WORKSHEET-3

Course Title: MAT104E

Content: Multivariable Functions and Partial Derivatives

1. For the following exercises,

(i) find the function’s domain,

(ii) find the function’s range,

(iii) describe the function’s level curves,

(iv) find the boundary of the function’s domain,

(v) determine if the domain is an open region, a closed region, or neither,

(vi) decide if the domain is bounded or unbounded.

√
(a) f (x, y) = y − x
(c) f (x, y) = y/x2
2 +y 2 )
(e) f (x, y) = e−(x
(b) f (x, y) = x2 − y 2
√
(d) f (x, y) = 9 − x2 − y 2
(f) f (x, y) = tan−1 (y/x)

2. For the following exercises, find an equation of the level curve of the function
f (x, y) that passes through the given point.
√ √ √
(a) f (x, y) = 16 − x2 − y 2 , (2 2, 2) (b) f (x, y) = x2 − 1, (1, 0)

3. For the following exercises, find an equation of the level surface of the function
through the given point.
√
(a) f (x, y, z) = x − y − ln z, (3, −1, 1)
∞
X (x + y)n
(b) g(x, y, z) = n
, (ln 2, ln 4, 3)
n=0 n! z
Z y Z z
dθ dt
(c) h(x, y, z) = √ + √ , (0, 1/2, 2)
x 1−θ 2 2 t t2 − 1

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4. Find the following limits.
ey sin x
(a) lim ex−y (b) lim
(x,y)→(0,ln 2) (x,y)→(0,0) x
q
3
1 + cos y
(c) lim cos |xy| − 1 (d) lim
(x,y)→(1,1) (x,y)→(π/2,0) y − sin x
q
(e) lim ln x2 + y 2 + z 2 (f) lim tan−1 xyz
P →(0,−2,0) P →(−1/4,π/2,2)

5. Find the following limits by rewriting the fractions first.

x2 − y 2
(a) lim , x 6= y
(x,y)→(1,1) x − y

y+4
(b) lim 2 2
, y 6= −4, x 6= x2
(x,y)→(2,−4) x y − xy + 4x − 4x

x+y−4
(c) lim √ , x + y 6= 4
(x,y)→(2,2) x+y−2
√ √
x− y+1
(d) lim , x 6= y + 1
(x,y)→(4,3) x−y−1
x3 y 3 − 1
(e) lim , x 6= 1/y
(x,y)→(1,1) xy − 1

6. At what points (x, y) in the plane are the following functions continuous?

1 x+y
(a) f (x, y) = sin , g(x, y) =
xy 2 + cos x
x2 + y 2 1
(b) f (x, y) = 2 , g(x, y) = 2
x − 3x + 2 x −y

7. At what points (x, y, z) in space are the following functions continuous?

(a) f (x, y, z) = ln xyz, g(x, y, z) = ex+y cos z

1 1
(b) f (x, y, z) = , g(x, y, z) =
|y| + |z| |xy| + |z|

2
 8. By considering different paths of approach, show that the following functions
have no limit as (x, y) → (0, 0).

x4 xy
(a) f (x, y) = 4 , g(x, y) =
x + y2 |xy|
x+y x2
(b) f (x, y) = , g(x, y) =
x−y x2 − y

9. Is f (x, y) continuous at (1,0)?

y(x − 1)

 (x, y) 6= (1, 0)
2y 2 − y + x − 1

f (x, y) =

1/2 (x, y) = (1, 0)


10. Display the values of the functions in two ways: by sketching the surface
z = f (x, y) and by drawing an assortment of level curves in the function’s
domain. Label each level curve with its function value.

(a) f (x, y) = 4x2 + y 2 (b)f (x, y) = 4x2 + y 2 + 1

11. Sketch a typical level surface for the following functions:

(a) f (x, y, z) = ln(x2 + y 2 + z 2 ) (b) f (x, y, z) = x + z

2 2
(c) f (x, y, z) = x + y (d) f (x, y, z) = z − x2 − y 2
2 2 2
(e) f (x, y, z) = (x /25) + (y /16) + (z /9)

12. Find the following limits:

!2
1 1 x sin y
(a) lim + (b) lim ex−y (c) lim
(x,y)→(2,−3) x y (x,y)→(0,ln 2) (x,y)→(1,0) x2 + 1

13. Find the limits by rewriting the fractions first

x2 − 2xy + y 2 xy − y − 2x + 2
(a) lim (b) lim
(x,y)→(1,1) x−y (x,y)→(1,1) x−1
x6=y x6=1
√ √
x+y−4 x− y+1
(c) lim √ (d) lim
(x,y)→(2,2)
x+y6=4
x+y−2 (x,y)→(4,3)
x6=y+1
x−y−1

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14. At what points (x, y) in the plane are the functions continuous?

