Unit #20 - Directional Derivatives and the Gradient
Some problems and solutions selected or adapted from Hughes-Hallett Calculus.
The Dot Product
For Problems 1-8, perform the following operations on 10. Which pairs (if any) of vectors from the following list
the given 3-dimensional vectors.
(a) Are perpendicular?
(b) Are parallel?
~a = h0, 2, 1i , ~b = h−3, 5, 4i , ~c = h1, 6, 0i (c) Have an angle less than π/2 between them?
~y = h4, −7, 0i , ~z = h1, −3, −1i
(d) Have an angle of more than π/2 between them?
1. ~a · ~y ~a = h1, −3, −1i , ~b = h1, 1, 2i ,
~c = h−2, −1, 1i , d~ = h−1, −1, 1i
2. ~c · ~y
3. ~a · ~b √ √ √
11. Which pairs of the vectors 3~i + ~j, 3~i + 3~j, ~i − 3~j
4. ~a · ~z are parallel and which are perpendicular?
5. ~a · (~c + ~y ) 12. Compute the angle between the vectors ~i + ~j + ~k and
~i − ~j − ~k.
6. ~c · ~a + ~a · ~y
13. (a) Give a 2-dimensional vector that is parallel to, but
7. (~a · ~b)~a not equal to, ~v = h4, 3i.
8. (~a · ~y )(~c · ~z) (b) Give a vector that is perpendicular to ~v .
9. Let ~v = h2, 3i. Using only two-dimensional vectors, 14. For what values of t are ~u = ht, −1, 1i and ~v = ht, t, −2i
find a unit vector in the same direction as ~v , and then perpendicular? Are there values of t for which ~u and ~v
find another vector perpendicular to ~v . are parallel?
Gradients and the Directional Derivative
In Problems 15-27 find the gradient of the given func- 23. f (x, y, z) = xyz at (1, 2, 3)
tion; if a point is also given, evaluate the gradient at
that specific point. Assume the variables are restricted 24. f (x, y, z) = sin(xy) + sin(yz), at (1, π, −1)
to a domain on which the function is defined.
25. f (x, y) = x2 y + 7xy 3 , at (1, 2)
3 4
15. f (x, y) = x5 − y 6
2 7
26. f (r, h) = 2πrh + πr2 , at (2, 3)
2 2 2
16. f (x, y, z) = 1/(x + y + z )
27. f (x, y) = 1/(x2 + y 2 ), at (−1, 3)
y
17. f (x, y, z) = xe sin z
In Problems 28-29, find the directional derivative
p 3 −4
18. f (x, y) = x2 + y 2 f~u (1, 2) for the function f with ~u = , .
5 5
19. z = sin(x/y)
28. f (x, y) = 3x − 4y
2α + 3β
20. f (α, β) =
2α − 3β 29. f (x, y) = xy + y 3
21. f (x, y, z) = xey + ln(xz) In Problems 30-35, use the contour diagram of f (x, y)
shown below to decide if the specified directional
22. f (x1 , x2 , x3 ) = x21 x32 x43 derivative is positive, negative, or approximately zero.
1
In each of the following parts, decide whether the given
quantity is positive, negative or zero. Explain your an-
swer.
(a) The value of ∇f · ~i at P .
(b) The value of ∇f · ~j at P .
∂f
(c) at Q.
∂x
30. At the point (−2, 2), in direction ~i. ∂f
(d) at Q.
∂y
31. At the point (0, −2), in direction ~j.
39. The temperature at any point in the plane is given by
32. At the point (−1, 1), in direction~i + ~j the function
33. At the point (−1, 1), in direction −~i + ~j. 100
T (x, y) = 2
x + y2 + 1
34. At the point (0, −2), in direction ~i + 2~j.
35. At the point (0, −2), in direction ~i − 2~j. (a) What shape are the level curves of T ?
In Problems 36-37, check that the point (2, 3) lies on (b) Where on the plane is it hottest? What is the tem-
the curve. Then, viewing the curve as a contour of perature at that point?
f (x, y), use ∇f (2, 3) to find a vector normal to the
curve at (2, 3) and an equation for the tangent line to (c) Find the direction of the greatest increase in tem-
the curve at (2, 3). perature at the point (3, 2). What is the magnitude
of that greatest increase?
36. x2 + y 2 = 13
(d) Find the direction of the greatest decrease in tem-
37. x2 − y = 1 perature at the point (3, 2).
38. The contour diagram below represents the level curves (e) Find a direction at the point (3, 2) in which the
f (x, y). temperature does not increase or decrease.
