If $f:mathbb R^2to mathbb R$ is defined by $f(x,y)=x^2+xy$. What is the meaning of the derivative/linear transformation, at the point $(1,2)$?

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Suppose $f:mathbb R^2to mathbb R$ is defined by $f(x,y)=x^2+xy$.



The gradient is $(2x+y, x)$ and so the Jacobian is $beginbmatrix 2x+y& xendbmatrix$.



At the point $(1,2)$, the derivative is the linear transformation $beginbmatrix 4& 1endbmatrix$, which is the matrix of the transformation $T(x,y)=4x+y$.



For the sake of an example, the directional derivative in the direction of $(1,1)$ is $beginbmatrix 4& 1endbmatrixbeginbmatrix 1/sqrt2\ 1/sqrt2endbmatrix=5/sqrt2$. Which I understand is the slope of the tangent plane in the direction of $(1,1)$.



However, I am not quite understanding what the linear transformation $T(x,y)=4x+y$ represented by the matrix $beginbmatrix 4& 1endbmatrix$ is supposed to represent.



The tangent plane lives tangent to the graph of $f$ at the point $f(1,2)=3$; i.e., at the point $(1,2,3) in mathbb R^3$.



So, what exactly does the linear transformation $beginbmatrix 4& 1endbmatrix$ represent?



What is being transformed?







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    up vote
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    Suppose $f:mathbb R^2to mathbb R$ is defined by $f(x,y)=x^2+xy$.



    The gradient is $(2x+y, x)$ and so the Jacobian is $beginbmatrix 2x+y& xendbmatrix$.



    At the point $(1,2)$, the derivative is the linear transformation $beginbmatrix 4& 1endbmatrix$, which is the matrix of the transformation $T(x,y)=4x+y$.



    For the sake of an example, the directional derivative in the direction of $(1,1)$ is $beginbmatrix 4& 1endbmatrixbeginbmatrix 1/sqrt2\ 1/sqrt2endbmatrix=5/sqrt2$. Which I understand is the slope of the tangent plane in the direction of $(1,1)$.



    However, I am not quite understanding what the linear transformation $T(x,y)=4x+y$ represented by the matrix $beginbmatrix 4& 1endbmatrix$ is supposed to represent.



    The tangent plane lives tangent to the graph of $f$ at the point $f(1,2)=3$; i.e., at the point $(1,2,3) in mathbb R^3$.



    So, what exactly does the linear transformation $beginbmatrix 4& 1endbmatrix$ represent?



    What is being transformed?







    share|cite|improve this question
























      up vote
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      down vote

      favorite
      2









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      Suppose $f:mathbb R^2to mathbb R$ is defined by $f(x,y)=x^2+xy$.



      The gradient is $(2x+y, x)$ and so the Jacobian is $beginbmatrix 2x+y& xendbmatrix$.



      At the point $(1,2)$, the derivative is the linear transformation $beginbmatrix 4& 1endbmatrix$, which is the matrix of the transformation $T(x,y)=4x+y$.



      For the sake of an example, the directional derivative in the direction of $(1,1)$ is $beginbmatrix 4& 1endbmatrixbeginbmatrix 1/sqrt2\ 1/sqrt2endbmatrix=5/sqrt2$. Which I understand is the slope of the tangent plane in the direction of $(1,1)$.



      However, I am not quite understanding what the linear transformation $T(x,y)=4x+y$ represented by the matrix $beginbmatrix 4& 1endbmatrix$ is supposed to represent.



      The tangent plane lives tangent to the graph of $f$ at the point $f(1,2)=3$; i.e., at the point $(1,2,3) in mathbb R^3$.



      So, what exactly does the linear transformation $beginbmatrix 4& 1endbmatrix$ represent?



      What is being transformed?







      share|cite|improve this question














      Suppose $f:mathbb R^2to mathbb R$ is defined by $f(x,y)=x^2+xy$.



      The gradient is $(2x+y, x)$ and so the Jacobian is $beginbmatrix 2x+y& xendbmatrix$.



      At the point $(1,2)$, the derivative is the linear transformation $beginbmatrix 4& 1endbmatrix$, which is the matrix of the transformation $T(x,y)=4x+y$.



