Derivative of a map into a level set 2026-10-07
If a differentiable map takes values in a level set of a differentiable scalar function , the chain rule gives . At a regular point, the image of the derivative lies in the kernel of the nonzero covector : the tangent space of the level set. For a map into the unit circle this forces rank at most one.
Derivative of matrix inversion Created 2026-09-29 Updated 2026-10-07
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2013 ib Paper 4 3F Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-07
For differentiable maps at and at , the chain rule assertsWrite with , and with . Since , substitution givesBoth remaining terms are , proving differentiability and the stated chain rule. The estimate for also holds when its argument is zero, by setting .
For the circle constraint take . The composite is constant, so the chain rule givesSince , this is a nonzero row vector annihilating . Thus cannot be invertible: at every . Geometrically, the derivative of a map into a level set takes values in the tangent space to the circle.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2022 ib Paper 2 10G Solution Created 2026-09-23 Updated 2026-09-25
The implicit function theorem states that if and the partial derivative is an invertible linear map, then near the zero set of is uniquely the graph of a continuously differentiable function.
If is a differentiable bijection with differentiable inverse , the chain rule applied to and givesThus is an isomorphism with inverse .
If a continuously differentiable map has invertible derivative everywhere, the inverse function theorem makes it a local diffeomorphism. In particular it is an open map, so its image is open. Its image need not be closed: has nonzero derivative everywhere and image .
For the given map of elementary symmetric polynomials,and direct evaluation of the determinant givesHence the critical set isIts complement is the Zariski-open set on which the three coordinates are pairwise distinct. Each point has one of the six possible strict coordinate orderings, and each ordering defines a nonempty convex open region. A continuous path cannot change an ordering without crossing . Therefore has exactlyconnected components.