14.

Directional derivatives and Gradient Vectors Directional Derivatives in the Plane Definition Directional Derivative The derivative of f at Po ( xo , yo ) in the direction of the unit vector is u = u1i + u 2 j the number f ( xo + su1 , yo + su 2 ) f ( xo , yo ) df = lim , s ds u , Po s 0 provided the limit exists. The directional derivative is also denoted by ( Du f ) P
0

Interpretation of the Directional Derivative

Definition:

Gradient Vector

The gradient vector (gradient) of f ( x, y ) at a point Po ( xo , yo ) is the vector f f f = i+ j x y

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obtained by evaluating the partial derivatives of f at Po . Theorem 9 The directional Derivative Is a Dot Product If f ( x, y ) is differentiable in an open region containing Po ( xo , yo ) then
df = ( f ) Po .u ds u. Po

the dot product of f gradient at Po and u.

Example:1 Find the directional derivative of f ( x, y, z ) = z 2 cos( x + y ) + xy at Po (0,0,4) in the direction of the vector v = 3,0,1 .

Properties of the Directional Derivative 1. The function f increases most rapidly when cos = 1 or when u is in the direction of f . That is, at each point P in its domain, f increases most rapidly in the direction of the gradient vector f at P. The derivative in this direction is Du f = f cos 0 = f 2. Similarly, f decreases most rapidly in the
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direction of f . The derivative in this direction is Du f = f cos = f 3. Any direction u orthogonal to a gradient f 0 is a direction of zero change in f because then equals / 2 and Du f = f cos( / 2) = f .0 = 0
Example:3 The surface of a lake is represented by a region D in the xy-plane such that the depth (in feet) under
2 2 the point ( x, y ) is f ( x, y ) = 300 2 x 3 y .

(a) Find the rate of change of f at

the direction of v = 2,6,3 .

P (4,9) in

(b) In what direction should a boat at

P (4,9)

(c)

(d)

sail in order for the depth of the water to decrease most rapidly? What is the maximum increase in the depth of the water at P (4,9) ? In what direction does the depth remain the
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same?

Gradients and Tangents to Level Curves At every point ( xo , yo ) in the domain of a differentiable function f ( x, y ) , the gradient of f is normal to the level curve through ( xo , y o ) .
Example:4 Find the equation of the tangent plane to the surface

x 3 2 xy + z 3 + 7 y + 6 = 0 at the point P (1,4,3) .

Algebra Rules for Gradients 1. Constant Multiple Rule (kf ) = kf (any number k) ( f + g ) = f + g 2. Sum Rule ( f g ) = f g 3. Difference Rule ( fg ) = f g + gf 4. Product Rule 5. Quotient Rule
f gf f g = g g2

Functions of Three Variables

Example:6 The temperature T at (x,y,z) is given by T = 4 x 2 y 2 + 16 z 2 .
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(a) Find the directional derivative of T at P(4,-2,1) in the direction of 3i+3j-6k. (b) In what direction does T increases most rapidly at P? (c) What is the maximum rate of change?