MAT2615/101/0/2024

Tutorial letter 101/0/2024

CALCULUS IN HIGHER DIMENSIONS

MAT2615

Year module

Department of Mathematical Sciences

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Please activate your my Unisa and myLife e-mail account and
make sure that you have regular access to the myUnisa module
website MAT2615-24-Y, as well as your group website.

Note: This is a fully online module. It is therefore, only available on my Unisa.

Define tomorrow.
 CONTENTS

Page

1 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................4
2 MODULE OVERVIEW..........................................................................................................5
2.1 Purpose ................................................................................................................................5
2.2 Outcomes .............................................................................................................................5
3 CURRICULUM TRANSFORMATION ..................................................................................6
4 LECTURER(S) AND CONTACT DETAILS ..........................................................................6
4.1 Lecturer(s) ............................................................................................................................6
4.2 Department ..........................................................................................................................7
4.3 University..............................................................................................................................7
5 RESOURCES.......................................................................................................................7
5.1 Prescribed book(s) ...............................................................................................................7
5.2 Recommended book(s) ........................................................................................................7
5.3 Electronic reserves (e-reserves) ..........................................................................................8
5.4 Library services and resources ............................................................................................8
6 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES .......................................................................................9
6.1 First-Year Experience Programme .....................................................................................10
7 STUDY PLAN.....................................................................................................................10
8 HOW TO STUDY ONLINE? ...............................................................................................11
8.1 What does it mean to study fully online?............................................................................11
8.2 myUnisa tools .....................................................................................................................11
9 ASSESSMENT...................................................................................................................12
9.1 Assessment criteria ............................................................................................................12
9.2 Assessment plan ................................................................................................................12
9.3 Assessments due dates .....................................................................................................13
9.4 Submission of assessments...............................................................................................13
9.4.1 Types of assignments and descriptions..............................................................................15
9.5 The assessments ...............................................................................................................16
9.6 Other assessment methods ...............................................................................................16
9.7 The examination .................................................................................................................16

2
 MAT2615/101/0/2024

9.8 Supplementary ...................................................................................................................16

9.8.1 Invigilation/proctoring .........................................................................................................17
10 ACADEMIC DISHONESTY................................................................................................17
10.1 Plagiarism...........................................................................................................................17
10.2 Cheating .............................................................................................................................18
10.3 For more information about plagiarism, follow the link below: ............................................18
11 STUDENTS LIVING WITH DISABILITIES ........................................................................18
12 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS................................................................................18
13 SOURCES CONSULTED...................................................................................................18
14 IN CLOSING ......................................................................................................................19
ADDENDUM A: Additional Notes and Curriculum Transformation.........................................20
ANNEXURE A: GLOSSARY OF TERM .......................................................................................21
ADDENDUM B: SELF ASSESSMENT TASK FOR UNITS 1–3 ...................................................22
A.1 QUESTIONS ......................................................................................................................22
A.2 ANSWERS AND SOLUTIONS...........................................................................................27
ADDENDUM C: Assignments .....................................................................................................35

3
1 INTRODUCTION
Dear Students

Unisa is a comprehensive open distance e-learning (CODeL) higher education institution. The
comprehensiveness of our curricula encapsulates a range of offerings, from strictly vocational to
strictly academic certificates, diplomas and degrees. Unisa’s ”openness” and its distance eLearn-
ing character result in many students registering at Unisa who may not have had an opportunity to
enrol in higher education. Our CODeL character implies that our programmes are carefully planned
and structured to ensure success for students ranging from the under-prepared but with potential
to the sufficiently prepared.

Teaching and learning in a CODeL context involves multiple modes of delivery ranging from blended
learning to fully online. As a default position, all post graduate programmes are offered fully online
with no printed study materials, while undergraduate programmes are offered in a blended mode
of delivery where printed study materials are augmented with online teaching and learning via the
learner management system - myUnisa. In some instances, undergraduate programmes are of-
fered fully online as well.

Furthermore, our programmes are aligned with the vision, mission and values of the University.
Unisa’s commitment to serve humanity and shape futures combined with a clear appreciation of
our location on the African continent, Unisa’s graduates have distinctive graduate qualities which
include
• independent, resilient, responsible and caring citizens who are able to fulfil and serve in
multiple roles in their immediate and future local, national and global communities
• having a critical understanding of their location on the African continent with its histories,
challenges and potential in relation to globally diverse contexts
• the ability to critically analyse and evaluate the credibility and usefulness of information and
data from multiple sources in a globalised world with its ever-increasing information and data
flows and competing worldviews

• how to apply their discipline-specific knowledges competently, ethically and creatively to solve
real-life problems
• an awareness of their own learning and developmental needs and future potential
The module MAT2615 is offered online, meaning that all information is available via the internet, we
use myUnisa platform as our virtual campus. This is an online system that is used to administer,
document and deliver educational material to you and support engagement with you. Look out for
information from your lecturer as well as other Unisa platforms to determine how to access the vir-
tual myUnisa module site. Information on the tools that will be available to engage with the lecturer
and fellow students to support your learning will also be communicated via various platforms.

You are encouraged to log into the module site (MAT2615-24-Y) on myUnisa regularly (that is, at
least twice per week).

4
 MAT2615/101/0/2024

Because this is a fully online module, you will need to use myUnisa to study and complete the
learning activities for this module. Visit the website for MAT2615 on my Unisa frequently. The
website for your module is MAT2615-24-Y.
Welcome to the MAT2615 module. We trust that you will find it both interesting and rewarding.

This tutorial letter contains important information about the scheme of work and resources for this
module as well as exam admission.

We urge you to read it carefully before working through the study material, preparing the assign-
ment(s), preparing for the examination and addressing questions to your lecturers.

In this tutorial letter, you might find the instructions on the preparation and submission of the as-
signments.
This tutorial letter also provides all the information you need with regard to the prescribed study
material and other resources.

You will access all files online, a number of tutorial letters for example, solutions to assignments
(feedback to assignments can also be discussed on MS Teams), during the year. These tutorial
letters will be uploaded on myUnisa, under Offical Study materials or Additional Resources and
Lessons tools on myUnisa platform. A tutorial letter is our way of communicating with you about
teaching, learning and assessment.

Right from the start we would like to point out that you must read all the tutorial letters you
access from the module site immediately and carefully, as they always contain important and,
sometimes urgent information.

Because this is a fully online module, you will need to use my Unisa to study and complete the
learning activities for this course. Please visit the website for MAT2615 on my Unisa frequently.
The website for your module is MAT2615-24-Y..

We wish you every success with your studies!

2 MODULE OVERVIEW
2.1 Purpose
The main purpose of this module is to extend concepts such as limits, continuity, differentiation
and integration, studied in first year calculus, to functions of several variables. Furthermore, the
purpose includes improving the problem solving skills of students and forming a basis of knowledge
that is necessary for further studies in Mathematics and applications in Physics.

2.2 Outcomes
On completion of this module, the student should be able to:

1. Investigate continuity of functions of several variables.

5
 2. Determine limits, partial derivatives, gradients, directional derivatives, divergence and curl
and apply these concepts to problem solving.

3. Determine the nature of extrema and solve optimization problems using Lagrange multipliers.

4. Determine double and triple integrals and use them to calculate areas and volumes.

5. Determine line, surface and flux integrals and apply the theorems of Green, Stokes and
Gauss, which relate these types of integrals.

