Partial Derivatives: Proving Homework Statement

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around proving a mathematical statement involving partial derivatives of a differentiable function z with respect to variables x and y, in the context of an equation that relates these variables to another differentiable function φ(t). The participants are exploring the implications of the given equation and the application of the chain rule in their attempts to differentiate both sides.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss taking partial derivatives of both sides of the equation, with one participant expressing uncertainty about differentiating the right-hand side. There is a mention of the chain rule and its application to the problem, with attempts to derive expressions for the partial derivatives.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided hints and guidance on using the chain rule, while others express confusion about the next steps and the implications of isolating certain terms. There is an acknowledgment of the difficulty of the problem, with one participant feeling uncertain about their progress and the looming deadline.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of a homework assignment, with a deadline approaching. There is a sense of urgency and pressure, as one participant notes a week spent on the problem without resolution.

LeifEricson
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Homework Statement



Given:
[tex]\varphi(t)[/tex] – differentiable function.
[tex]z=z(x,y)[/tex] – differentiable function.

And there is the following equation:

[tex]x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = \varphi (ax+by+cz)[/tex]

where [tex]a,b,c[/tex] are constants,

Prove that:

[tex](cy - bz)\cdot \frac {\partial z}{\partial x} + (az-cx)\cdot \frac{\partial z}{\partial y} = bx - ay[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution



I tried to take partial derivatives of both sides with respect to x and then with respect to y. But I don't know how to differentiate the right-hand side of the equation.
Also if I did, what should I had done next?
 
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Well, first things first: do you know the chain rule?

In your case, it says that
[tex]\frac{\partial\varphi}{\partial x} = \frac{\partial\varphi}{\partial t}\frac{\partial t}{\partial x}[/tex]
and similarly for y. Use that on the right side and see what you get. (I'm not sure the solution will pop out of that but it is probably worth trying, at least)
 
Yep, I know that chain rule. We get:

[tex]2x + 2z \frac{ \partial z }{ \partial x } = \frac{ \partial \varphi } { \partial t } \left( a + c \cdot \frac{ \partial z }{ \partial x } \right)[/tex]

and:

[tex]2y + 2z \frac{ \partial z }{ \partial y } = \frac{ \partial \varphi } { \partial t } \left( b + c \cdot \frac{ \partial z }{ \partial y } \right)[/tex]

From here I have no idea how to continue. What should I do?
 
Hint: You did the hard part already! :)

Spoiler below:




Solve each equation for [tex]\frac{ \partial \varphi } { \partial t }[/tex] and ...
 
What do you mean to solve the equation "for" something?
I suppose I could isolate the [tex]\frac{\partial \varphi}{\partial t}[/tex] if I knew it's multiplier wasn't zero...

Edit:
I did that. It leads to nothing.
It's obvious that I miss something obvious but after a week on this problem and a dead-line of 2 days ahead, I am in doubt I could solve it.
 
Last edited:

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