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Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes the gradient vector field of the function ?
A
Vectors forming concentric circles around the origin.
B
Vectors pointing radially outward from the origin, increasing in magnitude with distance from the origin.
C
Vectors pointing radially inward toward the origin, decreasing in magnitude with distance from the origin.
D
Vectors that are constant in both direction and magnitude everywhere.
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Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Recall the definition of the gradient vector field. The gradient of a scalar function f(x, y) is a vector field that points in the direction of the steepest ascent of the function and is given by ∇f = (∂f/∂x, ∂f/∂y).
Step 2: Compute the partial derivatives of f(x, y) = x^2 + y^2. The partial derivative with respect to x is ∂f/∂x = 2x, and the partial derivative with respect to y is ∂f/∂y = 2y.
Step 3: Combine the partial derivatives to form the gradient vector field. The gradient is ∇f = (2x, 2y).
Step 4: Analyze the behavior of the gradient vector field. The vector (2x, 2y) points radially outward from the origin because its direction is determined by the coordinates (x, y), and its magnitude increases with the distance from the origin, as it is proportional to √(x^2 + y^2).
Step 5: Conclude that the gradient vector field of f(x, y) = x^2 + y^2 consists of vectors pointing radially outward from the origin, increasing in magnitude with distance from the origin.