Small Confusion with Partial Derivative

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jegues
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Homework Statement



Let [tex]u(x,y) = f(x^3 + y^2) +g(x^3 + y^2)[/tex] such that f and g are differentiable functions. Show that,

[tex]2y\frac{\partial u}{\partial x} - 3x^{2} \frac{\partial u}{\partial y} = 0[/tex]

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



The part of confused about is how to break down my partial derivatives.

The first thing I'm going to do is,

[tex]\text{Let } p=x^3 + y^2[/tex]

then,

[tex]u = f(p) + g(p)[/tex]

Now how to I extract,

[tex]\frac{\partial u}{\partial x},\frac{\partial u}{\partial y}[/tex]

from here?

Is it simply,

[tex]\frac{\partial u}{\partial x} = \frac{du}{dp} \frac{\partial p}{\partial x}[/tex]

The part that bothers me is that the du on the top is not a [tex]\partial[/tex].

Is this correct?
 
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jegues said:

Homework Statement



Let [tex]u(x,y) = f(x^3 + y^2) +g(x^3 + y^2)[/tex] such that f and g are differentiable functions. Show that,

[tex]2y\frac{\partial u}{\partial x} - 3x^{2} \frac{\partial u}{\partial y} = 0[/tex]

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



The part of confused about is how to break down my partial derivatives.

The first thing I'm going to do is,

[tex]\text{Let } p=x^3 + y^2[/tex]

then,

[tex]u = f(p) + g(p)[/tex]

Now how to I extract,

[tex]\frac{\partial u}{\partial x},\frac{\partial u}{\partial y}[/tex]

from here?

Is it simply,

[tex]\frac{\partial u}{\partial x} = \frac{du}{dp} \frac{\partial p}{\partial x}[/tex]

The part that bothers me is that the du on the top is not a [tex]\partial[/tex].

Is this correct?

I do believe it is. You're actually dealing with a composite function, which is why that du isn't partial.
 
Char. Limit said:
I do believe it is. You're actually dealing with a composite function, which is why that du isn't partial.

I think I'm confused because it says show that,

[tex]2y\frac{\partial u}{\partial x} - 3x^{2} \frac{\partial u}{\partial y} = 0[/tex]

and in here I see,

[tex]\frac{\partial u}{\partial x} = \frac{du}{dp} \frac{\partial p}{\partial x}[/tex]


Do the two d's cancel out and the two p's cancel out?