Finding the partial derivative from the given information

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The discussion focuses on finding the partial derivatives of a function z defined as z = f(g((3r^3 - s^2), (re^s))). The multi-variable chain rule is applied, with the derivatives dz/dr and dz/ds expressed in terms of the derivatives of x and y with respect to r and s. Participants highlight the challenge of dealing with multiple variables r and s as inputs to the function g, complicating the application of the chain rule. It is clarified that knowing the appropriate derivatives at a specific point is sufficient, rather than needing the explicit form of f(g). The final values discussed for the derivatives are 42 and -24.
Amadeo
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Homework Statement
see post
Relevant Equations
dz/dr = dz/dx (dx/dr) + dz/dy(dy/dr)
problem13.PNG


It seems that the way to combine the information given is

z = f ( g ( (3r^3 - s^2), (re^s) ) )

we know that the multi-variable chain rule is

(dz/dr) = (dz/dx)* dx/dr + (dz/dy)*dy/dr

and

(dz/ds) = (dz/dx)* dx/ds + (dz/dy)*dy/ds

---(Parentheses indicate partial derivative)

other perhaps useful information

(dx/dr)= 9r^2
(dx/ds)=-2s
(dy/dr)=e^s
(dy/ds)=re^s

I don't know how to apply this information because, usually, there is only one variable, like t, being fed into the multi-input function, and the chain rule works nicely. But here we have r and s being fed into the multi-input function g. Further, g is the input of the function f, which is z. In order to obtain the derivative of z with respect to g, we would need to know the function f(g). It is not given. I would guess that the way to find the derivative of z with respect to r would be to multiply the derivative of z with respect to g by the derivative of g with respect to x, multiplied by the derivative of x with respect to r, plus the derivative of z with respect to g multiplied by the derivative of g with respect to y, multiplied by the derivative of y with respect to r.

So that is where I am on this. Thanks for any assistance.
 
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Amadeo said:
here we have r and s being fed into the multi-input function g.
So apply the Relevant Equation you listed, with g in place of z.
Amadeo said:
g is the input of the function f, which is z. In order to obtain the derivative of z with respect to g, we would need to know the function f(g).
No, you only need to know the appropriate derivatives at the point of interest. You are given some values for gx, gy and f' (i.e., fg).
 
Thank you. got it.

42, -24.
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

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