      For the sake of an example, the directional derivative in the direction of $(1,1)$ is $beginbmatrix 4& 1endbmatrixbeginbmatrix 1/sqrt2\ 1/sqrt2endbmatrix=5/sqrt2$. Which I understand is the slope of the tangent plane in the direction of $(1,1)$.



      However, I am not quite understanding what the linear transformation $T(x,y)=4x+y$ represented by the matrix $beginbmatrix 4& 1endbmatrix$ is supposed to represent.



      The tangent plane lives tangent to the graph of $f$ at the point $f(1,2)=3$; i.e., at the point $(1,2,3) in mathbb R^3$.



      So, what exactly does the linear transformation $beginbmatrix 4& 1endbmatrix$ represent?



      What is being transformed?









      share|cite|improve this question













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      share|cite|improve this question








      edited Aug 26 at 21:53

























      asked Aug 26 at 20:38









      Al Jebr

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          In two dimensions, you can move in a circles's worth of directions. These directions are taken in a tangent space around the point at which the derivative is calculated. In your example that is the point $(1,2)$.



          The derivative $[4,1]$ means that if I move by an amount $(dx_1, dx_2)$ from $(1,2)$ then I will move $dy = 4dx_1+dx_2$ from $3$ which is $f(1,2)$.



          In general, if $f:mathbb R^mtomathbb R^n$ is differentiable at $(x_1,...,x_m)$ then $Df(x_1,...,x_m)$ is a linear map that maps $(dx_1,...,dx_m)$ to $(dy_1,...,dy_n)$ where $(dx_1,...,dx_m)$ is in the tangent space of $(x_1,...,x_m)$ and $(dy_1,...,dy_n)$ is in the tangent space of $f(x_1,...,x_m)$.






          share|cite|improve this answer




















          • So, is the transformation acting on the tangent plane to the point $f(1,2)$?
            – Al Jebr
            Aug 26 at 21:49










          • @AlJebr The transformation is acting on vectors in the plane whose origin is $(1,2)$. Those vectors represent changes which is why we use differentials. The transformed vectors are changes on the real line whose origin is $f(1,2)=3$.
            – John Douma
            Aug 26 at 22:03










          • I see. Can you elaborate on your last paragraph. What happens if we have a map from $mathbb R^2 to mathbb R^2$? The derivative at the point $(x,y)$ is a transformation from $mathbb R^2 to mathbb R^2$. In this case, we don't get a real number for slope anymore. What happens in this case?
            – Al Jebr
            Aug 26 at 22:28











          • @AlJebr In that case our derivative would be a two by two matrix that maps $(dx_1,dx_2)$ to $(dy_1,dy_2)$.
            – John Douma
            Aug 26 at 22:29











          • In the above example with derivative $beginbmatrix 4& 1endbmatrix$, is it correct to say that $4$ is the slope in the $x$ direction and $1$ is the slope in the $y$ direction? I ask because the tangent plane at $(1,2)$ has equation $f(1,2)+4(x-1)+1(y-2)$.
            – Al Jebr
            Aug 26 at 23:14


















          up vote
          0
          down vote













          The equation of the tangent plane at $(1,2)$ is $$z=3+4(x-1)+1(y-2)$$



          Thus the transformation [4,1] linearly approximates your function near the point $(1,2,3)$ and we have $$Delta z approx 4Delta x + 1Delta y$$






          share|cite|improve this answer




















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            2 Answers
            2






            active

            oldest

            votes








            2 Answers
            2






            active

            oldest

            votes









            active

            oldest

            votes






            active

            oldest

            votes








            up vote
            1
            down vote



            accepted










            In two dimensions, you can move in a circles's worth of directions. These directions are taken in a tangent space around the point at which the derivative is calculated. In your example that is the point $(1,2)$.



            The derivative $[4,1]$ means that if I move by an amount $(dx_1, dx_2)$ from $(1,2)$ then I will move $dy = 4dx_1+dx_2$ from $3$ which is $f(1,2)$.