1 x2 + y 2
(a) f (x, y) = sin (b) g(x, y) =
xy x2 − 3x + 2

15. By considering different paths of approach, show that the functions have no
limit as (x, y) → (0, 0).

x4 − y 2 xy x2 + y
(a) f (x, y) = (b) g(x, y) = (c) h(x, y) =
x4 + y 2 |xy| y

x2 y 2 q
16. Does knowing that 2|xy| − < 4 − 4 cos |xy| < 2|xy| tell you anything
q 6
4 − 4 cos |xy|
about lim ? Give reasons for your answer.
(x,y)→(0,0) |xy|
1 1
17. Does knowing that | cos | ≤ 1 tell you anything about lim x cos ?
y (x,y)→(0,0) y
Give reasons for your answer.
x2 − y 2
18. Define f (0, 0) in a way that extends f (x, y) = xy to be continuous
x2 + y 2
at the origin.

19. For the following exercises, find the limit of f as (x, y) → (0, 0) or show that
the limit does not exist.
 3
x − y3 2x

(a) f (x, y) = cos (b) f (x, y) =
x2 + y 2 x2 + x + y2
y x2 + y 2
(c) f (x, y) = 2
(d) f (x, y) =
x −y xy
3x2 y
20. Define f (0, 0) in a way that extends f (x, y) = to be continuous at
x2 + y 2
the origin.
x2 − y 2
21. Let f (x, y) = . Is it possible to define f (0, 0) in a way that makes f
x2 + y 2
continuous at the origin? Why?

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 sin(x − y)

, |x| + |y| =
6 0


22. Let f (x, y) =  |x| + |y| . Is f continuous at the origin?

0, (x, y) = (0, 0)
∂f ∂f
23. For the following exercises, find and .
∂x ∂y

(a) f (x, y) = x2 − xy + y 2 (b) f (x, y) = (x3 + (y/2))2/3

(c) f (x, y) = tan−1 (y/x) (d) f (x, y) = e−x sin(x + y)

(e) f (x, y) = exy ln y (f) f (x, y) = cos2 (3x − y 2 )

Z y
(g) f (x, y) = logy x (h) f (x, y) = g(t) dt (g continuous for all t)
x

∞
(xy)n (|xy| < 1)
X
(i) f (x, y) = xy (j) f (x, y) =
n=0

24. For the following exercises, find fx , fy and fz .

(a) f (x, y, z) = xy + yz + xz (b) f (x, y, z) = (x2 + y 2 + z 2 )−1/2

(c) f (x, y, z) = sec−1 (x + yz) (d) f (x, y, z) = yz ln(xy)

(e) f (x, y, z) = e−xyz (f) f (x, y, z) = sinh(xy − z 2 )

25. For the following exercises, find the partial derivative of the function with
respect to each variable.

(a) g(u, v) = v 2 e2u/v (b) h(ρ, φ, θ) = ρ sin φ cos θ

26. Find all the second order partial derivatives of the following functions.

(a) f (x, y) = sin xy (b) g(x, y) = xey + y + 1

x
(c) h(x, y) = tan−1 (y/x) (d) k(x, y) = ln(xy) +
y
27. For the following exercises, verify that ωxy = ωyx .

(a) ω = ex + x ln y + y ln x (b) ω = x sin y + y sin x + xy

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28. Which order of differentiation will calculate fxy faster: x first, or y first? Try
to answer without writing anything down.

(a) f (x, y) = x2 + 5xy + sin x + 7ex (b) f (x, y) = x ln xy

29. If z = f (cos(x−y)), then show that f satisfies the equation zxx +2zxy +zyy =
0.

30. Let z = f (y − ax) + g(y + ax), then show that z satisfies the equation
zxx = a2 zyy .

31. Use the limit definition of partial derivative to compute the partial derivatives
of the function at the specified points.
∂f ∂f
f (x, y) = 1 − x + y − 3x2 y, and at (1, 2)
∂x ∂y
32. Express vx in terms of u and v if the equations x = v ln u and y = u ln v
define u and v as functions of the independent variables x and y and if vx
exists.(Hint: Differentiate both equations with respect to x and solve for vx .)

