Partial Derivatives: Chain Rule Confirmation

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the application of the two-variable chain rule in multivariable calculus, specifically in the context of changing variables from (x,y) to (v,w) where v=x and w=y/x. Participants are attempting to confirm the correctness of certain derivative expressions and explore the implications of applying the chain rule.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the validity of the expression \(\partial{v}=\partial{x} + w\partial{y}\) and suggests it should read \(\partial{v}=\partial{x} = w\partial{y}\).
  • Another participant emphasizes the need to express the problem as a function, suggesting that derivatives should be taken from a function \(f(x,y)\).
  • A participant presents the chain rule in terms of partial derivatives, indicating that \(\frac{\partial}{\partial v}=\frac{\partial x}{\partial v}\frac{\partial}{\partial x}+\frac{\partial y}{\partial v}\frac{\partial}{\partial y}\) and similarly for \(\frac{\partial}{\partial w}\).
  • One participant expresses understanding of the first derivative expression but questions the correctness of their own application of the chain rule to the second derivative, leading to a different expression involving \(\frac{\partial}{\partial w}\).

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the correctness of the derivative expressions. There are competing views on the application of the chain rule and the resulting expressions, with some participants supporting different interpretations.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the definitions of the variables and the functions involved, as well as the application of the chain rule in this context. The discussion reflects varying levels of familiarity with multivariable calculus concepts.

fishingtreeing
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hello, i am supposed to use the two variable chain rule to confirm that changing variables from (x,y) to (v,w) with v=x and w=y/x leads to:

\partial{v}=\partial{x} + w\partial{y}
and \partial{w}=x\partial{y}

it seems to me that the first line should read \partial{v}=\partial{x} = w\partial{y}

is this true? i am a bit rusty on multivariable calculus
 
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Please,use the [ tex ] and [ /tex ] tags (without the spaces,of course).It doesn't make too much sense what you've written there.

Usually \partial D all by himself means the boundary of the domain D.

Daniel.
 
fishingtreeing said:
hello, i am supposed to use the two variable chain rule to confirm that changing variables from (x,y) to (v,w) with v=x and w=y/x leads to:

\partial{v}=\partial{x} + w\partial{y}
and \partial{w}=x\partial{y}

it seems to me that the first line should read \partial{v}=\partial{x} = w\partial{y}

is this true? i am a bit rusty on multivariable calculus

for this to make any sense, you need to express it as a function, say f(x,y) and then take derivatives of f
 
ok, here is a repost

hello, i am supposed to use the two variable chain rule to confirm that changing variables from (x,y) to (v,w) with v=x and w=y/x leads to:

\frac{\partial}{\partial v} = \frac{\partial}{\partial x} + w\frac{\partial}{\partial y}
and \frac{\partial}{\partial w}=x\frac{\partial}{\partial y}

it seems to me that the first line should read \frac{\partial}{\partial v} = \frac{\partial}{\partial x} = w\frac{\partial}{\partial y}

is this true? i am a bit rusty on multivariable calculus
 
Hmmm

\frac{\partial}{\partial v}=\frac{\partial x}{\partial v}\frac{\partial}{\partial x}+<br /> \frac{\partial y}{\partial v}\frac{\partial}{\partial y}

\frac{\partial}{\partial w}=\frac{\partial x}{\partial w}\frac{\partial}{\partial x}+\frac{\partial y}{\partial w}\frac{\partial}{\partial y}

There's no other way to apply the chain rule.

You could put it as well in matrix notation using the Jacobian matrix.

Daniel.
 
ok, thanks
i can see where the first one comes from, but if i apply the chain rule to the second one, i get

\frac{\partial}{\partial w}=\frac{-y}{w^2}\frac{\partial}{\partial x} + x\frac{\partial}{\partial y}

is this correct, or is the original correct?
 
Last edited:

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