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Section 17.12: Geogebra visual - gradient

Last updated

Mar 8, 2025
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- Section 17.11: Geogebra visual- level surfaces
- Section 17.13: Geogebra visual - partial derivatives and contour plot

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Use the following visual to explore the gradient. Remember that the gradient points in the direction of steepest ascent. The gradient is shown on the contour plot in green. The opposite direction of the gradient (in orange) is the direction of steepest descent.

Move the point $A$ around in the 3D view and observe how the gradient is always orthogonal to the level curve.

Move the slider $m$ to see different level curves $f=m$ . What do you observe if you let $m$ get bigger? Do the gradients get longer or shorter? How does this make sense?

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