Math Emati CS: Partial Derivatives Report
Math Emati CS: Partial Derivatives Report
Second stage CS
Partial Derivatives Report
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For a function of a single variable, y = f(x), changing the independent variable x leads to a
corresponding change in the dependent variable y. The rate of change of y with respect to x is
df
given by the derivative, written .A similar situation occurs with functions of more than one
dx
variable. For clarity we shall concentrate on functions of just two variables. In the relation z =
f(x, y) the independent variables are x and y and the dependent variable z. We have seen in
Section 18.1 that as x and y vary the z-value traces out a surface. Now both of the variables x and
y may change simultaneously inducing a change in z. However, rather than consider this general
situation, to begin with we shall hold one of the independent variables fixed. This is equivalent to
moving along a curve obtained by intersecting the surface by one of the coordinate planes.
Consider f(x, y) = x 3 + 2x 2 y + y 2 + 2x + 1.
Suppose we keep y constant and vary x; then what is the rate of change of the function f?
f(x, 3) = x 3 + 6x 2 + 9 + 2x + 1 = x 3 + 6x 2 + 2x + 10
In effect, we now have a function of x only. If we differentiate it with respect to x we obtain the
expression:
3x 2 + 12x + 2.
We say that f has been partially differentiated with respect to x. We denote the partial derivative
∂f
of f with respect to x by (to be read as ‘partial dee f by dee x’ ). In this example, when y = 3:
∂x
∂f
= 3x2 + 16x +2.
∂x
In the same way if y is held at the value 4 then f(x, 4) = x 3 +8x 2 +16+2x+1 = x 3 +8x 2 +2x+17
and so, for this value of y
∂f
= 3x2 + 16x +2.
∂x
f(x, y) = x3 + 2x2y+ y 2 + 2x + 1
and treat y as a constant then the process of partial differentiation with respect to x gives
∂f
= 3x2 + 4xy + 0 +2 + 0 = 3x2 + 4xy +2.
∂x
For a function of two variables z = f(x, y) the partial derivative of f with respect to x is denoted
∂f
by and is obtained by differentiating f(x, y) with respect to x in the usual way but treating the
∂x
y-variable as if it were a constant.
∂f ∂z
Alternative notations for are fx(x, y) or fx or .
∂x ∂x
Example.
∂f
Find for (1) f(x, y) = x 3 + x + y 2 + y , (2) f(x, y) = x 2 y + xy3 .
∂x
∂f ∂f
(1) = 3x 2 + 1 + 0 + 0 = 3x 2 + 1 , (2) = 2x × y + 1 × y 3 = 2xy + y 3
∂x ∂x
……………………………………………………………………………
.
For a function of two variables z = f(x, y) the partial derivative of f with respect to y is denoted
∂f
by and is obtained by differentiating f(x, y) with respect to y in the usual way but treating the
∂y
x-variable as if it were a constant.
∂f ∂z
Alternative notations for are fy(x, y) or fy or .
∂y ∂y
Example.
∂f
Find for (1) f(x, y) = x 3 + x + y 2 + y , (2) f(x, y) = x 2 y + xy3
∂y
∂f ∂f
(1) = 0 + 0 + 2y + 1 = 2y + 1 , (2) = x 2 × 1 + x × 3y 2 = x 2 +
∂y ∂y
3xy2
For a function of several variables z = f(x, y, u, v, w, . . .) the partial derivative of f with respect
∂f
to v (say) is denoted by and is obtained by differentiating f(x, y, u, v, w, . . .) with respect to v
∂y
in the usual way but treating all the other variables as if they were constants.
∂f ∂z
Alternative notations for when z = f(x, y, u, v, w, ... ) are fv(x, y, u, v, w,.. .) and fv and .
∂v ∂v
Example.
∂f ∂f
Find and for f(x, y, u, v) = x 2 + xy2 + y 2u 3 − 7uv4
∂x ∂u
∂f ∂f
= 2x + y 2 + 0 + 0 = 2x + y 2 ; = 0 + 0 + y 2 × 3u 2 − 7v 4 = 3y 2u 2 − 7v 4 .
∂x ∂u
∂2f
is denoted by (or fxx(x, y)) and is defined by
∂x 2
∂2f ∂ ∂f
2 = ( )
∂x ∂x ∂x
∂2f
For functions of two or more variables as well as other second-order partial derivatives can
∂ x2
∂2f
be obtained. Most obvious is the second derivative of f(x, y) with respect to y is denoted by
∂ y2
(or fyy(x, y)) which is defined as:
∂2f ∂ ∂f
2 = ( )
∂y ∂x ∂ y
Example.
∂2f ∂2f
Find and for f(x, y) = x 3 + x 2 y 2 + 2y 3 + 2x + y
∂ x2 ∂ y2
∂f
= 3x 2 + 2xy2 + 0 + 2 + 0 = 3x 2 + 2xy2 + 2
∂x
∂2f ∂ ∂f
2 = ( ) = 6x + 2y 2 +0 = 6x + 2y 2.
∂x ∂x ∂x
∂f
= 0 + x 2 × 2y + 6y 2 + 0 + 1 = 2x 2 y + 6y 2 + 1
∂y
∂2f ∂ ∂f
2 = ( ) = 2x 2 +12y
∂y ∂ y ∂ y
Example.
It is possible to carry out a partial differentiation of f(x, y) with respect to x followed by a partial
differentiation with respect to y (or vice-versa). The results are examples of mixed derivatives.
We must be careful with the notation here.
∂2f
We use to mean “differentiate first with respect to y and then with respect to x”and we
∂x ∂ y
use
∂2f
to mean differentiate first with respect to x and then with respect to y:
∂ y∂ x
∂2f ∂ ∂f ∂2f ∂ ∂f
i.e = ( ) and = ( ).
∂x ∂ y ∂x ∂ y ∂x ∂ y ∂ y ∂x
Example.
∂2f
For f(x, y) = x 3 + 2x 2 y 2 + y 3 find.
∂ y∂ x
∂f 2 2 ∂2f
= 4x y +3y , = 8xy
∂y ∂ y∂ x
END