Partial Derivatives

Ref. Textbook: Calculus (10th ed.) by Anton, Bivens and Davis

❑ Basic Concepts of Derivatives and Partial Derivatives

Derivatives of 𝑓(𝑥) Partial Derivatives of 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦)

𝜕 𝑓 𝑥 + Δ𝑥, 𝑦 − 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦)
𝑑 𝑓 𝑥 + Δ𝑥 − 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = lim
𝑓 𝑥 = lim 𝜕𝑥 Δ𝑥→0 Δ𝑥
𝑑𝑥 Δ𝑥→0 Δ𝑥 ➢ Rate of change of 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) with respect to 𝑥
➢ Rate of change of 𝑓(𝑥) with respect to 𝑥.
but kept 𝑦 fixed.
➢ How the value of 𝑓(𝑥) changes if the ➢ How the value of 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) changes if 𝑦 is
values of 𝑥 is changing. held fixed and 𝑥 is allowed to vary.

𝜕 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 + Δ𝑦 − 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦)
𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = lim
𝜕𝑦 Δ𝑦→0 Δ𝑦
➢ Rate of change of 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) with respect to 𝑦
but kept 𝑥 fixed.
➢ How the value of 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) changes if 𝑥 is
held fixed and 𝑦 is allowed to vary.
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 Partial Derivatives
Ref. Textbook: Calculus (10th ed.) by Anton, Bivens and Davis
Definition. If 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) and (𝑥0 , 𝑦0 ) is a point in the domain of 𝑓, then the partial
derivative of 𝒇 (or 𝒛) with respect to 𝒙 at (𝑥0 , 𝑦0 ) is the derivative at 𝑥0 that results when
𝑦 = 𝑦0 is held fixed and 𝑥 is allowed to vary. This partial derivative is denoted by 𝑓𝑥 (𝑥0 , 𝑦0 )
and is given by,
𝜕 𝑓 𝑥0 + Δ𝑥, 𝑦0 − 𝑓(𝑥0 , 𝑦0 )
𝑓𝑥 𝑥0 , 𝑦0 = 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦0 ቤ = lim .
𝜕𝑥 𝑥=𝑥
Δ𝑥→0 Δ𝑥
0

The partial derivative of 𝒇 (or 𝒛) with respect to 𝒚 at (𝑥0 , 𝑦0 ) is the derivative at 𝑦0 that
results when 𝑥 = 𝑥0 is held fixed and 𝑦 is allowed to vary. This partial derivative is denoted
by 𝑓𝑦 (𝑥0 , 𝑦0 ) and is given by
𝜕 𝑓 𝑥0 , 𝑦0 + Δ𝑦 − 𝑓(𝑥0 , 𝑦0 )
𝑓𝑦 𝑥0 , 𝑦0 = 𝑓 𝑥0 , 𝑦 ቤ = lim
𝜕𝑦 𝑦=𝑦
Δ𝑦→0 Δ𝑦
0

❑ Partial Derivative Notation

𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑧
𝑓𝑥 = , 𝑧𝑥 = , 𝑓𝑦 = , 𝑧𝑦 =
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦

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 Partial Derivatives
Ref. Textbook: Calculus (10th ed.) by Anton, Bivens and Davis
Example. Find 𝑓𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦) and 𝑓𝑦 (𝑥, 𝑦) for 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 2𝑥 3 𝑦 2 + 2𝑦 + 4𝑥, and then compute
𝑓𝑥 (1, 3) and 𝑓𝑦 (1, 3).

Solution. Differentiating with respect to 𝑥 and kept 𝑦 fixed, we yield

𝜕 3 2
𝜕 3 2
𝜕 𝜕
𝑓𝑥 𝑥, 𝑦 = 2𝑥 𝑦 + 2𝑦 + 4𝑥 = 2𝑥 𝑦 + 2𝑦 + [4𝑥] = 6𝑥 2 𝑦 2 + 4
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥
Differentiating with respect to 𝑦 and kept 𝑥 fixed, we yield
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
𝑓𝑦 𝑥, 𝑦 = 2𝑥 3 𝑦 2 + 2𝑦 + 4𝑥 = 2𝑥 3 𝑦 2 + 2𝑦 + [4𝑥] = 4𝑥 3 𝑦 + 2
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦
Thus, 𝑓𝑥 1, 3 = 6 ⋅ 12 ⋅ 32 + 4 = 58 and 𝑓𝑦 1, 3 = 4 ⋅ 13 ⋅ 3 + 2 = 14.

