Module-2

Partial Derivatives

A partial derivative of a function of several variables is the ordinary derivative with respect
to one of the variables when all the remaining variables are held constant. The process of
finding the partial derivative of a given function is called partial differentiation. Let u be a
function of two independent variable x and y then partial derivative of u with respect to x is

∂u lim f (x + δx, y) − f (x, y)

= ux = δx → 0
∂x δx

and partial derivative of u with respect to y is

∂u lim f (x, y + δy) − f (x, y)

= uy = δy → 0
∂y δy

Notes:
∂2u ∂2u ∂2u
1. p = ∂u
∂x
,q = ∂u
∂y
,r = ∂x2
,s = ∂x∂y
,t = ∂y 2
.
∂2u ∂2u
2. ∂x∂y = ∂y∂x

Homogenous Function
A function u = f (x, y) is said to
 be a homogenous function of degree ’n’ if it can be ex-
y x
n

n
pressed in the form x ϕ x or y ϕ y , ϕ being any arbitrary function.

A function u = f (x, y, z) is said tobe ahomogenous function of degree ’n’ if it can be

expressed in the form xn ϕ xy , xz or y n ϕ xy , yz or z n ϕ xz , yz .

Example:1

u = 4x + 6y
h yi
=x 4+6
y x
= xϕ is a homogenous function of degree 1.
x

1
Example:2

u = x2 y + xy 2
  y 2 
3 y
=x +
x x
y
= x3 ϕ is a homogenous function of degree 3.
x

Euler’s Theorem on Homogenous Function

If function u = f (x, y) is said to be a homogenous function of degree ’n’ then

∂u ∂u
x +y = nu.
∂x ∂y

Euler’s Extension Theorem

If function u = f (x, y) is said to be a homogenous function of degree ’n’ then

∂ 2u ∂ 2u 2
2∂ u
x2 + 2xy + y = n (n − 1) u.
∂x2 ∂x∂y ∂y 2

x 3 3
1. If u = √ +y prove that x ∂u + y ∂u = 52 u
x+y ∂x ∂y

Solution
Given

x3 + y 3
u= √
x+y
h i
3 y3
x 1 + x3
=q 
x 1 + xy

h 3
i
x3 1 + xy 3
= √ q
x 1 + xy

h
i
y 3
1
1 + x
= x3 x 2 q
1 + xy


5
y
= x2 ϕ
x
5
Therefore u is a homogenous function of degree n = 2
By Euler’s theorem

∂u ∂u
x +y = nu
∂x ∂y
∂u ∂u 5 5
x +y = u Here n =
∂x ∂y 2 2

2
 3 3
2. If z = tan−1 xx+y
+y ∂z
prove that x ∂x ∂z
+ y ∂y = sin2z

Solution
Given

x3 + y 3
z = tan−1
x+y
3 3
x +y
tanz =
x+y
h 3
i
x3 1 + xy 3
=
x 1 + xy
 
h
3 i
1 + xy
= x2 
1 + xy

y
= x2 ϕ
x

Therefore tanz is a homogenous function of degree n = 2

By Euler’s theorem

∂u ∂u
x +y = nu
∂x ∂y
∂ (tanz) ∂ (tanz)
x +y = 2 (tanz) Here n = 2
∂x ∂y
∂z ∂z sinz sinz
xsec2 z + ysec2 z =2 where tanz =
∂x ∂y cosz cosz
Dividing sec2 z on both sides, we get
∂z ∂z sinz 1
x +y =2
∂x ∂y cosz sec2 z
∂z ∂z sinz 1
x +y =2 cos2 z where = cos2 z
∂x ∂y cosz sec2 z
∂z ∂z
x +y = 2 sinz cosz
∂x ∂y
∂z ∂z
x +y = sin2z where sin2θ = 2sinθcosθ
∂x ∂y

x3 +y 3
3. Show that x ∂u
∂x
+ y ∂u
∂y
= 2ulogu where logu = 3x+4y

Solution

3
 Given

x3 + y 3
logu =
3x + 4y
h 3
i
x3 1 + xy 3
= 
x 3 + 4y

x
h
i
y 3
1+ x
= x2 
1 + 4 xy


y
2
=x ϕ
x

Therefore logu is a homogenous function of degree n = 2

By Euler’s theorem

∂u ∂u
x +y = nu
∂x ∂y
∂ (logu) ∂ (logu)
x +y = 2 (logu) Here n = 2
∂x ∂y
     
1 ∂u 1 ∂u ∂ (logu) 1 ∂u
x +y = 2logu where =
u ∂x u ∂y ∂x u ∂x
Multiplying u on both sides, we get
∂u ∂u
x +y = 2ulogu
∂x ∂y

Practice Problems
x+y
1. Show that x ∂u∂x
+ y ∂u
∂y
= 12 tanu where u = sin−1 √x+√ .
y
2 2
2. If u = ex +y , show that x ∂u ∂x
+ y ∂u
∂y
= 2ulogu.

Total Derivatives
If u = f (x, y), where x = ϕ (t) and y = ψ (t), then we can express u as a function of t alone
by substituting the values of x and y in f (x, y). Thus we can find the ordinary derivative du dt
∂u ∂u
which is called as total derivative of u to distinguish it from the partial derivatives ∂x and ∂y .
Now to find dudt
without actually substituting the values of x and y in f (x, y), we establish
the following Chain rule:

du ∂u dx ∂u dy
= . + . (1)
dt ∂x dt ∂y dt

Corollary:
Taking t = x in equation (1) becomes

du ∂u ∂u dy
= + .
dx ∂x ∂y dx

4
  
x du
1. Given u = sin y
, x = et , y = t2 , find dt
as a function of t.

