Calculus 3 : Directional Derivatives

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Calculus 3

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Example Questions

Example Question #3461 : Calculus 3

\(\displaystyle \begin{align*}&\text{Find }D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)\text{ where }f(x,y,z)=x^3cos{(y^2)}cos{(z^2)}\\&\text{In the direction of }\overrightarrow{v}=(-9,16,13).\end{align*}\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 67.47x^2cos{(y^2)}cos{(z^2)} - 44.98x^3ycos{(z^2)}sin{(y^2)} - 44.98x^3zcos{(y^2)}sin{(z^2)}\)

\(\displaystyle - 1.2x^2cos{(y^2)}cos{(z^2)} - 1.42x^3ycos{(z^2)}sin{(y^2)} - 1.16x^3zcos{(y^2)}sin{(z^2)}\)

\(\displaystyle - 27x^2cos{(y^2)}cos{(z^2)} - 32x^3ycos{(z^2)}sin{(y^2)} - 26x^3zcos{(y^2)}sin{(z^2)}\)

\(\displaystyle 269.88x^2yzsin{(y^2)}sin{(z^2)}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle - 1.2x^2cos{(y^2)}cos{(z^2)} - 1.42x^3ycos{(z^2)}sin{(y^2)} - 1.16x^3zcos{(y^2)}sin{(z^2)}\)

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle \begin{align*}&\text{To find the directional derivative }D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)\\&\text{a good first step is to make sure that }\overrightarrow{v}\\&\text{is in unit vector form. First, find the magnitude:}\\&|\overrightarrow{v}|=\sqrt{x^2+y^2+z^2}=\sqrt{(-9)^2+(16)^2+(13)^2}=22.49\\&\text{With this, unit vector components can be found:}\\&u_x=\frac{v_x}{|\overrightarrow{v}|}=\frac{-9}{22.49}=-0.4\\&u_y=\frac{v_y}{|\overrightarrow{v}|}=\frac{16}{22.49}=0.71\\&u_z=\frac{v_z}{|\overrightarrow{v}|}=\frac{13}{22.49}=0.58\\&\text{The directional derivative takes the form: }D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)=u_x\frac{df}{dx}+u_y\frac{df}{dy}+u_z\frac{df}{dz}\\&\text{Therefore, for our values:}\\&D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)=(-0.4)(3x^2cos{(y^2)}cos{(z^2)})+(0.71)(-2x^3ycos{(z^2)}sin{(y^2)})+(0.58)(-2x^3zcos{(y^2)}sin{(z^2)})\\&D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)=- 1.2x^2cos{(y^2)}cos{(z^2)} - 1.42x^3ycos{(z^2)}sin{(y^2)} - 1.16x^3zcos{(y^2)}sin{(z^2)}\end{align*}\)

Example Question #1091 : Partial Derivatives

\(\displaystyle \begin{align*}&\text{Find }D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)\text{ where }f(x,y,z)=2^{(x^2)}cos{(y)}cos{(z)}\\&\text{In the direction of }\overrightarrow{v}=(-20,7,-3).\end{align*}\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 29.667\cdot 2^{(x^2)}xsin{(y)}sin{(z)}\)

\(\displaystyle 0.14\cdot 2^{(x^2)}cos{(y)}sin{(z)} - 0.33\cdot 2^{(x^2)}cos{(z)}sin{(y)} - 1.2893\cdot 2^{(x^2)}xcos{(y)}cos{(z)}\)

\(\displaystyle 3\cdot 2^{(x^2)}cos{(y)}sin{(z)} - 7\cdot 2^{(x^2)}cos{(z)}sin{(y)} - 27.726\cdot 2^{(x^2)}xcos{(y)}cos{(z)}\)

\(\displaystyle 29.667\cdot 2^{(x^2)}xcos{(y)}cos{(z)} - 21.4\cdot 2^{(x^2)}cos{(z)}sin{(y)} - 21.4\cdot 2^{(x^2)}cos{(y)}sin{(z)}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 0.14\cdot 2^{(x^2)}cos{(y)}sin{(z)} - 0.33\cdot 2^{(x^2)}cos{(z)}sin{(y)} - 1.2893\cdot 2^{(x^2)}xcos{(y)}cos{(z)}\)