3 CURRICULUM TRANSFORMATION
Unisa has implemented a transformation charter, in terms of which the university has placed cur-
riculum transformation high on the teaching and learning agenda. Curriculum transformation in-
cludes student-centred scholarship, the pedagogical renewal of teaching and assessment prac-
tices, the scholarship of teaching and learning, and the infusion of African epistemologies and
philosophies. All of these will be phased in at both programme and module levels, and as a result
of this you will notice a marked change in the teaching and learning strategy implemented by Unisa,
together with the way in which the content is conceptualised in your modules. We encourage you
to embrace these changes during your studies at Unisa in a responsive way within the framework
of transformation

4 LECTURER(S) AND CONTACT DETAILS

4.1 Lecturer(s)
The primary lecturer for this module is:

Dr B Tlharesakgosi
Department: Mathematical Sciences
Telephone: 011 670 9097
E-mail: [email protected]

A notice will be posted on myUnisa if there are any changes and/or an additional lecturer is ap-
pointed to this module.
Please do not hesitate to consult your lecturer whenever you experience difficulties with your stud-
ies. You may contact your lecturer by phone or through correspondence or by making a personal
visit to his/her office. Please arrange an appointment in advance (by telephone or by e-mail)
to ensure that your lecturer will be available when you arrive. Please come to these appoint-
ments well prepared with specific questions that indicate your own efforts to have understood the
basic concepts involved. If these difficulties concern exercises which you are unable to solve, you
must send us your attempts so that we can see where you are going wrong.
If you should experience any problems with the exercises in the study guide or recommended
textbook, your lecturer will gladly help you with them, provided that you send in your bonafide

6
 MAT2615/101/0/2024

attempts. When sending in any queries or problems, please do so separately from your
assignments and address them directly to your lecturer.

4.2 Department
You can contact the Department of Mathematical Sciences as follows:

Department of Mathematical Sciences

Departmental Secretary: 011 670 9147 (RSA) +27 11 670 9147 (International)
e-mails: [email protected] or [email protected]

4.3 University
To contact the University, follow the instructions on the Contact us page on the Unisa website.

Contact addresses of the various administrative departments appear on the Unisa website:
http://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Contact-us/Student-enquiries
Please include the student number in all correspondence.
Whenever you contact a lecturer via e-mail, please include your student number in the subject line
to enable the lecturer to help you more effectively.

5 RESOURCES
5.1 Prescribed book(s)
There is no prescribed textbook for this module. The study guide contains all the material that
you need for exam purposes.

5.2 Recommended book(s)

The following books are also available at the Unisa Library. However, there is a limited number of
copies of these books.

Students who are interested in reading more about the subject matter or who seek additional
exercises, may consult any of the recommended books listed below.

(i) Anton, H.A, Bivens, I., Davis, S. with contributions by Polaski, T: Calculus (Ninth edition),
John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 2010.

(ii) Schey, H.M : Div, Grad, Curl and all that: an informal text on vector calculus (Fourth edition),
W.W. Norton and Company, 2005.

(iii) Stewart, J: Calculus: Early Transcendentals (Seventh edition), Brooks Cole, 2012.

(vii) Zill, D.G., and Wright, W.S.: Calculus, early transcendentals (Fouth edition), Jones and
Bartlett Publishers, 2011.

Recommended books can be requested online, via the Library catalog.

7
5.3 Electronic reserves (e-reserves)
E-reserves can be downloaded from the Library catalog. More information is available at:
http://oasis.unisa.ac.za/search/r

5.4 Library services and resources

The Unisa Library offers a range of information services and resources. The library has created
numerous library guides, available at http://libguides.unisa.ac.za
Recommended guides:

• For brief information on the library, go to https://www.unisa.ac.za/library/libatglance

• For more detailed library information, go to

http://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library

• Frequently Asked Questions,

visit https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/Frequently-Asked-Questions

• For research support and services such as the Personal Librarian service and the
Information Search Librarian’s Literature
Search Request (on your research topic) service, visit
http://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/Library-services/Research-support.

• For library training for undergraduate students, visit

https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/Library-services/Training

• Lending Services
https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/Library-services/Lending-services

• Services for Postgraduate students -

https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/Services-for-Postgraduates

• Support and Services for students with disabilities -

https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/Services-for-students-with-special-needs

• Library Technology Support - https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/techsupport

• Finding and using library resources and tools -

http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/Research skills

8
 MAT2615/101/0/2024

• A-Z list of library databases - https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/az.php

Important contact information:

• Technical problems encountered in accessing library online services:

[email protected]

• General library-related queries: [email protected]

• Queries related to library fines and payments: [email protected]

• Interlibrary loan service for postgraduate students: [email protected]

• Literature Search Service: [email protected]

• Social media channels: Facebook: UnisaLibrary and Twitter: @UnisaLibrary

6 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

The Study @ Unisa brochure is available on myUnisa: www.unisa.ac.za/brochures/studies

This brochure contains important information and guidelines for successful studies through Unisa.

If you need assistance with regard to the myModules system, you are welcome to use the following
contact details:

• Toll-free landline: 0800 00 1870 (Select option 07 for myModules)

• E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]

You can access and view short videos on topics such as how to view your calendar, how to access
module content, how to view announcements for modules, how to submit assessment and how to
participate in forum activities via the following link:
https://dtls-qa.unisa.ac.za/course/view.php?id=32130

Registered Unisa students get a free myLife e-mail account. Important information, notices and
updates are sent exclusively to this account. Please note that it can take up to 24 hours for your
account to be activated after you have claimed it. Please do this immediately after registering at
Unisa, by following this link: [email protected]

Your myLife account is the only e-mail account recognised by Unisa for official correspondence
with the university, and will remain the official primary e-mail address on record at Unisa. You
remain responsible for the management of this e-mail account.

9
6.1 First-Year Experience Programme
Many students find the transition from school education to tertiary education stressful. This is also
true in the case of students enrolling at Unisa for the first time. Unisa is a dedicated open distance
and e-learning institution, and it is very different from face-to-face/contact institutions. It is a mega
university, and all our programmes are offered through either blended learning or fully online learn-
ing. It is for this reason that we thought it necessary to offer first-time students additional/extended
support to help them seamlessly navigate the Unisa teaching and learning journey with little dif-
ficulty and few barriers. We therefore offer a specialised student support programme to students
enrolling at Unisa for the first time - this is Unisa’s First-Year Experience (FYE) Programme, de-
signed to provide you with prompt and helpful information about services that the institution offers
and how you can access information. The following FYE services are currently offered:

7 STUDY PLAN
Your study plan of the module is outlined below. Please refer to the general management and
planning skills guidelines in the Studies @ Unisa Brochure for further details.

The study plan below shows the content to be covered during specific periods of the year in terms
of the broad concepts or topics, the study guide units and the prescribed book chapters. Your stud-
ies will be largely guided by the tutorial discussions and learning activities, and the assignments,
which are all based on the same study plan. You should therefore participate as much as possible
in the tutorial discussions and complete assignments and the learning or self-assessment activities
linked to each topic in order to do well in the assignments, and for you to be well prepared for the
final examination.

NB Note that Assignment 1 is the compulsory assignment.

10
 MAT2615/101/0/2024

This module has 19 learning units (units for short) and we recommend that you work through at
least two units per week.

The following table gives a suggested study plan.

Study elements
Work through Units 1–3 and do the self assessment task
Work through Units 4–11 and do Assignment 01
Work through Units 4–11 and do Assignment 02
Work through Units 12–19 and do Assignment 03
Work through Units 12–19 and do Assignment 04
Work through previous exam paper, and revision
See the brochure Study @ Unisa for general time management and planning skills.

8 HOW TO STUDY ONLINE?

8.1 What does it mean to study fully online?
Studying fully online modules differs completely from studying some of your other modules at
Unisa.

• All your study material and learning activities for online modules are designed to be
delivered online on myUnisa.
• All your assignments (assessments) must be submitted online. This means that you
will do all your activities and submit all your assignments on myUnisa. In other words, you
do NOT post your assignments to Unisa using the South African Post Office. You do NOT
send assignments by email as such will not be considered for marking or a zero mark will be
awarded.
• All communication between you and the University happens online. Lecturers will com-
municate with you via e-mail and Chats, Blogs, and use the Announcements, the FAQs,
the Discussion Forums and the Questions and Answers tools. You can also use all of
these platforms to ask questions and contact your lecturers.

8.2 myUnisa tools

The main tool that we will use is the Lessons tool. This tool will provide the content of and the
assessments for your module. At times you will be directed to join discussions with fellow students
and complete activities and assessments before you can continue with the module.

It is very important that you log in to myUnisa regularly. We recommend that you log in at least
once a week to do the following:

• Check for new announcements. You can also set your myLife e-mail account so that you
receive the announcement e-mails on your cellphone.
• Check for new Chats. You can also set your myLife e-mail account so that you receive the
chats on your cellphone.

