Question:medium

Let \( \hat{a} \) be a unit vector parallel to the tangent at the point \( P(1, 1, \sqrt{2}) \) to the curve of intersection of the surfaces \( 2x^2 + 3y^2 - z^2 = 3 \) and \( x^2 + y^2 = z^2 \). Then, the absolute value of the directional derivative of \[ f(x, y, z) = x^2 + 2y^2 - 2\sqrt{11} z \] at P in the direction of \( \hat{a} \) is _________ (in integer).

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To compute the directional derivative, find the gradient of the function and the unit vector in the direction of the tangent, then compute their dot product.
Updated On: Feb 2, 2026
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Correct Answer: 2

Solution and Explanation

To solve the problem, we need to find the unit vector \( \hat{a} \) that is parallel to the tangent at point \( P(1, 1, \sqrt{2}) \) for the curve of intersection of the given surfaces, and then compute the directional derivative of \( f(x, y, z) \) at \( P \) in the direction of \( \hat{a} \). Finally, we check that the value is within the given range.
First, consider the surfaces:
  • \( S_1: 2x^2 + 3y^2 - z^2 = 3 \)
  • \( S_2: x^2 + y^2 = z^2 \)
We find the gradients of these surfaces:
  • \( \nabla S_1 = \langle 4x, 6y, -2z \rangle \)
  • \( \nabla S_2 = \langle 2x, 2y, -2z \rangle \)
At point \( P(1, 1, \sqrt{2}) \), these gradients become:
  • \( \nabla S_1(P) = \langle 4, 6, -2\sqrt{2} \rangle \)
  • \( \nabla S_2(P) = \langle 2, 2, -2\sqrt{2} \rangle \)
The tangent vector \( \mathbf{v} \) to the curve at \( P \) can be found using the cross product of these gradients:
\(\mathbf{v} = \nabla S_1(P) \times \nabla S_2(P)\)
Compute the cross product:
\(\mathbf{v} = \begin{vmatrix} \mathbf{i} & \mathbf{j} & \mathbf{k} \\ 4 & 6 & -2\sqrt{2} \\ 2 & 2 & -2\sqrt{2} \end{vmatrix} = \mathbf{i}(6(-2\sqrt{2}) - 2(-2\sqrt{2})) - \mathbf{j}(4(-2\sqrt{2}) - 2(-2\sqrt{2})) + \mathbf{k}(4\cdot2 - 6\cdot2)\)
\(\mathbf{v} = \langle -8\sqrt{2}, 4\sqrt{2}, -4 \rangle\)
Normalize \( \mathbf{v} \) to find \( \hat{a} \):
\(\|\mathbf{v}\| = \sqrt{(-8\sqrt{2})^2 + (4\sqrt{2})^2 + (-4)^2} = \sqrt{128 + 32 + 16} = \sqrt{176}\)
\(\hat{a} = \left\langle -\frac{8\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{176}}, \frac{4\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{176}}, -\frac{4}{\sqrt{176}} \right\rangle = \left\langle -\frac{4\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{44}}, \frac{2\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{44}}, -\frac{2}{\sqrt{44}} \right\rangle\)
Now, find the gradient of \( f(x, y, z) = x^2 + 2y^2 - 2\sqrt{11}z \):
\(\nabla f = \langle 2x, 4y, -2\sqrt{11} \rangle\)
At \( P(1, 1, \sqrt{2}) \):
\(\nabla f(P) = \langle 2, 4, -2\sqrt{11} \rangle\)
Compute the directional derivative \( D_{\hat{a}}f(P) \):
\(D_{\hat{a}}f(P) = \nabla f(P) \cdot \hat{a} = 2 \left(-\frac{4\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{44}}\right) + 4 \left(\frac{2\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{44}}\right) + (-2\sqrt{11}) \left(-\frac{2}{\sqrt{44}}\right)\)
This simplifies to:
\(-\frac{8\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{44}} + \frac{8\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{44}} + \frac{4\sqrt{11}}{\sqrt{44}} = \frac{4\sqrt{11}}{\sqrt{44}}\)
Rewriting in simplest form:
\(\frac{4\sqrt{11}}{\sqrt{44}} = \frac{4\sqrt{11}}{2\sqrt{11}} = 2\)
Thus, the absolute value of the directional derivative is \( 2 \).
Confirming, \( 2 \) falls within the range (2, 2). Therefore, the solution is verified and validated.
The solution is \( 2 \).
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