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle \begin{align*}&\text{To find }D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)\\&\text{a good first step is to make sure that }\overrightarrow{v}\\&\text{is in unit vector form. First, find the magnitude:}\\&|\overrightarrow{v}|=\sqrt{x^2+y^2+z^2}=\sqrt{(-20)^2+(7)^2+(-3)^2}=21.4\\&\text{With this, unit vector components can be found:}\\&u_x=\frac{v_x}{|\overrightarrow{v}|}=\frac{-20}{21.4}=-0.93\\&u_y=\frac{v_y}{|\overrightarrow{v}|}=\frac{7}{21.4}=0.33\\&u_z=\frac{v_z}{|\overrightarrow{v}|}=\frac{-3}{21.4}=-0.14\\&\text{The directional derivative takes the form: }D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)=u_x\frac{df}{dx}+u_y\frac{df}{dy}+u_z\frac{df}{dz}\\&\text{Therefore, for our values:}\\&D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)=(-0.93)(1.3863\cdot 2^{(x^2)}xcos{(y)}cos{(z)})+(0.33)(-1.0\cdot 2^{(x^2)}cos{(z)}sin{(y)})+(-0.14)(-1.0\cdot 2^{(x^2)}cos{(y)}sin{(z)})\\&D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)=0.14\cdot 2^{(x^2)}cos{(y)}sin{(z)} - 0.33\cdot 2^{(x^2)}cos{(z)}sin{(y)} - 1.2893\cdot 2^{(x^2)}xcos{(y)}cos{(z)}\end{align*}\)

Example Question #33 : Directional Derivatives

\(\displaystyle \begin{align*}&\text{Find }D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)\text{ where }f(x,y,z)=x^4y^2z^4\\&\text{In the direction of }\overrightarrow{v}=(-4,1,6).\end{align*}\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 0.28x^4yz^4 - 2.2x^3y^2z^4 + 3.28x^4y^2z^3\)

\(\displaystyle 232.96x^3yz^3\)

\(\displaystyle 2x^4yz^4 - 16x^3y^2z^4 + 24x^4y^2z^3\)

\(\displaystyle 14.56x^4yz^4 + 29.12x^3y^2z^4 + 29.12x^4y^2z^3\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 0.28x^4yz^4 - 2.2x^3y^2z^4 + 3.28x^4y^2z^3\)

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle \begin{align*}&\text{To find }D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)\\&\text{a good first step is to make sure that }\overrightarrow{v}\\&\text{is in unit vector form. First, find the magnitude:}\\&|\overrightarrow{v}|=\sqrt{x^2+y^2+z^2}=\sqrt{(-4)^2+(1)^2+(6)^2}=7.28\\&\text{With this, unit vector components can be found:}\\&u_x=\frac{v_x}{|\overrightarrow{v}|}=\frac{-4}{7.28}=-0.55\\&u_y=\frac{v_y}{|\overrightarrow{v}|}=\frac{1}{7.28}=0.14\\&u_z=\frac{v_z}{|\overrightarrow{v}|}=\frac{6}{7.28}=0.82\\&\text{The directional derivative takes the form: }D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)=u_x\frac{df}{dx}+u_y\frac{df}{dy}+u_z\frac{df}{dz}\\&\text{Therefore, for our values:}\\&D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)=(-0.55)(4x^3y^2z^4)+(0.14)(2x^4yz^4)+(0.82)(4x^4y^2z^3)\\&D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)=0.28x^4yz^4 - 2.2x^3y^2z^4 + 3.28x^4y^2z^3\end{align*}\)

Example Question #31 : Directional Derivatives

\(\displaystyle \begin{align*}&\text{Find }D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)\text{ where }f(x,y,z)=2^{(x^2)}y\\&\text{In the direction of }\overrightarrow{v}=(2,-17,-14).\end{align*}\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 0.12477\cdot 2^{(x^2)}xy - 0.77\cdot 2^{(x^2)}\)

\(\displaystyle 2.7726\cdot 2^{(x^2)}xy - 17\cdot 2^{(x^2)}\)

