Old Math 200 Exam Questions

These questions do not have solutions or answers. They are merely a form of exposure to some
questions asked on previous exams. Do not practice these expecting similar questions on the
upcoming exam. A better use of your studying time is first spent reviewing the recommended
problems. For additional practice these questions may be used. All these exam problems are taken
from sets of exams where there were no multiple choice questions.

Question 1: Level Sets

Let f (x, y) be a twice differentiable function f (x, y) illustrated by the following level set plot f (x, y) =
C.

a Draw the direction of ∇f at the point H on the above diagram.

b State the points in the diagram (A - I) that are critical points and classify them.

c State whether the following quantities at the point E are positive or negative.

i. The derivative of f in the direction u = −2i + j.

dy
ii. along the level curve f (x, y) = −3.
dx
iii. fy .
iv. fyy

1
Question 2: Area of Parallelograms
Determine the area of the parallelogram on the plane −x + 3y + 3z = 6 over the rectangle (x, y) ∈
[0, 3] × [0, 2].

Question 3: Vector Algebra

p
Let u and v be two orthogonal vectors in Rn . Prove that ∥u + v∥ = ∥u∥2 + ∥v∥2 .

Question 4: Gradients and Optimization

Suppose that the temperature of a disc x2 + y 2 ≤ 16 is given by

T (x, y) = 2x2 + 3y 2 − 4x − 5

a Determine the path y = f (x) that an ant at the origin would travel to warm up the quickest.
b Determine the absolute maximum and minimum temperatures on the disc.

Question 5: Linear Optimization

Let L be the line given by the intersection of the planes x = 2y = 4z. Determine the distance between
the plane x − 6y + 8z = 1 and L.

Question 6: Tangent Plane

Determine the equation of the tangent plane to the surface

x − z = 4 arctan(yz)
at the point (1 + π, 1, 1).

Question 7: Implicit Differentiation

d2 y
Consider the curve in R2 given by sin(y) + xy − x3 = 2. Determine the concavity at all points
dx2
(x, y).

Question 8: Average Values

p
Let E be the region bounded above by z = 6 − 4x2 − 4y 2 and below by z = 2 x2 + y 2 . Determine
the average value of f (x, y, z) = x4 + x2 y 2 inside E.

2
Question 9: Order of Integration
Suppose that the triple integral over a region E is given by
ZZZ Z Z √ 2Z
1 1−y x
f (x, y, z)dV = (x2 + y 2 )dzdxdy.
E −1 0 0

Rewrite the integral in the following orders.

a dydxdz
b dxdzdy

c dzdrdθ (in this case rewrite everything in terms of these variables)

Question 10: Integration Techniques

Z 1Z 1
Evaluate the integral x3 sin(y 3 )dydx.
0 x2

Question 11: Errors through Linearization

One side of a right triangle is measured to be 3 with a maximum possible error of ±0.1. The other side
is measured to be 4 with a maximum possible error of ±0.2. Use the differential or linear approximation
to estimate the maximum possible error in calculating the length of the hypotenuse of the right triangle.

Question 12: Second Order Chain Rule

Assume that f (x, y) satisfies the Laplace equation

∂2f ∂2f
2
+ 2 = 0.
∂x ∂y
Prove that the function g(s, t) = f (s − t, s + t) also satisfies the Laplace equation.

Question 13: Directional Derivatives

You are standing at a location where the surface of the earth√ is smooth. The slope in the southern
direction is 4 and the slope in the south-eastern direction is 2. Determine the slope in the eastern
direction.

Question 14: Volumes

p
Consider the region E in R3 given by x2 + y 2 ≤ 2y and 0 ≤ z ≤ x2 + y 2 . Determine the volume of
E using a non-Cartesian coordinate system.

