Partial derivatives Definition and 417 Threads

  1. F

    Where Did I Go Wrong in Calculating Mixed Partial Derivatives?

    Homework Statement Find the second partial derivatives. z= x/(x+y) The Attempt at a Solution I solved the correct df/dx, d^2f/dx^2, df/dy, and d^2f/dy^2, however I can't seem to get the correct answer for d^2f/dydx and d^2f/dxdy. My df/dx is y/(x+y)^2 which I changed to y((x+y)^-2)...
  2. F

    Partial Derivatives: Finding dz/dx w/o z=u^v

    http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/5736/wathh1.jpg I think to find dz/dx (d = delta) first of all is by dz/dx = (dz/du)(du/dx) + (dz/dv)(dv/dx) But how do I find dz/du and dz/dv for this? I only have 1 example that resembles this and it had z defined as a function as z = u^v, but...
  3. G

    Partial derivatives using definition

    Homework Statement We are given a table where showing the points x and y and values of a function f(x,y). The function itself is not given. I have to find the partial derivatives f'x, f'y, f''xx, f''yy and f''xy around the point (2,3). Homework Equations I have to use the definition ...
  4. A

    How to prove partial derivatives exist

    I am really struggling with this h/w problem...especially the 1st part. Problem Statement: Consider the function f defined by f(x1,x2,x3)=cos(x1+x2)+exp(sin(x1*x2*x3)+cos(x1^{2}+x3^{2})). Show that the partial derivatives exist and are continuous everywhere. Solution 1- I can...
  5. E

    Partial Derivatives: Depend on Form?

    [SOLVED] partial derivatives Homework Statement Can the partial derivative of a function depend depend on the form it is in? Say, z = f(x,y), and y=g(x,w). If I take \frac{\partial z}{\partial y} then I get \frac{\partial f(x,y)}{\partial y} which is not necessarily 0. But...
  6. J

    Partial derivatives - verify solution?

    [SOLVED] partial derivatives - verify solution? Let f:\mathbb{R}^3\rightarrow\mathbb{R}, g:\mathbb{R}^2\rightarrow\mathbb{R}, and F:\mathbb{R}^2\rightarrow\mathbb{R} be given by F(x,y)=f(x,y,g(x,y)). 1. Find DF in terms of the partial derivatives of f and g. 2. If F(x,y)=0 for all (x,y)...
  7. Saladsamurai

    Partial Derivatives: How to Carry Out the Operator?

    Homework Statement Okay, so at my school, you can get into Diff EQs without taking Calculus 3. So, I get most of the basis of it, but some things I am missing the boat on. How does one go from d(\frac{1}{3}x^3y^3)=x^2y^3dx+x^3y^2dy ? How do you carry out that operator? It says to take...
  8. B

    Higher order partial derivatives and the chain rule

    Hi guys, please see attachment Basically, could somebody please explain to me how I find {\varphi}_u_u, I really don't understand how it's come about. Apparantly I need to use the chain rule again and the product rule but I don't understand how to, if somebody could show me explicitly how to...
  9. I

    Chain rule problem with partial derivatives

    [SOLVED] Chain rule problem with partial derivatives Homework Statement Suppose that z = f(u) and u = g(x,y). Show that.. \frac{\partial^{2} z}{\partial x^{2}} = \frac{dz}{du} \frac{\partial^{2} u}{\partial x^{2}} + \frac{d^{2} z}{du^{2}} \frac{(\partial u)^{2}}{(\partial x)^{2}}...
  10. A

    Simple Partial Derivatives Question

    Homework Statement Wheat production in a given year, W, depends on the average temperature T and the annual rainfall R. Scientists estimate that the average temperature is rising at a rate of 0.15 degrees celsius per year and rainfall is decreasing at a rate of 0.1 cm per year. The also...
  11. I

    Partial Derivatives with Inverse Trig Functions

    [SOLVED] Partial Derivatives with Inverse Trig Functions Homework Statement Show that u(x,y) and v(x,y) satisfy the Cauchy-Riemann equations... \frac{\partial u}{\partial x} = \frac{\partial v}{\partial y} given that u = ln(x^{2} + y^{2}) and that v = 2tan^{-1} (y/x) Homework...
  12. N

    Why Do Partial Derivatives and Full Differentiability Differ for f(x,y)?

    f(x,y) = (2xy)/(x2 + y2), 0 if (x,y) = (0,0) Now I'm supposed to evaluate this at (0,0). I take the first partial derivative and I get 0/0 but when I use the definition of derivatives I get a whole number. Why the hell is this?
  13. H