\(\displaystyle 22.11\cdot 2^{(x^2)} + 30.651\cdot 2^{(x^2)}xy\)

\(\displaystyle 0\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 0.12477\cdot 2^{(x^2)}xy - 0.77\cdot 2^{(x^2)}\)

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle \begin{align*}&\text{To find }D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)\\&\text{a good first step is to make sure that }\overrightarrow{v}\\&\text{is in unit vector form. First, find the magnitude:}\\&|\overrightarrow{v}|=\sqrt{x^2+y^2+z^2}=\sqrt{(2)^2+(-17)^2+(-14)^2}=22.11\\&\text{With this, unit vector components can be found:}\\&u_x=\frac{v_x}{|\overrightarrow{v}|}=\frac{2}{22.11}=0.09\\&u_y=\frac{v_y}{|\overrightarrow{v}|}=\frac{-17}{22.11}=-0.77\\&u_z=\frac{v_z}{|\overrightarrow{v}|}=\frac{-14}{22.11}=-0.63\\&\text{The directional derivative takes the form: }D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)=u_x\frac{df}{dx}+u_y\frac{df}{dy}+u_z\frac{df}{dz}\\&\text{Therefore, for our values:}\\&D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)=(0.09)(1.3863\cdot 2^{(x^2)}xy)+(-0.77)(2^{(x^2)})+(-0.63)(0.0)\\&D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)=0.12477\cdot 2^{(x^2)}xy - 0.77\cdot 2^{(x^2)}\end{align*}\)

Example Question #3461 : Calculus 3

\(\displaystyle \begin{align*}&\text{Find }D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)\text{ where }f(x,y,z)=sin{(z^3)}e^{(y^2)}cos{(x)}\\&\text{In the direction of }\overrightarrow{v}=(-18,16,-18).\end{align*}\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle -180.42yz^2cos{(z^3)}e^{(y^2)}sin{(x)}\)

\(\displaystyle 18sin{(z^3)}e^{(y^2)}sin{(x)} + 32ysin{(z^3)}e^{(y^2)}cos{(x)} - 54z^2cos{(z^3)}e^{(y^2)}cos{(x)}\)

\(\displaystyle 0.6sin{(z^3)}e^{(y^2)}sin{(x)} + 1.06ysin{(z^3)}e^{(y^2)}cos{(x)} - 1.8z^2cos{(z^3)}e^{(y^2)}cos{(x)}\)

\(\displaystyle 60.14ysin{(z^3)}e^{(y^2)}cos{(x)} - 30.07sin{(z^3)}e^{(y^2)}sin{(x)} + 90.21z^2cos{(z^3)}e^{(y^2)}cos{(x)}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 0.6sin{(z^3)}e^{(y^2)}sin{(x)} + 1.06ysin{(z^3)}e^{(y^2)}cos{(x)} - 1.8z^2cos{(z^3)}e^{(y^2)}cos{(x)}\)

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle \begin{align*}&\text{To find }D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)\\&\text{a good first step is to make sure that }\overrightarrow{v}\\&\text{is in unit vector form. First, find the magnitude:}\\&|\overrightarrow{v}|=\sqrt{x^2+y^2+z^2}=\sqrt{(-18)^2+(16)^2+(-18)^2}=30.07\\&\text{With this, unit vector components can be found:}\\&u_x=\frac{v_x}{|\overrightarrow{v}|}=\frac{-18}{30.07}=-0.6\\&u_y=\frac{v_y}{|\overrightarrow{v}|}=\frac{16}{30.07}=0.53\\&u_z=\frac{v_z}{|\overrightarrow{v}|}=\frac{-18}{30.07}=-0.6\\&\text{The directional derivative takes the form: }D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)=u_x\frac{df}{dx}+u_y\frac{df}{dy}+u_z\frac{df}{dz}\\&\text{Therefore, for our values:}\\&D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)=(-0.6)(-1sin{(z^3)}e^{(y^2)}sin{(x)})+(0.53)(2ysin{(z^3)}e^{(y^2)}cos{(x)})+(-0.6)(3z^2cos{(z^3)}e^{(y^2)}cos{(x)})\\&D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)=0.6sin{(z^3)}e^{(y^2)}sin{(x)} + 1.06ysin{(z^3)}e^{(y^2)}cos{(x)} - 1.8z^2cos{(z^3)}e^{(y^2)}cos{(x)}\end{align*}\)

