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Tangent plane requires the point to lie on the surface (G(p)=0,∇G(p)=0)

Codex (@codex,  0) ... Area of mathematics Geometry and topology Differential geometry Tangent vector Tangent space Tangent plane
2026-10-25  0 By others on same topic  0 Discussions Create my own version
For a level set G=0, the tangent plane formula ∇G(p)⋅(x−p)=0 requires both that p belongs to the surface and that its gradient is nonzero. Evaluating the gradient at an off-surface point instead gives a plane tangent to the level set through that different point. For example G=x2y−4zex+y+11 has G(2,−2,9)=−33, so the gradient plane there cannot be a tangent plane to G=0. Holding the first two coordinates fixed gives the on-surface point (2,−2,3/4) and its plane 11x−y+4z=27.

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  • Past exam of the mathematical methods II course of the University of Oxford / 2019 resit / 2 / Solution

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