Study material of B.Sc.

(Semester - I)
US01CMTH02
(Partial Derivatives)
Prepared by Nilesh Y. Patel
Head,Mathematics Department,V.P.and R.P.T.P.Science College

US01CMTH02
UNIT-3

1. Partial derivatives
The concept of partial derivative plays a vital role in differential calculus. The different
ways of limit discussed in the previous section, yields different type of partial derivatives
of a function.
1.1. Definitions. Consider a real valued function z = f (x, y) defined on E ⊂ R2 such
that E contains a neighbourhood of (a, b) ∈ R2 . Let ∆a be a change in a. If the limit,
f (a + ∆a, b) − f (a, b)
lim
∆a→0 ∆a
exists, then it is called the partial derivative of f with respect to x at (a, b) and is denoted
by ∂f 
∂x 
or fx (a, b) or zx (a, b). Similarly, let ∆b be a change in b. If the limit,
(a,b)

f (a, b + ∆b) − f (a, b)

lim
∆b→0 ∆b
exists, then it is called the partial derivative of f with respect to y at (a, b) and is denoted
by ∂f  or fy (a, b) or zy (a, b).
∂y 
(a,b)

Notations. If the partial derivatives fx and fy exist at each point of E, then they are
also the real valued functions on E. Further, we can obtain the partial derivatives of these
functions, if they are differentiable. In these cases, we fix up the following notations.
( ) ( )
∂2f ∂ ∂f ∂ 2f ∂ ∂f
fxx = 2 = , fyy = 2 = ,
∂x ∂x ∂x ∂y ∂y ∂y
( ) ( )
∂2f ∂ ∂f ∂ 2f ∂ ∂f
fyx = = ; and fxy = = .
∂x∂y ∂x ∂y ∂y∂x ∂y ∂x
The notations of derivatives of order greater than two should be clear from the above
pattern.
1.2. Remark. As we have seen in the above example, in general, fxy and fyx need not be
equal, even if they exist. The following proposition gives a sufficient condition for them to
be equal. We accept it without proof. However, we shall be dealing only with the functions
f for which these two are equal.
1
2

1.3. Proposition. Consider a real valued function z = f (x, y) defined on E ⊂ R2 such

that E contains a neighbourhood of (a, b) ∈ R2 . If fxy and fyx exist and are continuous,
then fxy = fyx .
Throughout this chapter our blanket assumption will be that the operation of taking
partial derivatives is commutative. That is, for our function f of two variables, fxy =
fyx . In general, we may assume that the second derivatives of functions exists and are
continuous, so that, the Proposition 1.3 ensures our requirement.
∂2u 2 ∂2u ∂2u
1.4. Example. For u = x3 − 3xy 2 , prove that ∂x2
+ ∂∂yu2 = 0. Also prove that ∂x∂y
= ∂y∂x
.

Solution. Here u = x3 − 3xy 2 . Hence,

∂u ∂u ∂ 2u ∂ 2u
= 3x2 − 3y 2 ; = −6xy; = −6y = .
∂x ∂y ∂x∂y ∂y∂x
∂ 2u ∂2u
= 6x; = −6x.
∂x2 ∂y 2
Hence,
∂ 2u ∂ 2u ∂ 2u ∂2u
+ = 6x − 6x = 0 and = .
∂x2 ∂y 2 ∂x∂y ∂y∂x


2. Homogeneous functions
Let us observe the following expressions carefully.
(1) f1 (x, y) = x2 y 4 − x3 y 3 + xy 5 .
(2) f2 (x, y) = x4 y 4 − x5 y 3 + x6 y 2 .
The combined degree of x and y in each term of the first expression is 6 and that in the
second expression is 8. Can we determine whether the combined degree of x and y in each
x
term of the expression x4 +y 4 is same or not? It seems difficult to determine. Let us develop

the following tests.

