MTH 201 : Multi-variable Calculus
Problem set 4
September 15, 2025
1. If z = f (x, y), where x = r cos θ and y = r sin θ,
∂z ∂z
(a) Find ∂r and ∂θ
(b) Show that:
2 2 2 2
∂z ∂z ∂z 1 ∂z
+ = + 2
∂x ∂y ∂r r ∂θ
(c) Prove that
∂2z ∂2z ∂2z 1 ∂ 2 z 1 ∂z
+ = + +
∂x2 ∂y 2 ∂r2 r2 ∂θ2 r ∂r
2. Show that any function of the form
z = f (x + at) + g(x − at)
is a solution of the wave equation
∂2z 2
2∂ z
= a
∂t2 ∂x2
[Hint: Let u = x + at, v = x − at.]
3. If u = f (x, y), where x = es cos t and y = es sin t, show that
∂2u ∂2u
2
∂2u
−2s ∂ u
+ 2 =e + 2
∂x2 ∂y ∂s2 ∂t
4. A function f is called homogeneous of degree n if it satisfies the equation
f (tx, ty) = tn f (x, y)
for all t, where n is a positive integer and f has continuous second-order partial derivatives. If f is
homogeneous of degree n, show that
(a) x ∂f ∂f
∂x + y ∂y = nf (x, y)
2 2 2
(b) x2 ∂∂xf2 + 2xy ∂x∂y
∂ f
+ y 2 ∂∂yf2 = n(n − 1)f (x, y)
(c) fx (tx, ty) = tn−1 fx (x, y)
1
5. Suppose that the equation F (x, y, z) = 0 implicitly defines each of the three variables x, y, and z as
functions of the other two: z = f (x, y), y = g(x, z), x = h(y, z). If F is differentiable and Fx , Fy , and
Fz are all nonzero, show that
∂z ∂x ∂y
= −1
∂x ∂y ∂z
6. For the following function, show that, all directional derivatives at the origin are equal to zero. But
the function is not differentiable at the origin
√
x2 y |y|
x4 +y 2
(x, y) 6= (0, 0)
f (x, y) =
0 (x, y) = (0, 0)
7. Given g(x, y) = x2 + 1, y 2 and f (u, v) = u + v, u, v 2 , compute the derivative of f ◦ g at the point
(x, y) = (1, 1) using the chain rule.
8. Suppose that the directional derivatives of f (x, y) are known at a given point in two nonparallel
directions given by unit vectors u and v. Is it possible to find ∇f at this point? If so, how would
you do it?
9. Suppose that over a certain region of space the electrical potential V is given by V (x, y, z) = 5x2 −
3xy + xyz.
(a) Find the rate of change of the potential at P (3, 4, 5) in the direction of the vector v = i + j − k.
(b) In which direction does V change most rapidly at P ?
(c) What is the maximum rate of change at P ?
10. Find equations for the tangent plane and normal line at the point P0 on the given surface.
(a) x2 + y 2 + z 2 = 3, P0 (1, 1, 1)
(b) x2 + y2 − 2xy − x + 3y − z = −4, P0 (2, −3, 18)
(c) cos πx − x2 y + exz + yz = 4, P0 (0, 1, 2)
11. Find parametric equations for the line tangent to the curve of intersection of the surfaces at the given
point.
(a) Surfaces: x + y 2 + z = 2, y = 1 Point: (1/2, 1, 1/2)
√ √
(b) Surfaces: x2 + y2 = 4, x2 + y2 − z = 0 Point: ( 2, 2, 4)
12. At what point on the ellipsoid x2 +y 2 +2z 2 = 1 is the tangent plane parallel to the plane x+2y+z = 1?