Alternatively solution,
𝑑 𝑑
𝑓𝑥 1,3 = 𝑓 𝑥, 3 ቤ = 18𝑥 3 + 4𝑥 + 6 ቤ = [54𝑥 2 + 4]ቚ = 58
𝑑𝑥 𝑥=1
𝑑𝑥 𝑥=1
𝑥=1

𝑑 𝑑
𝑓𝑦 1,3 = 𝑓 1, 𝑦 ቤ = 2𝑦 2 + 2𝑦 + 4 ቤ = [4𝑦 + 2]ቚ = 14
𝑑𝑦 𝑦=3
𝑑𝑦 𝑦=3
𝑦=3

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 Partial Derivatives
Ref. Textbook: Calculus (10th ed.) by Anton, Bivens and Davis
𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧
Example. Find 𝜕𝑥 and 𝜕𝑦 if 𝑧 = 𝑥 4 sin(𝑥𝑦 3 ).
Solution.

Partial Derivatives as Rates of Change and Slopes

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 Partial Derivatives
Ref. Textbook: Calculus (10th ed.) by Anton, Bivens and Davis
Example. The wind chill temperature index is given by the formula,
𝑊 𝑇, 𝑣 = 35.74 + 0.6215𝑇 + 0.4275𝑇 − 35.75 𝑣 0.16 .
𝜕𝑊
Where, 𝑇 is in degrees Fahrenheit and 𝑣 is in miles per hour. Compute at the point
𝜕𝑣
(𝑇, 𝑣) = (25, 10) and interpret your result as a rate of change.

Solution. Holding 𝑇 fixed and differentiating with respect to 𝑣 yields,

𝜕
[𝑊 𝑇, 𝑣 ] = 0.4275𝑇 − 35.75 0.16 𝑣 0.16−1
𝜕𝑣

𝜕 −0.84
℉
𝑊 25,10 = 0.4275 × 25 − 35.75 0.16 10 ≈ −0.58
𝜕𝑣 mi/h
If the air temperature is constant at 25℉ and the wind speed changes by a small amount from
an initial speed of 10 mi/h, then the wind chill index decreases with respect to the air speed
at a rate about 0.58 ℉/(mi/h).

❖ Wind-chill or windchill (popularly wind chill factor) is the lowering of body

temperature due to the passing-flow of lower-temperature air.
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 Partial Derivatives
Ref. Textbook: Calculus (10th ed.) by Anton, Bivens and Davis
Example. Let, 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 𝑦 + 5𝑦 3
(a) Find the slope of the surface 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) in the 𝑥-direction at the point (1, −2).
(b) Find the slope of the surface 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) in the 𝑦-direction at the point (1, −2).
Solution (a). Differentiating 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) with respect to 𝑥 kept 𝑦 fixed, we yield
𝜕 2 𝜕 2 𝜕
𝑓𝑥 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑥 𝑦 + 5𝑦 3 = 𝑥 𝑦 + 5𝑦 3 = 2𝑥𝑦
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥
Thus, the slope in the x-direction is 𝑓𝑥 1, −2 = 2 1 −2 = −4.
Therefore, per unit increase in 𝑥 , 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) is decreasing at the rate of 4 units.

Solution (b). Differentiating 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) with respect to 𝑦 kept 𝑥 fixed, we yield

𝜕 2 𝜕 2 𝜕
𝑓𝑦 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑥 𝑦 + 5𝑦 3 = 𝑥 𝑦 + 5𝑦 3 = 𝑥 2 + 15𝑦 2
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦
Thus, the slope in the y-direction is 𝑓𝑦 1, −2 = 12 + 15 −2 2
= 61.
Therefore, per unit increase in 𝑦, 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) is increasing at the rate of 61 units.
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 Partial Derivatives
Ref. Textbook: Calculus (10th ed.) by Anton, Bivens and Davis
❑ Implicit Partial Differentiation
Example. Find the slope of the sphere 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 = 1 in the 𝑦-direction at the points
2 1 2 2 1 2 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧 = 1 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 = 1
, , and , , − .
3 3 3 3 3 3 𝑧 = 1 − 𝑥2 − 𝑦2 𝑧 = ±√(1 − 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 )
Solution. To perform the implicit differentiation, we consider 𝑧 = 𝑧(𝑥, 𝑦). Thus,
differentiating both sides of 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 = 1 with respect to 𝑦, taking 𝑥 to be fixed, we yield
𝜕 2 𝜕 𝜕 2 𝜕 2 𝜕 2
𝑥 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 = 1 ⇒ 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 =0
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧 𝑦
⇒ 2𝑦 + 2𝑧 =0⇒ =−
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝑧
2 1 2 2 1 2
Thus, the slope of the sphere in the y-direction at the points , , and , , − yields,
3 3 3 3 3 3

