Partial Derivative of f(x,y) = ∫xy cos(t2) dt?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the partial derivatives of the function f(x,y) = ∫xy cos(t²) dt. The correct derivatives are established as ∂f/∂x = -cos(x²) and ∂f/∂y = cos(y²), derived using the fundamental theorem of calculus. Participants clarify the application of Leibniz's rule for differentiation under the integral sign, emphasizing that the integral's limits are treated as constants when differentiating with respect to one variable. The conversation highlights the importance of correctly identifying the dummy variable in integrals and the necessity of applying the chain rule in composite functions.

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  • Knowledge of Leibniz's rule for differentiation under the integral sign
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gnome
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I need the partial derivatives of:

f(x,y) = ∫xy cos(t2) dt

are they simply:

∂f/∂x = -2xcos(x2)
and
∂f/∂y = 2ycos(y2)

or am I completely lost here?
 
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Are you sure it's not
∂f/∂x=-cos(x2)
and
∂f/∂y=-cos(y2)

?
 
No, I'm definitely not sure. Are you?
 
Well, let's say that
∫cos(t2) dt = g(t) + C
then
dg/dt= cos(t2) from the fundamental theorem of calculus.

Now we have
∫xycos(t2) dt=g(y)-g(x)
so I get
∂f/∂x=-cos(x2)
∂f/∂y=cos(y2)

Does that make sense to you?
 
I'm not sure. It's confusing.

Isn't this a composite function that calls for use of the chain rule?

I'm thinking that we have g(t) = t2 and the integral is f(g(t)) which gets evaluated at t=y and t=x, thus becoming f(g(x)) and f(g(y)), so cos(y2) - cos(x2) is df/dg and we still have to differentiate that wrt x to get ∂f/∂x and wrt y to get ∂f/∂y.

So, I guess I'm saying
∂f/∂x = df/dg * ∂g/∂x [edited: I had the derivatives & the partials reversed[/color]]
and
∂f/∂y = df/dg * ∂g/∂y [edited: same reason as above[/color]]

Then,
∂f/∂x = ∂/∂x[cos(y2) - cos(x2)] = -2xcos(x2)
and
∂f/∂y = ∂/∂y[cos(y2) - cos(x2)] = 2ycos(y2)

But I'm not sure I have the f's and g's right, & maybe all of that is nonsense.
 
Last edited:
Leibniz's formula is very general:

d/dx(∫b(x)a(x)f(x,t)dt)=

(db/dx)f(x,b(x))- (da/dx)f(x,a(x)+ ∫b(x)a(x)(∂f(x,t)/∂t dt)

It doesn't matter that you are dealing with two variables, x, y, since with partial derivatives you are treating one of them as a constant.

In particular, ∂/∂x(∫xycos(t2)dt= (-1)cos(x2) and
∂/∂y(∫xycos(t2)dt= (+1)cos(y2).
 
Originally posted by HallsofIvy
Leibniz's formula is very general:

d/dx(∫b(x)a(x)f(x,t)dt)=

(db/dx)f(x,b(x))- (da/dx)f(x,a(x)+ ∫b(x)a(x)(∂f(x,t)/∂t dt)

I think you're mixing your variables. You should probably use something other than f and x inside the integral.

I also don't understand how Leibnitz's formula applies, since there is no multi-variable function inside the integral.

As I stated above, all you need to do is apply the fundamental theorem of calculus.
 
gnome:

Let's digress for a moment and look at the fundamental theorem of calculus:

∫xyg'(t)dt=g(y)-g(x)

Now, let's say we have some g(t) so that g'(t)=cos(t2) so:

∫xycos(t2)dt=g(y)-g(x)

Now, since g'(t)=cos(t2) we get
∂/∂x g(x) = g'(x)=cos(x2)
and
∂/∂x g(y) = 0

Does that make sense?
 
Well, I'm sure you're right & I'm sitting here with my textbook from calc I opened to the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus trying to make sense of it. To simplify matters, I'm going to forget about partial derivatives for the moment, & just look at these:

f(x) = cos(2x-1)
f'(x) = -2sin(2x-1) (of this, I'm certain)

-------------------------------------

Now, what you're telling me is

g(x) = ∫sin(2x-1)dx
g'(x) = sin(2x-1)

Right?

And the more I think about that, the more sense it seems to make. But if you can add anything to that to make it clearer, please do.

Thanks.
 
  • #10
You've pretty much got it.
 
  • #11
I think you're mixing your variables. You should probably use something other than f and x inside the integral.
No, I was not mixing variables. It was necessary to use f and x "inside the integral" because they appeared outside the intergral. The only dummy variable was t.

I also don't understand how Leibnitz's formula applies, since there is no multi-variable function inside the integral.
Leibnitz's formula still applies, the last integral happens to be 0. The original question was about how you handled functions of x in the limits of integration. Leibnitz's formula does that nicely.
 

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