11
 • Do the Discussion Forum activities. When you do the activities for each learning unit, we
want you to share your answers with the other students in your group. You can read the
instructions and even prepare your answers offline, but you will need to go online to post your
messages.

• Do other online activities. For some of the Lessons activities you might need to post
something on the Forums or the Blog tool, take a quiz or complete a survey under the
Self-Assessment tool. Do not skip these activities because they will help you complete the
assignments and the activities for the module.

We hope that by giving you extra ways to study the material and practise all the activities, this will
help you succeed in the online module. To get the most out of the online module, you MUST go
online regularly to complete the activities and assignments on time.

9 ASSESSMENT
9.1 Assessment criteria
There are FOUR (4) assignments and one examination for this module.
Examination admission.
Please note that lecturers are not responsible for examination admission, and ALL enquiries about
examination admission should be directed by e-mail to [email protected]

You will be admitted to the examination if and only if Assignment 01 reaches

the Assignment Section before the closing date.

Note that your marks for the assignments contribute 20% to your final mark (the remaining
80% is contributed by the final examinations).

9.2 Assessment plan

We have set four assignments for 2024. For Assignments you must plan to submit your answers
on or before the closing dates.
You will receive the solutions for Assignments even if you did not submit the relevant assignment.
These solutions will be uploaded on myUnisa.
Markers will comment on the work that you submit in your assignments. The assignments and the
comments constitute an important part of your learning and should help you to be better prepared
for the examination.
N.B. Please don’t wait for an assignment to be returned to you before starting to work on the next
assignment.
Assignments will be assessed not only on the mathematical correctness of your work, but also on
whether you use mathematical notation and language to communicate your ideas clearly.
The assignments are designed to lead you through the study material and to help you gain an un-
derstanding of the concepts and techniques. You will note that the problems in the assignments

12
 MAT2615/101/0/2024

are not the type of problems that you will be able to do by simply searching for similar
worked examples. We are not interested in checking whether you can copy examples mechani-
cally – our aim is teach you to solve problems independently so that, after having completed this
module, you will be able to apply the skills that you have gained to solve problems in the workplace
or in your further studies which may look very different from the worked examples in this module.
Before attempting an assignment you should first study all the chapters which are covered by that
assignment and try to get a global view of the study material. Then, when you attempt a specific
question, you should study all the sections that are relevant to that question again. Pay special
attention to the sketches in the guide and try to visualize the various concepts.
You benefit a lot more by attempting problems yourself (even if you make mistakes) than by sim-
ply studying the solutions. You will also benefit from studying your lecturer’s comments on your
answers.
Exam and Year Mark

The final mark for the module as a whole will then be calculated according to the following for-
mula:
Final Mark = 0.8 (Exam mark) + 0.2 (Year mark) .
So the year mark will contribute 20% to the final mark and the exam mark 80%.
If you obtain less than 40% in the exam, then your year mark does not contribute to the final mark.

9.3 Assessments due dates

• The assignment due dates are included in this tutorial letter.

• Assignment due dates will also be made available to you on the myUnisa landing page for
this module.

• Please start working on your assessments as soon as you register for the module.

• Log on to the myUnisa site for this module to obtain more information on the due dates for
the submission of the assessments.

9.4 Submission of assessments

• Unisa, as a comprehensive open distance e-learning institution (CODeL), is moving towards
becoming an online institution. You will therefore see that all your study material, assess-
ments and engagements with your lecturer and fellow students will take place online. We use
myUnisa as our virtual campus.

• The my Unisa virtual campus will offer students access to the myModules site, where learn-
ing material will be available online and where assessments should be completed. This is
an online system that is used to administer, document, and deliver educational material to

13
 students and support engagement between academics and students.

• The myUnisa platform can be accessed via https://my.unisa.ac.za. Click on the myModules
2024 button to access the online sites for the modules that you are registered for.

• The university undertakes to communicate clearly and as frequently as is necessary to en-

sure that you obtain the greatest benefit from the use of the myModules learning manage-
ment system. Please access the announcements on your myModules site regularly, as this
is where your lecturer will post important information to be shared with you.

• When you access your myModules site for the module/s you are registered for, you will see
a welcome message posted by your lecturer. Below the welcome message you will see the
assessment shells for the assessments that you need to complete. Some assessments may
be multiple choice (Quiz), some tests, others written assessments, some forum discussions,
and so on. All assessments must be completed on the assessment shells available on the
respective module platforms.

• To complete quiz assessments, please log on to the module site where you need to complete
the assessment. Click on the relevant assessment shell (Assessment 1, Assessment 2, etc.).
There will be a date on which the assessment will open for you. When the assessment is
open, access the quiz online and complete it within the time available to you. Quiz assess-
ment questions are not included in the Tutorial Letter 101 and are only made available online.
You must therefore access the quiz online and complete it online where the quiz has been
created.

• It is not advisable to use a cell phone to complete the quiz. Please use a desktop computer,
tablet or laptop when completing the quiz. Students who use a cell phone find it difficult to
navigate the Online Assessment tool on the small screen and often struggle to navigate
between questions and successfully complete the quizzes. In addition, cell phones are more
vulnerable to dropped internet connections than other devices. If at all possible, please do
not use a cell phone for this assessment type.

• For written assessments, please note the due date by which the assessment must be submit-
ted. Ensure that you follow the guidelines given by your lecturer to complete the assessment.
Click on the submission button on the relevant assessment shell on myModules. You will
then be able to upload your written assessment on the myModules site of the modules that
you are registered for. Before you finalise the upload, double check that you have selected
the correct file for upload. Remember, no marks can be allocated for incorrectly submitted
assessments.

You only submit your assignments electronically via myUnisa. Assignments can not be submitted
by fax or e–mail nor by post as such will not be considered for marking.

14
 MAT2615/101/0/2024

9.4.1 Types of assignments and descriptions

All assignments are defined as either optional, mandatory, compulsory, or elective.

• Elective assignments

- If not submitted, the student gets no mark for this item.

- The best of the required submissions will count.

• Mandatory assignments

- If not submitted, the student gets no mark for this item.

• Compulsory assignments

- If not submitted, the result on the student’s academic record will be absent.

• Optional assignments

- You are encouraged as a student to do optional assignment so that it may benefit your
learning.

I. Elective assignments

a. the student is given a choice of which assignments within an identified group to submit, only
the best result(s), the number of which is specified in advance, will contribute towards the
year mark.

b. elective assignments must also be grouped into an elective group.

c. for the student to select which assignment to submit, the elective assignments must be
grouped together. For such an elective group, relevant information must be provided to the
student, such as how many of the assignments must be submitted and how many of the
assignment marks should be combined into the year mark.

d. The selection criteria define how marks received for assignments in an elective group are to
be combined into the year mark. Three different criteria may be used for calculating the year
mark:

– The best mark should be used, or

– If the student submits fewer than the required number of assignments per group or no
assignment in a group, a mark of 0% will be used.
– 0% is awarded to all non-submitted or unmarked assessments. A best mark is then
calculated from all items.

II. Mandatory assignments

a. contribute to the year mark.

15
 b. If a student fails to submit a mandatory assignment, no mark is awarded and the year mark is
calculated accordingly. The student will therefore forfeit the marks attached to this assignment
when the final mark for the module is calculated.
III. Compulsory Assessment
a. when not submitted, the student will fail a Continuous Assessment module but will be shown
as absent from the examination in the case of other modules.
IV. Optional assignments - You are encouraged as a student to do optional assignment so that it
may benefit your learning.

9.5 The assessments

As indicated in section ??, you need to complete 4 written assessments for this module.

The due dates of the assignments will be made available to you on myModules for this module.
We envisage that the due dates will be available to you upon registration.

Make sure that you do the correct assignments.

Solutions will be available on myUnisa under Additional Resources before the examination date.

9.6 Other assessment methods

There are no other assessment methods for this module.

9.7 The examination

Examination information and details on the format of the examination will be made available to you
online via the myUnisa site. Look out for information that will be shared with you by your lecturer
and e-tutors (where relevant) and for communication from the university.

