( \nabla f(\mathbfx) = \mathbf0 ).
Here’s a structured as it would appear in a concise paper or study guide. Paper: Multivariable Differential Calculus 1. Introduction Multivariable differential calculus extends the concepts of limits, continuity, and derivatives from functions of one variable to functions of several variables. It is fundamental for understanding surfaces, optimization, and physical systems with multiple degrees of freedom. 2. Functions of Several Variables A function ( f: \mathbbR^n \to \mathbbR ) assigns a scalar to each vector ( \mathbfx = (x_1, x_2, \dots, x_n) ). Example: ( f(x,y) = x^2 + y^2 ) (paraboloid). 3. Limits and Continuity [ \lim_(\mathbfx) \to \mathbfa f(\mathbfx) = L ] if for every ( \epsilon > 0 ) there exists ( \delta > 0 ) such that ( 0 < |\mathbfx - \mathbfa| < \delta \implies |f(\mathbfx) - L| < \epsilon ).
Slope of the tangent line to the curve formed by intersecting the surface with a plane ( x_j = \textconstant ) for ( j \neq i ).
( f ) is continuous at ( \mathbfa ) if [ \lim_\mathbfx \to \mathbfa f(\mathbfx) = f(\mathbfa). ] 4. Partial Derivatives The partial derivative with respect to ( x_i ) is: [ \frac\partial f\partial x_i = \lim_h \to 0 \fracf(\mathbfx + h\mathbfe_i) - f(\mathbfx)h ] where ( \mathbfe_i ) is the unit vector in the ( x_i ) direction.
Solve: [ \nabla f = \lambda \nabla g, \quad g(\mathbfx) = c ] where ( \lambda ) is the Lagrange multiplier.
( f_x, f_y, \frac\partial f\partial x ), etc. 5. Higher-Order Partial Derivatives [ f_xy = \frac\partial^2 f\partial y \partial x, \quad f_xx = \frac\partial^2 f\partial x^2 ] Clairaut’s theorem: If ( f_xy ) and ( f_yx ) are continuous near a point, then ( f_xy = f_yx ). 6. Differentiability and the Total Derivative ( f ) is differentiable at ( \mathbfa ) if there exists a linear map ( L: \mathbbR^n \to \mathbbR ) such that: [ \lim_\mathbfh \to \mathbf0 \fracf(\mathbfa + \mathbfh) - f(\mathbfa) - L(\mathbfh)\mathbfh = 0 ] ( L ) is the total derivative (or Fréchet derivative). In coordinates: [ L(\mathbfh) = \nabla f(\mathbfa) \cdot \mathbfh ] where ( \nabla f = \left( \frac\partial f\partial x_1, \dots, \frac\partial f\partial x_n \right) ) is the gradient .
The limit must be the same along all paths to ( \mathbfa ). If two paths give different limits, the limit does not exist.