Question 15: Second Order Chain Rule

Let z = f (2s+t, s−t) where f (x, y) is a twice continuously differentiable function. Determine constants
A, B, and C such that

∂2f ∂2f ∂2f ∂2z ∂2z

A + B + C = + .
∂x2 ∂x∂y ∂y 2 ∂s2 ∂t2

3
Question 16: Chain Rule
2
Let u(x, y) = ey F (xe−y ) where F (z) is a continuously differentiable function. Prove that u(x, y)
satisfies the equation
∂u ∂u
2xy + = u.
∂x ∂y

Question 17: Identifying Surfaces and Coordinate Transforms

Consider the following surfaces below.

Match each of these surfaces with the equations (described in cylindrical or spherical coordinates)
below.
π
a φ=
3
b r2 − z 2 = 1
c ρ = 2 cos(φ)

d r = 2 cos(θ)
e sin(θ) sin(φ) = ρ(cos2 (θ) sin2 (φ) + cos2 (φ))
f z = r2 (r2 − 2 cos2 (θ) sin2 (θ) − 4 cos(θ) sin(θ))

4
Question 18: Classification of Critical Points
Z y
Consider the multivariable function F (x, y) = sin(t2 )dt over the restrictive domain x ≥ 0, y ≥ 0.
x
Classify all critical points of F (x, y).

Question 19: Applied Integration and Coordinates

p
A solid is bounded below by the cone z = x2 + y 2 and above by the sphere x2 + y 2 + z 2 = 2. This
solid has a density function given by ρ(x, y) = x2 + y 2 .

a Express the mass M of the solid as a triple integral in cylindrical coordinates.

b Express the mass M of the solid as a triple integral in spherical coordinates.
c Evaluate M .

Question 20: Chain Rule and Velocity Vectors

A bee is flying along the curve of intersection of the surfaces 3z + x2 + y 2 = 2 and z = x2 − y 2 in the
direction of increasing z. At time t = 2 the bee passes through the point P (1, 1, 0) at speed 6.

a Determine the velocity (vector) of the bee at time t = 2.

b The temperature T at position (x, y, z) is given by

T (x, y, z) = xy − 3x + 2yt + z.

Determine the rate of change of temperature experienced by the bee at time t = 2.

Question 21: Optimization

Determine the radius of the largest sphere centered about the origin that can be inscribed inside the
ellipsoid 2(x + 1)2 + y 2 + 2(z − 1)2 = 8.

Question 22: Integration Techniques

Z 4 Z √8−y
1
Evaluate dxdy.
0
√
y (1 + y)2

Question 23: Classification of Critical Points

Let k > 0 be a constant and consider the function

f (x, y) = 3kx2 y + y 3 − 3x2 − 3y 2 + 4.

1 1
Find and classify all critical points of f (x, y). Carefully distinguish between the cases of k < , k =
2 2
1
and k > .
2

5
Question 24: Applied Integration
The density of hydrogen gas in a region of space is given by the formula

z + 2x2
ρ(x, y, z) = .
1 + x2 + y 2
You are in a spacecraft at the origin. Suppose the spacecraft flies in the direction of k. It has a disc
radius of 1, centred on the spacecraft and deployed perpendicular to the direction of travel, to catch
hydrogen. How much hydrogen has been collected by the time that the spacecraft has travelled a
distance 2?

Question 25: Planes in R3

Determine the equations of all planes parallel to 4x + 2y − 4z = 3 that are a distance 2 from it.

Question 26: Differentiability

Consider the function

x3

 (x, y) ̸= (0, 0)
f (x, y) = x2 + y 2
0 (x, y) = (0, 0)


a Evaluate, if possible fx (0, 0) and fy (0, 0).

b Is f (x, y) differentiable at (0, 0)? Justify your answer.

Question 27: Limits

2x2 + x2 y − y 2 x + 2y 2 x2 y 2 − 2x2 y + x2
Consider the functions f (x, y) = and g(x, y) = .
x2 + y 2 (x2 + y 2 − 2y + 1)2

a Consider the limit lim f (x, y). If the limit exists, evaluate it with proof. If it does not
(x,y)→(0,0)
exist, disprove it by the two-path test.
b Consider the limit lim g(x, y). If the limit exists, evaluate it with proof. If it does not
(x,y)→(0,1)
exist, disprove it by the two-path test.

