• Jun 9th 2009, 01:16 PM
A geological map shows that the altitude at point (x,y) is
A(x,y)=100-x^2-y^2 feet. If water is spilled at (3,4), in which direction will it run off?

I used the angle of inclination and ended up with tan^-1(10) = 84 degrees but Im not sure if this is the correct method.
• Jun 9th 2009, 01:47 PM
Random Variable
Well, $\nabla A(x,y) = -2x \hat{i} - 2y \hat{j}$

The gradient is the direction of the greatest increase. But I think what we want is the direction of the greatest decrease, which is simply $-\nabla A(x,y)$

at the point (3,4) , $-\nabla A(x,y) = 6 \hat{i} + 8 \hat{j}$

I would just leave the answer like that (or normalize it if you like).
• Jun 9th 2009, 03:03 PM
HallsofIvy
Of course, the vector $6\vec{i}+ 8\vec{j}$ has angle $tan^{-1}\frac{4}{3}$ with the positive x axis, NOT $tan^{-1} 10$.

I might also point out that the contour lines here are circles so lines perpendicular to the circle are radii. The radius through (3, 4) has direction vector $3\vec{i}+ 4\vec{j}$ which is in the same direction as $6\vec{i}+ 8\vec{j}$.
• Jun 10th 2009, 11:27 AM
Of course, the vector $6\vec{i}+ 8\vec{j}$ has angle $tan^{-1}\frac{4}{3}$ with the positive x axis, NOT $tan^{-1} 10$.
I might also point out that the contour lines here are circles so lines perpendicular to the circle are radii. The radius through (3, 4) has direction vector $3\vec{i}+ 4\vec{j}$ which is in the same direction as $6\vec{i}+ 8\vec{j}$.