If you are registered for this module in 2024 then you will write the examination in October/November
2024.
Please note:
• The exam is a two hour examination.
• The use of a pocket calculator is not permitted during examination. You are NOT allowed to
use a calculator during the exam.
The examination questions will be similar to the questions asked in the study guide and in the
assignments.

9.8 Supplementary
If you are registered for this module in 2024 then you will write the supplementary examination in
January/February 2025.
During the course of the year, the Examination Section will provide you with information regarding
the examination in general, examination websites, examination dates and examination times ant
that including the supplementary examination.

16
 MAT2615/101/0/2024

9.8.1 Invigilation/proctoring
Since 2020 Unisa conducts all its assessments online. Given stringent requirements from profes-
sional bodies and increased solicitations of Unisa’s students by third parties to unlawfully assist
them with the completion of assignments and examinations, the University is obliged to assure its
assessment integrity through the utilisation of various proctoring tools: Turnitin, Moodle Proctoring,
the Invigilator App and Intelligent Remote Invigilation System (IRIS). These tools will authenti-
cate the student’s identity and flag suspicious behaviour to assure credibility of students’ responses
during assessments. The description below is for your benefit as you may encounter any or all of
these in your registered modules:

Turnitin is a plagiarism software that facilitates checks for originality in students’ submissions
against internal and external sources. Turnitin assists in identifying academic fraud and ghost
writing. Students are expected to submit typed responses for utilisation of the Turnitin software.

The Moodle Proctoring tool is a facial recognition software that authenticates students’ identity
during their Quiz assessments. This tool requires access to a student’s mobile or laptop camera.
Students must ensure their camera is activated in their browser settings prior to their assessments.

The Invigilator ”mobile application-based service does verification” of the identity of an as-
sessment participant. The Invigilator Mobile Application detects student dishonesty-by-proxy and
ensures that the assessment participant is the registered student. This invigilation tool requires
students to download the app from their Play Store (Google, Huawei and Apple) on their mobile
devices (camera enabled) prior to their assessment.

IRIS Invigilation software verifies the identity of a student during assessment and provides for
both manual and automated facial verification. It has the ability to record and review a student’s
assessment session. It flags suspicious behaviour by the students for review by an academic ad-
ministrator. IRIS software requires installation on students’ laptop devices that are enabled with a
webcam.

Students who are identified and flagged for suspicious dishonest behaviour arising from the invigi-
lation and proctoring reports are referred to the disciplinary office for formal proceeding.

Please note:

Students must refer to their module assessment information on their myModule sites to determine
which proctoring or invigilation tool will be utilised for their formative and summative assessments.

10 ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
10.1 Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the act of taking the words, ideas and thoughts of others and presenting them as your
own. It is a form of theft. Plagiarism includes the following forms of academic dishonesty:

17
 • Copying and pasting from any source without acknowledging the source.

• Not including references or deliberately inserting incorrect bibliographic information.

• Paraphrasing without acknowledging the original source of the information.

10.2 Cheating
Cheating includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Completing assessments on behalf of another student, copying the work of another student
during an assessment, or allowing another student to copy your work.

• Using social media (e.g. WhatsApp, Telegram) or other platforms to disseminate assessment
information.

• Submitting corrupt or irrelevant files, this forms part of examination guidelines

• Buying completed answers from so-called ”tutors” or internet sites (contract cheating).

10.3 For more information about plagiarism, follow the link below:
https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/myunisa/default/Study-@-Unisa/Student-values-and-rules

11 STUDENTS LIVING WITH DISABILITIES

The Advocacy and Resource Centre for Students with Disabilities (ARCSWiD) provides an oppor-
tunity for staff to interact with first-time and returning students with disabilities.

If you are a student with a disability and would like additional support or need additional time for
assessments, you are invited to contact (name and e-mail address of the lecturer must be inserted)
to discuss the assistance that you need.

12 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The Study @ Unisa brochure contains an A-Z guide of the most relevant study information.

13 SOURCES CONSULTED
The Study Guide and the prescribed textbook were consulted in preparing this tutorial letter.

18
 MAT2615/101/0/2024

14 IN CLOSING
Do not hesitate to contact us by e-mail if you are experiencing problems with the content of this
tutorial letter or with any academic aspect of the module.

We wish you a fascinating and satisfying journey through the learning material, and trust that you
will complete the module successfully.

Enjoy the journey!

Dr B Tlharesakgosi – Lecturer for MAT2615

Department of Mathematical Sciences

19
ADDENDUM A: Additional Notes and Curriculum Transformation
Please note the following important information regarding this module:

• It is essential to have a strong grasp of the module’s content to effectively complete assign-
ments and solve related problems independently. To support your understanding, video notes
will be uploaded to the Additional Resources folder in the main module.

• In order to fully comprehend the concepts and derive maximum benefit from this course, you
have the option to request MS Teams meetings for live discussions with the lecturer. These
sessions will include recordings and video notes that will also be shared with your fellow stu-
dents.

• The lecturers for this module will conduct live discussions on MS Teams to facilitate en-
gagement and interaction among students. These sessions are designed to enhance your
understanding of the concepts. On certain occasions, Zoom may also be utilized for these
discussions.

• Feedback on assignments will be provided through live discussions on MS Teams with the
lecturers. These discussions will be interactive, enabling students to actively participate and
contribute. Please note that the discussions might occasionally utilize Zoom.

• Throughout the year, glossaries of terms in African languages may be made available to you.
These glossary files will be accessible exclusively online via the main module site MAT2615-
24-Y.

Please keep these notes in mind to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the module and to
make the most of the available resources and opportunities for engagement.

20
 MAT2615/101/0/2024

ANNEXURE A: GLOSSARY OF TERM

The Glossary of terms will be uploaded online only.

21
ADDENDUM B: SELF ASSESSMENT TASK FOR UNITS 1–3
In each of the following 20 questions, there is only one correct option.

Work through each of the questions and write down the option that you think is correct.

Then score your answers out of 20 by comparing them with the table of correct options given
in the solution section. You will need to enter your score in Assignment 01. Also work through the
solutions that are provided.

If you score below 16, we suggest that you work through units 1–3 once again before proceed-
ing to study guide 2.

A.1 QUESTIONS
Question 1 (Section 2.5)

Which of the following is/are true?

A. ∥(x, y) + (a, b)∥ ≤ ∥(x, y)∥ + ∥(a, b)∥ for all x, y, a, b ∈ R.
B. ∥(x, y) − (a, b)∥ ≤ ∥(x, y)∥ − ∥(a, b)∥ for all x, y, a, b ∈ R.

1. Only A 2. Only B 3. Both A and B 4. Neither A nor B.

Question 2 (Section 2.5)

Which of the following is/are true?

A. ∥x − a∥ ≤ ∥x + a∥ for all x, a ∈ Rn .
B. ∥x − a∥ ≤ ∥x∥ + ∥a∥ for all x, a ∈ Rn .

1. Only A 2. Only B 3. Both A and B 4. Neither A nor B.

Question 3 (Sections 2.11 and 2.10)

Which of the following is/are true?

A. A line in R2 is uniquely determined by a point on the line and a vector parallel to the line.
B. A line in R2 is uniquely determined by a point on the line and a vector perpendicular to the line.

1. Only A 2. Only B 3. Both A and B 4. Neither A nor B.

Question 4 (Sections 2.11 and 2.10)

Which of the following is/are true?

A. A line in R3 is uniquely determined by a point on the line and a vector parallel to the line.
B. A line in R3 is uniquely determined by a point on the line and a vector perpendicular to the line.

1. Only A 2. Only B 3. Both A and B 4. Neither A nor B.

22
 MAT2615/101/0/2024

Question 5 (Section 2.12)

Which of the following is/are true?

A. A plane in R3 is uniquely determined by a point on the plane and a vector parallel to the plane.
B. A plane in R3 is uniquely determined by a point on the plane and a vector perpendicular to the
plane.

1. Only A 2. Only B 3. Both A and B 4. Neither A nor B.

Question 6 (Section 2.12)

Let each of V1 and V2 be a plane in R3 . Which one of the following is FALSE?

