Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Objectives On the completion of this subject students will be able to understand matrix algebra and its uses, especially in solving systems of linear equations; calculate vector products, etc, and use vectors in the study of three dimensional geometry, especially of planes and straight lines; calculate partial derivatives, differentials, gradient vectors and directional derivatives for functions of several variables; use the calculus of functions of several variables to calculate approximations and to construct tangent planes and normal lines to a surface; find local extreme values and saddle points for functions of several variables, in particular using Lagrange multipliers for constrained problems; calculate arc lengths of curves and line integrals and understand the notion of a conservative vector field and associated potential function; have developed skills to solve some first order differential equations and second order linear differential equations.
Synopsis Matrices and linear algebra. Vector algebra and geometry. Differential calculus of functions of more than one variable. Line integrals and vector fields. Differential equations.
Assessment Examination (2 hours) 85% + Assignments (5): 15%