascinating concept in calculus that offer insights into the nature of multivariable functions. They are the set of points \((x, y)\) where a function \(f(x, y)\) equals a constant \(c\). You might think of them as the topographical lines on a map representing elevation.
- For our function, \(f(x, y) = \tan^{-1} \frac{\sqrt{x}}{y}\), a level curve can be defined where the function equals \(-\frac{\pi}{4}\).
- By solving \(\tan^{-1}\left(\frac{\sqrt{x}}{y}\right) = -\frac{\pi}{4}\), we identify all points \((x, y)\) that lie on this curve. This corresponds to the point where our original point \((4, -2)\) lies.
- On a graph, level curves help visualize how the function behaves in different regions of the \(xy\)-plane.
Arctangent Function
The arctangent function, expressed as \( \tan^{-1}(x) \), is the inverse of the tangent function. It gives the angle whose tangent is \(x\). This makes the arctangent crucial in trigonometry and calculus, especially when dealing with angles and slopes.
- In our function \( f(x, y) = \tan^{-1} \frac{\sqrt{x}}{y} \), the arctangent helps describe the angle formed by the ratio \( \frac{\sqrt{x}}{y} \).
- This function is bounded between \(-\frac{\pi}{2}\) and \(\frac{\pi}{2}\), providing clear geometric interpretations.
- Calculating \( \tan^{-1}(-1) \) as \(-\frac{\pi}{4}\) helps us identify the specific level curve through the point \((4, -2)\).