Mathematics 55

Exercise 1 - Directional Derivatives and Gradients

Do as indicated.
y2
1. Let f (x, y) = − x4 .
2
(a) Determine the directional derivative of f at (1, −2) along h−3, 4i.
(b) Give a direction vector from the point ( 12 , 3) where the following happens:
i. f decreases most rapidly
ii. the rate of change of f is zero
e2y
2. Let f (x, y) = − x3 y + 4.
x
(a) Find the directional derivative of f at the point (1, 0) along the direction of the
vector h5, 12i.
(b) Find a vector along which f decreases most rapidly at the point (1, 0).

3. Let f (x, y, z) = (x + y)2 z.

(a) Determine D~u f (1, −2, 1) where ~u is the unit vector in the direction of h2, −1, 1i.
(b) Find the maximum possible value of D~u f (1, −2, 1) and the direction in which it
occurs.
(c) Find an equation of the plane tangent to the surface f (x, y, z) = 1 at the point
(1, −2, 1).
√
4. Let f be a differentiable function of two variables with f (0, 4) = 0 and ∇f (0, 4) = h2, 3i.

(a) Find the maximum rate of change of f at (0, 4) and the direction in which it occurs.
(b) Find √
the instantaneous rate of change of f at (0, 4) in the direction of the vector
h−1, 3i.

5. Let f (x, y) = y + 4ex−y . Let O denote the origin and V~ = ı̂ − 2̂.

(a) Find the directional derivative of f at O in the direction of V~ .

(b) Find a unit vector along which f decreases most rapidly at O.
(c) Find the greatest rate of increase of f at O.
y2
6. Let S be a surface defined by the function f (x, y) = .
x
(a) Find the rate of change of f at P (2, 4) in the direction of the vector h1, −2i.
(b) What is the minimum rate of change of f at P ?
(c) What is the vector equation of the normal line to S at Q(2, 4, 8)?
sin y
7. Given the function f (x, y) = xey + and P (1, 0).
x
(a) Give a unit vector along which f increases most rapidly at P .
(b) Determine the directional derivative of f at P along the vector V~ = h−3, 4i.

1
 8. Let f (x, y) = y 2 e2x + cos(xy) and A = (0, 2).

(a) Find the directional derivative of f on the point A in the direction of ~v = ı̂ − ̂.
(b) Find the maximum rate of change of f at A.
(c) Find a unit vector in the direction in which f decreases most rapidly at A.

9. Find an equation of the tangent plane and vector equation of the normal line to the
y
surface z 2 = + ln(2y − z). at the point (1, 1, 1).
x
10. Find an equation of the tangent plane and vector equation of the normal line to the
surface z = xy + sin z at the point (π, 1, π).

11. Determine the symmetric equations of the normal line to the surface S at the point (0, 0, 1)
if S is described by the Cartesian equation ln(2y + z) = xz 2 .

12. Give the equation of the plane tangent to the ellipsoid x2 + 3y 2 + 4z 2 = 8 at (1, 1, −1).

Exercises from sample exams and other exercise sets, compiled by rperez