    The partial derivatives of arctan(y/x)

    [SOLVED] The partial derivatives of arctan(y/x) let w = arctan(y/x) the partial derivatives are: dw/dx and dw/dy i know that the derivative or arctan(x) is 1/(1+x^2). so for dw/dy, i get (1/ 1 + (y^2/x^2) ) * (1/x) = x/(x^2 + y^2) ? correct? how do i find dw/dx?
  14. N

    Relationship between partial derivatives

    Hello, Can anyone please tell me how to get the relationship between partial derivatives at a point, that is, dy/dx|x = - df/dx|y / df/dy|x ?
  15. C

    How Do I Take Partial Derivatives of the Dieterici Equation of State?

    I have to find the expansivity of a substance obeying the Dieterici equation of state using the cyclical relation. I understand what I need to do, but I'm having a problem with the partial derivatives of the equation of state. I was wondering if anyone could refresh me on how to take a...
  16. C

    Limit and partial derivatives proof

    Homework Statement Prove that if all partial derivatives up to order n are zero at \vec{x} and f(x) = 0 then \displaystyle\lim_{h \rightarrow 0} \dfrac{f(x + h)}{|h|^n} = 0 Homework Equations \displaystyle\lim_{h \rightarrow 0} \dfrac{f(x + h) - f(x)}{|h|} = 0 f(x) = 0 The Attempt...
  17. H

    Solve Partial Derivatives: Find f(x,y)

    [SOLVED] Partial Derivatives I'm having a bit of trouble on an old test problem. It states: Determine if there is a function f(x, y) such that fx(x, y) = yex + 1 and fy(x, y) = ex + cos(y). If such a function exists, find it. I know that such a function exists because fxy(x, y) = ex, and...
  18. K

    Higher Partial Derivatives & Chain Rule

    Higher Partial Derivatives & Chain Rule (urgent) I'll have a test this evening, and I don't want to fail on a question like this, so please help me out! I will greatly appreciate for any help provided. The question: http://www.geocities.com/asdfasdf23135/advcal11.JPG My attempt...
  19. K

    Partial Derivatives Challenge Question

    http://www.geocities.com/asdfasdf23135/advcal9.JPG I find this question to be extremely challenging... The best I can think of is z=f(x,y)=ln(theta), would this work? Can someone teach me how to define S=domain of f? This problem is giving me bad headaches. It would be nice if...
  20. K

    Partial derivatives & gradient

    http://www.geocities.com/asdfasdf23135/advcal4.JPG Let f(x,y)=depth. What I've seen in the model solutions is that they used the estimate that the partial dervaitve of f with respect to x evaluate at (0,0) is equal to [f(100,0) - f(0,0)] / 100 = 1/4, & the partial dervaitve of f with...
  21. D

    Finding specified partial derivatives

    Homework Statement Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I follow the steps until I get to 2(x+y+z)(1 - sin(r+s) + cos(r+s)) The actual derivation process isn't the problem, I get lost in trying to figure out when to plug values for r and s.
  22. M

    Applications of Partial Derivatives and chain rule

    Homework Statement The lengths a,b,c of a rectangle are changing with time. At the instant in question, a=1m, b=2m, c=3m and da/dt = db/dt = 1m/sec, and dc/dt = -3m/sec. At what rate is the box's volume changing at this instant? Homework Equations Chain rule for partial derivatives...
  23. O

    Partial derivatives - proving force is conservative

    I'm trying to show that the force F= k [x, 2y, 3z] (where k is a constant) is conservative. If I take the cross product of: \nabla x F, that equals \frac{\partial}{\partial y} F_{z} - \frac{\partial}{\partial z} F_{y} = \frac{\partial}{\partial y} k3z -...
  24. J

    I need to understand partial derivatives.

