∇ MemoLearning Multivariable Calculus

Partial derivatives, multiple integrals, and vector fields

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Curriculum Overview

10
Total Units
~200
Skills to Master
7
Core Units
3
Advanced Units
1

Functions of Several Variables

Understand and visualize functions of multiple variables in 3D space.

  • Functions of two and three variables
  • 3D coordinate systems and graphing
  • Level curves and contour maps
  • Level surfaces and 3D visualization
  • Limits and continuity in several variables
  • Squeeze theorem for multivariable functions
  • Domain and range of multivariable functions
2

Partial Derivatives

Master partial differentiation and understand geometric interpretations.

  • Partial derivatives and their notation
  • Geometric interpretation as slopes
  • Higher-order partial derivatives
  • Mixed partial derivatives and Clairaut's theorem
  • Tangent planes and linear approximation
  • Differentiability and the total differential
  • Applications to error estimation
3

Chain Rule and Implicit Differentiation

Apply chain rule to composite functions and solve implicit problems.

  • Chain rule for functions of several variables
  • Tree diagrams for chain rule
  • Implicit differentiation in several variables
  • Related rates in multivariable context
  • Parametric surfaces and their derivatives
  • Change of variables in differentiation
4

Directional Derivatives and Gradients

Explore directional derivatives, gradients, and optimization.

  • Directional derivatives and unit vectors
  • Gradient vector and its properties
  • Relationship between gradient and directional derivatives
  • Gradient as normal to level curves/surfaces
  • Maximum rate of change and steepest ascent
  • Applications to optimization problems
5

Optimization in Several Variables

Find extrema using critical points and Lagrange multipliers.

  • Critical points and local extrema
  • Second derivative test for several variables
  • Absolute extrema on closed bounded regions
  • Constrained optimization with Lagrange multipliers
  • Multiple constraints and Lagrange multipliers
  • Applications to economics and physics
  • Optimization in business and engineering
6

Double Integrals

Integrate functions over regions in the xy-plane.

  • Double integrals over rectangular regions
  • Iterated integrals and Fubini's theorem
  • Double integrals over general regions
  • Changing the order of integration
  • Applications: area, volume, and average value
  • Mass, center of mass, and moments of inertia
  • Probability and joint density functions
7

Double Integrals in Polar Coordinates

Use polar coordinates for double integrals over circular regions.

  • Converting to polar coordinates
  • Jacobian for polar coordinate transformation
  • Double integrals in polar form
  • Applications to circular and annular regions
  • Volume of solids with circular symmetry
  • Center of mass for circular regions
8

Triple Integrals

Extend integration to three dimensions and various coordinate systems.

  • Triple integrals in rectangular coordinates
  • Applications: volume, mass, and center of mass
  • Triple integrals in cylindrical coordinates
  • Triple integrals in spherical coordinates
  • Choosing appropriate coordinate systems
  • Moments of inertia in three dimensions
  • Applications to physics and engineering
9

Vector Fields

Understand vector fields and their fundamental properties.

  • Vector fields in 2D and 3D
  • Gradient fields and conservative vector fields
  • Divergence and curl of vector fields
  • Physical interpretation of divergence and curl
  • Potential functions and conservative fields
  • Line integrals and path independence
  • Applications to fluid flow and electromagnetism
10

Line and Surface Integrals

Master line integrals, surface integrals, and fundamental theorems.

  • Line integrals of scalar functions
  • Line integrals of vector fields
  • Green's theorem and applications
  • Surface integrals of scalar functions
  • Surface integrals of vector fields (flux)
  • Stokes' theorem
  • Divergence theorem (Gauss's theorem)
  • Applications to physics and engineering

Unit 1: Functions of Several Variables

Learn to work with and visualize functions that depend on multiple input variables.

Multivariable Functions

Define and understand functions of two, three, and more variables with their domains and ranges.

3D Coordinate Systems

Master the 3D rectangular coordinate system and learn to plot points and surfaces in space.

Level Curves

Create and interpret contour maps and level curves for functions of two variables.

Level Surfaces

Visualize and analyze level surfaces for functions of three variables.

Limits and Continuity

Understand limits and continuity for multivariable functions using precise definitions.

3D Graphing Techniques

Learn various methods for sketching and understanding graphs of multivariable functions.

Unit 2: Partial Derivatives

Master the concept of partial differentiation and its geometric interpretations.

Partial Derivative Basics

Understand the definition and notation of partial derivatives for multivariable functions.

Geometric Interpretation

Visualize partial derivatives as slopes of tangent lines to curves on surfaces.

Higher-Order Partials

Compute second and higher-order partial derivatives, including mixed partials.

Clairaut's Theorem

Understand when mixed partial derivatives are equal and apply Clairaut's theorem.

Tangent Planes

Find equations of tangent planes to surfaces using partial derivatives.

Linear Approximation

Use tangent planes and total differentials for linear approximation and error estimation.

Unit 3: Chain Rule and Implicit Differentiation

Apply the chain rule to composite multivariable functions and solve implicit problems.