            In general, if $f:mathbb R^mtomathbb R^n$ is differentiable at $(x_1,...,x_m)$ then $Df(x_1,...,x_m)$ is a linear map that maps $(dx_1,...,dx_m)$ to $(dy_1,...,dy_n)$ where $(dx_1,...,dx_m)$ is in the tangent space of $(x_1,...,x_m)$ and $(dy_1,...,dy_n)$ is in the tangent space of $f(x_1,...,x_m)$.






            share|cite|improve this answer




















            • So, is the transformation acting on the tangent plane to the point $f(1,2)$?
              – Al Jebr
              Aug 26 at 21:49










            • @AlJebr The transformation is acting on vectors in the plane whose origin is $(1,2)$. Those vectors represent changes which is why we use differentials. The transformed vectors are changes on the real line whose origin is $f(1,2)=3$.
              – John Douma
              Aug 26 at 22:03










            • I see. Can you elaborate on your last paragraph. What happens if we have a map from $mathbb R^2 to mathbb R^2$? The derivative at the point $(x,y)$ is a transformation from $mathbb R^2 to mathbb R^2$. In this case, we don't get a real number for slope anymore. What happens in this case?
              – Al Jebr
              Aug 26 at 22:28











            • @AlJebr In that case our derivative would be a two by two matrix that maps $(dx_1,dx_2)$ to $(dy_1,dy_2)$.
              – John Douma
              Aug 26 at 22:29











            • In the above example with derivative $beginbmatrix 4& 1endbmatrix$, is it correct to say that $4$ is the slope in the $x$ direction and $1$ is the slope in the $y$ direction? I ask because the tangent plane at $(1,2)$ has equation $f(1,2)+4(x-1)+1(y-2)$.
              – Al Jebr
              Aug 26 at 23:14















            up vote
            1
            down vote



            accepted










            In two dimensions, you can move in a circles's worth of directions. These directions are taken in a tangent space around the point at which the derivative is calculated. In your example that is the point $(1,2)$.



            The derivative $[4,1]$ means that if I move by an amount $(dx_1, dx_2)$ from $(1,2)$ then I will move $dy = 4dx_1+dx_2$ from $3$ which is $f(1,2)$.



            In general, if $f:mathbb R^mtomathbb R^n$ is differentiable at $(x_1,...,x_m)$ then $Df(x_1,...,x_m)$ is a linear map that maps $(dx_1,...,dx_m)$ to $(dy_1,...,dy_n)$ where $(dx_1,...,dx_m)$ is in the tangent space of $(x_1,...,x_m)$ and $(dy_1,...,dy_n)$ is in the tangent space of $f(x_1,...,x_m)$.






            share|cite|improve this answer




















            • So, is the transformation acting on the tangent plane to the point $f(1,2)$?
              – Al Jebr
              Aug 26 at 21:49










            • @AlJebr The transformation is acting on vectors in the plane whose origin is $(1,2)$. Those vectors represent changes which is why we use differentials. The transformed vectors are changes on the real line whose origin is $f(1,2)=3$.
              – John Douma
              Aug 26 at 22:03










            • I see. Can you elaborate on your last paragraph. What happens if we have a map from $mathbb R^2 to mathbb R^2$? The derivative at the point $(x,y)$ is a transformation from $mathbb R^2 to mathbb R^2$. In this case, we don't get a real number for slope anymore. What happens in this case?
              – Al Jebr
              Aug 26 at 22:28











            • @AlJebr In that case our derivative would be a two by two matrix that maps $(dx_1,dx_2)$ to $(dy_1,dy_2)$.
              – John Douma
              Aug 26 at 22:29











            • In the above example with derivative $beginbmatrix 4& 1endbmatrix$, is it correct to say that $4$ is the slope in the $x$ direction and $1$ is the slope in the $y$ direction? I ask because the tangent plane at $(1,2)$ has equation $f(1,2)+4(x-1)+1(y-2)$.
              – Al Jebr
              Aug 26 at 23:14













            up vote
            1
            down vote



            accepted







            up vote
            1
            down vote



            accepted






            In two dimensions, you can move in a circles's worth of directions. These directions are taken in a tangent space around the point at which the derivative is calculated. In your example that is the point $(1,2)$.