    Homework Statement Find the indicated partial derivative. u=e^{r\theta}\sin\theta; \frac{\partial^3u}{\partial r^2\partial\theta} 2. The attempt at a solution I started to derive u_{\theta} and I attained r*e^{r\theta}\sin\theta + e^{r\theta}\cos\theta But now I don't know how...
  25. D

    Understanding the Chain Rule for Partial Derivatives: An Example

    I am reading "Cracking the GRE Math Subject Test - Princeton Review, 3rd Ed." and and confused by the section on the chain rule for partial derivatives. The method in the book is as follows: 1) Draw a diagram to show how the variables depend on each other, with an arrow meaning "depends on"...
  26. P

    Find the Four 2nd Partial Derivatives of f(x,y)

    Find the four second partial derivatives for f(x,y) = y^2e^x + xycosx I am stuck on the last part... here's what I got so far: Zx = y^2e^x - ysinx Zxx = y^2e^x - ycosx Zxy = ? Zy = 2ye^x + xcosx Zyy = 2e^x + xcosx Zyx = ? I need help with solving for xy. Both should end up...
  27. O

    Could somebody explain this problem and solution(about partial derivatives)

    Homework Statement there is a question and a solution in this page; http://www.fen.bilkent.edu.tr/~otekman/math102/s03/m2q5.html" Please firstly examine the question and solution. (5b)... There it says f(x,y)=z and x=g(r,teta) and y=h(r,teta) and asks fxx. He solves this problem by...
  28. Q

    Einstein Field Equation purely in partial derivatives wrt x,y,z,t?

    Has anyone evaluated the Einstein Field Equation purely in partial derivatives wrt x,y,z,t? What does it look like?
  29. Z

    Partial derivatives/ total derivative

    Homework Statement I've attactched an image of the question, I hope this is ok, if not let me know and I'll copy it out onto a post, The Attempt at a Solution I've done parts (a) and (b) using the total derivative of f ( http://mathworld.wolfram.com/TotalDerivative.html ) but I can't get...
  30. MathematicalPhysicist

    Partial Derivatives of f(r,a,b) and Solving for r,a,b in Terms of x,y,z

    im given the function f(r,a,b) and z=rcos(a) y=rsin(a)sin(b) x=rsin(a)cos(b) now i need to find the partial derivative of f'_y, without solving r,a,b in terms of x,y,z, what that i got is: f'_y=f'_a*a'_y+f'_r*r'_y+f'_b*b'_y the answer should include the derivatives of f wrt r,a,b, which i...
  31. P

    What is the partial derivative of z with respect to theta, with x held constant?

    Ok, so not really partials, I know how to do those. But now in my math physics class we were introduced to a new notation where it's the partial with respect to a variable, with another variable held constant. This is the problem I am trying to do in the book: (\frac{\partial z}{\partial...
  32. E

    Help with Partial Derivatives and Implicit Differentiation

    The problem is as follows: Cartesian and polar coordinates are related by the formulas x = r\cos\theta y = r\sin\theta Determine \frac{\partial r}{\partial x}, \frac{\partial r}{\partial y}, \frac{\partial\theta}{\partial x}, and \frac{\partial\theta}{\partial x}. Differentiate the...
  33. B

    Partial Derivatives of Multivariable Functions

    Ok i got this problem... T(x,y,z,t)= -2xy^2+e^(-3z)cos(5x-.75t) taking the partial derivative with respect to x first, so i break the problem apart with the left and right sign of the addition side so i get... -2y^2 for the left side and then am stubling on the right side, I am think just...
  34. S

    Using partial derivatives to find a maximum

    Okay, I have a question that I am not good enough at multivariable calculus yet to answer myself. Basically, say I have the following inequality: a < sin(xy)/y < b with a < b. How can I find out what the maximum value of y is on the interval 0 < y < 1 such that the above inequality...
  35. L

    Derivation of Partial Derivatives in a Textbook: Understanding the Factor of 1/2

    I'm trying to follow a derivation in given in a textbook. Part of this derivation goes like this: \frac{d}{ds}\left(\frac{1}{c}\frac{dx}{ds}\right)=c\left(\frac{\partial^2\tau}{\partial x^2}\frac{\partial \tau}{\partial x} + \frac{\partial^2\tau}{\partial x \partial y}\frac{\partial...
  36. U

    Finding $\frac{\partial z}{\partial x}$ when sin(5x-4y+z)=0

    sin(5x-4y+z)=0 how do I find \frac{\partial z}{\partial x}? if the problem is sin(5x-4y+z)=f(x,y,z), I can find \frac{\partial f}{\partial x} but I don't know what to do when it is just equal to zero.
  37. F

    Problem involving partial derivatives.

    This is the problem word for word out of my textbook: Given that z = \frac{x^3 + y^3}{x - y} , x = 10, y = 8, dx = 2, dy = -3, find dz. Hopefully, someone can tell me where my error(s) are. This is my method: z = \frac{x^3 + y^3}{x - y} \therefore z = x^3(x-y)^{-1} + y^3(x-y)^{-1}...
  38. N

    Proving linear operator for partial derivatives.