33. Show that fxx + fyy + fzz = 0

(a) f (x, y, z) = x2 + y 2 − 2z 2 (b) f (x, y, z) = e−2y cos 2x

34. Use the limit definition of partial derivative to compute the partial derivatives
∂f ∂f
and of the function f (x, y) = 4 + 2x − 3y − xy 2 at the point (−2, 1).
∂x ∂y
35. Let ω = f (x, y, z) be a function of three independent variables and write
∂f
the formal definition of the partial derivative at (x0 , y0 , z0 ). Use this
∂z
∂f
definition to find at (1, 2, 3) for f (x, y, z) = x2 yz 2 .
∂z
∂x
36. Find the value of at the point (1, −1, −3) if xz + y ln x − x2 + 4 = 0
∂z
defines x as a function of the two independent variables y and z and the
partial derivative exists.

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 ∂x ∂y
37. Find and if the equation u = x2 − y 2 and v = x2 − y define x and y
∂u ∂u
as functions of the independent variables u and v, and the partial derivatives
∂s
exist. Then let s = x2 + y 2 and find .
∂u
∂ 2f ∂ 2f ∂ 2f
38. The three-dimensional Laplace equation + + = 0 is satisfied
∂x2 ∂y 2 ∂z 2
by steady-state temperature distributions T = f (x, y, z) in space, by grav-
itational potentials, and by electrostatic potentials. The two-dimensional
∂ 2f ∂ 2f
Laplace equation + = 0 describes potentials and steady-state tem-
∂x2 ∂y 2
perature distributions in a plane. The plane may be treated as a thin slice
of the solid perpendicular to the z-axis. Show that each of the following
functions satisfies a Laplace equation.
√
(a) f (x, y) = ln x2 + y 2 (b) f (x, y, z) = e3x+4y cos 5z

39. For the following exercises,

(i) express dω/dt as a function of t both by using the chain rule and by
expressing ω in terms of t and differentiating directly with respect to t.
dω
(ii) Evaluate at the given value of t.
dt
(a) ω = x2 + y 2 , x = cos t + sin t, y = cos t − sin t, t = 0
√
(b) ω = ln(x2 + y 2 + z 2 ), x = cos t, y = sin t, z = 4 t, t = 3
(c) ω = z − sin xy, x = t, y = ln t, z = et−1 , t = 1

40. Let z = tan−1 (x/y), x = u cos v, y = u sin v. Express ∂z/∂u and ∂z/∂v
as functions of u and v both by using the Chain Rule and by expressing z
directly in terms of u and v before differentiating. Then evaluate ∂z/∂u and
∂z/∂v at the point (u, v) = (1.3, π/6).

41. Let ω = ln(x2 + y 2 + z 2 ), x = uev sin u, y = uev cos u, z = uev . Express

∂ω/∂u and ∂ω/∂v as functions of u and v both by using the Chain Rule
and by expressing ω directly in terms of u and v before differentiating. Then
evaluate ∂ω/∂u and ∂ω/∂v at the point (u, v) = (−2, 0).

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42. Let u = eqr sin −1p, p = sin x, q = z 2 ln y, r = 1/z. Express ∂u/∂x, ∂u/∂y
and ∂u/∂z as functions of x y and z both by using the Chain Rule and by
expressing u directly in terms of x, y and z before differentiating. Then
evaluate ∂u/∂x, ∂u/∂y and ∂u/∂z at the point (x, y, z) = (π/4, 1/2, −1/2).

43. For the following exercises, draw a tree diagram and write a Chain Rule
formula for each derivative.
dz
(a) for z = f (u, v, ω), u = g(t), v = h(t), ω = k(t)
dt
∂ω ∂ω
(b) and for ω = f (r, s, t), r = g(x, y), s = h(x, y), t = k(x, y)
∂x ∂y
∂ω ∂ω
(c) and for ω = g(u, v), u = h(x, y), v = k(x, y)
∂x ∂y
∂y
(d) for y = f (u), u = g(r, s)
∂r
∂ω
(e) for ω = f (x, y, z, v), x = g(p, q), y = h(p, q), z = j(p, q), v =
∂p
k(p, q)
∂ω
(f) for ω = g(x, y), x = h(r, s, t), y = k(r, s, t)
∂s
44. Assuming that the following equations define y as a differentiable function
of x, use the formula for implicit differentiation to find the value of dy/dx at
the given point.
(a) xy + y 2 − 3x − 3 = 0, (−1, 1)
(b) xey + sin xy + y − ln 2 = 0, (0, ln 2)

45. Assuming that the following equations define z as a differentiable function of

∂z
x and y, use the formula for implicit differentiation to find the value of
∂x
∂z
and at the given point.
∂y
1 1 1
(a) + + − 1 = 0, (2, 3, 6)
x y z
(b) xey + yez + 2 ln x − 2 − 3 ln 2 = 0, (1, ln 2, ln 3)