1. It is possible for V1 and V2 not to intersect.

2. It is possible for V1 and V2 to intersect in a plane.

3. It is possible for V1 and V2 to intersect in a line.

4. It is possible for V1 and V2 to intersect in only one point.

Question 7 (Section 2.12)

Which of the following is/are true?

A. A plane in R3 is uniquely determined by two non–parallel lines that lie on the plane.
B. A plane in R3 is uniquely determined by two different parallel lines that lie on the plane.

1. Only A 2. Only B 3. Both A and B 4. Neither A nor B.

Question 8 (Sections 2.11 and 2.12)

Which of the following is/are true?

A. If two lines, L1 and L2 , in R3 are perpendicular to the same vector, then L1 and L2 are parallel
to one another.
B. If two planes, V1 and V2 , in R3 are both parallel to the same vector, then V1 and V2 are parallel
to one another.

1. Only A 2. Only B 3. Both A and B 4. Neither A nor B.

Question 9 (Sections 2.11 and 2.10)

Let L be the line in R3 that passes through the point (0, 1, −2) and is perpendicular to the vectors
(−1, 1, 0) and (1, 0, 2). An equation for L is

1. (x, y, z) = (0, 1, −2) + t (−1, 1, 0) , t ∈ R.

2. (x, y, z) = (0, 1, −2) + t (2, −1, 2) , t ∈ R.

3. (x, y, z) = (0, 1, −2) + t (2, 2, −1) , t ∈ R.

23
 4. (2, 2, −1) · (x, y, z) = (0, 1, −2) · (2, 2, −1) .

Question 10 (Sections 2.11 and 2.12)

Suppose the line L in R3 is defined by

(x, y, z) = (1, 2, 3) + t (1, −1, 2) , t ∈ R

and is perpendicular to the plane V which contains the point (3, −1, 4). The vector u = (−2, 0, 1) is
perpendicular to the line L. An equation for V is

1. (x, y, z) = (3, −1, 4) + t (1, −1, 2) , t ∈ R.

2. (x, y, z) = (3, −1, 4) + t (−2, 0, 1) , t ∈ R.

3. −2x + 0y + z = −2.

4. x − y + 2z = 12.

Question 11 (Sections 2.11 and 2.12)

Let L be the line in R3 that passes through the points (−1, 1, 2) and (2, 3, 6) . Let V be the plane
that contains the line L and is perpendicular to the plane 2x + y − 3z + 4 = 0. An equation for V is

1. 10x − 17y + z + 25 = 0.

2. 0x + 10y − 5z = 0.

3. 2x + y − 3z + 7 = 0.

4. None of the above.

Options for Question 12–15 (Section 3.2)

Consider the sketches in the four options below:
Z

_ Y
2 2

24
 MAT2615/101/0/2024

2
Y

X
_
2

_ 2
2
Y
X

For each of questions 12-15 choose the option that best represents the given surface S in R3 .

Question 12
n p o
S = (x, y, z) ∈ R3 | z = 2 − x 2 − y 2

Question 13
n p o
S = (x, y, z) ∈ R3 | z = 2 + x 2 + y 2

25
Question 14

S = (x, y, z) | z = 2 − x 2 − y 2

Question 15

S = (x, y, z) | x 2 + y 2 = 4 and |z| ≤ 2
Question 16 (Section 3.2)

Suppose f is the R2 − R function defined by

f (x, y) = 9 − x 2 − y 2

and that the contour curve C of f has equation

x 2 + y 2 = 4.

The level of C is
1. 0 2. 2 3. 4 4. 5

Question 17 (Section 3.2)

Suppose C is the semi–circle in R2 with initial point (0, 2) and endpoint (0, −2) with the origin as
centre. A parametric equation for C is

1. (x, y) = (cos 2t, sin 2t) ; t ∈ [0, π] .

2. (x, y) = (cos 2t, sin 2t) ; t ∈ π2 , 3π

 
2

3. (x, y) = (2 cos t, 2 sin t) ; t ∈ [0, π]

4. (x, y) = (2 cos t, 2 sin t) ; t ∈ π2 , 3π

 
2

Question 18 (Section 3.2)

Let C be the curve from (−2, −2) to (3, 3) along the parabola y = x 2 − 6. A parametric equation for
C is

1. (x, y) = t (1, t) + (0, −6) ; t ∈ [0, 1] .

2. (x, y) = t (1, t) + (0, −6) ; t ∈ [−2, 3]

3. (x, y) = t (5, 5) + (−2, −2) ; t ∈ [0, 1]

4. (x, y) = t (5, 5) + (−2, −2) ; t ∈ [−2, 3]

26
 MAT2615/101/0/2024

Question 19 (Sections 3.3 and 3.2)

Suppose f : Rn → Rm and g : Rm → Rp are functions. The image of g ◦ f lies in

1. Rp 2. Rm 3. Rn 4. Rn+p
Question 20 (Section 3.3)

Assume n, p, q and m are all different positive integers.

Consider the following functions:
f maps Rp into Rq ,
g maps Rq into Rm ,
and h maps Rn into Rp .
Which one of the following is defined?
1. f ◦ g ◦ h 2. f ◦ h ◦ g 3. h ◦ f ◦ g 4. g ◦ f ◦ h

A.2 ANSWERS AND SOLUTIONS

The correct answers are:
1. 1 6. 4 11. 1 16. 4
2. 2 7. 3 12. 3 17. 4
3. 3 8. 4 13. 4 18. 2
4. 1 9. 3 14. 1 19. 1
5. 2 10. 4 15. 2 20. 4
Reasons
Question 1
A. According to the Triangle Inequality N.4 (on page 27) this statement is true.
B. This statement is false. Consider the following counterexample.
Let (x, y) = (1, 0) and (a, b) = (0, −1) .
Then
∥(x, y) − (a, b)∥ = ∥(1, 0) − (0, −1)∥
= ∥(1, 1)∥
√
= 2

and
∥(x, y)∥ − ∥(a, b)∥ = ∥(1, 0)∥ − ∥(0, −1)∥
= 1−1
= 0.

Hence, in this case,

∥(x, y) − (a, b)∥ ⩽̸ ∥(x, y)∥ − ∥(a, b)∥ .
Thus 1 is the correct answer.

27
Question 2

A. This statement is false. Consider the following counterexample.

Let x = (1, 1) and a = (0, −1).
Then

∥x − a∥ = ∥(1, 1) − (0, −1)∥

= ∥(1, 2)∥
√
= 5

and

∥x + a∥ = ∥(1, 1) + (0, −1)∥

= ∥(1, 0)∥
= 1.

Thus, in this case,

∥x − a∥ ⩽̸ ∥x + a∥ .

B. This statement is true. If x and a are arbitrary elements of Rn , then

∥x − a∥ = ∥x + (−a)∥
≤ ∥x∥ + ∥−a∥ by N.4
= ∥x∥ + |−1| ∥a∥ by N.3
= ∥x∥ + ∥a∥ .

Hence ∥x − a∥ ≤ ∥x∥ + ∥a∥ for all x, a ∈ Rn .

Thus 2 is the correct answer.

Question 3

A. The statement is true. See Section 2.11 and in particular Definition 2.11.1.
B. The statement is true. Suppose L is a line in R2 that contains the point p and is perpendicular
to the vector v . Then all lines that are perpendicular to v are parallel to L and only one of
these lines goes through the point p.

L
p v

28
 MAT2615/101/0/2024

Thus option 3 is correct.

Question 4

A. The statement is true. See Section 2.11 and in particular Definition 2.11.1.

B. The statement is false.

For example, the X –axis and Y –axis are both lines that contain the point (0, 0, 0) and are
perpendicular to the vector (0, 0, 1) (see Fig. 2.13). In general, if a is any non–zero vector in
R3 and p is any point in R3 , there are infinitely many lines that contain p and are perpendicular
to a. See Fig. 2.15(b) and the sketch below.

a
L2
L1

Hence 1 is the correct option.