            The derivative $[4,1]$ means that if I move by an amount $(dx_1, dx_2)$ from $(1,2)$ then I will move $dy = 4dx_1+dx_2$ from $3$ which is $f(1,2)$.



            In general, if $f:mathbb R^mtomathbb R^n$ is differentiable at $(x_1,...,x_m)$ then $Df(x_1,...,x_m)$ is a linear map that maps $(dx_1,...,dx_m)$ to $(dy_1,...,dy_n)$ where $(dx_1,...,dx_m)$ is in the tangent space of $(x_1,...,x_m)$ and $(dy_1,...,dy_n)$ is in the tangent space of $f(x_1,...,x_m)$.






            share|cite|improve this answer












            In two dimensions, you can move in a circles's worth of directions. These directions are taken in a tangent space around the point at which the derivative is calculated. In your example that is the point $(1,2)$.



            The derivative $[4,1]$ means that if I move by an amount $(dx_1, dx_2)$ from $(1,2)$ then I will move $dy = 4dx_1+dx_2$ from $3$ which is $f(1,2)$.



            In general, if $f:mathbb R^mtomathbb R^n$ is differentiable at $(x_1,...,x_m)$ then $Df(x_1,...,x_m)$ is a linear map that maps $(dx_1,...,dx_m)$ to $(dy_1,...,dy_n)$ where $(dx_1,...,dx_m)$ is in the tangent space of $(x_1,...,x_m)$ and $(dy_1,...,dy_n)$ is in the tangent space of $f(x_1,...,x_m)$.







            share|cite|improve this answer












            share|cite|improve this answer



            share|cite|improve this answer










            answered Aug 26 at 20:51









            John Douma

            4,64111217




            4,64111217











            • So, is the transformation acting on the tangent plane to the point $f(1,2)$?
              – Al Jebr
              Aug 26 at 21:49










            • @AlJebr The transformation is acting on vectors in the plane whose origin is $(1,2)$. Those vectors represent changes which is why we use differentials. The transformed vectors are changes on the real line whose origin is $f(1,2)=3$.
              – John Douma
              Aug 26 at 22:03










            • I see. Can you elaborate on your last paragraph. What happens if we have a map from $mathbb R^2 to mathbb R^2$? The derivative at the point $(x,y)$ is a transformation from $mathbb R^2 to mathbb R^2$. In this case, we don't get a real number for slope anymore. What happens in this case?
              – Al Jebr
              Aug 26 at 22:28











            • @AlJebr In that case our derivative would be a two by two matrix that maps $(dx_1,dx_2)$ to $(dy_1,dy_2)$.
              – John Douma
              Aug 26 at 22:29











            • In the above example with derivative $beginbmatrix 4& 1endbmatrix$, is it correct to say that $4$ is the slope in the $x$ direction and $1$ is the slope in the $y$ direction? I ask because the tangent plane at $(1,2)$ has equation $f(1,2)+4(x-1)+1(y-2)$.
              – Al Jebr
              Aug 26 at 23:14

















            • So, is the transformation acting on the tangent plane to the point $f(1,2)$?
              – Al Jebr
              Aug 26 at 21:49










            • @AlJebr The transformation is acting on vectors in the plane whose origin is $(1,2)$. Those vectors represent changes which is why we use differentials. The transformed vectors are changes on the real line whose origin is $f(1,2)=3$.
              – John Douma
              Aug 26 at 22:03










            • I see. Can you elaborate on your last paragraph. What happens if we have a map from $mathbb R^2 to mathbb R^2$? The derivative at the point $(x,y)$ is a transformation from $mathbb R^2 to mathbb R^2$. In this case, we don't get a real number for slope anymore. What happens in this case?
              – Al Jebr
              Aug 26 at 22:28











            • @AlJebr In that case our derivative would be a two by two matrix that maps $(dx_1,dx_2)$ to $(dy_1,dy_2)$.
              – John Douma
              Aug 26 at 22:29











            • In the above example with derivative $beginbmatrix 4& 1endbmatrix$, is it correct to say that $4$ is the slope in the $x$ direction and $1$ is the slope in the $y$ direction? I ask because the tangent plane at $(1,2)$ has equation $f(1,2)+4(x-1)+1(y-2)$.
              – Al Jebr
              Aug 26 at 23:14
