    How do I go about proving the following partial derivitive is a linear operator? d/dx[k(x)du/dx)]
  39. JasonRox

    How Does t^(n-1) Arise in Differentiating f(xt, yt) with Respect to t?

    I'm working on this question, and I have no idea where they are getting this. They said to differentiate f(xt,yt) with respect to t where. Note: f_x denotes partial derivative with respect to x. The answer is coming up as, from the book... f_t * x * t^{(n-1)} + f_t * y * t^{(n-1)}...
  40. S

    Solving Partial Derivatives & Symmetry Problems: A Practice Test

    8. Let f : R^3 → R a function all whose first order partial derivatives are continuous and such that f(0, 1, 1) = 0, f_x(0, 1, 1) = 1, f_y(0, 1, 1) = 2, f_z(0, 1, 1) = 3. Find lim t-->0 f(t2, cosh t, et) f(t, cos t, cosh t) 9. Let f : R2 → R such that f(x, y) = f(y,−x) for all (x, y) ∈ R2, and...
  41. O

    What are the partial derivatives of f(x,y) at (0,0)?

    Greetings, I need help in finding the partials with respect to x and y at (x,y) =/= (0,0) and (x,y) = (0,0)... Let f(x,y) = { (xy^2-x^2y+3x^3-y^3) / (x^2+y^2) , (x,y) =/= (0,0) { 0 (x,y) = (0,0) There was a hint given...
  42. M

    Confused on this notation partial derivatives

    Hello everyone I have no idea how to start this problem because I'm confused on the notation, what does it mean? here is a picture: http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/1177/lastscan2lc.jpg I know how to take partial derivatives, but the d^2 part is confusing and the dx^2? what the!
  43. M

    Chain rule confusion partial derivatives

    Hello everyone... I'm very confused... i'm suppose to find dz/dt and dw/dt but for some of the questions there is no w variable! so what do u put for dw/dt?! Also i have the following: w = xy + yz^2; x = e^t; y = e^t*sint; z = e^t*cost; so I'm trying to find dz/dt and dw/dt; dz/dt =...
  44. M

    Partial derivatives, why is the fy this?

    Hello everyone,i had a question..i have the following problem, I'm suppose to find the first partial derivatives: f(x,y,z,t) = xyz^2*tan(yt); I got all the partial derivaties right but the fy, they get: fy = xyz^2*sec^2(yt); when i do it, i get: fy = xz^2*sec^2(yt)*t = txz^2*sec^2(yt)...
  45. N

    Partial Derivatives (Uncertainty)

    I'm trying to find the uncerainty for the following equation: e = Qd/AV, where Q is the charge in C, d is the distance in m, A is the area (Pi * r^2), and V is the voltage. I get something like delta_e = delta_Q/Q + delta_d/d + delta_A/A + delta_V/V but when I do that, I get a rather...
  46. W

    Find \frac{dz}{dx} at (0,0,0) for sin (2x+4y+z) = 0

    If sin (2x+4y+z) = 0 , find the first partial derivatives \frac{dz}{dx} at the point (0,0,0) A.) \frac{dz}{dx}(0,0,0) = _________________ isnt this saying get the derivative of z, respect to x? I'm just kinda confuse since the variable 'z' is also in the problem. well i got the...
  47. B

    Finding Partial Derivatives for z in f(x,y)=sin(x)*y - Bob

    On question If I have the plane z = y + f(x,y) where f(x,y) = sin(x) * y Is it possible to find the complete partial derivatives for z ? /Bob
  48. C

    Is this a partial derivatives? Or just simple algebra?

    In my differential equations book there is this step, that i don't know how it goes from one side to the next. (t^2)y' + 2ty = ((t^2)y)' cause, on the left side I factor out a t, and i get t(ty'+2y) ...so do i have to learn partial derivatives in order to get from the left side to the...
  49. A

    [calculus] Continuity of partial derivatives

    Hello, If I am given a function of several variables and a parameter. Such as: f(x,y,z)=\frac{x y z^2}{(x^2+y^2+z^2)^k} This function is defined to be 0 where it is incontinuous (in (0,0,0)). How can I conclude for which values of k the function has three continuous partial derivatives? I...
  50. R

    Second Partial Derivatives of Implicit Functions

    I have been reviewing Calculus and have tripped up on figuring out to calculate the 2nd partial derivatives of imlicit functions. Kaplan and Spiegel give a cursory treatment to the subject in both of their "Advanced Calculus" books. Simply repeating the methods used to calculate the 1st...
Back
Top