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Multivariable Calculus
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1. Parametric Equations
- Parametric Equations
- Different Parameterizations
- Parameterizing an Ellipse
- Curves in 2-Space
- Curves in 3-Space
- Tangent Line to a Parametric Curve
- Regions Bounded by Polar Curves
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2. Conic Sections
- The Foci of an Ellipse
- The Foci of a Hyperbola
- The Focus and Directrix of a Parabola
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3. Vectors
- Sum/Difference of Vectors
- Parametric Representation of a Line
- Vector Representation of a Line
- Intersecting Lines
- Geometric Interpretation of the Dot Product
- Orthogonal Projection
- Geometric Interpretation of the Cross Product
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4. Curves and Surfaces
- Level Curves
- Cylindrical Coordinates
- Spherical Coordinates
- Curve Along a Surface
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5. Partial Differentiation
- Partial Derivatives and Slope
- The Chain Rule
- Tangent Plane to a Surface
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6. Gradients and Optimization
- Gradient vs. Level Curves
- Constrained Optimization
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7. Multiple Integration
- Small Cylindrical Volumes
- Small Spherical Volumes
- Iterated Double Integrals
- Line Integral of a Scalar Function
- Simple Cylindrical Volumes
- Simple Spherical Volumes
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8. Vector Analysis
- Vector Field in the Plane
- Line Integral of a Vector Field in 2-Space
- Line Integral of a Vector Field in 3-Space
- Circulation in 2-Space
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Multivariable Calculus
Kristen Beck, Jul 2, 2015

Table of Contents
- Parametric Equations
- Parametric Equations
- Different Parameterizations
- Parameterizing an Ellipse
- Curves in 2-Space
- Curves in 3-Space
- Tangent Line to a Parametric Curve
- Regions Bounded by Polar Curves
- Conic Sections
- The Foci of an Ellipse
- The Foci of a Hyperbola
- The Focus and Directrix of a Parabola
- Vectors
- Sum/Difference of Vectors
- Parametric Representation of a Line
- Vector Representation of a Line
- Intersecting Lines
- Geometric Interpretation of the Dot Product
- Orthogonal Projection
- Geometric Interpretation of the Cross Product
- Curves and Surfaces
- Level Curves
- Cylindrical Coordinates
- Spherical Coordinates
- Curve Along a Surface
- Partial Differentiation
- Partial Derivatives and Slope
- The Chain Rule
- Tangent Plane to a Surface
- Gradients and Optimization
- Gradient vs. Level Curves
- Constrained Optimization
- Multiple Integration
- Small Cylindrical Volumes
- Small Spherical Volumes
- Iterated Double Integrals
- Line Integral of a Scalar Function
- Simple Cylindrical Volumes
- Simple Spherical Volumes
- Vector Analysis
- Vector Field in the Plane
- Line Integral of a Vector Field in 2-Space
- Line Integral of a Vector Field in 3-Space
- Circulation in 2-Space
Parametric Equations


The Foci of an Ellipse
This worksheet illustrates the relationship between an ellipse and its foci. Move the yellow point along the ellipse.


What are the red points called?
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The foci of the ellipse.
What is the relationship between each of the green (resp. blue) line segments?
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They have the same length.
What happens to the sum of the lengths of the green and blue line segments as the yellow point moves along the ellipse?
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It remains constant.
Sum/Difference of Vectors
This worksheet gives a geometric interpretation of the sum and difference of two vectors. (The yellow points may be moved.)


How do the dashed vectors compare to the solid vectors?
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Each dashed vector is equal to the solid vector of the same color.
What is the significance of the green vector?
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It is the negative of the blue vector.
What is the significance of the black vector?
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It is the resultant (i.e. the sum or difference).
Level Curves
This worksheet illustrates the level curves of a function of two variables. You may enter any function which is a polynomial in both and .


Partial Derivatives and Slope
This worksheet illustrates the connection between partial derivatives and slope. Move the yellow point (in the xy-plane) and compare the value of the partial derivative to the slope of the black line.


Gradient vs. Level Curves
Move the yellow point to see how the gradient of the function (whose graph is the red surface) changes. Note that (1) the gradient is always perpendicular to the level curves, (2) though the gradient points in the direction of greatest change, this direction is not always directly toward the "summit" (i.e. the local maximum), and (3) the magnitude (length) of the gradient is equal to the slope of the tangent line to the surface in the direction of the gradient (this is the solid black line on the right side).


Small Cylindrical Volumes
Adjust the values of , , , , , and to see how the small cylindrical volume changes. Note that this volume has approximate dimensions .
Small Cylindrical Volumes


Vector Field in the Plane
This worksheet illustrates a (scaled) vector field in the -plane. Specify the vector field by defining the component functions and and scaling constant . Move the position of the black point to observe the "value" of the vector field at that point.
Vector Field in the Plane


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