Test 1: Let us take t = xy . Then
x2 y 4 − x3 y 3 + xy 5 = x6 (t4 − t3 + t5 ) = x6 f (t)
and
x4 y 4 − x5 y 3 + x6 y 2 = x8 (t4 − t3 + t2 ) = x8 g(t),
where f and g are functions of one variable t.
Test 2: Now, let us replace x by tx and y by ty. Then
f1 (tx, ty) = (tx)2 (ty)4 − (tx)3 (ty)3 + (tx)(ty)5 = t6 f1 (x, y)
and
f2 (tx, ty) = (tx)4 (ty)4 − (tx)5 (ty)3 + (tx)6 (ty)2 = t8 f2 (x, y).
2.1. Definitions. A function z = f (x, y) is said to be a homogeneous function of degree r,
if f (tx, ty) = tr f (x, y) for some real number r. Otherwise, f is said to be a nonhomogeneous
function.
2. Homogeneous functions 3

2.2. Example. Let f : R2 \ {(x, y) : y = −x} → R defined by f (x, y) = x+y

x−y
. Then prove
that f is a homogeneous function of degree 0 and fx and fy exist at each point of the
domain.
Solution. Clearly, f (tx, ty) = f (x, y) = t0 f (x, y). Thus f is a homogeneous function of
degree 0. Now for any (x, y) ∈ R2 with x + y ̸= 0, we have,
(x + y)(1) − (x − y)(1) 2y
fx (x, y) = 2
=
(x + y) (x + y)2
and
(x + y)(−1) − (x − y)(1) −2x
fy (x, y) = = .
(x + y)2 (x + y)2

√
5 √
5
x− y
2.3. Example. f : R2 \ {(0, 0)} → R defined by f (x, y) = x3 +y 3
is a homogeneous
function of degree − 14
5
.
2.4. Theorem (Euler’s Theorem). State and prove Euler’s Theorem
Statement : Let z = f (x, y) be a real valued function defined on E ⊂ R2 . Suppose that f
is a homogeneous function of degree n. If fx and fy exist on E, then
∂z ∂z
x +y = nz. (2.4.1)
∂x ∂y
Proof. Since z = f (x, y) is a homogeneous function of x, y of degree n, we can write
(y)
z = f (x, y) = xn g . (2.4.2)
x
Differentiating (2.4.2) partially with respect to x, we get,
∂z (y) (y) ( y )
= nxn−1 g + xn g ′ − 2 .
∂x x x x
Hence,
∂z (y) (y)
x = nxn g − xn−1 yg ′ . (2.4.3)
∂x x x
Similarly, differentiating (2.4.2) partially with respect to y, we get,
∂z (y) 1 (y)
= xn g ′ = xn−1 g ′ .
∂y x x x
Hence,
∂z ( )
n−1 ′ y
y = yx g . (2.4.4)
∂y x
Adding (2.4.3) and (2.4.4) we get,
∂z ∂z (y)
x +y = nxn g = nz.
∂x ∂y x
This completes the proof. 
We note that the converse of Euler’s Theorem also holds. That is, if a function
z = f (x, y) satisfies (2.4.1), on a certain domain, then it must be homogeneous on that
domain.
4

2.5. Remark. Now onwards we shall not mention the domain of the functions under
discussion. Also, whenever we use the derivatives of functions under discussion, we assume
them to be sufficiently many times differentiable.

2.6. Corollary. Let z = f (x, y) be a real valued function defined on E ⊂ R2 . Suppose that
f is a homogeneous function of degree n and that all the second order partial derivatives
of f exist and are continuous. Then prove that
∂ 2z ∂ 2z 2
2∂ z
x2 + 2xy + y = n(n − 1)z.
∂x2 ∂x∂y ∂y 2
Proof. Since z = f (x, y) is a homogeneous function of x, y of degree n, by Euler’s Theo-
rem,
∂z ∂z
x +y = nz. (2.6.1)
∂x ∂y
Differentiating (2.6.1) partially with respect to x, we have,
∂ 2z ∂z ∂2z ∂z
x 2
+ + y =n ,
∂x ∂x ∂x∂y ∂x
which, on multiplication by x, gives
∂2z ∂z ∂ 2z ∂z
x2 2
+ x + xy = nx .
∂x ∂x ∂x∂y ∂x
Hence,
∂ 2z ∂ 2z ∂z
2
+x2
xy = (n − 1)x . (2.6.2)
∂x ∂x∂y ∂x
Similarly, differentiating (2.6.1) partially with respect to y and then multiplying the result
by y, we get,
∂ 2z ∂ 2z ∂z
y 2 2 + xy = (n − 1)y .
∂y ∂y∂x ∂y
∂2z ∂2z
Since ∂x∂y
= ∂y∂x
, we get,

