COEP Technological University Pune
Department of Applied Sciences (Mathematics Section)
Academic Year 2025-26
Tutorial 2 on Vector Calculus
Course Coordinator: Dr. Aman Jhinga
1. Define Directional Derivative of a scalar function f at point P in the direction of a.
1
Derive the formula Da f = a · grad f .
|a|
2. Find the directional derivative of f at P in the direction of a where
2 2
√ + y ), P : (4, 0), a = i − j
(a) f = ln(x
Ans: 1/2 2
(b) f = xyz, P : (−1, 1, 3), a = i − 2j + 2k
Ans: 7/3
3. Find the direction and magnitude of the force in an electrostatic field f at the point P :
f = ln(x2 +√ y 2 ); P (4, 2)
Ans: [2/5, 1/5], 5/5
f = 2x2 + 4y 2 + 9z 2
√ ; P (−1, 2, −4)
Ans: [−4, 16, −72], 1/ 341[−4, 16, −72]
4. For what points P (x, y, z) does gradient of f = 25x2 + 9y 2 + 16z 2 have the direction
from P to origin?
Ans: Points along the coordinate axes
2 2
5. The flow of heat in a temperature field T = ex −y sin 2xy takes place in the direction of
maximum decrease of temperature T . Find the direction of the flow in general and at
the point P (1, 1).
Ans: -grad(T) and -grad(T) at P
6. If on a mountain the elevation above sea level is z(x, y) = 1500 − 3x2 − 5y 2 [meters], what
is the direction of steepest ascent at P (−0.2, 0.1)?
Ans: Ans: [1.2, −1]
7. What is the directional derivative of f = xy 2 +yz 3 at the point (2, −1, 1) in the direction
2
√ to the surface (x ln z) − y = −4 at (-1,2,1)?
of the normal
Ans: 15/ 17
8. Find the angle between the surfaces x2 + y 2 + z 2 = 9 and z = x2 + y 2 − 3 at the point
(2,-1,2). √
Ans: cos−1 (1/ 6)
9. Find the values of the constants a,b,c so that the directional derivative of f = axy 2 +
byz + cz 2 x3 at (1,2,-1) has a maximum of magnitude 64 in a direction parallel to z-axis.
Ans: -6, -24, 8 or 6, 24, -8
10. Find the directional derivative of f = e2x cos(yz) at (0,0,0) in the direction of tangent
to the curve x = a sin t, y = a cos t, z = at at t = π/4.
Ans: 1
1
11. In what directions is the derivative of f (x, y) = (x2 − y 2 )/(x2 + y 2 ) at P (1, 1) equal to
zero?
Ans: [1, 1]
12. Is there a direction u in which the rate of change of f (x, y) = x2 − 3xy + 4y 2 at P (1, 2)
equals 14 ? Give reasons to your answer. √
Ans: No since directional derivative can be at most 185
√
13. The derivative of f (x, y) at point P0 (1, 2) in the direction of i + j is 2 2 and in the
√ −2j is -3. What is derivative of f in the direction of −i − 2j?
direction of
Ans: −7/ 5
14. We know that the gradient of differentiable function of two variables at a point is always
normal to the function’s level curve through that point. Further, the line through a point
P0 (x0 , y0 ) normal(perpendicular) to a vector Ai + Bj has the equation A(x − x0 ) + B(y −
2
y0 ) = 0. Using these facts, find an equation for the tangent to the ellipse x4 + y 2 = 2 at
the point (-2,1).
Ans: 2y − x = 4
15. A differentiable scalar field f has at the point (1, 2), directional derivative +2 in the
direction toward (2, 2) and -2 in the direction toward (1, 1). Determine the gradient
vector at (1, 2) and compute the directional derivative in the direction toward (4, 6).
Ans: [2, 2],14/5
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