Test Prep Guide for Zill & Wright 2012
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GregorTest Prep Guide for Zill & Wright 2012
Uploaded by
GregorTW B242 TEST PREPARATION 2012
The test covers the following sections in ZILL & WRIGHT: 7.5, 9.1, 9.4, 9.5, 9.6, 9.7, 9.8, 9.9. No
formula page will be given — formulae must be known by heart.
The test consists of two sections — Section A: multiple choice questions, and Section B: problems
that must be written out. The two sections carry approximately the same weight.
For this test you must be able to do the following:
7.5 • Must be able to write down the equation of a line in 3D in vector form, or in parametric
form, or in symmetric form when information such as (a) one point on the line and
information about the direction, or (b) two points on the line, are given.
• Must be able to write down the equation of a plane in 3D in vector form with two
orientation vectors (i.e. r = r1 + ta + sb), or with a normal vector n · r = n · r1 , or in the
form of an equation in x, y, and z, when information such as (a) one point on the plane
and two orientation vectors are given, or (b) one point on the plane and the normal to
the plane are given, or (c) three points on the plane are given, or (d) one point on the
plane and other information from which the orientation of the plane may be determined,
is given.
9.1 • Must be able to draw a vector function r(t) in 3D (simple examples that can reasonably
be drawn).
• Must be able to calculate the derivative of a vector function r0 (t) en be able to use it for
example to find the tangent line at certain points on r(t).
• Must be able to apply the chain rule for partial derivatives correctly.
• Must be able to calculate the arc length of r(t) on a given interval of t.
9.4 • Must be able to sketch level curves (contours) of f (x, y).
• Must be able to describe level surfaces of f (x, y, z) (only simpler cases where the level
surface is a sphere, ellipsoid, or paraboloid).
9.5 • Must be able to calculate the gradient of f (x, y) and of f (x, y, z).
• Must be able to calculate the directional derivative of f (x, y) in a given direction.
• Must be able to prove that the maximum of the directional derivative is given by k∇f k.
• Must be able to prove identities such as Exercise 9.5, 45 to 48.
9.6 • Must be able to give the interpretation of ∇f and to use it in problems: it is a vector
that points in the direction of greatest increase in f , and of which the magnitude is the
rate of increase of f in that direction.
• Must be able to use ∇f to (a) find the equation of the line perpendicular to a level
curve, (b) find the equation of the line perpendicular to a level surface, and (c) to find
the equation of tangent plane to a level surface.
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9.7 • Must be able sketch vector fields in 2D. Only fairly simple ‘drawable’ cases may be
required.
• Must be able to calculate ∇ · F as well as ∇ × F for F(x, y, z) = iP (x, y, z) + jQ(x, y, z) +
kR(x, y, z), (a) in general, i.e. in terms of x, y, and z, as well as (b) at a specific (given)
point.
• Must be able to describe the terms irrotational and incompressible.
• Must be able to prove identities such as Exercise 9.7, 17-32.
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9.8 • Must be able to calculate line integrals such as F ds, F · dr along given piecewise
continuous paths. 2D and 3D cases may both be asked.
• Must be able to calculate the work done on a particle as it is moved on a given path
under the influence of a given force field.
9.9 • Must be able to determine whether a differential of the form P dx + Qdy is an exact
differential.
• Must be able to obtain the potential function of an exact differential of the form P dx +
Qdy by means of integration.
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• Must be able to calculate line integrals of the form C P dx + Qdy in a path independent
way by means of the potential function, where P dx + Qdy is an exact differential.
• Must be able to show that F = ∇f (i.e. F is a gradient field) can always be integrated
in a path independent way, i.e. F · dr is an exact differential.
• Must be able to determine whether the differential of the form P dx + Qdy + Rdz is an
exact differential.
• Must be able to find the potential function of the exact differential of the form P dx +
Qdy + Rdz by means of integration.
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• Must be able to calculate line integrals of the form C P dx + Qdy + Rdz in a path
independent way by using the relevant potential function, where P dx + Qdy + Rdz is an
exact differential.