Multivariable Chain Rule

Master the chain rule for functions of several variables with multiple intermediate variables.

Tree Diagrams

Use tree diagrams to organize and apply the chain rule systematically.

Implicit Differentiation

Find partial derivatives of implicitly defined functions using implicit differentiation.

Related Rates

Solve related rates problems in multivariable contexts using the chain rule.

Parametric Surfaces

Work with parametrically defined surfaces and compute their derivatives.

Change of Variables

Apply chain rule concepts to change of variables in differentiation problems.

Unit 4: Directional Derivatives and Gradients

Understand how functions change in any direction and find paths of steepest ascent.

Directional Derivatives

Compute the rate of change of functions in any specified direction using unit vectors.

Gradient Vector

Understand the gradient as a vector of partial derivatives and its geometric meaning.

Gradient Properties

Explore key properties of gradients including their relationship to directional derivatives.

Normal to Level Sets

Understand how gradients are perpendicular to level curves and level surfaces.

Maximum Rate of Change

Find directions of steepest ascent and descent using gradient vectors.

Applications

Apply directional derivatives and gradients to optimization and physics problems.

Unit 5: Optimization in Several Variables

Find maximum and minimum values of multivariable functions with and without constraints.

Critical Points

Find critical points by setting partial derivatives equal to zero.

Second Derivative Test

Use the discriminant and Hessian matrix to classify critical points.

Absolute Extrema

Find absolute maximum and minimum values on closed and bounded regions.

Lagrange Multipliers

Solve constrained optimization problems using the method of Lagrange multipliers.

Multiple Constraints

Handle optimization problems with multiple constraints using multiple Lagrange multipliers.

Real-World Applications

Apply optimization techniques to problems in economics, engineering, and physics.

Unit 6: Double Integrals

Integrate functions of two variables over regions in the plane.

Rectangular Regions

Evaluate double integrals over rectangular regions using iterated integrals.

Fubini's Theorem

Understand when and how to change the order of integration in double integrals.

General Regions

Set up and evaluate double integrals over more complex, non-rectangular regions.

Order of Integration

Choose the best order of integration and change orders when beneficial.

Applications

Use double integrals to find areas, volumes, average values, and centers of mass.

Probability Applications

Apply double integrals to joint probability density functions and expected values.

Unit 7: Double Integrals in Polar Coordinates

Use polar coordinates to simplify double integrals over circular regions.

Polar Coordinate Conversion

Convert between Cartesian and polar coordinates for double integrals.

Jacobian Transformation

Understand and apply the Jacobian factor r in polar coordinate transformations.

Polar Double Integrals

Set up and evaluate double integrals in polar coordinates with proper limits.

Circular Regions

Apply polar coordinates to problems involving circles, annuli, and sectors.

Volume Applications

Calculate volumes of solids with circular symmetry using polar double integrals.

Mass and Center of Mass

Find mass and centroid of laminas with circular boundaries using polar coordinates.

Unit 8: Triple Integrals

Extend integration to three dimensions using rectangular, cylindrical, and spherical coordinates.

Rectangular Coordinates

Set up and evaluate triple integrals in standard xyz-coordinate system.

Volume and Mass

Use triple integrals to find volumes of 3D regions and mass of solid objects.

Cylindrical Coordinates

Transform to cylindrical coordinates (r,θ,z) for problems with circular symmetry.

Spherical Coordinates

Use spherical coordinates (ρ,θ,φ) for problems involving spheres and cones.

Coordinate System Selection

Choose the most appropriate coordinate system based on the geometry of the region.

Moments of Inertia

Calculate moments of inertia for 3D objects using triple integrals.

Unit 9: Vector Fields

Understand vector fields and their fundamental properties including divergence and curl.

Vector Field Basics

Visualize and understand vector fields in 2D and 3D space with direction and magnitude.

Gradient Fields

Recognize and work with gradient fields and their relationship to scalar functions.

Conservative Fields

Identify conservative vector fields and find their potential functions.

Divergence

Compute divergence of vector fields and understand its physical meaning as source/sink strength.

Curl

Calculate curl of vector fields and interpret it as measure of rotation or circulation.

Physical Applications

Apply vector field concepts to fluid flow, electromagnetism, and gravitational fields.

Unit 10: Line and Surface Integrals

Master line integrals, surface integrals, and the fundamental theorems of vector calculus.

Line Integrals of Scalars

Evaluate line integrals of scalar functions along curves in 2D and 3D space.

Line Integrals of Vectors

Compute work done by vector fields along paths and understand path independence.

Green's Theorem

Apply Green's theorem to relate line integrals around closed curves to double integrals.

Surface Integrals of Scalars

Integrate scalar functions over surfaces in 3D space using parameterizations.

Surface Integrals of Vectors (Flux)

Calculate flux of vector fields through surfaces and understand orientation.

Stokes' Theorem

Connect line integrals around closed curves to surface integrals using Stokes' theorem.

Divergence Theorem

Relate surface integrals to triple integrals using the divergence theorem (Gauss's theorem).

Applications

Apply these theorems to problems in physics, engineering, and fluid dynamics.