∂ 2z ∂ 2z ∂z
y2 2
+ xy = (n − 1)y . (2.6.3)
∂y ∂x∂y ∂y
By adding (2.6.2) and (2.6.3) we have,
∂ 2z ∂ 2z 2
2∂ z ∂z ∂z
x2 + 2xy + y = (n − 1)(x + y ) = n(n − 1)z.
∂x2 ∂x∂y ∂y 2 ∂x ∂y
This completes the proof. 

2.7. Corollary. Let u = u(x, y) be a nonhomogeneous real valued function defined on

E ⊂ R2 and z = φ(u) be homogeneous function of degree n. Then prove that
∂u ∂u φ(u)
x +y =n ′ ,
∂x ∂y φ (u)
provided φ′ (u) ̸= 0 for any (x, y) ∈ E.
2. Homogeneous functions 5

Proof. Since z = φ(u) is a homogeneous function of x, y of degree n, by Euler’s Theorem

we have,
∂z ∂z
x +y = nz = nφ(u)
∂x ∂y
( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
′ ∂u ′ ∂u ∂u ∂u φ(u)
⇒ x φ (u) + y φ (u) = nφ(u) ⇒ x +y =n ′ .
∂x ∂y ∂x ∂y φ (u)


2.8. Corollary. (Only statement)Let u = u(x, y) be a nonhomogeneous real valued function

defined on E ⊂ R2 and z = φ(u) be homogeneous function of degree n. Then prove that
∂ 2u ∂ 2u 2
2∂ u
x2 + 2xy + y = ψ(u)[ψ ′ (u) − 1],
∂x2 ∂x∂y ∂y 2
′
′ (u) , provided φ (u) ̸= 0 for any (x, y) ∈ E.
where ψ(u) = n φφ(u)

2.9. Example. For the following functions, verify Euler’s Theorem and find
∂2z ∂2z 2 ∂2z
x2 ∂x 2 + 2xy ∂x∂y + y ∂y 2 .
( )
(1) z = xn log xy .
(2) z = sin−1 ( xy ) + tan−1 ( xy ).

Solution. (1) Clearly, z is a homogeneous function of degree n.

∂z (y) x( y ) (y)
= nxn−1 log + xn − 2 = nxn−1 log − xn−1
∂x x y x x
∂z (y)
⇒x = nxn log − xn .
∂x x
Also, ( )( )
∂z x 1 xn ∂z
=x n
= ⇒y = xn .
∂y y x y ∂y
Hence,
∂z ∂z (y)
n
+y = nx log = nz.
∂x ∂y x
Thus Euler’s Theorem is verified.
By the Corollary 2.6,
2
2∂ z ∂ 2z 2
2∂ z
x + 2xy +y = n(n − 1)z.
∂x2 ∂x∂y ∂y 2
(2) Replacing x by tx and y by ty, f (tx, ty) = sin−1 ( xy ) + tan−1 ( xy ) = t0 f (x, y). Thus
z = f (x, y) is a homogeneous function of degree 0. Now,
( ) ( )
∂z 1 1 1 −y 1 y
=√ + 2 =√ − 2
∂x 1 − xy2 y
2 y
1 + x2 x 2
y −x
2 2 x + y2

∂z x xy
⇒x =√ − 2 .
∂x y 2 − x2 x + y 2
6

Also,
( ) ( )
∂z 1 −x 1 1 −x x
=√ + y2
= √ + 2
∂y 1− x2 y2 1+ x2
x y y 2 − x2 x + y 2
y2

∂z −x xy
⇒y =√ + 2 .
∂y y −x
2 2 x + y2
Hence,
∂z ∂z
x +y = 0.
∂x ∂y
Thus Euler’s Theorem is verified.
By the Corollary 2.6,
∂ 2z ∂ 2z 2
2∂ z
x2 + 2xy + y = n(n − 1)z = 0,
∂x2 ∂x∂y ∂y 2
as n = 0. 
2.10. Example. If u = sin−1 ( x+y ), then prove the following.
x2 y 2

(1) x ∂u
∂x
+ y ∂u
∂y
= 3 tan u.
2 2 2
(2) x2 ∂∂xu2 + 2xy ∂x∂y
∂ u
+ y 2 ∂∂yu2 = 3 tan u(3 sec2 u − 1).

