Problem finding a partial derivative

chexmix
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Homework Statement



I am working on a homework problem involving partial derivatives. I've been checking my answers against what Wolfram Alpha spits out just for extra assurance. For the following problem

Find all the second partial derivatives: v = \frac{xy}{(x-y)}.

When I get to the point where I am deriving v_{xy}, Wolfram Alpha gives me

\frac{2xy}{(x-y)^3}

but I get something different. If someone can tell me where I am going wrong here, I would be most grateful: I've stared at this for some time now. I suspect it is something very trivial. I am using the quotient rule.

2. The attempt at a solution

\frac{\partial}{\partial y} \frac{y^2}{(x-y)^2}

\frac{(x-y)^2 * 2y - y^2 * (2 (x-y))}{(x-y)^4}

\frac{(x-y)((x-y)*2y - 2y^2)}{(x-y)^4}

\frac{2xy-4y^2}{(x-y)^3}

Thanks,

Glenn
 
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You forgot the minus.
\frac{\partial}{\partial y} \frac{-y^2}{(x-y)^2}

And in your quotient rule, you forgot the derivative on the "inner" function, which is -1.

\frac{\partial(x-y)^{2}}{\partial y}=2(x-y)(-1)
 
Ahh, I was even further off than I thought. Thanks so much. It makes sense now.
 
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