Question 5

A. The statement is false. A plane is said to be parallel to a given vector if some line in the plane
is parallel to that vector. (Read the first paragraph of Section 2.12.) Given a nonzero vector
v and a point p in R3 , there is only one line that contains the point p and is parallel to v , but
there are infinitely many planes containing that line; hence there are infinitely many planes
that contain the point p and are parallel to v . The sketch below shows two such planes, V1
and V2 .

29
 Z

V1
p
V2

v
Y

B. The statement is true. See Section 2.12 and in particular Definition 2.12.1.
Thus the correct answer is 2.

Question 6
If V1 and V2 are the same plane, then they intersect in the plane V1 (or V2 ).
If V1 and V2 are not the same plane, then either they are parallel, in which case they do not
intersect, or they are not parallel, in which case they intersect in a line (see the sketch in Question
5).
Two planes cannot intersect in only one point. (Three or more planes, or a line and a plane may
intersect in only one point.)

Thus the correct FALSE option is 4.

Question 7
Both A and B are true.
Suppose L1 and L2 are two different lines in the plane V . Choose two points a and b on L1 and a
point c on L2 (where c is not the point of intersection of L1 and L2 in the case where L1 and L2 are
not parallel.) Then the three points are not collinear (i.e. do not lie on the same line) and hence
determine a unique plane. We note that b − a and b − c are both parallel to the plane V , but not
parallel to one another. Thus the cross product (b − a) × (b − c) is perpendicular to V , and we
know that a plane is uniquely determined by a point on the plane and a vector perpendicular to the
plane (see Question 5B).

Thus 3 is the correct answer.

30
 MAT2615/101/0/2024

Question 8

A. The statement is false.

See the sketch in Question 4B. The lines L1 and L2 are both perpendicular to the vector a,
but they are not parallel to one another.
B. The statement is false.
See the sketch in Question 5A . The planes V1 and V2 are both parallel to the vector v , but
they are not parallel to one another.
Hence the correct answer is 4.

Question 9
A vector perpendicular to the vectors (−1, 1, 0) and (1, 0, 2) is
i j k
u = (−1, 1, 0) × (1, 0, 2) = −1 1 0
1 0 2
= (2, 2, −1) .
Thus (2, 2, −1) is parallel to L. Thus the equation for L is
(x, y, z) = (0, 1, −2) + t (2, 2, −1) , t ∈ R.
Hence 3 is the correct answer.

Question 10
A vector parallel to L, and hence perpendicular to V is (1, −1, 2). Since V contains the point
(3, −1, 4) and is perpendicular to (1, −1, 2) , an equation for V is
(x, y, z) · (1, −1, 2) = (3, −1, 4) · (1, −1, 2)
i.e. x − y + 2z = 3 + 1 + 8
i.e. x − y + 2z = 12.

Hence the correct answer is 4.

Question 11
A vector parallel to L and hence to V is
u = (2, 3, 6) − (−1, 1, 2)
= (3, 2, 4) .
A vector perpendicular to the plane 2x + y − 3z + 4 = 0 and hence parallel to V is
(2, 1, −3) .
Thus a vector perpendicular to V is
i j k
(3, 2, 4) × (2, 1, −3) = 3 2 4
2 1 −3
= (−10, 17, −1) .

31
Hence (10, −17, 1) is a vector perpendicular to V and thus an equation for V is
(10, −17, 1) · (x, y, z) = (10, −17, 1) · (−1, 1, 2)
i.e. 10x − 17y + z = −10 − 17 + 2
i.e. 10x − 17y + z + 25 = 0.

Hence 1 is the correct answer.

Question 12 √
The surface S is the upper half of the sphere centred at the origin with radius 2. See Remark
3.2.8.
Thus the correct answer is 3.

Question 13
The surface S is a cone, opening upwards with apex (vertex) at (0, 0, 2) . Study Example 3.2.7(2).

Thus the correct answer is 4.

Question 14
The surface S is a paraboloid, opening downwards, with turning point (0, 0, 2) . Study Example
3.2.7(1).

Thus the correct answer is 1.

Question 15
The surface S is obtained by sketching the circle x 2 +y 2 = 4 in the plane z = −2 and then translating
it vertically up to the plane z = 2 (because if (x, y, z) ∈ S, then x 2 + y 2 = 4 for every value of z
between −2 and 2, including −2 and 2). Thus S is the cylinder in option 2.

Thus the correct answer is 2.

Question 16
If x 2 + y 2 = 4, then f (x, y) = 9 − x 2 − y 2 = 9 − 4 = 5.

Thus according to Definition 3.2.9, the level of C is 5.

Hence, option 4 is correct.

32
 MAT2615/101/0/2024

Question 17
The semi–circle C is sketched below.

(0, 2)
(x , y)

2 t

(0, _ 2)

π 3π
Any point (x, y) on C can be described by x = 2 cos t, y = 2 sin t where t lies between 2
and 2
.
Hence a parametric equation for C is

(x, y) = (2 cos t, 2 sin t) ; t ∈ π2 , 3π

 
2

and hence option 4 is correct.

Question 18
Consider
the parabola y = x 2 − 6. Let x = t. Then the parabola can be described by (x, y) =
t, t 2 − 6 .
Now when (x, y ) = (−2, −2) , t = −2 and when (x, y) = (3, 3) , t = 3.
Thus a parametric representation

of C is
(x, y ) = t, t 2
− 6 ; t ∈ [−2, 3]
i.e. (x, y ) = t, t 2 + (0, −6) ; t ∈ [−2, 3]
i.e. (x, y) = t (1, t) + (0, −6) ; t ∈ [−2, 3] .

Thus 2 is the correct option.

Question 19
Note that (g ◦ f ) (x) = g (f (x)), and that f maps Rn into Rm and g maps Rm into Rp .

R
n f R
m g p
R
g(f( x))
x f( x) = ( g of )( x)

g of

33
Thus g ◦ f maps Rn into Rp .
Hence, according to Definition 3.2.1(a), the image of g ◦ f lies in Rp , and so option 1 is correct.

Question 20
We consider each of the options:

1. (f ◦ g ◦ h) (x) = f (g ◦ h (x)) is undefined since g ◦ h is undefined because h (x) ∈ Rp and

Dg = Rq , but p ̸= q (see the first sentence of Section 3.3 of Study Guide 1).

2. (f ◦ h ◦ g) (x) = f (h ◦ g (x)) is undefined since h ◦ g is undefined because g (x) ∈ Rm and

Dh = Rn , but m ̸= n.

3. (h ◦ f ◦ g) (x) = h (f ◦ g (x)) is undefined since f ◦ g is undefined because g (x) ∈ Rm and

Df = Rp , but m ̸= p.

4. (g ◦ f ◦ h) (x) = g (f ◦ h (x)) is defined. Firstly, f ◦ h is defined because h (x) ∈ Rp and Df =

Rp . Then since (f ◦ h) (x) ∈ Rq and Dg = Rq , it follows that g ◦ (f ◦ h) is defined.

Thus 4 is the correct option.

34
 MAT2615/101/0/2024

ADDENDUM C: Assignments

COMPULSORY ASSIGNMENT FOR THE EXAM

ASSIGNMENT 01
Due date: Friday, 17 May 2024
Total Marks:

ONLY FOR YEAR MODULE

IMPORTANT

All questions in this assignment will be marked. You are advised to answer all questions.

Section A

1. What score, out of 20, did you obtain for the Self assessment task on Units 1–3 contained in Addendum
B? (1)

2. Did you find the self assessment task useful? (1)

3. Explain why (how) you found the self assessment task useful; or why you did not find it useful.
(Maximum of 150 words.) (3)

TOTAL: 05

Section B

When you feel confident that you have a sound knowledge and understanding of Units 1–3, you can study
Units 4–10 and then attempt this section of the assignment. When you answer a question you should once
again study all the sections mentioned at the beginning of the question.
Before attempting to answer a question, note whether it involves a function of one variable or a function of
more than one variable.
Make sure that you understand the essential difference between dealing with a limit of a function of one
variable and a function of two variables. (Study Figures 4.3 and 4.4 in this regard.)
Note that Units 5 and 6 deal with functions of one variable and that Units7 and 8 deal with functions of
more than one variable. Before attempting a problem, it is important to note what type of function(s) the
problem deals with. Take note of the notations used for the various types of derivatives and make sure that
you use these correctly. Note, for instance, that the notation f ′ is not used when f is a function of more
than one variable. (The reason for this will become clear when you study Sections 7.1 and 7.2.)
The distance concept, which was introduced in Unit 2, plays a vital role in limits of functions. Please revise
Sections 2.5 and 2.6 before you attempt this assignment.