Solution. Here u = sin−1 ( xx+y

y 2 2
) is not a homogeneous function of x, y. Writing the given
x2 y 2 x2 y 2
equation differently, we have sin u = x+y
. Let z = φ(u) = sin u. Then z = x+y
, which is
homogeneous of degree 3. Hence by Corollary 2.7, x ∂u
∂x
+ y ∂u
∂y
= 3 φφ(u)
′ (u) =
sin u
3 cos u
= 3 tan u,
which proves (1). Also, by Corollary 2.8, we have,
∂ 2u ∂ 2u 2
2∂ u
x2 2
+ 2xy + y 2
= 3 tan u[3 sec2 u − 1].
∂x ∂x∂y ∂y


3. Theorem on total differentials

Throughout this section we consider only those functions of two variables that admit
continuous partial derivatives on their domain of definition. That is, if we are discussing
about a function z = f (x, y), then fx , fy exist and are continuous on the domain of f .
3.1. Theorem. ( Only statement ) Let z = f (x, y) be defined on E. Then
∂z ∂z
dz = dx + dy.
∂x ∂y
4. Differentiation of composite functions
In this section we shall study the differentiation of composite functions. Let z =
f (x, y) be function defined on E ⊂ R2 . In turn one can have x = ϕ(t) and y = ψ(t),
t ∈ F ⊂ R. This makes f a function of one independent variable t. That is,
t ∈ F 7→ (ϕ(t), ψ(t)) ∈ E 7→ f (ϕ(t), ψ(t)).
The following theorem describes the differentiation of f with respect to t in this situation.
5. Change of variables 7

4.1. Theorem. ( Only statement ) Let z = f (x, y) be function defined on E ⊂ R2 and

x = ϕ(t), y = ψ(t), t ∈ F ⊂ R. Then prove that df
dt
= ∂f dx
∂x dt
+ ∂f dy
∂y dt
.

To extend Theorem 4.1 for functions of three variables, let u = f (x, y, z) be a function
of three variables with x = x(t), y = y(t) and z = z(t). Then
du ∂u dx ∂u dy ∂u dz
= + + .
dt ∂x dt ∂y dt ∂z dt

5. Change of variables
Like the composite functions we can also consider the following situation. Let z =
f (x, y) be function defined on E ⊂ R2 and let there be another domain F ⊂ R2 such that
for each (x, y) ∈ E, x = ϕ(u, v), y = ψ(u, v), (u, v) ∈ F ⊂ R2 . This is nothing but the
change of variable. In this case, the following theorem describes the partial derivatives of
f with respect to u and v.
Now we prove Euler’s Theorem for three variables. The homogeneous functions of
more than two variables are defined as in Definition 2.1. More explicitly, a function H =
f (x1 , x2 , . . . , xn ) of n variables is called homogeneous if there exists r ∈ R such that
for f (tx1 , tx2 , . . . , txn ) = tr f (x1 , x2 , . . . , xn ) for all t ∈ R. In this case, the degree of
homogeneity of H is r.
5.1. Theorem (Euler’s Theorem for Three variables). Let H = f (x, y, z) be a real valued
homogeneous function of three variables x, y, z of degree n defined on E ⊂ R3 . If fx , fy ,
fz exist on E, then prove that
∂H ∂H ∂H
x +y +z = nH. (5.1.1)
∂x ∂y ∂z
Proof. Since H = f (x, y, z) is homogeneous function of degree n,
(y z )
n
H=x φ , = xn φ(u, v),
x x
y z
where u = x and v = x . Hence,
[ ]
∂H n−1 n ∂φ ∂u ∂φ ∂v
= nx φ(u, v) + x +
∂x ∂u ∂x ∂v ∂x
[ ]
y ∂φ z ∂φ
= nx φ(u, v) + x − 2
n−1 n
−
x ∂u x2 ∂v
∂φ ∂φ
= nxn−1 φ(u, v) − xn−2 y − xn−2 z
∂u ∂v
∂H ∂φ ∂φ
⇒x = nxn φ(u, v) − xn−1 y − xn−1 z . (5.1.2)
∂x ∂u ∂v
Now,
[ ] [ ]
∂H n ∂φ ∂u ∂φ ∂v n 1 ∂φ ∂φ ∂φ
=x + =x +0 = xn−1
∂y ∂u ∂y ∂v ∂y x ∂u ∂v ∂u
∂H ∂φ
⇒y = xn−1 y . (5.1.3)
∂y ∂u
8