Example Question #36 : Directional Derivatives

\(\displaystyle \begin{align*}&\text{Find }D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)\text{ where }f(x,y,z)=4^{(y^2)}e^{(z)}cos{(x)}\\&\text{In the direction of }\overrightarrow{v}=(0,5,13).\end{align*}\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle -38.622\cdot 4^{(y^2)}ye^{(z)}sin{(x)}\)

\(\displaystyle 13\cdot 4^{(y^2)}e^{(z)}cos{(x)} + 13.863\cdot 4^{(y^2)}ye^{(z)}cos{(x)}\)

\(\displaystyle 0.93\cdot 4^{(y^2)}e^{(z)}cos{(x)} + 0.99813\cdot 4^{(y^2)}ye^{(z)}cos{(x)}\)

\(\displaystyle 13.93\cdot 4^{(y^2)}e^{(z)}cos{(x)} - 13.93\cdot 4^{(y^2)}e^{(z)}sin{(x)} + 38.622\cdot 4^{(y^2)}ye^{(z)}cos{(x)}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 0.93\cdot 4^{(y^2)}e^{(z)}cos{(x)} + 0.99813\cdot 4^{(y^2)}ye^{(z)}cos{(x)}\)

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle \begin{align*}&\text{To find }D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)\\&\text{a good first step is to make sure that }\overrightarrow{v}\\&\text{is in unit vector form. First, find the magnitude:}\\&|\overrightarrow{v}|=\sqrt{x^2+y^2+z^2}=\sqrt{(0)^2+(5)^2+(13)^2}=13.93\\&\text{With this, unit vector components can be found:}\\&u_x=\frac{v_x}{|\overrightarrow{v}|}=\frac{0}{13.93}=0\\&u_y=\frac{v_y}{|\overrightarrow{v}|}=\frac{5}{13.93}=0.36\\&u_z=\frac{v_z}{|\overrightarrow{v}|}=\frac{13}{13.93}=0.93\\&\text{The directional derivative takes the form: }D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)=u_x\frac{df}{dx}+u_y\frac{df}{dy}+u_z\frac{df}{dz}\\&\text{Therefore, for our values:}\\&D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)=(0)(-1\cdot 4^{(y^2)}e^{(z)}sin{(x)})+(0.36)(2.7726\cdot 4^{(y^2)}ye^{(z)}cos{(x)})+(0.93)(4^{(y^2)}e^{(z)}cos{(x)})\\&D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)=0.93\cdot 4^{(y^2)}e^{(z)}cos{(x)} + 0.99813\cdot 4^{(y^2)}ye^{(z)}cos{(x)}\end{align*}\)

Example Question #37 : Directional Derivatives

\(\displaystyle \begin{align*}&\text{Find }D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)\text{ where }f(x,y,z)=e^{(y^2)}cos{(z)}sin{(x)}\\&\text{In the direction of }\overrightarrow{v}=(2,-14,3).\end{align*}\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle -28.9ye^{(y^2)}cos{(x)}sin{(z)}\)

\(\displaystyle 14.5e^{(y^2)}cos{(x)}cos{(z)} - 14.5e^{(y^2)}sin{(x)}sin{(z)} + 28.9ye^{(y^2)}cos{(z)}sin{(x)}\)

\(\displaystyle 2e^{(y^2)}cos{(x)}cos{(z)} - 3e^{(y^2)}sin{(x)}sin{(z)} - 28ye^{(y^2)}cos{(z)}sin{(x)}\)

\(\displaystyle 0.14e^{(y^2)}cos{(x)}cos{(z)} - 0.21e^{(y^2)}sin{(x)}sin{(z)} - 1.94ye^{(y^2)}cos{(z)}sin{(x)}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 0.14e^{(y^2)}cos{(x)}cos{(z)} - 0.21e^{(y^2)}sin{(x)}sin{(z)} - 1.94ye^{(y^2)}cos{(z)}sin{(x)}\)

