Chain rule for partial derivatives

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on verifying the chain rule for partial derivatives using the function f(x,y) = ln(x² + y²) with substitutions x = 2t + 1 and y = 4t² - 5. The user initially encountered discrepancies between their calculated derivative and the book's answer. After careful reevaluation, they identified errors in their application of the chain rule, specifically in the coefficients used during differentiation. Ultimately, the user confirmed that meticulous attention to detail resolved the discrepancies, leading to consistent results across multiple functions.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of partial derivatives
  • Familiarity with the chain rule in calculus
  • Basic knowledge of logarithmic functions
  • Ability to perform substitutions in multivariable functions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the application of the chain rule in multivariable calculus
  • Practice differentiation of logarithmic functions with substitutions
  • Explore common errors in applying the chain rule
  • Learn about implicit differentiation techniques
USEFUL FOR

Students studying calculus, particularly those focusing on multivariable functions and partial derivatives, as well as educators seeking to clarify common misconceptions in the application of the chain rule.

U.Renko
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Homework Statement

So there is an exercise in which I should "verify" the chain rule for some functions.
In other words to do it by substitution, then doing by the formula and checking if the results are the same. (and checking with the book`s answer too)

For a few of them, they just don`t match.
for all the rest they match.

I'm really not sure what exactly I`m doing wrong .
So I want to check my method.

I'll just post one of them, if it really is necessary I'll post another one.

Homework Equations



chain rule: \frac{\mathrm{d} h}{\mathrm{d} t} = \frac{\partial f}{\partial x}\frac{\partial x}{\partial t} + \frac{\partial f}{\partial y}\frac{\partial y}{\partial t}<br />

1st function: f(x,y)= \ln (x^2 + y^2)<br />
where: x = 2t + 1 and y = 4t^2 -5

The Attempt at a Solution



Substitution

h(t) = \ln ((2t + 1)^2 + (4t^2 - 5)^2 )<br />

then: \frac{\mathrm{d} h}{\mathrm{d} t} = \frac{1}{((2t+1)^2 + (4t^2-5)^2)}\cdot [ (2)(2)(2t+1)+ (2)(8t)(4t^2 - 5)]

which is: \frac{\mathrm{d} h}{\mathrm{d} t} = \frac{(8t+4)+(64t^3-80t)}{((2t+1)^2 + (4t^2-5)^2)}

which is \frac{\mathrm{d} h}{\mathrm{d} t} = \frac{64t^3 - 72t +4 }{16t^4 -36t^2 +2t + 26}

so it is \frac{\mathrm{d} h}{\mathrm{d} t} = \frac{32t^3 -36t + 2}{8t^4 - 18t^2 + t +13 }now by the chain rule formula

<br /> \frac{\mathrm{d} h}{\mathrm{d} t} = (\frac{2x}{x^2 + y^2}\cdot 2t) + (\frac{2y}{ x^2+y^2}\cdot 8t)

\frac{\mathrm{d} h}{\mathrm{d} t} = \frac{2(2t + 1)2t}{(2t+1)^2 + (4t^2-5)^2} + \frac{2(4t^2-5)8t}{ (2t+1)^2+(4t^2-5)^2}

<br /> \frac{\mathrm{d} h}{\mathrm{d} t} = \frac{8t^2 + 4t }{(2t+1)^2 + (4t^2-5)^2}+ \frac{64t^3 - 80t }{ (2t+1)^2+(4t^2-5)^2} = \frac{64t^3 +8t^2 - 76t}{16t^4-16t^2 +4t + 26 }

<br /> \frac{\mathrm{d} h}{\mathrm{d} t}= \frac{36t^3 +4t^2 -38}{8t^4 - 8t^2 +2t + 13}<br />

Which not only it is different from the first method but it is also different form the answer in the book. which is

\frac{32t^3 - 36t + 2}{8t^4 - 18t^2 + 2t + 13 }<br />

edit: looking now the first method is almost right except for that 2t...
 
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The book answer is right. There are a few errors in your workings, one of which is in the chain rule
<br /> \frac{\mathrm{d} h}{\mathrm{d} t} = (\frac{2x}{x^2 + y^2}\cdot 2t) + (\frac{2y}{ x^2+y^2}\cdot 8t)
should be
<br /> \frac{\mathrm{d} h}{\mathrm{d} t} = (\frac{2x}{x^2 + y^2}\cdot 2) + (\frac{2y}{ x^2+y^2}\cdot 8t)
 
Okay.

This time I did it more carefully and it was correct.
Did it for the other few ones that weren't matching and now they match too.

basically, I just need to do it more carefully.


Thanks for helping!
 

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