35
 1. (Sections 2.11,2.12)
Calculate the equation for the plane containing the lines ℓ1 and ℓ2 , where ℓ1 is given by the parametric
equation
(x, y, z) = (1, 0, −1) + t(1, 1, 1), t ∈ R
and ℓ2 is given by the parametric equation

(x, y, z) = (2, 1, 0) + t(1, −1, 0), t ∈ R.

[5]

2. (Sections 2.11,2.12)
Given the two planes x − y + 2z − 1 = 0 and 3x + 2y − 6z + 4 = 0. Find a parametric equation for
the intersection.
[5]

3. (Sections 3.1,3.2)
Consider the surfaces in R3 defined by the equations
p
f (x, y) = 2 x 2 + y 2 g(x, y) = 1 + x 2 + y 2 .

(a) What shapes are described by f , g and their intersection? (3)

(b) Give a parametric equation describing the intersection. (2)

[5]

4. (Section 4.3) Consider the R2 − R function f defined by

x2
f (x, y) = p .
x2 + y2

Prove from first principles that

lim f (x, y) = 0.
(x,y)→(0,0)

Hint:

• Note that x 2 ≤ x 2 + y 2 . [5]

5. (Sections 4.4 and 4.6) Consider the R2 − R2 function F given by

 
y sin x xy
F (x, y) = , .
x − π sin y
Use limit rules to determine
lim F (x, y) .
(x,y)→(π, π2 )

[5]

36
 MAT2615/101/0/2024

6. (Section 4.5) Consider the R2 − R function f defined by

2xy 2
f (x, y) = .
x2 + y4

(a) Write down the largest possible domain Df of f . (2)

(b) Show that lim f (x, y) does not exist, by considering limits along relevant curves. (5)
(x,y)→(0,0)

Hints:

• Study Theorem 4.5.2, Remarks 4.5.3 and Remarks 4.5.5 carefully.

• Take care to use appropriate notation and to present your proof correctly. (Study Examples 4.5.4
in this regard.) [7]

7. (Sections 4.4 and 4.7) Consider the R2 − R function f given by



 x2 − y2
if y ̸= −x
f (x, y) =
 x +y
0 if (x, y ) = (0, 0) or (x, y) = (1, −1) .

(a) Write down the largest possible domain Df of f . (1)

(b) Determine lim f (x, y) and lim f (x, y). (3)
(x,y)→(0,0) (x,y)→(1,−1)

(c) Write down the values of f (0, 0) and f (1, −1). (1)
(d) Is f continuous at (x, y) = (0, 0)? (1)
(e) Is f continuous at (x, y) = (1, −1)? (1)
(f) Is f a continuous function? (1)

Give reasons for your answers to (d), (e) and (f).

Hint:

• Study Remark 4.3.2(3), Definition 4.7.1 and Remarks 4.7.2. [8]

8. (Sections 7.2, 7.4 and 7.7.) Let f be the R2 − R function defined by

f (x, y) = 2x 2 + 2xy − 3.

(a) Determine grad f (3, −2) by using the Rules of Differentiation for R−R functions. (Read Remark
7.2.4.) (2)
(b) Determine the rate of increase in f at the point (3, −2) in the direction of the vector (3, 1). (Study
Definition 7.7.1 and Remark 7.7.2(1) carefully. Then use Theorem 7.7.3.) (4)
(c) What is the rate of increase in f at (3, −2) in the direction of the positive Y-axis? (2)
(d) Determine the maximum rate of increase in f at (3, −2). (Read Corollaries 7.7.4 and 7.7.5.) (2)
[10]

37
 9. (Sections 1.3 and 7.6) Let f be the R3 − R function defined by
p
f (x, y, z) = (x 2 + y 2 ) z

and let r be the R − R3 function defined by

r (t) = (t, t, ln t) .

(a) Determine the composite function f ◦ r . (1)

(b) Write down the domains of f , r and f ◦ r . (Use set-builder notation.) (3)
(c) Determine the derivative function (f ◦ r )′ by
(i) differentiating the expression obtained in (a). (2)
(ii) using the General Chain Rule (Theorem 7.6.1). (4)
[10]

TOTAL: 60

38
 MAT2615/101/0/2024

ASSIGNMENT 02
Due date: Friday, 28 June 2024
Total Marks:

ONLY FOR YEAR MODULE

IMPORTANT

All questions in this assignment will be marked. You are advised to answer all questions.

1. (Sections 3.2, 7.5 and 7.8) Consider the R2 − R function f defined by

f (x, y) = 1 + x 2 + y 2 .

Let C be the contour curve of f through the point (1, 1), let L be the tangent to C at (1, 1) and let V be
the tangent plane to the graph of f at (1, 1, 3).

(a) Find the equation of the curve C. (2)

(b) Find a vector in R2 that is perpendicular to C at (1, 1). (2)
(c) Find the Cartesian equation of the line L. (3)
(d) Find a vector in R3 that is perpendicular to the graph of f at the point (1, 1, 3). (3)
(e) Find the Cartesian equation of the plane V . (3)
(f) Draw a sketch to visualize the graph of f , together with appropriate sections of the line L and the
plane V . Also show the vectors that you obtained in (b) and (d) on your sketch. (5)

Hints:

• Study Definitions 3.2.5 and 3.2.9. Note that the level of C is given by f (1, 1).

• By a vector perpendicular to a curve at a given point, we mean a vector perpendicular to the tangent to
the curve at that point. Use Theorem 7.8.1 to find a vector perpendicular to C at the point (1, 1).

• Study Remark 2.12.2(1) and use Definition 2.12.1 to find the Cartesian equation of L. Or, equiv-
alently, use Definition 7.8.6. (Note that, in the case n = 2, the formula in Definition 7.8.6 gives a
Cartesian equation for a tangent to a contour curve.)

• By a vector perpendicular to a surface at a given point, we mean a vector perpendicular to the tangent
plane to the surface at that point. Define an R3 − R function g such that the graph of f is a contour
surface of g, and then use Theorem 7.8.3 to find a vector perpendicular to V at the point (1, 1, 3).

• Use Definition 2.12.1 or Definition 7.8.6 (with g in the place of f ) to find the equation of V , or use
Definition 7.5.4 (Read Remark 7.5.5(2).) [18]

2. (Sections 7.10, 8.2, 8.3 and 8.4) Consider the 3-dimensional vector field F defined by

F (x, y, z) = 18x 2 y 3 + 2x, 18x 3 y 2 + 4yz 3 + 2y, 6y 2 z 2 − 4z .

39
 (a) Write down the Jacobian matrix JF (x, y, z) . (2)
(b) Determine the divergence div F (x, y, z). (2)
(c) Determine curl F (x, y, z). (2)
(d) Give reasons why F has a potential function. (Refer to the relevant definition and theorems in
the study guide.) (2)
(e) Find a potential function for F , using the method of Example 7.9.1 Note, however, that the exam-
ple concerns a 2-dimensional vector field, so you will have to adapt the method to be suitable for
a 3-dimensional vector field. Pay special attention to the notation that you use for derivatives
of functions of more than one variable. (6)
[14]

3. (Unit 9) Consider the R2 − R function f defined by

f (x, y) = sin x cos y .

π π


Find the second order Taylor Polynomial of f about the point ,
4 4
. Leave your answer in the form
π π



of a polynomial in x − 4
and y − 4
. (This form is convenient for evaluating function values at
π π


points near 4 , 4 ). [6]

4. (Section 10.2) Consider the R2 − R function f defined by

π π
f (x, y) = cos x − sin y; − < x < ; 0 < y < 2π
2 2

Find the critical points of f and determine their nature.