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle \begin{align*}&\text{To find }D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)\\&\text{a good first step is to make sure that }\overrightarrow{v}\\&\text{is in unit vector form. First, find the magnitude:}\\&|\overrightarrow{v}|=\sqrt{x^2+y^2+z^2}=\sqrt{(2)^2+(-14)^2+(3)^2}=14.46\\&\text{With this, unit vector components can be found:}\\&u_x=\frac{v_x}{|\overrightarrow{v}|}=\frac{2}{14.46}=0.14\\&u_y=\frac{v_y}{|\overrightarrow{v}|}=\frac{-14}{14.46}=-0.97\\&u_z=\frac{v_z}{|\overrightarrow{v}|}=\frac{3}{14.46}=0.21\\&\text{The directional derivative takes the form: }D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)=u_x\frac{df}{dx}+u_y\frac{df}{dy}+u_z\frac{df}{dz}\\&\text{Therefore, for our values:}\\&D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)=(0.14)(e^{(y^2)}cos{(x)}cos{(z)})+(-0.97)(2ye^{(y^2)}cos{(z)}sin{(x)})+(0.21)(-1e^{(y^2)}sin{(x)}sin{(z)})\\&D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)=0.14e^{(y^2)}cos{(x)}cos{(z)} - 0.21e^{(y^2)}sin{(x)}sin{(z)} - 1.94ye^{(y^2)}cos{(z)}sin{(x)}\end{align*}\)

Example Question #38 : Directional Derivatives

\(\displaystyle \begin{align*}&\text{Find }D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)\text{ where }f(x,y,z)=y^4cos{(x^3)}sin{(z^2)}\\&\text{In the direction of }\overrightarrow{v}=(8,18,12).\end{align*}\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle -554x^2y^3zcos{(z^2)}sin{(x^3)}\)

\(\displaystyle 3.12y^3cos{(x^3)}sin{(z^2)} + 1.04y^4zcos{(x^3)}cos{(z^2)} - 1.05x^2y^4sin{(x^3)}sin{(z^2)}\)

\(\displaystyle 92.3y^3cos{(x^3)}sin{(z^2)} + 46.1y^4zcos{(x^3)}cos{(z^2)} - 69.2x^2y^4sin{(x^3)}sin{(z^2)}\)

\(\displaystyle 72y^3cos{(x^3)}sin{(z^2)} + 24y^4zcos{(x^3)}cos{(z^2)} - 24x^2y^4sin{(x^3)}sin{(z^2)}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 3.12y^3cos{(x^3)}sin{(z^2)} + 1.04y^4zcos{(x^3)}cos{(z^2)} - 1.05x^2y^4sin{(x^3)}sin{(z^2)}\)

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle \begin{align*}&\text{To find }D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)\\&\text{a good first step is to make sure that }\overrightarrow{v}\\&\text{is in unit vector form. First, find the magnitude:}\\&|\overrightarrow{v}|=\sqrt{x^2+y^2+z^2}=\sqrt{(8)^2+(18)^2+(12)^2}=23.07\\&\text{With this, unit vector components can be found:}\\&u_x=\frac{v_x}{|\overrightarrow{v}|}=\frac{8}{23.07}=0.35\\&u_y=\frac{v_y}{|\overrightarrow{v}|}=\frac{18}{23.07}=0.78\\&u_z=\frac{v_z}{|\overrightarrow{v}|}=\frac{12}{23.07}=0.52\\&\text{The directional derivative takes the form: }D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)=u_x\frac{df}{dx}+u_y\frac{df}{dy}+u_z\frac{df}{dz}\\&\text{Therefore, for our values:}\\&D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)=(0.35)(-3x^2y^4sin{(x^3)}sin{(z^2)})+(0.78)(4y^3cos{(x^3)}sin{(z^2)})+(0.52)(2y^4zcos{(x^3)}cos{(z^2)})\\&D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)=3.12y^3cos{(x^3)}sin{(z^2)} + 1.04y^4zcos{(x^3)}cos{(z^2)} - 1.05x^2y^4sin{(x^3)}sin{(z^2)}\end{align*}\)

