Partial derivatives of f(x)*(f(y)+f(z))?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion focuses on calculating the partial derivatives of the expression f(x)*(f(y)+f(z)) with respect to the variables x, y, and z. Participants explore the rules involved in these calculations and compare this scenario to a similar expression involving different functions of x.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asks for the partial derivatives of f(x)*(f(y)+f(z)) and the rules involved, also questioning how this differs from f(x)*(g(x)+h(x)).
  • Another participant provides the partial derivatives:
    • ∂u/∂x = f'(x)*(f(y)+f(z))
    • ∂u/∂y = f(x)*f'(y)
    • ∂u/∂z = f(x)*f'(z)
  • A participant suggests that the thread is more appropriate for the Calculus and Analysis category, indicating a potential misclassification related to differential equations.
  • A later response reiterates the partial derivatives provided earlier, expressing gratitude for the clarification.
  • Another participant emphasizes that when taking the partial derivative with respect to x, y and z are treated as constants, leading to f(y) and f(z) being constants in that context. They also note that in the case of f(x)*(g(x)+h(x)), the derivatives with respect to y and z would be zero since all functions depend on x.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the method for calculating the partial derivatives, but there is some debate regarding the classification of the thread and the implications of treating variables as constants versus functions of x.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the functions f, g, and h are not explicitly stated, and the discussion does not resolve how these functions interact or the implications of their dependencies on the variables.

SirTristan
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Say you have something like f(x)*(f(y)+f(z)). What are the partial derivatives with respect to each variable? What rules are involved?

And how would this differ from f(x)*(g(x)+h(x)).
 
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[tex]u = f(x)\;\big(f(y)+f(z)\big)[/tex]
then
[tex]\frac{\partial u}{\partial x} = f'(x)\;\big(f(y)+f(z)\big)[/tex]
[tex]\frac{\partial u}{\partial y} = f(x)\;\big(f'(y)\big)[/tex]
[tex]\frac{\partial u}{\partial z} = f(x)\;\big(f'(z)\big)[/tex]
 
This has nothing that I can see to do with differential equations so I am moving it to Calculus and Analysis.
 
g_edgar said:
[tex]u = f(x)\;\big(f(y)+f(z)\big)[/tex]
then
[tex]\frac{\partial u}{\partial x} = f'(x)\;\big(f(y)+f(z)\big)[/tex]
[tex]\frac{\partial u}{\partial y} = f(x)\;\big(f'(y)\big)[/tex]
[tex]\frac{\partial u}{\partial z} = f(x)\;\big(f'(z)\big)[/tex]
Thank you very much :)
 
SirTristan said:
Say you have something like f(x)*(f(y)+f(z)). What are the partial derivatives with respect to each variable? What rules are involved?

And how would this differ from f(x)*(g(x)+h(x)).

The reasoning behind this is that when you take the partial derivative with respect to say x, you treat all the other variables, y and z, as constants. Then in that case f(y) and f(z) would be treated as constants. Then you take the derivatives with respect to each variable as normal.

It differs from f(x)*(g(x)+h(x)) because then all three functions are functions of the variable x. Then the partial derivatives with respect to y and z would be zero in this case.
 

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