Hint:

• There are two critical points. Determine whether they are saddle points or local minima or max-
ima. Also, remember to check for global extrema. [10]

5. (Section 10.3) You have to design a cylindrical can that is open at the top (but closed at the bottom).
Its volume has to be 1m3 . Determine the height of the cylinder and the radius of its base circle to make
the total surface area as small as possible.
Hints:

• Determine the surface area of a cylinder with radius r m and height hm, which has only one base circle.

• Read the question carefully. Denote the quantity that you wish to minimize by f (r , h). Note that there
is a constraint on the volume.

• Formulate the problem as a constrained optimization problem and then apply the Method of Lagrange
to solve it.

[10]
TOTAL: 58

40
 MAT2615/101/0/2024

ASSIGNMENT 03
Due date: Wednesday, 31 July 2024
Total Marks:

ONLY FOR YEAR MODULE

IMPORTANT

All questions in this assignment will be marked. You are advised to answer all questions.

1. (Sections 13.1 – 13.5) Let R be the region in R2 below the line y = x + 2 and above the parabola
y = x 2.

(a) Sketch the region R. Find the points of intersection of the line and the parabola and indicate them
on your sketch. (3)
(b) Is R a Type 1 region? If yes, describe it as a Type 1 region. If not, describe it as a union of Type
1 regions. Use set builder notation.
Hints:
• Read the description of a Type 1 Region on p. 18 of Guide 3 and study Fig. 13.9 carefully.
• Shade the region R by means of vertical lines and highlight the curves which form lower
and upper boundaries of R. Write the equations of these curves in the form y = g (x) . (3)
(c) Is R a Type 2 region? If yes, describe it as a Type 2 region. If not, describe it as a union of Type
2 regions. Use set builder notation.
Hints:
• Read the description of a Type 2 Region on p. 20 and study Fig 13.11 carefully.
• Shade the region R by means of horizontal lines and highlight the curves which form left
and right boundaries of R. These curves are not smooth, since there is a sudden change in
each of them where the parabola meets the line. Write the equation of each section of these
curves in the form x = h (y) . (4)
(d) Calculate the integral Z Z
xy dA,
R

(i) by using the order of integration dy dx.

(ii) by using the order of integration dx dy.
If your answers to (i) and (ii) do not agree, then please try to find your mistake and correct it.
If you find it difficult to evaluate these integrals, you should revise the techniques of integration
taught in First Year Calculus, especially the techniques of integration by parts, and integration
by substitution. (8)

[18]

41
 2. (Sections 3.2, 13.3, 13.7, 14.3, 14.6, 14.7) Consider the integral
Z 1 Z √1−x 2
4 − x 2 − y 2 dy dx.


√
−1 − 1−x 2

(a) Sketch the region of integration. (3)

(b) Give a geometric interpretation of the above integral by using a 3-dimensional sketch.
Hint:
• Study the geometric interpretation of a double integral in Section 13.3. (4)
(c) Transform the above integral to a triple integral with cylindrical coordinates.
(Do not evaluate the integral.)
Hint:
• Study the geometric interpretation of a triple integral in Section 14.3. Also study cylindrical
coordinates in Section 14.6 and examples on calculating volumes by using triple integrals in
Section 14.7. (3)

[10]

3.2, 14.6) Let D be the 3-dimensional region inside the sphere x 2 + y 2 + z 2 = 4 above the
3. (Sectionsp
cone z = 4x 2 + 4y 2 . Evaluate the integral
Z Z Z
z dV
D

by using spherical coordinates.

Hints:

• Sketch the region D.

• Study the steps described in Example 14.6.7.
• Remember that ρ represents the distance from the origin.
• All points on the given sphere lie at the same distance from the origin.
• Remember that ϕ is measured downward from the positive Z–axis. [8]

4. (Units 15, 16; Section 7.9) Let a = (−1, 0) and b = (2, 3) . Let L be the directed line segment in R2
with initial point a and end point b, and let C be the path from a to b along the curve y = x 2 − 1.

(a) Sketch the directed curves L and C. (3)

(b) Find a parametric equation for the line segment L (See pp. 68-70 of Guide 1.) (2)
(c) Find a parametric equation for the line segment −L. (2)

42
 MAT2615/101/0/2024

(d) (Sections 15.1 and 15.2) Evaluate the following line integrals with respect to arc length
Z Z Z
x ds, x ds, x ds.
L −L C

Comment on your answers. (7)

(e) Evaluate the following line integrals:
Z Z Z
2 2
2xy dx + x dy, 2xy dx + x dy, 2xy dx + x 2 dy,
L −L C

by
(i) transforming each integral to an ordinary single integral (see Section 15.3).
(ii) using the Fundamental Theorem of Line Integrals (Theorem 16.5.2) (12)
Hint for (ii)


• Let F (x, y) = 2xy , x 2 . First show that F has a potential function f (see Remark 8.5.3
and Theorem 8.5.6). Then apply Theorem 16.5.2. [26]

5. (Sections 13.5, 16.3, 16.4, 19.1) Let D = C ∪ (−L) , where C and L are the curves from Question 4.
Use Green’s Theorem (Theorem 19.1.1) to calculate the work done by the force field

F (x, y ) = y 2 − 2xy , y 2 + 2xy

on an object that moves once round the closed curve D (in the anticlockwise direction).
Hints:

• Set up a line integral to represent the work done by applying equations (16.2) and (16.3).
• Check whether all the conditions of Green’s Theorem are satisfied before applying it.
• When you have applied Green’s Theorem, you have an ordinary double integral over R, which
is a Type 1 region (see Section 13.5). [10]

TOTAL: 72

43
 ASSIGNMENT 04
Due date: Friday, 30 August 2024
Total Marks:

ONLY FOR YEAR MODULE

IMPORTANT

All questions in this assignment will be marked. You are advised to answer all questions.

1. (Chapter 15, Section 16.5)

Consider the integral
Z (1,π/2)
ex sin y dx + ex cos y dy.
(0,0)

(a) Show that the integral is independent of the path of integration chosen by using the Fundamental
Theorem of Line Integrals (Theorem 16.5.1).


[Hint: Consider the vector field F = ex sin y, ex cos y and prove that it has a potential func-
tion.] (4)
(b) Compute the integral
i. by transforming the integral to an ordinary single integral (see Section 15.3)
ii. using the Fundamental Theorem of Line Integrals. (6)

[10]

2. (Unit 17) Consider the surface S in R3 defined by

n p o
S = (x, y, z) | z = 9 − x 2 − y 2 , 1 ≤ z ≤ 2 .

(a) Sketch the surface S, together with its projection onto the XY -plane. (4)
(b) Calculate the area of S by using a surface integral. (7)

[11]

3. (Sections 16.4, 19.2) Consider the surface

S = (x, y, z) | z = 3 − x 2 − y 2 ; z ≥ 2


oriented upward. Evaluate the flux integral

Z Z
(curl F ) · ndS
S

where F (x, y, z) = (−y, x, 1) , by using Stokes’ Theorem.

Hints:

44
 MAT2615/101/0/2024

• First sketch S and indicate the oriented boundary C of S. (Use the Right Hand Rule to obtain the
orientation of C.)
• Make sure that the conditions of Stokes’ Theorem are satisfied before you apply it.
• Evaluate the line integral that comes from Stokes’ Theorem by first parametrizing C and then
using the method of Section 16.4.

[10]

4. (Sections 18.3, 19.3) Consider the surface S = S1 ∪ S2 , where

n p o
S1 = (x, y, z) | z = − 1 − x 2 − y 2

and
S2 = (x, y, z) | z = 1 − x 2 − y 2 , z ≥ 0 .


Calculate the outward flux of a fluid with velocity field

F (x, y, z) = (xz, −yz, z)

by using formulas (18.2) and (18.3) and Gauss’ Theorem.

Hints:

• Check whether all the conditions for Gauss’ Theorem are satisfied before applying it.
• When you have applied Gauss’ Theorem you have an ordinary triple integral. Use cylindrical
coordinates to evaluate this triple integral. [9]

TOTAL: 40

Unisa ©2024

45