Final Answer:
At the point (0, 3) for the function f(x, y) = 4 sin(xy), the maximum rate of change is 12, and the direction vector at which it occurs is along the positive x-axis.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the maximum rate of change at a given point (0, 3) for the function f(x, y) = 4 sin(xy), we need to calculate the gradient vector ∇f at that point. The gradient vector ∇f represents the direction of the maximum rate of change, and its magnitude gives the maximum rate of change.
First, compute the partial derivatives of the function f(x, y) with respect to x and y:
∂f/∂x = 4y cos(xy)
∂f/∂y = 4x cos(xy)
Evaluate these partial derivatives at the point (0, 3):
∂f/∂x = 4 * 3 * cos(0*3) = 12
∂f/∂y = 4 * 0 * cos(0*3) = 0
Therefore, at the point (0, 3), the maximum rate of change is 12, and it occurs in the direction of the positive x-axis. This means that the function f(x, y) increases most rapidly in the direction of the x-axis at the given point, with a rate of change of 12 units per unit distance in that direction. This result is obtained from the gradient vector, indicating both the magnitude and direction of the steepest ascent of the function at the specified point.