Derivative Transformation with Law of Cosines

[Solidmozza]

Hi there,

The Law of Cosines can be stated as

a^2 = b^2 + c^2 - 2bccos(A)

where a,b, and c are the sides of a triangle, and A is the angle opposite the side a. I have a function, f(b,c,A), with an associated set of partial derivatives (\frac{∂f}{∂c})_{b,A} etc. What I want to do is to use a coordinate transformation to get the related derivatives (\frac{∂f}{∂c})_{b,a} etc. This looks like a multivariable partial derivative problem with a constraint. Using the chain rule, it seems to me that

(\frac{∂f}{∂c})_{b,A}=\frac{∂f}{∂c}+\frac{∂f}{∂a} \frac{∂a}{∂c}

(\frac{∂f}{∂c})_{b,a}=\frac{∂f}{∂c}+\frac{∂f}{∂A} \frac{∂A}{∂c}

where I think \frac{∂f}{∂c} is the same in both expressions. I can calculate the \frac{∂a}{∂c} and \frac{∂A}{∂c} parts using the Law of Cosines, but then I don't know what to do with \frac{∂f}{∂a} and \frac{∂f}{∂A}, i.e. if I use the transformation \frac{∂f}{∂a}=\frac{∂f}{∂A}\frac{∂A}{∂a} then it looks like (\frac{∂f}{∂c})_{b,A}=(\frac{∂f}{∂c})_{b,a} but numerical results and intuition tell me otherwise.

In essence, I don't know how to find the partial derivative (\frac{∂f}{∂c})_{b,a} given (\frac{∂f}{∂c})_{b,A} and that the variables are connected via the Law of Cosines.

Any assistance with this problem would be greatly appreciated :)

 

[voko]

You are getting confused because you use the same symbol, f, to denote different functions. Do not do it. Let f be a function of (b, c, A). Then let F be a function of (b, c, a). Obviously, f(b, c, A) = F(b, c, a(b, c, A)), where a(b, c, A) is the cosine law. You need to obtain the derivatives of F, use the chain rule.

 

[Solidmozza]

Hi Voko,

Thanks for the response, but I'm still a little stuck here. This is how I continued:

dF = (∂F/∂c)dc + (∂F/∂b)db + (∂F/∂a)da

Now (∂F/∂c)_{b,a} = (∂F/∂c) (is this not just (∂f/∂c)?)

And (∂F/∂c)_{b,A} = (∂F/∂c) + (∂F/∂A)(∂A/∂c)

But (∂A/∂c) = (c-bcosA)/a

Hence, (∂F/∂c)_{b,A} - (∂F/∂c)_{b,a} = (∂A/∂c)(c-bcosA)/a

However, this doesn't conform to what I have when I substitute in numerical values. I'm clearly not getting something here, could you give me a more forceful push?

 

[voko]

Just to make sure we are on the same page. What you really have is $\partial f/\partial b, \ \partial f/\partial c, \ \partial f/\partial A$, correct? And you need to find $\partial F/\partial b, \ \partial F/\partial c, \ \partial F/\partial a$.

Then <br /> <br /> \frac {\partial f} {\partial b} = \frac {\partial} {\partial b} F (b, c, a(b, c, A)) = \frac {\partial F} {\partial b} + \frac {\partial F} {\partial a} \frac {\partial a } {\partial b}<br /> <br /> \\<br /> <br /> \frac {\partial f} {\partial c} = \frac {\partial} {\partial c} F (b, c, a(b, c, A)) = \frac {\partial F} {\partial c} + \frac {\partial F} {\partial a} \frac {\partial a } {\partial c}<br /> <br /> \\<br /> <br /> \frac {\partial f} {\partial A} = \frac {\partial} {\partial b} F (b, c, a(b, c, A)) = \frac {\partial F} {\partial a} \frac {\partial a } {\partial A}<br /> <br />

This is a linear system; solve for $\partial F/\partial b, \ \partial F/\partial c, \ \partial F/\partial a$.

 

[Solidmozza]

Thanks a heap Voko, that did the trick! :)