Example Question #32 : Directional Derivatives

\(\displaystyle \begin{align*}&\text{Find }D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)\text{ where }f(x,y,z)=sin{(y^2)}cos{(x)}\\&\text{In the direction of }\overrightarrow{v}=(-17,7,0).\end{align*}\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 17sin{(y^2)}sin{(x)} + 14ycos{(y^2)}cos{(x)}\)

\(\displaystyle 0\)

\(\displaystyle 36.8ycos{(y^2)}cos{(x)} - 18.4sin{(y^2)}sin{(x)}\)

\(\displaystyle 0.92sin{(y^2)}sin{(x)} + 0.76ycos{(y^2)}cos{(x)}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 0.92sin{(y^2)}sin{(x)} + 0.76ycos{(y^2)}cos{(x)}\)

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle \begin{align*}&\text{To find }D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)\\&\text{a good first step is to make sure that }\overrightarrow{v}\\&\text{is in unit vector form. First, find the magnitude:}\\&|\overrightarrow{v}|=\sqrt{x^2+y^2+z^2}=\sqrt{(-17)^2+(7)^2+(0)^2}=18.38\\&\text{With this, unit vector components can be found:}\\&u_x=\frac{v_x}{|\overrightarrow{v}|}=\frac{-17}{18.38}=-0.92\\&u_y=\frac{v_y}{|\overrightarrow{v}|}=\frac{7}{18.38}=0.38\\&u_z=\frac{v_z}{|\overrightarrow{v}|}=\frac{0}{18.38}=0\\&\text{The directional derivative takes the form: }D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)=u_x\frac{df}{dx}+u_y\frac{df}{dy}+u_z\frac{df}{dz}\\&\text{Therefore, for our values:}\\&D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)=(-0.92)(-1sin{(y^2)}sin{(x)})+(0.38)(2ycos{(y^2)}cos{(x)})+(0)(0.0)\\&D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)=0.92sin{(y^2)}sin{(x)} + 0.76ycos{(y^2)}cos{(x)}\end{align*}\)

Example Question #33 : Directional Derivatives

\(\displaystyle \begin{align*}&\text{Find }D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)\text{ where }f(x,y,z)=cos{(x^2)}cos{(y)}\\&\text{In the direction of }\overrightarrow{v}=(14,5,1).\end{align*}\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle - 14.9cos{(x^2)}sin{(y)} - 29.8xsin{(x^2)}cos{(y)}\)

\(\displaystyle 0\)

\(\displaystyle - 0.34cos{(x^2)}sin{(y)} - 1.88xsin{(x^2)}cos{(y)}\)

\(\displaystyle - 5cos{(x^2)}sin{(y)} - 28xsin{(x^2)}cos{(y)}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle - 0.34cos{(x^2)}sin{(y)} - 1.88xsin{(x^2)}cos{(y)}\)

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle \begin{align*}&\text{To find }D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)\\&\text{a good first step is to make sure that }\overrightarrow{v}\\&\text{is in unit vector form. First, find the magnitude:}\\&|\overrightarrow{v}|=\sqrt{x^2+y^2+z^2}=\sqrt{(14)^2+(5)^2+(1)^2}=14.9\\&\text{With this, unit vector components can be found:}\\&u_x=\frac{v_x}{|\overrightarrow{v}|}=\frac{14}{14.9}=0.94\\&u_y=\frac{v_y}{|\overrightarrow{v}|}=\frac{5}{14.9}=0.34\\&u_z=\frac{v_z}{|\overrightarrow{v}|}=\frac{1}{14.9}=0.07\\&\text{The directional derivative takes the form: }D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)=u_x\frac{df}{dx}+u_y\frac{df}{dy}+u_z\frac{df}{dz}\\&\text{Therefore, for our values:}\\&D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)=(0.94)(-2xsin{(x^2)}cos{(y)})+(0.34)(-1cos{(x^2)}sin{(y)})+(0.07)(0.0)\\&D_{\overrightarrow{u}}(x,y,z)=- 0.34cos{(x^2)}sin{(y)} - 1.88xsin{(x^2)}cos{(y)}\end{align*}\)

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