Similarly,
∂H ∂φ
z= xn−1 z . (5.1.4)
∂z ∂v
Adding (5.1.2), (5.1.3) and (5.1.4) we have,
∂H ∂H ∂H
x +y +z = nxn φ(u, v) = nH.
∂x ∂y ∂z
This completes the proof. 
As noted in case of the functions of two variables, here also we recall that the converse
of Euler’s Theorem also holds. That is, if a function z = f (x, y) satisfies (5.1.1), on a certain
domain, then it must be homogeneous on that domain.
5.2. Example. Find dz
dt
when z = sin−1 (x − y), x = 3t, y = 4t3 . Also verify by the direct
substitution.
Solution.
dz ∂z dx ∂z dy
= +
dt ∂x dt ∂y dt
1 1
=√ ·3− √ · 12t2
1 − (x − y) 2 1 − (x − y)2

3(1 − 4t2 )
=√
1 − (x − y)2
3(1 − 4t2 )
=√
1 − (3t − 4t3 )2
3(1 − 4t2 )
=√
(1 − 3t + 4t3 )(1 + 3t − 4t3 )
3(1 − 4t2 ) 3
=√ =√ .
(1 − t2 )(1 − 4t2 )2 1 − t2
On the other hand, verifying directly by putting the values of x and y in z, we have
z = sin−1 (3t − 4t3 )
dz (3 − 12t2 ) 3(1 − 4t2 ) 3
⇒ =√ =√ =√ .
dt 1 − (3t − 4t3 )2 1 − (3t − 4t3 )2 1 − t2

5.3. Example. If z = f (x, y), x = r cos θ, y = r sin θ, then prove that
[ ]2 [ ]2 [ ]2 [ ]2
∂z ∂z ∂z 1 ∂z
+ = + 2 .
∂x ∂y ∂r r ∂θ
Solution. Here x, y are functions of r, θ. Hence z is a composite function of r, θ. Thus,
∂z ∂z ∂x ∂z ∂y ∂z ∂z
= + = cos θ + sin θ
∂r ∂x ∂r ∂y ∂r ∂x ∂y
[ ]2 [ ]2 [ ]2
∂z ∂z ∂z ∂z ∂z
⇒ = cos θ2
+ 2 sin θ cos θ 2
+ sin θ . (5.3.1)
∂r ∂x ∂x ∂y ∂y
5. Change of variables 9

Also,
∂z ∂z ∂x ∂z ∂y ∂z ∂z
= + = −r sin θ + r cos θ
∂θ ∂x ∂θ ∂y ∂θ ∂x ∂y
[ ]2 [ ]2 [ ]2
∂z ∂z ∂z ∂z ∂z
⇒ 2
= r sin θ2
− 2r sin θ cos θ
2 2
+ r cos θ2
∂θ ∂x ∂x ∂y ∂y
[ ]2 [ ]2 [ ]2
1 ∂z ∂z ∂z ∂z ∂z
⇒ 2 = sin2 θ − 2 sin θ cos θ + cos2 θ . (5.3.2)
r ∂θ ∂x ∂x ∂y ∂y
Adding (5.3.1) and (5.3.2) we get,
[ ]2 [ ]2 [ ]2 [ ]2
∂z 1 ∂z ∂z ∂z
+ 2 = + .
∂r r ∂θ ∂x ∂y