            So, is the transformation acting on the tangent plane to the point $f(1,2)$?
            – Al Jebr
            Aug 26 at 21:49




            So, is the transformation acting on the tangent plane to the point $f(1,2)$?
            – Al Jebr
            Aug 26 at 21:49












            @AlJebr The transformation is acting on vectors in the plane whose origin is $(1,2)$. Those vectors represent changes which is why we use differentials. The transformed vectors are changes on the real line whose origin is $f(1,2)=3$.
            – John Douma
            Aug 26 at 22:03




            @AlJebr The transformation is acting on vectors in the plane whose origin is $(1,2)$. Those vectors represent changes which is why we use differentials. The transformed vectors are changes on the real line whose origin is $f(1,2)=3$.
            – John Douma
            Aug 26 at 22:03












            I see. Can you elaborate on your last paragraph. What happens if we have a map from $mathbb R^2 to mathbb R^2$? The derivative at the point $(x,y)$ is a transformation from $mathbb R^2 to mathbb R^2$. In this case, we don't get a real number for slope anymore. What happens in this case?
            – Al Jebr
            Aug 26 at 22:28





            I see. Can you elaborate on your last paragraph. What happens if we have a map from $mathbb R^2 to mathbb R^2$? The derivative at the point $(x,y)$ is a transformation from $mathbb R^2 to mathbb R^2$. In this case, we don't get a real number for slope anymore. What happens in this case?
            – Al Jebr
            Aug 26 at 22:28













            @AlJebr In that case our derivative would be a two by two matrix that maps $(dx_1,dx_2)$ to $(dy_1,dy_2)$.
            – John Douma
            Aug 26 at 22:29





            @AlJebr In that case our derivative would be a two by two matrix that maps $(dx_1,dx_2)$ to $(dy_1,dy_2)$.
            – John Douma
            Aug 26 at 22:29













            In the above example with derivative $beginbmatrix 4& 1endbmatrix$, is it correct to say that $4$ is the slope in the $x$ direction and $1$ is the slope in the $y$ direction? I ask because the tangent plane at $(1,2)$ has equation $f(1,2)+4(x-1)+1(y-2)$.
            – Al Jebr
            Aug 26 at 23:14





            In the above example with derivative $beginbmatrix 4& 1endbmatrix$, is it correct to say that $4$ is the slope in the $x$ direction and $1$ is the slope in the $y$ direction? I ask because the tangent plane at $(1,2)$ has equation $f(1,2)+4(x-1)+1(y-2)$.
            – Al Jebr
            Aug 26 at 23:14











            up vote
            0
            down vote













            The equation of the tangent plane at $(1,2)$ is $$z=3+4(x-1)+1(y-2)$$



            Thus the transformation [4,1] linearly approximates your function near the point $(1,2,3)$ and we have $$Delta z approx 4Delta x + 1Delta y$$






            share|cite|improve this answer
























              up vote
              0
              down vote













              The equation of the tangent plane at $(1,2)$ is $$z=3+4(x-1)+1(y-2)$$



              Thus the transformation [4,1] linearly approximates your function near the point $(1,2,3)$ and we have $$Delta z approx 4Delta x + 1Delta y$$






              share|cite|improve this answer






















                up vote
                0
                down vote










                up vote
                0
                down vote









                The equation of the tangent plane at $(1,2)$ is $$z=3+4(x-1)+1(y-2)$$



                Thus the transformation [4,1] linearly approximates your function near the point $(1,2,3)$ and we have $$Delta z approx 4Delta x + 1Delta y$$






                share|cite|improve this answer












                The equation of the tangent plane at $(1,2)$ is $$z=3+4(x-1)+1(y-2)$$



                Thus the transformation [4,1] linearly approximates your function near the point $(1,2,3)$ and we have $$Delta z approx 4Delta x + 1Delta y$$







                share|cite|improve this answer












                share|cite|improve this answer



                share|cite|improve this answer










                answered Aug 26 at 21:21









                Mohammad Riazi-Kermani

                30.5k41852




                30.5k41852



























                     

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