8
 ∂z
46. Find when u = 0, v = 1 if z = sin xy + x sin y, x = u2 + v 2 , y = uv.
∂u
∂z ∂z √
47. Find and when u = 1, v = −2 if z = ln q and q = v + 3 tan−1 u.
∂u ∂v
48. If f (u, v, ω) is differentiable and u = x − y, v = y − z, and ω = z − x, show
∂f ∂f ∂f
that + + = 0.
∂x ∂y ∂z
49. Find the gradient of the function at the given point. Then sketch the gradient
together with the level curve that passes through the point.

x2 y 2 √
g(x, y) = − , ( 2, 1)
2 2

50. Find ∇f at the given point.

f (x, y, z) = ex+y cos z + (y + 1) sin−1 x, (0, 0, π/6).

51. Suppose that we substitute polar coordinates x = r cos θ and y = r sin θ in a

differentiable function ω = f (x, y).
∂ω 1 ∂ω
(a) Show that = fx cos θ + fy sin θ and = −fx sin θ + fy cos θ.
∂r r ∂θ
(b) Solve the equation in part (a) to express fx and fy in terms of ωr and
ωθ .
∂ω 2 1 ∂ω 2
   
(c) Show that (fx )2 + (fy )2 = + 2 .
∂r r ∂θ
52. Show that if ω = f (u, v) satisfies the Laplace equation fuu + fvv = 0 and if
u = (x2 − y 2 )/2 and v = xy, then ω satisfies the Laplace eq. ωxx + ωyy = 0.

53. For the following exercises, find ∇f at the given point.

(a) f (x, y) = ln(x2 + y 2 ), (1, 1)
(b) f (x, y, z) = (x2 + y 2 + z 2 )−1/2 + ln(xyz), (−1, 2, −2)

54. Find the derivative of the following functions at P0 in the direction of A

(a) f (x, y) = cos x cos y, P0 (π/4, π/4), A = 3i + 4j

9
 (b) h(x, y, z) = cos xy + eyz + ln(zx), P0 (1, 0, 1/2), A = i + 2j + 2k
(c) f (x, y) = 2x2 + y 2 ,P0 (−1, 1), A = 3i − 4j
√
(d) h(x, y) = tan−1 (y/x) + 3 sin−1 (xy/2), P0 (1, 1), A = 3i − 2j
(e) f (x, y, z) = x2 + 2y 2 − 3z 2 , P0 (1, 1, 1), A=i+j+k

55. Find the equations for the tangent plane and the normal line at the point P0
on the given surface.

(a) x2 + y 2 + z 2 = 3, P0 (1, 1, 1) (b) 2z − x2 = 0, P0 (2, 0, 2)

(c) cos πx − x2 y + exz + yz = 4, P0 (0, 1, 2) (d) x + y + z = 1, P0 (0, 1, 0)

56. Find parametric equations for the line tangent to the curve of intersection of
the surfaces at the given point.

(a) xyz = 1, x2 + 2y 2 + 3z 2 = 6, (1, 1, 1)

(b) x + y 2 + z = 2, y = 1, (1/2, 1, 1/2)
√ √
(c) x2 + y 2 = 4, x2 + y 2 − z = 0, ( 2, 2, 4)

57. For the following exercises, find the directions in which the functions increase
and decrease most rapidly at P0 . Then find the derivatives of the functions
in these directions.
(a) f (x, y) = x2 y + exy sin y, P0 (1, 0)
(b) h(x, y, z) = ln(x2 + y 2 − 1) + y + 6z, P0 (1, 1, 0)
√
58. By about how much will f (x, y, z) = ln x2 + y 2 + z 2 change if the point
P (x, y, z) moves from P0 (3, 4, 12) a distance of ds = 0.1 units in the direction
of 3i + 6j − 2k?

59. For the following exercises, find equations for the tangent plane and normal
line at the point P0 on the given surface.

(a) x2 + y 2 − 2xy − x + 3y − z = −4, P0 (2, −3, 18)

(b) cos πx − x2 y + exz + yz = 4, P0 (0, 1, 2)

10
60. For the following exercises, find an equation for the plane that is tangent to
the given surface at the given point.
1 2 +y 2 )
(a) z = , P0 (1, 1, 1/2) (b) z = e−(x , P0 (0, 0, 1)
x2 + y 2
61. Sketch the curve f (x, y) = xy = −4 together with ∇f and the tangent line
at the point (2, −2). Then write an equation for the tangent line.
x2 − y 2
62. In which directions is the derivative of f (x, y) = 2 at P (1, 1) equal to
x + y2
zero?

