Simple Partial Differentiation problem

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the partial differentiation of the function \( z = x \ln(x + r) - r \), where \( r^2 = x^2 + y^2 \). Participants confirm that the second derivatives \( \frac{∂^2z}{∂x^2} \) and \( \frac{∂^2z}{∂y^2} \) yield \( \frac{1}{x + r} \) when calculated correctly. The calculations involve using the chain rule and the relationships \( \frac{∂r}{∂x} = \frac{x}{r} \) and \( \frac{∂r}{∂y} = \frac{y}{r} \). The consensus is that the original poster's solution is accurate, and no errors were found in their approach.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of partial differentiation
  • Familiarity with logarithmic functions
  • Knowledge of the chain rule in calculus
  • Basic concepts of multivariable calculus
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the application of the chain rule in multivariable calculus
  • Explore advanced techniques in partial differentiation
  • Learn about the Laplacian operator and its applications
  • Investigate the implications of second-order derivatives in physics and engineering
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in mathematics, physics, and engineering who are working with multivariable calculus and need to understand partial differentiation techniques.

Saitama
Messages
4,244
Reaction score
93

Homework Statement


If ##z=x\ln(x+r)-r## where ##r^2=x^2+y^2##, prove that
$$\frac{∂^2z}{∂x^2}+\frac{∂^2z}{∂y^2}=\frac{1}{x+y}$$

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution


Since ##r^2=x^2+y^2##, ##∂r/∂x=x/r## and ##∂r/∂y=y/r##.
Differentiating z w.r.t x partially,
$$\frac{∂z}{∂x}=\ln(x+r)+x\cdot\left(\frac{1}{x+r}\right)\cdot \left(1+\frac{∂r}{∂x}\right)-\frac{∂r}{∂x}$$
Using ##∂r/∂x=x/r##
$$\frac{∂z}{∂x}=\ln(x+r)$$
$$\frac{∂^2z}{∂x^2}=\frac{1}{x+r}\cdot\left(1+\frac{x}{r}\right)=\frac{1}{r}$$

Differentiating z w.r.t y partially,
$$\frac{∂z}{∂y}=\frac{x}{x+r}\cdot \frac{∂r}{∂y}-\frac{∂r}{∂y}=\frac{∂r}{∂y}\cdot \frac{-r}{x+r}$$
Using ##∂r/∂y=y/r##
$$\frac{∂z}{∂y}=\frac{-y}{x+r}$$
$$\frac{∂^2z}{∂y^2}=-\frac{(x+r)-y(∂r/∂y)}{(x+r)^2}=-\frac{rx+r^2-y^2}{r(x+r)^2}$$
Since ##r^2-y^2=x^2##
$$\frac{∂^2z}{∂y^2}=-\frac{x}{r(x+r)}$$
Adding the second order derivatives,
$$\frac{∂^2z}{∂x^2}+\frac{∂^2z}{∂y^2}=\frac{1}{r}-\frac{x}{r(x+r)}=\frac{1}{x+r}$$
Where did I go wrong? :confused:

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Pranav-Arora said:

Homework Statement


If ##z=x\ln(x+r)-r## where ##r^2=x^2+y^2##, prove that
$$\frac{∂^2z}{∂x^2}+\frac{∂^2z}{∂y^2}=\frac{1}{x+y}$$


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


Since ##r^2=x^2+y^2##, ##∂r/∂x=x/r## and ##∂r/∂y=y/r##.
Differentiating z w.r.t x partially,
$$\frac{∂z}{∂x}=\ln(x+r)+x\cdot\left(\frac{1}{x+r}\right)\cdot \left(1+\frac{∂r}{∂x}\right)-\frac{∂r}{∂x}$$
Using ##∂r/∂x=x/r##
$$\frac{∂z}{∂x}=\ln(x+r)$$
$$\frac{∂^2z}{∂x^2}=\frac{1}{x+r}\cdot\left(1+\frac{x}{r}\right)=\frac{1}{r}$$

Differentiating z w.r.t y partially,
$$\frac{∂z}{∂y}=\frac{x}{x+r}\cdot \frac{∂r}{∂y}-\frac{∂r}{∂y}=\frac{∂r}{∂y}\cdot \frac{-r}{x+r}$$
Using ##∂r/∂y=y/r##
$$\frac{∂z}{∂y}=\frac{-y}{x+r}$$
$$\frac{∂^2z}{∂y^2}=-\frac{(x+r)-y(∂r/∂y)}{(x+r)^2}=-\frac{rx+r^2-y^2}{r(x+r)^2}$$
Since ##r^2-y^2=x^2##
$$\frac{∂^2z}{∂y^2}=-\frac{x}{r(x+r)}$$
Adding the second order derivatives,
$$\frac{∂^2z}{∂x^2}+\frac{∂^2z}{∂y^2}=\frac{1}{r}-\frac{x}{r(x+r)}=\frac{1}{x+r}$$
Where did I go wrong? :confused:

I don't think you have; I also get the same answer.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: 1 person
pasmith said:
I don't think you have; I also get the same answer.

Thanks for the check pasmith! :smile:
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K