Multivariable Calculus

2025-2026

Algemene informatie

Vakcode XB_41008
Studiepunten 6 EC
Periode P4+5
Vakniveau 100
Onderwijstaal Engels
Faculteit Faculteit der Bètawetenschappen
Vakcoördinator dr. F. Mokhtari
Examinator dr. F. Mokhtari
Docenten M.J. Droste
dr. F. Mokhtari
Onderdeel van opleiding(en)

Praktische informatie

Voor dit vak moet je zelf intekenen. De inteken- en afmeldtermijnen staan op VU.nl

Onderwijsvorm Werkcollege, Deeltentamen schriftelijk, Hoorcollege

Doelgroepen

Dit vak is ook toegankelijk als:

Dit vak wordt in het Engels aangeboden. Omschrijvingen kunnen daardoor mogelijk alleen in het Engels worden weergegeven.

Doel vak

At the end of this course students will be able to ...

  1. differentiate functions of several variables (partial derivatives), find local extreme values and use these to graph functions;
  2. parametrize curves and surfaces;
  3. apply the implicit and inverse function theorem;
  4. calculate and investigate multivariable Taylor polynomials of functions of several variables;
  5. calculate multivariable integrals (2D and 3D integrals) using appropriately chosen methods, such as the substitution method, integration by parts and changing the order of integration;
  6. investigate vector fields and line integrals;
  7. work with differential k-forms;
  8. formulate (the general) Stokes theorem and derive the classical integral theorems of Gauss, Green and Stokes;
  9. write down the arguments involved in solving a calculus problem in a logically correct manner.

Inhoud vak

This course deals with the calculus of functions of several variables.
In particular, we cover

  • parametrized curves and arc length
  • planes and lines
  • functions of several variables and level sets
  • partial derivatives, gradients and directional derivatives
  • tangent planes and multivariable Taylor polynomials
  • the multivariable chain rule
  • the implicit and inverse function theorem
  • optimization and optimization under constraints
  • 2D integrals, order of integration
  • 3D integrals, cylindrical and spherical coordinates
  • changes of variables
  • vector fields
  • line integrals and surface integrals
  • parametrized hyper-sufaces and manifolds
  • differential k-forms
  • (the general) Stokes theorem and the classical integral theorems of Gauss, Green and Stokes

Aanvullende informatie onderwijsvormen

Class meetings (twice per week) and office hours (twice per week)

Toetsvorm

Weekly MyMathLab exercises (10%), one Midterm exams (35%) and a Final exam (55%). MML and both exams are mandatory.

The resit exam counts for 90%, with the 10% of the MyMathLab exercises still counting for the resit grade. There is no resit opportunity for the MyMathLab exercises.

Literatuur

  • Calculus: A Complete Course, by Adams and Essex, 10th edition, Pearson, 2022. ISBN 978-0-13-573258-8

Aanvullende informatie doelgroep

Bachelor Mathematics Year one

Toelichting Canvas

Course on differential forms. Available via Canvas.

Aanbevolen voorkennis

Necessary background: Single Variable Calculus (XB_41007)