63. Is there a direction u in which the rate of change of f (x, y) = x3 − 3xy + 4y 2

at P (1, 2) equals 14? Give reasons for your answer.
√
64. The derivative of f (x, y) at P0 (1, 2) in the direction of i + j is 2 2 and in
the direction of −2j is −3. What is the derivative of f in the direction of
−i − 2j? Give reasons for your answer.

65. Find the linearization L(x, y) of the function f (x, y) = e2y−x at the point
(1, 2).

66. Find the linearization L(x, y, z) of the function f (x, y, z) = tan−1 (xyz) at
the point (1, 1, 0).

67. Find all the local maxima, local minima and saddle points of the following
functions.
1 1
(a) f (x, y) = + xy +
x y
(b) f (x, y) = e2x cos y
(c) f (x, y) = x3 + 3xy + y 3
3y3
(d) f (x, y) = 9x + − 4xy
3
(e) f (x, y) = 2xy − 5x2 − 2y 2 + 4x − 4
(f) f (x, y) = x2 + 2xy
1
(g) f (x, y) = x2 +y 2 −1

11
68. Find the absolute maxima and minima of the following functions on the given
domains.

(a) f (x, y) = 2x2 − 4x + y 2 − 4y + 1 on the closed triangular plate bounded

by the lines x = 0, y = 2, y = 2x in the first quadrant
(b) g(x, y) = x2 + xy + y 2 − 6x + 2 on the rectangular plate 0 ≤ x ≤ 5,
−3 ≤ y ≤ 0
Z b
69. Find two numbers a and b with a ≤ b such that (6 − x − x2 )dx has its
a
largest value.

70. (a) Show that (0, 0) is a critical point of f (x, y) = x2 + kxy + y 2 no matter
what value the constant k has. (Hint: Consider two cases: k = 0 and
k 6= 0)
(b) For what values of the constant k does the second derivative test guar-
antee f (x, y) will have a saddle point at (0, 0)? A local minimum at
(0, 0)? For what values of k is the second derivative test inconclusive?
Give reasons for your answers.

71. Among all the points on the graph of z = 10 − x2 − y 2 that lie above the
plane x + 2y + 3z = 0, find the point farthest from the plane.

72. Find the point on the graph of z = x2 +y 2 +10 nearest to the plane x+2y−z =
0.

73. Find the points on the ellipse x2 +2y 2 = 1 where f (x, y) = xy has its extreme
values.

74. Find the points on the curve xy 2 = 54 nearest to the origin.

75. Find the points on the curve x2 + xy + y 2 = 1 in the xy− plane that are
nearest to and farthest from the origin.

76. Find the dimensions of the closed rectangular box with maximum volume
that can be inscribed in the unit sphere.

77. Maximize the function f (x, y, z) = x2 + 2y − z 2 subject to the constraints

2x − y = 0 and y + z = 0.

12
78. Minimize the function f (x, y, z) = x2 + y 2 + z 2 subject to the constraints
x + 2y + 3z = 6 and x + 3y + 9z = 9.

79. Find the extreme values of f (x, y, z) = x2 yz + 1 on the intersection of the

plane z = 1 with the sphere x2 + y 2 + z 2 = 10.

80. Find the dimensions of the rectangle of greatest area that can be inscribed
x2 y 2
in the ellipse + = 1 with sides parallel to the coordinate axes.
16 9
81. Find the point on the sphere x2 +y 2 +z 2 = 4 farthest from the point (1, −1, 1).

82. Find the point(s) on the surface xyz = 1 closest to the origin.

83. Find the points on the sphere x2 + y 2 + z 2 = 25 where f (x, y, z) = x + 2y + 3z

has its maximum and minimum values.

84. Find the largest product the positive numbers x, y, and z can have if x + y +
z 2 = 16.

85. Minimize the function f (x, y, z) = x2 + y 2 + z 2 subject to the constraints

x + 2y + 3z = 6 and x + 3y + 9z = 9.

86. Find the maximum value that f (x, y, z) = x2 + 2y − z 2 can have on the line
of intersection of the planes 2x − y = 0 and y + z = 0.

87. Find the point closest to the origin on the curve of intersection of the plane
2y + 4z = 5 and the cone z 2 = 4x2 + 4y 2 .

88. Use Taylor’s formula for f (x, y) = ex cos y at the origin to find quadratic and
cubic approximations of f near the origin.

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