Calculus Volume 3 · free preview

Tangent Planes and Linear Approximations

The tangent plane to a surface at a point is built from the partial derivatives, z minus f(a, b) equals f_x times x minus a plus f_y times y minus b, the linear approximation whose differentials estimate small changes.

1. The tangent plane

The tangent plane

2. Linear approximation

Linear approximation

3. Differentials

Differentials

4. When the tangent plane fails

When the tangent plane fails

5. Tangent plane equation

The tangent plane to z = f(x, y) at (a, b) has which equation?

6. Normal vector

A normal vector to the tangent plane of z = f(x, y) is which vector?

7. Differential definition

The differential dz of z = f(x, y) equals which expression?

8. Error order

The tangent plane's approximation error is what order in the distance from the base point?

9. Approximation accuracy

The tangent plane approximates f(x, y) near (a, b) with error quadratic in the distance. Halving the distance does what to the error bound?

10. Paraboloid tangent value

The paraboloid z = x^2 + y^2 at (1, 1) has f = 2. As a number, what is f(1, 1)? Answer with a number.

11. Volume differential terms

The volume V = xyz differential has three terms. As a number, how many? Answer with a number.

12. Tangent plane for linear function

If f(x, y) is itself linear, f = 2x + 3y + 1, the tangent plane at any point is what?

13. Plane trace lines

The tangent plane contains the tangent lines of the two coordinate traces. As a number, how many traces' tangents does it contain? Answer with a number.

14. Differentiability hypothesis

The tangent plane's existence requires differentiability, stronger than the mere existence of partials. As one word, what is it? Answer in lowercase.

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