5.4. Example. If H = f (2x − 3y, 3y − 4z, 4z − 2x), then prove that
1 ∂H 1 ∂H 1 ∂H
+ + = 0.
2 ∂x 3 ∂y 4 ∂z
Solution. Let u = 2x − 3y, v = 3y − 4z, w = 4z − 2x. Then H = f (u, v, w). Hence H
is a composite function of x, y, z. Therefore,
∂H ∂H ∂u ∂H ∂v ∂H ∂w ∂H ∂H ∂H ∂H ∂H
= + + =2 +0 −2 =2 −2 . (5.4.1)
∂x ∂u ∂x ∂v ∂x ∂w ∂x ∂u ∂v ∂w ∂u ∂w
Also,
∂H ∂H ∂u ∂H ∂v ∂H ∂w ∂H ∂H ∂H ∂H ∂H
= + + = −3 +3 +0 = −3 +3 . (5.4.2)
∂y ∂u ∂y ∂v ∂y ∂w ∂y ∂u ∂v ∂w ∂u ∂v
Finally,
∂H ∂H ∂u ∂H ∂v ∂H ∂w ∂H ∂H ∂H ∂H ∂H
= + + =0 −4 +4 = −4 +4 . (5.4.3)
∂z ∂u ∂z ∂v ∂z ∂w ∂z ∂u ∂v ∂w ∂v ∂w
Hence,
1 ∂H 1 ∂H 1 ∂H ∂H ∂H ∂H ∂H ∂H ∂H
+ + = − − + − + = 0.
2 ∂x 3 ∂y 4 ∂z ∂u ∂w ∂u ∂v ∂v ∂w

∂f
5.5. Example. If z = f (x, y) and u = ex cos y, v = ex sin y. Then prove that ∂x
=
u ∂f
∂u
+ v ∂f
∂v
.
Solution. u = ex cos y, v = ex sin y. Hence,
√ 1
u2 + v 2 = e2x ⇒ ex = u2 + v 2 ⇒ x = log (u2 + v 2 ).
2
Also,
v
= tan y ⇒ y = tan−1 ( uv ).
u
Thus x, y are functions of u, v, and so, z is a composite function of u, v. Now,
[ ] [ ]
∂f ∂f ∂x ∂f ∂y ∂f u ∂f −v
= + = +
∂u ∂x ∂u ∂y ∂u ∂x u2 + v 2 ∂y u2 + v 2
10

[ ] [ ]
∂f u2 ∂f uv ∂f
⇒u = 2 − . (5.5.1)
∂u u + v 2 ∂x u2 + v 2 ∂y
Similarly, [ ] [ ]
∂f v2 ∂f uv ∂f
v = 2 2
+ 2 2
. (5.5.2)
∂v u + v ∂x u + v ∂y
Adding (5.5.1) and (5.5.2) we get, u ∂f
∂u
+ v ∂f
∂v
= ∂f
∂x
. 

6. Differentiation of implicit functions

Many a times we are given an expression f (x, y) = c, where c ∈ R is a constant.
Note here that, x and y are associated by a rule however we may not be able to write y
as a function of x. In this case, we say that y is a function of x, implicitly described by
dy
f (x, y) = c or y is an implicit function of x. We obtain the method of calculating dx and
2
d y
dx2
using the tools of partial derivatives.
6.1. Theorem. Let a function y of x be implicitly described by f (x, y) = c. Then prove
that
dy fx
(1) =− .
dx fy
2
dy fxx (fy )2 − 2fxy fx fy + fyy (fx )2
(2) =− .
dx2 (fy )3
Proof. We know that f is a function of x and y. Also, y is an implicit function of x. So,
f is a composite function of x. Hence, differentiating the equation f (x, y) = c with respect
to x, we get,
∂f
∂f dx ∂f dy ∂f ∂f dy dy fx
+ =0⇒ + =0⇒ = − ∂f
∂x
=− .
∂x dx ∂y dx ∂x ∂y dx dx ∂y
fy
This proves (1).
Now we prove (2).
( )
d2 y d dy
=
dx2 dx dx
( )
d −fx
=
dx fy
d
fy dx (fx ) − fx dx
d
(fy )
=− 2
(fy )
( ) ( )
fy ∂x ∂ ∂
(fx ) + ∂y dy
(fx ) dx − fx ∂x
∂
(fy ) + ∂
(f ) dy
∂y y dx
=−
(fy )2
( ( )) ( ( ))
fy fxx + fxy − ffxy − fx fyx + fyy − ffxy
=−
(fy )2
fxx (fy )2 − fy fx fxy − fx fy fyx + fyy (fx )2
=−
(fy )3
6. Implicit functions 11

