Find Expression for $\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}$ in Terms of Derivatives

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding an expression for the second derivative $\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}$ in terms of the derivatives of two functions, $y=f(w)$ and $w=g(x)$, where both functions are twice differentiable. Participants explore the application of the chain rule and the relationships between the derivatives involved.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Mathematical reasoning, Homework-related, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express uncertainty about how to incorporate all required derivatives into the expression for $\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}$.
  • One participant suggests using the chain rule, stating that $\frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{dy}{dw} \frac{dw}{dx}$, and attempts to differentiate this to find $\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}$.
  • Another participant provides a proposed formula: $\frac{d^2y}{dx^2} = \frac{d^2y}{dw^2} \left(\frac{dw}{dx}\right)^2 + \frac{dy}{dw} \frac{d^2w}{dx^2}$, explaining that this follows from applying the chain rule.
  • Some participants question the necessity of the $\left(\frac{dw}{dx}\right)^2$ term in the expression, suggesting that it may not be needed based on their understanding of the product rule.
  • There are discussions about the notation of derivatives, particularly why $\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}$ is not written as $\frac{d^2y}{d^2x}$, with some participants expressing curiosity about Leibniz notation.
  • One participant mentions the possibility of extending the discussion to higher-order derivatives, indicating that the process can be generalized.
  • Another participant raises a separate question about evaluating the derivative of an inverse function, linking it back to the earlier discussions on derivatives.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various viewpoints on the formulation of the second derivative, with some agreeing on the proposed expression while others challenge the inclusion of certain terms. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the necessity of specific terms in the derivative expression.

Contextual Notes

Participants demonstrate varying levels of understanding of the chain rule and product rule, leading to different interpretations of the derivative expressions. There is also a mix of familiarity with Leibniz notation, which influences the discussion on derivative notation.

Dethrone
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I'm going through lots and lots of past exams, so here are some more questions :D :

If $y=f(w)$ and $w=g(x)$ where $f$ and $g$ are twice differentiable functions find an expression for$ \frac{d^2y}{dx^2}$ in terms of $\frac{dy}{dw}$, $\frac{d^2y}{dw^2}$, $\frac{dw}{dx}$, and $\frac{d^2w}{dx^2}$.

I didn't get far in this one. I just rewrote the given expression:

$$\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}=\frac{d\d{y}{x}}{dx}=\frac{d\d{f(w)}{x}}{dx}$$

By the wording of the question, I have to express it in terms of ALL four derivatives. Any hints? (Smoking)
 
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Rido12 said:
I'm going through lots and lots of past exams, so here are some more questions :D :

If $y=f(w)$ and $w=g(x)$ where $f$ and $g$ are twice differentiable functions find an expression for$ \frac{d^2y}{dx^2}$ in terms of $\frac{dy}{dw}$, $\frac{d^2y}{dw^2}$, $\frac{dw}{dx}$, and $\frac{d^2w}{dx^2}$.

I didn't get far in this one. I just rewrote the given expression:

$$\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}=\frac{d\d{y}{x}}{dx}=\frac{d\d{f(w)}{x}}{dx}$$

By the wording of the question, I have to express it in terms of ALL four derivatives. Any hints? (Smoking)

Chain rule says:
$$\d y x = \d y w \d w x$$
(Thinking)
 
Okay, so:

$$\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}=\frac{d\d{y}{x}}{dx}=\frac{d\left(\d{y}{w}\d{w}{t}\right)}{dx}$$

Not sure how I can include $\frac{d^2y}{dw^2}$ and $\frac{d^2w}{dx^2}$ too.
 
Rido12 said:
I'm going through lots and lots of past exams, so here are some more questions :D :

If $y=f(w)$ and $w=g(x)$ where $f$ and $g$ are twice differentiable functions find an expression for$ \frac{d^2y}{dx^2}$ in terms of $\frac{dy}{dw}$, $\frac{d^2y}{dw^2}$, $\frac{dw}{dx}$, and $\frac{d^2w}{dx^2}$.

I didn't get far in this one. I just rewrote the given expression:

$$\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}=\frac{d\d{y}{x}}{dx}=\frac{d\d{f(w)}{x}}{dx}$$

By the wording of the question, I have to express it in terms of ALL four derivatives. Any hints? (Smoking)
If y=f(w) and w=g(x) where f~\&~g are both twice differentiable then...

\frac{{d^2 y}}{{dx^2 }} = \frac{{d^2 y}}{{dw^2 }}\left( {\frac{{dw}}{{dx}}} \right)^2 + \frac{{dy}}{{dw}}\frac{{d^2 w}}{{dx^2 }}...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
chisigma said:
If y=f(w) and w=g(x) where f~\&~g are both twice differentiable then...

\frac{{d^2 y}}{{dx^2 }} = \frac{{d^2 y}}{{dw^2 }}\left( {\frac{{dw}}{{dx}}} \right)^2 + \frac{{dy}}{{dw}}\frac{{d^2 w}}{{dx^2 }}...