Question 28: Surface Sketching and Gradients

Consider the hyperboloid H given by z 2 = 4x2 + y 2 − 1.

a Accurately sketch H by sketching all the cross sections in planes that are either the xy-plane,
yz-plane, xz-plane, or planes parallel to them and compiling them accurately into a single image.

b Determine all points on H where the tangent plane is parallel to 2x − y + z = 0.

Question 29: Curves in R3

A bug is flying through space given by r(t) = ⟨t2 + t, t2 − 2, t3 ⟩.

a Determine the velocity, acceleration and curvature of the bug’s trajectory at time t = 0.
b Determine all values of t at which the osculating plane (TN-plane) is perpendicular to the xz-
plane.

6
Question 30: Limits and Directional Derivatives
Consider the function
 4 3
 3x − y (x, y) ̸= (0, 0)
4
f (x, y) = x + 2y 2

0 (x, y) = (0, 0)


a Is f continuous at (0, 0)? Prove your answer.

√
3 1
b Determine the directional derivative Du f (0, 0) for u = i + j, or explain why it does not
2 2
exist.

Question 31: Integral Substitution

ZZ r
x+y
Evaluate the integral dA where D is the region enclosed by the lines y = x/2, y = 0 and
D x − 2y
x + y = 1.

Question 32: Integral Coordinate Transform

The following integral is given in cylindrical coordinates
√
Z 2π Z 1 Z 4−r 2

√ rdzdrdθ.
0 0 r 3

a Convert the integral to an equivalent iterated integral in Cartesian coordinates.

b Convert the integral to an equivalent iterated integral in spherical coordinates.

c Evaluate the integral in whichever coordinate system you find easiest for this particular integral.

Question 33: Arc Length

√
A curve in R3 is given by the vector valued function r(t) = ⟨et e−t 2t⟩.

a Determine an arc length re-parametrization of the curve starting at t = 0.

b Determine the curvature at a general point r(t).

c Determine the torsion at a general point r(t).

Question 34: Arc Length

 2
t2 t3

t
Let r(t) = √ , √ , be a curve in R3 . Determine an explicit reparametrization by arc length
2 2 2 2 3
starting at t = 1.

7
Question 35: TNB-Frame and Physics
p
A skier descends the hill z = 4 − x2 − y 2 along a trail with parametrization

x = sin(2θ)

y = 1 − cos(2θ)

z = 2 cos(θ)


π
where 0 ≤ θ ≤ . Let P denote the point on the trail where x = 1.
2
a Determine the Frenet frame T, N, B and the curvature of the ski trail at the point P .
√
b The skier’s acceleration at P is a = ⟨−2, 3, −2 2⟩. Find, at P ,
i. The rate of change of the skier’s speed; and
ii. The skier’s velocity.

Question 36: Arc Length

 2
t2 t3

t
Let r(t) = √ , √ , be a curve in R3 . Determine an explicit reparametrization by arc length
2 2 2 2 3
starting at t = 1.

Question 37: Directional Derivatives

The directional derivative of a function f (x, y, z) at a point P in the direction of the vector i is 2, in
√ 5
the direction of the vector i + j is − 2, and in the direction of the vector i + j + k is − √ . Determine
3
the direction in which the function f (x, y, z) has the maximum rate of change at the point P . Then,
determine the value of this maximal rate of change.

Question 38: Integral Coordinate Transform

Z Z √ 2 Z √ 2 2
1 1−x 1+ 1−x −y
Evaluate √ √ (x2 +y 2 +z 2 )5/2 dzdydx by switching to a non-Cartesian coordinate
−1 − 1−x2 1− 1−x2 −y 2
system.

Question 39: Integral Coordinate Transform

2 2
Z Z Z E be the solid lying above the surface z = y and below the surface z = 4 − x . Evaluate
Let
y 2 dV .
E

Question 40: Integral Coordinate Transform

2
Let
Z Z R be the parallelogram in R with vertices A(1, 0), B(4, 3), C(1, 6) and D(−2, 3). Evaluate
(x2 − y 2 )ex−y dA.
R