Chapter 9: Problem 12
$$\begin{aligned} &\mathbf{u}=\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2} \mathbf{i}+\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2} \mathbf{j} ; \quad \nabla f=\left(4+y^{2}\right) \mathbf{i}+(2 x y-5) \mathbf{j} ; \quad \nabla f(3,-1)=5 \mathbf{i}-11 \mathbf{j}\\\ &D_{\mathbf{u}} f(3,-1)=\frac{5 \sqrt{2}}{2}-\frac{11 \sqrt{2}}{2}=-3 \sqrt{2} \end{aligned}$$
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Identify Given Information
Evaluate the Gradient at (3, -1)
Calculate Directional Derivative Formula
Compute the Dot Product
Conclude the Result
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Gradient Vector
- \( abla f = \left( \frac{\partial f}{\partial x} \right) \mathbf{i} + \left( \frac{\partial f}{\partial y} \right) \mathbf{j} \)
For a specific point, like \( (3,-1) \), the gradient vector becomes constant because we're substituting specific values into the partial derivatives. This step simplifies it to \( 5 \mathbf{i} - 11 \mathbf{j} \), which is the gradient evaluated at the point \( (3, -1) \). This vector not only points in the direction where the function increases fastest but also tells us the rate of that increase.
Dot Product
- \( \mathbf{A} \cdot \mathbf{B} = a_1b_1 + a_2b_2 \)
In the context of the exercise, the dot product is used to find the directional derivative, which measures how the function changes as we move in a given direction. Here, we calculate \( (5 \mathbf{i} - 11 \mathbf{j}) \cdot \left( \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2} \mathbf{i} + \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2} \mathbf{j} \right) \). This calculates to \( \frac{5\sqrt{2}}{2} - \frac{11\sqrt{2}}{2} = -3\sqrt{2} \), determining the rate of change in the direction of the unit vector \( \mathbf{u} \).
Unit Vector
- To convert any vector \( \mathbf{v} \) into a unit vector \( \mathbf{u} \), divide by its magnitude: \( \mathbf{u} = \frac{\mathbf{v}}{||\mathbf{v}||} \)
- \( ||\mathbf{u}|| = \sqrt{\left(\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}\right)^2 + \left(\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}\right)^2} = 1 \)