Partial Derivatives: Find $\frac{\partial^2{w}}{\partial{u}\partial{v}}$

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the calculation of the mixed partial derivative $\frac{\partial^2{w}}{\partial{u}\partial{v}}$ for the function $w=f(x, y)$, where $x=u+v$ and $y=u-v$. The conclusion derived is that $\frac{\partial^2{w}}{\partial{u}\partial{v}}$ equals $\frac{\partial^2{w}}{\partial{x^2}} - \frac{\partial^2{w}}{\partial{y^2}}$. The application of the chain rule is correctly demonstrated, leading to the final result without any errors in the formulation.

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mathmari
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Hey! :o

Let $w=f(x, y)$ a two variable function and $x=u+v$, $y=u-v$.
Show that $$\frac{\partial^2{w}}{\partial{u}\partial{v}}=\frac{\partial^2{w}}{\partial{x^2}}-\frac{\partial^2{w}}{\partial{y^2}}$$

I have done the following:

We have $w(x(u,v), y(u, v))$.

From the chain rule we have: $$\frac{\partial{w}}{\partial{v}}=\frac{\partial{w}}{\partial{x}}\frac{\partial{x}}{\partial{v}}+\frac{\partial{w}}{\partial{y}}\frac{\partial{y}}{\partial{v}}=\frac{\partial{w}}{\partial{x}} \cdot 1+\frac{\partial{w}}{\partial{y}} \cdot (-1)=\frac{\partial{w}}{\partial{x}}-\frac{\partial{w}}{\partial{y}}$$

We apply again the chain rule, so:
$$\frac{\partial}{\partial{u}}\left (\frac{\partial{w}}{\partial{v}}\right )=\frac{\partial}{\partial{x}}\left (\frac{\partial{w}}{\partial{v}}\right ) \frac{\partial{x}}{\partial{u}}+\frac{\partial}{\partial{y}}\left (\frac{\partial{w}}{\partial{v}}\right )\frac{\partial{y}}{\partial{u}}=\frac{\partial}{\partial{x}}\left (\frac{\partial{w}}{\partial{x}}-\frac{\partial{w}}{\partial{y}}\right ) \cdot 1+\frac{\partial}{\partial{y}}\left (\frac{\partial{w}}{\partial{x}}-\frac{\partial{w}}{\partial{y}}\right ) \cdot 1\\ =\frac{\partial^2{w}}{\partial{x^2}}-\frac{\partial^2{w}}{\partial{x}\partial{y}}+\frac{\partial^2{w}}{\partial{x}\partial{y}}-\frac{\partial^2{w}}{\partial{y^2}}=\frac{\partial^2{w}}{\partial{x^2}}-\frac{\partial^2{w}}{\partial{y^2}}$$

Is it correct?? (Wondering)

Could I improve something at the formulation?? (Wondering)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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Looks good to me. (Yes)
 

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