𝜕𝑧 2 1 2 1Τ3 1 𝜕𝑧 2 1 2 1Τ3 1
, , =− =− and , ,− =− =
𝜕𝑦 3 3 3 2Τ3 2 𝜕𝑦 3 3 3 −2Τ3 2

28-Feb-24 Lesson 03 : Partial Derivatives 7

 Partial Derivatives
Ref. Textbook: Calculus (10th ed.) by Anton, Bivens and Davis
❑ Implicit Partial Differentiation
Example. Find the slope of the sphere 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 = 1 in the 𝑦-direction at the points
2 1 2 2 1 2
, , and , , − .
3 3 3 3 3 3
2 1 2 2 1 2
Solution. The slope of the sphere in the y-direction at the points , ,
3 3 3
and ,
3 3
, − 3

yields,
𝜕𝑧 2 1 2 1Τ3 1
, , =− =−
𝜕𝑦 3 3 3 2Τ3 2

𝜕𝑧 2 1 2 1Τ3 1
and , ,− =− =
𝜕𝑦 3 3 3 −2Τ3 2

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 Partial Derivatives
Ref. Textbook: Calculus (10th ed.) by Anton, Bivens and Davis
❑ Partial Derivatives of Functions with More Variables
For a function 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) of three variables, there are three partial derivatives:
𝑓𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧), 𝑓𝑦 (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧), 𝑓𝑧 (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧)

Example.

Example.

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 Partial Derivatives
Ref. Textbook: Calculus (10th ed.) by Anton, Bivens and Davis
❑ Higher-order Partial Derivatives
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
For 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦), the partial derivatives 𝜕𝑥 and 𝜕𝑦 are also functions of 𝑥 and 𝑦, these functions
may themselves have partial derivatives. This gives rise to four possible second-order
partial derivatives of 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦), which are defined by

Mixed second-order partial

derivatives

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 Partial Derivatives
Ref. Textbook: Calculus (10th ed.) by Anton, Bivens and Davis
❑ Higher-order Partial Derivatives
Example. Find the second-order partial derivatives of 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑥 2 𝑦 3 + 𝑥 4 𝑦.

Solution.

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 Partial Derivatives
Ref. Textbook: Calculus (10th ed.) by Anton, Bivens and Davis
❑ Higher-order Partial Derivatives
Third-order, fourth-order, and higher-order partial derivatives can be obtained by successive
differentiation. Some possibilities are

Example. For 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑦 2 𝑒 𝑥 + 𝑦. Find 𝑓𝑥𝑦𝑦 .

Solution.

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 Partial Derivatives
Ref. Textbook: Calculus (10th ed.) by Anton, Bivens and Davis
❑ Higher-order Partial Derivatives
Example. Show that the function 𝑢(𝑥, 𝑡) = sin(𝑥 − 𝑐𝑡) is a solution of the wave equation,
𝜕2𝑢 2
𝜕 2
𝑢
= 𝑐
𝜕𝑡 2 𝜕𝑥 2
Solution.

Therefore,
𝜕2𝑢 2
𝜕2𝑢
=𝑐
𝜕𝑡 2 𝜕𝑥 2

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 Partial Derivatives
Ref. Textbook: Calculus (10th ed.) by Anton, Bivens and Davis
❑ Exercise Set 13.3 H.W.

1/(c)-(h), 2/(c)-(h), 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 33, 34, 38,

39, 41/(d)-(f), 42/(d)-(f), 43, 45, 49, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 62, 67, 69, 70, 86, 87,

89, 90, 101/(b), 102, 103, 104.

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