Mathematicians of the Day

First Section Notes

  • Section I.1: Taylor's Theorem in Several Variables
  • Section I.2: Gradinets and Tangent Planes
  • Section I.3: Newton's Method in Several Variables
  • Section I.4: Critical Points and Optimization
  • Section I.5: Gradinets and Contour Curves
  • Section I.6: Lagrange Multipliers
  • Section I.7: Types of Critical Points
  • A Maple Tutorial for 2507
  • Related Materials

  • Applet that plots gradients and contour curvesThis applet lets you specify a function in two variables. It graphs the gradients of this function as arrows for the crossing points on a grid on the graph (the grid itself isn't drawn). In the backgound, values of the function are represented in color. If you click on a point in the graph, the level set of the funtion through that point is graphed. This lets you look for critical points, which are what you have at local max and mins on the constraint curve. You can use it to (a) check you solutions to quiz and homework problems which ask you to find critical points (b) develop ypur geometric insight into types of critical points and the relation between gradients and level curves, and (c) to solve optimization problems graphically -- and understand limits in accuracy that one has with this method.
  • Applet on Newton's method: This version lets you "step through" an application one step at a time with several versions of the algorithm. You can enter any pair of functions, and a click fixes the starting point. You can use this applet to compare the behavior of different versions, and to check the homework in which you compute a few steps by hand. This one runs well on most reasonablr computers.
  • Another applet on Newton's method: This version lets you specify a region, and a version of the algorithm, and then computes the point to which the iteration converges for initial data at each pixel in the picture. The different limitng points are indicated by color. This one requires either a fast computer or a lot of patience. Try starting it, and coming back in fifteen minutes. The pictures are worth the wait.
  • Applet on Lagrange Multipliers methodThis applet lets you specify a cost function and a constraint function in two variables. It graphs the constraint curve against a backgound on which values of the cost function are represented in color. If you click on a point in the graph, the level set of cost funtion through that point is graphed. This lets you look for points of tangency, which are what you have at local max and mins on the constraint curve. You can use it to (a) check you solutions to quiz and homework problems (b) develop ypur geometric insight, and (c) to solve constrained optimization problems graphically -- and understand limits in accuracy that one has with this method.
  • About Joseph-Louis Lagrange
  • Problems on Lagrange multipliers
  • Second Section Notes

  • Section II.1: Finding Limits of Integrals in Two Dimensions: A Case Study

    Second Section Materials

  • Applet on multiple integration in two dimensions with Cartesian coordinates This applet lets you specify a function to be integrated, and up to three boundary functions in two variables. It the chops the region in the graph into little square, The little square that are entirely in the region are graphed in dark blue, and those that touch it in light blue. All others are left white. The applet then gives you an approximate value for integral based on summing up average values of the function at the corners of the squares. You can use it to (a) check you solutions to quiz and homework problems (b) develop ypur geometric insight, and (c) to solve two variable integration problems numerically -- and understand limits in accuracy that one has with this method.
  • Applet that does curve plotting in Cartesian coordinates This applet lets you specify up to three boundary functions in two variables. It then graphs the curve where each of these equals zero in a different color -- so you can tell which curve is which -- and the region where all the functions are positive in yellow. The rest of the background is left white. In this case, the functions are specified in Cartesian coordinates, but the cursor reads of the coordinates of the pont it is at in both Cartesian and polar coordinates. You can use it to check that you have set limits up right, or graphed a region correctly.
  • Applet that does curve plotting in polar coordinates This applet is the same as above, except that the boundary functions are entered in polar form. You can use it to check that you have set limits up right, or graphed a region correctly.
  • About Pappus, last of the great Greek geometers
  • Third Section Notes

  • Section III.1: Finding Limits of Integration in Three Dimensions in Cartesian Coordinates
  • Section III.2: Finding Limits of Integration in Three Dimensions in Cylindrical and Spherical Coordinates
  • Fourth Section Notes

  • Section IV.1: Paths, Parameterized Curves, and Parameterization
  • Section IV.2: Tangent and Normal Vectors of Curves in the Plane
  • Section IV.3: Vector Fields and Line Integrals in Two Dimensions
  • Section IV.4: Work and Flux in Two Dimensions
  • Section IV.5: More notes on the Divergence and the Curl in Two Dimensions
  • Section IV.6: Equivalence of the Divergence Theorem and Green's Theorem in the Plane
  • Related Materials

  • Applet on parameterization and tangetial and normal components of vector fields This applet allows you to enter a paramterized curve and a vector field. It then gives you a choice of viewing the tangent or normal components of the ambient vector field along the curve, the unit tangent and normal vector fields along the curve, etc.
  • Applet on the realtive velocity approach to understanding the divergecne and curl of vector fields This applet allows you to enter a vector field, which is interpreted as a velocity field. You can then click on a point, and it will graph the relative velocity field for that point, as describrd in the section IV.6 notes.
  • About George Green
  • About Johann Carl Friedrich Gauss
  • Fifth Section Notes

  • Section V.1: Flux Density, Divergecne, and the Divergence Theorem in Three Dimensions
  • Section V.2: Circulation Density, Curl, and Stokes's Theorem in Three Dimensions
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