fxx (fy )2 − 2fx fy fxy + fyy (fx )2

=− .
(fy )3

dy
6.2. Example. Find dx
when

(1) x sin(x − y) − (x + y) = 0. (2) xy = y x .

Proof. (1) Let f (x, y) = x sin(x−y)−(x+y). Since f (x, y) = 0, by the previous theorem,
we have,
dy fx x cos(x − y) + sin(x − y) − 1
=− =−
dx fy x cos(x − y)(−1) − 1
x cos(x − y) + sin(x − y) − 1
= .
x cos(x − y) + 1

(2) Let f (x, y) = xy − y x . Since f (x, y) = 0, by the previous theorem, we have,

dy fx yxy−1 − y x log y y x log y − yxy−1
=− =− y = .
dx fy x log x − xy x−1 xy log x − xy x−1

6.3. Example. If z = xyf ( xy ) and z is constant, then show that
f ′ ( xy ) dy
x[y + x dx ]
y = .
f(x) y[y − x dx ]
dy

Solution. Let F (x, y) = xyf ( xy ). Then F (x, y) = z, z is constant. Thus y is an implicit

function of x. So,
∂F ∂F dy
+ = 0. (6.3.1)
∂x ∂y dx
Now differentiating F (x, y) with respect to x, we get,
∂F ( y) y2 ′ y y[ ]
′ y
= yf ( x ) + xyf ( x ) − 2 = yf ( x ) − f ( x ) =
y y
xf ( xy ) − yf ′ ( xy ) .
∂x x x x
Similarly,
∂F
= xf ( xy ) + xyf ′ ( xy )( x1 ) = xf ( xy ) + yf ′ ( xy ).
∂y
Putting these values in (6.3.1), we have,
y[ ] dy
xf ( xy ) − yf ′ ( xy ) + xf ( xy ) + yf ′ ( xy ) =0
x[ ] [ ] dx
dy y dy ′ y
⇒ y+x y
f(x) = y−x f (x)
dx x dx
[ ]
f ′ ( xy ) x y + x dx dy
⇒ y = .
f(x) y y − x dx dy


12

6.4. Example. If A, B and C are angles of a ∆ABC such that

sin2 A + sin2 B + sin2 C = K, a constant, then prove that dB
dC
tan C−tan A
= tan A−tan B
.
Solution. Clearly, A + B + C = π. So, A = π − (B + C). Therefore, sin A = sin(B + C).
Let f (B, C) = sin2 (B + C) + sin2 B + sin2 C − K. Hence f (B, C) = 0, i.e., B is an implicit
function of C. So, dB
dC
= − ffBC . Also,
∂f
fB =
∂B
= 2 sin(B + C) cos(B + C) + 2 sin B cos B
= sin 2(B + C) + sin 2B
= sin(2π − 2A) + sin 2B
= − sin 2A + sin 2B
= 2 cos(B + A) sin(B − A)
= 2 cos(π − C) sin(B − A)
= −2 cos C sin(B − A)
= 2 cos C sin(A − B).
Similarly, we get,
fC = 2 cos B sin(A − C).
Hence,
dB cos B sin(A − C)
=−
dC cos C sin(A − B)
cos B(sin A cos C − cos A sin C)
=−
cos C(sin A cos B − cos A sin B))
sin A cos B cos C − cos A cos B sin C
=− .
sin A cos B cos C − cos A sin B cos C
Dividing by cos A cos B cos C, we get,
dB
dC
= − tan
tan A−tan C
A−tan B
tan C−tan A
= tan A−tan B
.


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