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Multiple Choice
Let . Find the maximum rate of change of at the point and the direction in which it occurs.
A
The maximum rate of change is , and it occurs in the direction of the vector .
B
The maximum rate of change is , and it occurs in the direction of the vector .
C
The maximum rate of change is , and it occurs in the direction of the vector .
D
The maximum rate of change is , and it occurs in the direction of the vector .
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Recall that the maximum rate of change of a function f(x, y) at a given point occurs in the direction of the gradient vector ∇f(x, y). The magnitude of the gradient vector gives the maximum rate of change.
Step 2: Compute the gradient of f(x, y). The gradient is a vector of partial derivatives: ∇f(x, y) = (∂f/∂x, ∂f/∂y). For f(x, y) = x^2 + 3y^2, calculate ∂f/∂x = 2x and ∂f/∂y = 6y.
Step 3: Evaluate the gradient at the given point (1, 2). Substitute x = 1 and y = 2 into the gradient components: ∇f(1, 2) = (2(1), 6(2)) = (2, 12).
Step 4: The magnitude of the gradient vector ∇f(1, 2) gives the maximum rate of change. Compute the magnitude using the formula ||∇f|| = √((∂f/∂x)^2 + (∂f/∂y)^2). Substitute the components of the gradient vector: ||∇f(1, 2)|| = √(2^2 + 12^2).
Step 5: The direction in which the maximum rate of change occurs is given by the unit vector in the direction of the gradient. Normalize the gradient vector ∇f(1, 2) = (2, 12) by dividing each component by the magnitude ||∇f(1, 2)||.