The procedure to arrive at the result is an easy application of the chain rule. Starting from...

$\displaystyle \frac{d y}{dx} = \frac{dy}{d w}\ \frac{d w}{d x}\ (1)$

... and applying the chain rule You obtain...

$\displaystyle \frac{d^{2} y}{d x^{2}} = \frac{d}{dx} (\frac{d y}{d w}\ \frac{d w}{d x}) = \frac{d^{2} y}{d w^{2}}\ (\frac{d w}{d x})^{2} + \frac{d y}{d w}\ \frac{d^{2} w}{d x^{2}}\ (2)$

The third derivative $\displaystyle \frac{d^{3} y}{d x^{3}}$ can be obtained from (2) in the same way as well as the derivatives of any order... the computation of the derivative of order 1001 is not difficult, only a bit tedious (Dull)...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
Last edited:
Thanks! Makes complete sense. :D

So the third derivative would be (I'm too lazy to take the last derivative...(Giggle) ):

$$\displaystyle \frac{d^{3} y}{d x^{3}}=\frac{d}{dx}\left[ \frac{d^{2} y}{d w^{2}}\ (\frac{d w}{d x})^{2} + \frac{d y}{d w}\ \frac{d^{2} w}{d x^{2}}\ \right]$$

I've think I read this before, but I forget. Anyone have any ideas as to why $\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}$ is not written $\frac{d^2y}{d^2x}$. You've also seemed to imply that $(dx)^2=(dx^2)$.
 
chisigma said:
$\displaystyle \frac{d^{2} y}{d x^{2}} = \frac{d}{dx} (\frac{d y}{d w}\ \frac{d w}{d x}) = \frac{d^{2} y}{d w^{2}}\ (\frac{d w}{d x})^{2} + \frac{d y}{d w}\ \frac{d^{2} w}{d x^{2}}\ (2)$

(Wait) Did you not mean?
$\displaystyle= \frac{d^{2} y}{d w^{2}}\ (\frac{d w}{d x}) + \frac{d y}{d w}\ \frac{d^{2} w}{d x^{2}}\ (2)$

I don't see the reason for the $\left(\frac{dw}{dx}\right)^2$ since by the product rule, our second function is $\frac{dw}{dx}$
 
Rido12 said:
(Wait) Did you not mean?
$\displaystyle= \frac{d^{2} y}{d w^{2}}\ (\frac{d w}{d x}) + \frac{d y}{d w}\ \frac{d^{2} w}{d x^{2}}\ (2)$

I don't see the reason for the $\left(\frac{dw}{dx}\right)^2$ since by the product rule, our second function is $\frac{dw}{dx}$

Applying the chain rule You have...

$\displaystyle \frac{d}{dx} (\frac{dy}{dw}\ \frac{dw}{dx}) = \frac{d}{dx} (\frac{d y}{dw})\ \frac {dw}{dx} + \frac{dy}{d w}\ \frac{d}{d x} (\frac{dw}{dx})\ (1)$

Now look at the term...

$\displaystyle \frac{d}{dx} (\frac{d y}{dw})\ \frac {dw}{dx} = \frac{d^{2} y}{d w^{2}}\ \frac{d w}{d x}\ \frac{dw}{d x}\ (2)$

... and all Your doubts will be resolved...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
I see it now :D
Thanks, $\chi \sigma$, for the clear explanation (Yes)
 
  • #10
Rido12 said:
I've think I read this before, but I forget. Anyone have any ideas as to why $\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}$ is not written $\frac{d^2y}{d^2x}$. You've also seemed to imply that $(dx)^2=(dx^2)$.

$\def\d{\mathrm{d}}$

In words, the second derivative is the change in the change of y, divided by the change in x, and again divided by the change in x.

We might write it as:
$$\begin{aligned}
f''(a) &= \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{f'(a+h)-f'(a)}{h} \\
&= \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{ \lim\limits_{k\to 0} \frac{f(a+h+k)-f(a+h)}{k} -\lim\limits_{k\to 0} \frac{f(a+k)-f(a)}{k} }{h} \\
&= \lim_{h \to 0} \lim_{k\to 0} \frac{ (f(a+h+k)-f(a+h)) - (f(a+k)-f(a)) }{h \cdot k} \\
&= \lim_{\d x \to 0} \lim_{\d x'\to 0} \frac{ \d(f(a+\d x)) - \d(f(a)) }{\d x \cdot \d x'} \\
&= \lim_{\d x \to 0} \lim_{\d x'\to 0} \frac{ \d(\d(f(a))) }{\d x \cdot \d x'}
\end{aligned}$$Or:
$$\frac{\d^2y}{\d x^2} = \frac{\d(\d(y))}{\d x \cdot \d x}$$
Do you see the power? (Wondering) (Muscle)
The power of Leibniz' notation that is. (Emo)
 
  • #11
Ah, I see. So $dx^2=(dx)^2$ or $dx \cdot dx$. Some reason, I see it as $dx^2=d \cdot x^2$, which is why I was initially curious. (Smoking)
 
  • #12
Rido12 said:
Ah, I see. So $dx^2=(dx)^2$ or $dx \cdot dx$. Some reason, I see it as $dx^2=d \cdot x^2$, which is why I was initially curious. (Smoking)

Yep!

