Partial Derivatives of f(r,a,b) and Solving for r,a,b in Terms of x,y,z

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the function f(r,a,b) and its partial derivatives, specifically focusing on the relationship between the variables r, a, b and x, y, z through trigonometric transformations. Participants are exploring how to find the partial derivative f'_y without directly solving for r, a, and b in terms of x, y, and z, while also considering the use of the Jacobian for variable transformation.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of the chain rule and the Jacobian in differentiating the function. There are attempts to express f'_y in terms of the derivatives of f with respect to r, a, and b, while also raising questions about how to calculate these derivatives after expressing r, a, and b in terms of x, y, and z.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on the use of the chain rule and the Jacobian for changing variables. There is acknowledgment of the correctness of certain approaches, but the discussion remains open with various interpretations and methods being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraint of not solving for r, a, and b directly in terms of x, y, and z initially, which raises questions about the implications for calculating derivatives. The need for clarity on the function f and its derivatives is also noted.

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im given the function f(r,a,b) and z=rcos(a) y=rsin(a)sin(b) x=rsin(a)cos(b)
now i need to find the partial derivative of f'_y, without solving r,a,b in terms of x,y,z, what that i got is:
f'_y=f'_a*a'_y+f'_r*r'_y+f'_b*b'_y
the answer should include the derivatives of f wrt r,a,b, which i think i did ok, (i only needed to calculate a'_y,b'_y,r'_y).
but i have another question and it's to solve r,a,b in terms of x,y,z which i did, and then to calculate the above derivative directly by the chain rule.
i think i need to use here a jacobian, so i defined the implicit functions: F=z-rcos(a) G=y-rsin(a)sin(b) H=x-rsin(a)cos(b), my proble is that in order to calclualte it: i need to know what's f, cause:
f'_y=-J((F,G,H)/(x,y,z))/J((F,G,H)/(x,f,z))
the question is how to do it?

thanks in advance.
 
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cant u use chain rule?
 
You would use the Jacobian in changing variables in integration.

To differentiate in different variables, use the chain rule.
 
so how would i calclulate the derivatives of:
f'_a f'_r and f'_b, i mean after i solved for a,r,b in terms of x,y,z:
f'_y=f'_r*r'_y+f'_a*a'_y+f'_b*b'_y
and
f'_r=f'_x*x'_r+f'_y*y'_r+f'_z*z'_r
and then to substitue f'_r in the first equation and this way also to do with f'_b and f'_a, is this correct?
 
Yes, that is correct.

And it is easy to see that [itex]r= \sqrt{x^2+ y^2+ z^2}[/itex], [itex]b= arctan(\frac{y}{x})[/itex], and [itex]a= arctan(\frac{\sqrt{x^2+y^2}}{z}[/itex].
 

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