MHB Using Chain Rule to Solve Questions - A Step-by-Step Guide

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The discussion focuses on using the chain rule to solve partial derivative problems involving functions of multiple variables. Participants clarify the application of the chain rule, providing specific examples and calculations for functions like f(x, y, z) = xyz^10 and f = x^10 + y^11 + z. Key steps include calculating partial derivatives with respect to s and t, and substituting expressions for x, y, and z. There is a request for help on part b of the problem, indicating confusion over the calculations and the final form of the derivatives. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding basic calculus principles to effectively apply the chain rule.
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Hey everyone, could anyone help me figure out how to use chain rule to solve these questions in the attachments below?
 

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Okay your second picture gives the "chain rule":
If f is a function of x, y, and z and x, y, and z are functions of the variables, s and t, then f is a function of s and t and $\frac{\partial f}{\partial t}= f_x\frac{\partial x}{\partial t}+ f_y\frac{\partial y}{\partial t}+ f_z\frac{\partial z}{\partial t}$ and $\frac{\partial f}{\partial s}= f_x\frac{\partial x}{\partial s}+ f_y\frac{\partial y}{\partial s}+ f_z\frac{\partial z}{\partial s}$.
Great!

Now, in the first problem, $f(x, y, z)= xyz^{10}$, $x= t^3$, $y= ln(s^2\sqrt{t})$, and $z= e^{st}$.

The first thing I would do is write $y= 2(1/2)ln(st)= ln(st)$.

Now $f_x= yz^{10}$ and $\frac{\partial x}{\partial t}= 3t^2$ so $f_x\frac{\partial x}{\partial t}= 3t^2yz^{10}$. If you want to reduce that to s and t only, replace y with $ln(st)$ and z with $e^{st}$ to get $f_x\frac{\partial x}{\partial t}= 3t^3ln(sy)e^{10st}$.

$f_y= xz^{10}$ and $\frac{\partial y}{\partial t}= \frac{s}{t}$1 so $f_y\frac{\partial y}{\partial t}= xz^{10}\frac{s}{t}=\frac{st^3e^{10st}}{t}= st^2e^{10t}$.

$f_z= 10xyz^9$ and $\frac{\partial z}{\partial t}=se^{st}$ so $f_z\frac{\partial z}{\partial x}= 10xyz^9(se^{st})= 10(t^3)ln(st)e^{9st}(se^{st})= 90st^3ln(st)e^{10st}$.

$\frac{\partial f}{\partial t}$ is the sum of those.

$\frac{\partial f}{\partial s}$ is done the same way but with $\frac{\partial x}{\partial s}$, $\frac{\partial y}{\partial s}$, and $\frac{\partial z}{\partial s}$.
 
Country Boy said:
The first thing I would do is write $y=2(1/2)ln(st)=ln(st)$
$y = \ln(s^2 \cdot \sqrt{t}) = 2\ln(s) + \dfrac{1}{2}\ln(t)$
 
One of these days I really need to learn Math!
 
Thank you for the response but I'm lost in part b. The portion where fx (dx/dt) for x^10+y^11+z^10... what is its final form?
 
Okay, "part b" has $f= x^{10}+ y^{11}+ z$, $x= \sqrt{t+ s^2}$, $y=\frac{t}{s}$, $z= st$ and you want to find $\frac{\partial f}{\partial s}$ and $\frac{\partial f}{\partial t}$.

What are
$\frac{\partial f}{\partial x}$
$\frac{\partial f}{\partial y} $
$\frac{\partial f}{\partial z}$ ?

What are
$\frac{\partial x}{\partial s}$
$\frac{\partial x}{\partial t}$

$\frac{\partial y}{\partial s}$
$\frac{\partial y}{\partial t}$

$\frac{\partial z}{\partial s}$
$\frac{\partial z}{\partial t}$ ?

If you know basic Calculus you should be able to answer those.
If you can't do some of them, tell us which.

The "chain rule" says
$\frac{\partial f}{\partial s}= \frac{\partial f}{\partial x}\frac{\partial x}{\partial s}+ \frac{\partial f}{\partial y}\frac{\partial y}{\partial s}+ \frac{\partial f}{\partial z}\frac{\partial z}{\partial s}$
and
$\frac{\partial f}{\partial t}= \frac{\partial f}{\partial x}\frac{\partial x}{\partial t}+ \frac{\partial f}{\partial y}\frac{\partial y}{\partial t}+ \frac{\partial f}{\partial z}\frac{\partial z}{\partial t}$
 
I got my answers marked and lost a lot of marks actually. I'm not sure why.
 

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