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Multivariable-Calculus · Partial-Derivatives

Gradient of x^2 - 2x + y^2 - 4y

x^{2} - 2 x + y^{2} - 4 y

Step by step

  1. f(x, y) = x^{2} - 2 x + y^{2} - 4 y

    The gradient is the vector of partial derivatives. Differentiate with respect to each variable, holding the others constant.

  2. \frac{\partial f}{\partial x} = 2 x - 2

    Treat every variable except x as a constant.

  3. \frac{\partial f}{\partial y} = 2 y - 4

    Treat every variable except y as a constant.

  4. \nabla f = \left[\begin{matrix}2 x - 2\\2 y - 4\end{matrix}\right]

    Assemble the gradient vector. It points in the direction of steepest ascent.

  5. (1, 2)

    Critical points: where every partial derivative is zero.

Reveal the answer
\nabla f = \left[\begin{matrix}2 x - 2\\2 y - 4\end{matrix}\right]