Trivia and puns
Partial Derivatives
Gradients and Tangent Planes
Extrema
Potpourri
100

The result of differentiating a cow

prime rib

100

the partial derivative with respect to X of (6xy + x4)

6y + 4x3

100

∇f(x, y), where 

f(x, y) = 10x5y

<50x4y, 10x5>

100

True or false:  the gradient of 

f(x, y) = lny is 1/y

False

100

Show that the limit below does not exist

Along y = 0 the limit is 0

Along x = y4 the limit is 1/2

Therefore the limit does not exist

200

Why pirates good at calculus

A true pirate never forgets the C

200

the partial derivative with respect to x of 

(2x3 + y2)1/2

3x2 / (2x3+y2)1/2

200

the directional derivative of f at the point (0, 1) in the direction 𝜃 = 𝜋/3 if 

f(x, y) = y cos(xy)    

sqrt(3)/2

200

The local max and min values and saddle points of the function f(x,y)=3xy - x2y - xy2

(Write max/min values as z-values and saddle points as ordered triples)

loc max of 1

saddle points at (0,0, 0), (0,3,0), and (3,0,0)

200

For the level curve above, determine if dx/dt and dy/dt are >0, =0, or <0 at the point (1, 0)

dx/dt>0, dy/dt = 0

300

What you call a recycled calculus pun

derivative humor

300

fxyzyzzyyxx given 

f(x, y, z) = x30y26z

0

300

The equation of the plane tangent to 

f(x,y) = ex cos y at the point (0,0,1)

z = x + 1

300

The absolute extrema (z-values) if 

f(x, y) = 2x3 + y4 + 2

over the region bounded by x2 + y2 = 1

max = 4

min = 0

300

dz/dt if z = x2 + 3xy, x = e5st and y = s2 + t2

when s = 1 and t = 2

10e20 + 87e10

400

The landmark on which the founder of partial derivatives (Adrien-Marie Legendre) has a plaque of commendation

The Eiffel Tower 

400

the partial derivative with respect to Y 

of (sin((x2)(y2)))

cos(x2y2) * (2x2)y

400

The maximum rate of change of f at the point (4, 1) AND the direction vector in which it occurs if 

f(x,y)=4ysqrtx

max rate of change =

sqrt(65)

direction vector = 

(1/sqrt(65))<1, 8>

400

Find the shortest distance from the point 

(3, 0, −2) to the plane 

x + y + z = 2.

1/sqrt3

400

A tin can is supposed to have a radius of 1.5 inches and a height of 4 inches.  Use differentials to estimate the propagated error in the surface area of the can if the radius has a max error of 0.2 inches and the height has a max error of 0.3 inches. 

3.7 square inches

500

A wizard who is good at calculus

a mathemagician

500

the partial derivative with respect to x of (2yx4e(2xy+1))

8yx3e2xy+1 + 4y2x4e2xy+1 

500

Let f be a function of two variables that has continuous partial derivatives and consider the points A(7, 1), B(8, 1), C(7, 11), and D(16, 13). The directional derivative of f at A in the direction of the vector AB is 4 and the directional derivative at A in the direction of AC is 2. Find the directional derivative of f at A in the direction of the vector AD.

4

500

The extreme values (z-values) of f subject to both constraints (use Lagrange multipliers). 

f(x, y, z) = x + 2y 

x + y + z = 2,    y2 + z2 = 4

max = 

2+2sqrt2

min =

500

Name all three of Mrs. Price's pets

Chief, Cobbler and Captain Awesome