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What Is Multivariable Calculus (MVC) ?

Multivariable calculus is the extension of calculus to functions with more than one independent variable. It involves studying functions of two or more variables, such as z=f(x,y), and how they change simultaneously. This allows modeling real-world phenomena that depend on multiple factors, like pressure depending on volume and temperature in thermodynamics. The course covers differentiating and integrating multivariable functions, and relates this to geometry by studying graphs in multiple dimensions. Key results are Green's, Stokes' and Gauss' theorems, the multivariable equivalents of the fundamental theorem of calculus.

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Muhammad Arshad
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112 views6 pages

What Is Multivariable Calculus (MVC) ?

Multivariable calculus is the extension of calculus to functions with more than one independent variable. It involves studying functions of two or more variables, such as z=f(x,y), and how they change simultaneously. This allows modeling real-world phenomena that depend on multiple factors, like pressure depending on volume and temperature in thermodynamics. The course covers differentiating and integrating multivariable functions, and relates this to geometry by studying graphs in multiple dimensions. Key results are Green's, Stokes' and Gauss' theorems, the multivariable equivalents of the fundamental theorem of calculus.

Uploaded by

Muhammad Arshad
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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INTRODUCTION

WHAT IS MULTIVARIABLE CALCULUS (MVC)?


WHAT WE STUDY IN MVC?
FIRST CONSIDER : MULTIVARIABLE
UNIVARIATE FUNCTION :
WE ARE AWARE OF FUNCTIONS OF ONE VARAIBLE:
y = f(x) = y is a function of x
y depends on x.
y = dependent variable ( DV )
x = independent variable ( IV )
FUNCTIONS WITH ONE INDEPENDENT VARIABLE ARE
UNIVARIATE FUNCTION.
THEIR SIGNATURE IS
𝒇∶𝑹 →𝑹
That is they are from Real numbers to Real numbers.
EXAMPLE-1 : COMPUTER SCIENCE
PROGRAM COMPLETION TIME ( T ) DEPENDS ON THE SIZE
OF THE INPUT ( n ). => T = f ( n )
EXAMPLE-2 :
Y = SALES
X = DEMAND
SALES ( Y ) DEPENDS ON DEMAND ( X ) => y = f(x)
EXAMPLE-3 :

𝒚 = 𝟑𝒙𝟐 − 𝟕
OR 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝟑𝒙𝟐 − 𝟕
BUT REAL WORLD IS NOT THAT SIMPLE.
GENERALLY MORE THAN ONE IV ARE INVOLVED.
EXAMPLE-1 : AREA IS A BIVARIATE FUNCTION.
A = f(x,y)

EXAMPLE-2 : VOLUME IS A TRIVARIATE FUNCTION


V=f(x,y,z)
MULTIVARIATE FUNCTIONS HAVE MORE THAN ONE
INDEPENDENT VARIABLES.
MULTIVARIABLE MEANS MULTIVARIATE FUNCTIONS.
NOW COME TO SECOND TERM : CALCULUS
CALCULUS IS THE STUDY OF CHANGE AND ALL THOSE
PROCESSES WHICH HAPPEN DUE TO CHANGE.
SO MULTIVARIABLE CALCULUS MEANS
THE STUDY OF CHANGE IN MULTIVARIABLE FUNCTIONS.
HERE WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH MORE THAN ONE CHANGE
SIMULTANEOUSLY.

AS ITS NAME SUGGESTS, MULTIVARIABLE CALCULUS IS


THE EXTENSION OF CALCULUS TO MORE THAN ONE
VARIABLE.
THAT IS, IN SINGLE VARIABLE CALCULUS YOU STUDY
FUNCTIONS OF A SINGLE INDEPENDENT VARIABLE
y=f(x).
IN MULTIVARIABLE CALCULUS WE STUDY FUNCTIONS
OF TWO OR MORE INDEPENDENT VARIABLES, E.G.,

z=f(x, y) or w=f(x, y, z).

THESE FUNCTIONS ARE INTERESTING IN THEIR OWN


RIGHT, BUT THEY ARE ALSO ESSENTIAL FOR DESCRIBING
THE PHYSICAL WORLD.
MANY THINGS DEPEND ON MORE THAN ONE
INDEPENDENT VARIABLE. HERE ARE JUST A FEW:
EXAMPLE-1:
IN THERMODYNAMICS PRESSURE DEPENDS ON
VOLUME AND TEMPERATURE.

EXAMPLE-2:
IN ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM, THE MAGNETIC
AND ELECTRIC FIELDS ARE FUNCTIONS OF THE THREE
SPACE VARIABLES (x,y,z) AND ONE TIME VARIABLE t.

EXAMPLE-3:
IN ECONOMICS, FUNCTIONS CAN DEPEND ON A LARGE
NUMBER OF INDEPENDENT VARIABLES,
E.G., A MANUFACTURER'S COST MIGHT DEPEND ON THE
PRICES OF 27 DIFFERENT COMMODITIES.
EXAMPLE-4:
IN MODELING FLUID OR HEAT FLOW THE VELOCITY FIELD
DEPENDS ON POSITION AND TIME.

SINGLE VARIABLE CALCULUS IS A HIGHLY GEOMETRIC SUBJECT


AND MULTIVARIABLE CALCULUS IS THE SAME, MAYBE EVEN
MORE SO.

IN YOUR CALCULUS CLASS YOU STUDIED THE GRAPHS OF


FUNCTIONS y=f(x) AND LEARNED TO RELATE DERIVATIVES
AND INTEGRALS TO THESE GRAPHS.

IN THIS COURSE WE WILL ALSO STUDY GRAPHS AND RELATE


THEM TO DERIVATIVES AND INTEGRALS.

ONE KEY DIFFERENCE IS THAT MORE VARIABLES MEANS


MORE GEOMETRIC DIMENSIONS.

THIS MAKES VISUALIZATION OF GRAPHS BOTH HARDER AND


MORE REWARDING AND USEFUL.

BY THE END OF THE COURSE YOU WILL KNOW HOW TO


DIFFERENTIATE AND INTEGRATE FUNCTIONS OF SEVERAL
VARIABLES.

IN SINGLE VARIABLE CALCULUS THE FUNDAMENTAL THEOREM


OF CALCULUS RELATES DERIVATIVES TO INTEGRALS.
d/dX( f(x)) = F(x)
integrate ( F(X) ) [from x=a to x=b] = f(b)-f(a)
WE WILL SEE SOMETHING SIMILAR IN MULTIVARIABLE
CALCULUS AND THE CAPSTONE TO THE COURSE WILL BE THE
THREE THEOREMS (GREEN'S, STOKES' AND GAUSS') THAT DO
THIS.

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