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How do you find the unit normal vector to the surface defined by the equation xyz + x²y - 5yz - 5 = 0 at the point (3, 1, 2)?

To find the unit normal vector to the surface defined by the equation xyz + x²y - 5yz - 5 = 0 at the point (3, 1, 2), first compute the gradient of the function. The gradient at the point (3, 1, 2) is given as (8i + 5j - 2k). The unit normal vector is then obtained by normalizing this gradient vector.

The surface is defined by the scalar function f(x, y, z) = xyz + x²y - 5yz - 5. To find the unit normal vector, we calculate the gradient of this function, denoted as ∇f. At the point (3, 1, 2), the gradient is calculated to be (8, 5, -2). The magnitude of this gradient vector is √(8² + 5² + (-2)²) = √(64 + 25 + 4) = √93. The unit normal vector N is then found by dividing the gradient vector by its magnitude, resulting in N = (8/√93)i + (5/√93)j - (2/√93)k.

Key points

  • The surface is defined by the equation xyz + x²y - 5yz - 5 = 0.
  • Calculate the gradient of the function at the given point.
  • The gradient at (3, 1, 2) is (8, 5, -2).
  • Normalize the gradient to find the unit normal vector.
Source:Advanced Engineering Mathematics· Vector analysis 3· p. 752–819

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Cover of Advanced Engineering Mathematics

Advanced Engineering Mathematics

Stroud, K. A, Booth, Dexter J Stroud etc.

4th ed. · Industrial Press, Inc.

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