Oh, and if you don't see the power of Leibniz yet, compare:
$$f(g(x))' = f'(g(x)) \cdot g'(x)$$
with:
$$\frac{df}{dx} = \frac{df}{dw} \cdot \frac{dw}{dx}$$

Or:
$$(f^{-1}(x))' = \frac{1}{f'(f^{-1}(x))}$$
with:
$$\frac{df}{dx} = \frac {1}{\frac{dx}{df}}$$

(Rock)
 
  • #13
Yes, I love Leibniz! :D One goes into calculus to write $\d{y}{x}$, not $f'(x)$...(Cool)

Now that you've written that the slope of a function is equal to the multiplicative inverse of its inverse, I will quietly leeway to another question that I was too lazy to start a new thread to ask.

If $f(x)=x^5$, how do I evaluate $\left(f^{-1}\right)^{'}(32)$ in two different ways? The standard way of doing it is to find $f^{-1}$, then differentiate it, then plug in 32. What is the other way to do it? I have it feeling it requires this $(f^{-1}(x))' = \frac{1}{f'(f^{-1}(x))}$
 
  • #14
Rido12 said:
Yes, I love Leibniz! :D One goes into calculus to write $\d{y}{x}$, not $f'(x)$...(Cool)

Now that you've written that the slope of a function is equal to the multiplicative inverse of its inverse, I will quietly leeway to another question that I was too lazy to start a new thread to ask.

If $f(x)=x^5$, how do I evaluate $\left(f^{-1}\right)^{'}(32)$ in two different ways? The standard way of doing it is to find $f^{-1}$, then differentiate it, then plug in 32. What is the other way to do it? I have it feeling it requires this $(f^{-1}(x))' = \frac{1}{f'(f^{-1}(x))}$

Seems like a good feeling to me. (Nod)
Did you try it? (Wondering)
 
  • #15
Evaluating $\left(f^{-1}\right)^{'}(32)$ the normal way gives me $\frac{1}{80}$. Then another way,
$$(f^{-1}(x))' = \frac{1}{f'(f^{-1}(x))}=\frac{1}{f'(\sqrt[5]{x})}=\frac{1}{5(x^{4/5})}$$
Hence,
$$(f^{-1}(32))'=\frac{1}{5(32^{4/5})}=\frac{1}{80}$$
Now that I think about it, would you consider this "another method" of evaluating $\left(f^{-1}\right)^{'}(32)?$
 
  • #16
Looks good!

Rido12 said:
Now that I think about it, would you consider this "another method" of evaluating $\left(f^{-1}\right)^{'}(32)?$

I would. Wouldn't you? (Wondering)
 
  • #17
Yes! (Dance)
 
  • #18
chisigma said:
The procedure to arrive at the result is an easy application of the chain rule. Starting from...

$\displaystyle \frac{d y}{dx} = \frac{dy}{d w}\ \frac{d w}{d x}\ (1)$

... and applying the chain rule You obtain...

$\displaystyle \frac{d^{2} y}{d x^{2}} = \frac{d}{dx} (\frac{d y}{d w}\ \frac{d w}{d x}) = \frac{d^{2} y}{d w^{2}}\ (\frac{d w}{d x})^{2} + \frac{d y}{d w}\ \frac{d^{2} w}{d x^{2}}\ (2)$

The third derivative $\displaystyle \frac{d^{3} y}{d x^{3}}$ can be obtained from (2) in the same way as well as the derivatives of any order... the computation of the derivative of order 1001 is not difficult, only a bit tedious (Dull)...

The explicit expression of the third derivative is...

$\displaystyle \frac{d^{3} y}{d x^{3}} = \frac{d^{3} y}{d w^{3}}\ (\frac{d w}{d x})^{3} + 3\ \frac{d^{2} y}{d w^{2}}\ \frac{d w}{d x}\ \frac{d^{2} w}{d x^{2}} + \frac{d y}{d w}\ \frac{d^{3} w}{d x^{3}}\ (1)$

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
  • #19
Hi $\chi \sigma$,

I got something slightly different, let me know where I made the mistake:

$$\frac{d^3y}{dw^3}\left(\frac{dw}{dx}\right)^3+2\frac{dw}{dx}\frac{d^2y}{dw^2}+\frac{d^2y}{dw^2}\frac{dw}{dx}\frac{d^2w}{dx^2}+\frac{d^3y}{dx^3}\frac{dy}{dw}$$

EDIT: I missed a chain rule somewhere, you are right :D, because
$$\frac{d}{dx}\left[\left(\frac{dw}{dx}\right)^2\right]=2\frac{dw}{dx} \cdot \frac{d^2w}{dx^2}$$
 
Last edited:

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