Error computing total derivative

reemas
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find the total derivative dz/dt, given:
z=(x^2)-8xy-(y^3) where x=3t and y=1-t

my steps look like this, can someone point out where i am going wrong, please?
z'=2x-8(x'y+y'x)-3y^2 where
x'=3 and y'=-1

2(3t)-8[3(1-t)+(-1)(3t)]-3(1-t)^2
=6t-8[3-3t+(-3t)]-3(1-2t+t^2)
=6t-8(3-6t)-3(1-2t+t^2)
=6t-24+48t-3+6t-3t^2
=12t+48t-27-3t^2
=-3t^2+60t-27

however, the correct answer seems to be:
3t^2+60t-21

i'm going nuts trying to figure out where i went wrong. please help.
 
Last edited:
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reemas said:
find the total derivative dz/dt, given:
z=(x^2)-8xy-(y^3) where x=3t and y=1-t

my steps look like this, can someone point out where i am going wrong, please?
z'=2x-8(x'y+y'x)-3y^2 where
x'=3 and y'=-1

2(3t)-8[3(1-t)+(-1)(3t)]-3(1-t)^2<br /> <br /> =6t-8[3-3t+(-3t)]-3(1-2t+t^2)<br /> =6t-8(3-6t)-3(1-2t+t^2)<br /> =6t-24+48t-3+6t-3t^2<br /> =12t+48t-27-3t^2<br /> =-3t^2+60t-27


however, the correct answer seems to be:
3t^2+60t-21

i'm going nuts trying to figure out where i went wrong. please help.

Use just tex, not latex in your tex brackets. You want to use the formula:

\frac{dz}{dt} = \frac{\partial z}{\partial x}\frac{dx}{dt}<br /> +\frac{\partial z}{\partial y}\frac{dy}{dt}<br />
 
thanks for the response, i corrected the formatting. the formula is very helpful.

is there any reason my steps don't work? it seems like I'm applying all the basic principles correctly, so i feel stumped.
 
If

z=x2-8x y-y3

then

z'=2x{x'}-8(x' y+x y'))-3y2{y'}

you have omitted the terms inside the {}

or factorize into chain rule form like LCKurtz

z'=(2x-y)x'-(8x+3y2)y'
 
Last edited:
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