Solution  
Given u = sin xy
Differentiating above equation with respect to x and y, we get
 
∂u 1 x
= cos
∂x y y
 
∂u x x
= − 2 cos
∂y y y

Also given x = et , y = t2
Differentiating above equation with respect to t we get

∂x
= et
∂t
∂y
= 2t
∂t

du ∂u dx ∂u dy
w.k.t = . + .
dt ∂x dt ∂y dt
   
du 1 x t x x
∴ = cos e − 2 cos 2t
dt y y y y
   
1 x t x x
= cos e − 2t 2 cos
y y y y
 t t
 t
1 e t e e
= 2 cos 2 e − 2t 2 cos
t t 2
(t ) t2
   t
t−2 e
= et 3
cos 2
t t

Differentiation of implicit function

If f (x, y) = c be an implicit relation between x and y which defines as a differentiable
function of x, then
∂f
dy ∂x ∂f
= − ∂f , when ̸= 0
dx ∂y
∂y

du
1. If u = x logxy where x3 + y 3 + 3xy = 1 find dx

Solution
Let f (x, y) = x3 + y 3 + 3xy

5
Differentiating the above equation partially with respect to x and y, we get

∂f
= 3x2 + 0 + 3y(1)
∂x
= 3x2 + 3y
∂f
= 0 + 3y 2 + 3x(1)
∂y
= 3y 2 + 3x

∂f
dy ∂x
w.k.t = − ∂f
dx ∂y
dy 3x2 + 3y
=− 2
dx 3y + 3x
3 (x2 + y)
=−
3 (y 2 + x)
dy (x2 + y)
=− 2
dx (y + x)

Also given u = x logxy.

Differentiating the above equation partially with respect to x and y, we get
 
∂u 1
=x (y) + logxy
∂x xy
= 1 + logxy
 
∂u 1
=x (x)
∂y xy
x
=
y

du ∂u ∂u dy
Also w.k.t = + .
dx ∂x ∂y dx
(x2 + y)
  
du x
= (1 + logxy) + − 2
dx y (y + x)
2
x (x + y)
= 1 + logxy −
y (y 2 + x)

Practice Problems
d2 y 2 r−2pqs+p2 t
1. If f (x, y) = 0, show that dy 2
= −q q3
.

6
 Change of Variables
If u = f (x, y), where x = ϕ (s, t) and y = ψ (s, t), it is often necessary to change expressions
involving u,x,y, ∂u , ∂u etc. to expressions involving u,s,t, ∂u
∂x ∂y
, ∂u etc. The necessary formula
∂s ∂t
for change of variables are

∂u ∂u ∂x ∂u ∂y
= . + .
∂s ∂x ∂s ∂y ∂s
∂u ∂u ∂x ∂u ∂y
= . + .
∂t ∂x ∂t ∂y ∂t
 
x y z
1. If u = f , ,
y z x
then prove that xux + yuy + zuz = 0.

Solution
Given
 
x y z
u=f , ,
y z x
x y z
u = f (p, q, r) where p = ,q= ,r=
y z x
∂u ∂u ∂p ∂u ∂q ∂u ∂r
ux = = . + . + .
∂x ∂p ∂x ∂q ∂x ∂r ∂x
 
∂u ∂ x ∂u ∂  y  ∂u ∂  z 
= . + . + .
∂p ∂x y ∂q ∂x z ∂r ∂x x
 
∂u 1 ∂u ∂u  z 
= + (0) + − 2
∂p y ∂q ∂r x
 
1 ∂u  z ∂u

ux = + − 2
y ∂p x ∂r
 
x ∂u  z ∂u

∴ xux = −
y ∂p x ∂r

∂u ∂u ∂p ∂u ∂q ∂u ∂r
uy = = . + . + .
∂y ∂p ∂y ∂q ∂y ∂r ∂y
 
∂u ∂ x ∂u ∂  y  ∂u ∂  z 
= . + . + .
∂p ∂y y ∂q ∂y z ∂r ∂y x
   
∂u x ∂u 1 ∂u
= − 2 + + (0)
∂p y ∂q z ∂r
   
1 ∂u x ∂u
uy = −
z ∂q y 2 ∂p
 y  ∂u  x  ∂u
∴ yuy = −
z ∂q y ∂p

7
 ∂u ∂u ∂p ∂u ∂q ∂u ∂r
uz = = . + . + .
∂z ∂p ∂z ∂q ∂z ∂r ∂z
 
∂u ∂ x ∂u ∂  y  ∂u ∂  z 
= . + . + .
∂p ∂z y ∂q ∂z z ∂r ∂z x
 
∂u ∂u  y  ∂u 1
= (0) + − 2 +
∂p ∂q z ∂r x
 
1 ∂u  y ∂u

uz = − 2
x ∂r z ∂q
 z  ∂u  y  ∂u
∴ zuz = −
x ∂r z ∂q

 y  ∂u    
x ∂u  y  ∂u x ∂u  z  ∂u  y  ∂u
∴ xux + yuy + zuz = − + − + −
z ∂q y ∂p z ∂q y ∂p x ∂r z ∂q
=0

2. If u = f (x − y, y − z, z − x) show that ux + uy + uz = 0.

Solution
Given

u = f (x − y, y − z, z − x)
u = f (p, q, r) where p = x − y, q = y − z, r = z − x
∂u ∂u ∂p ∂u ∂q ∂u ∂r
ux = = . + . + .
∂x ∂p ∂x ∂q ∂x ∂r ∂x
∂u ∂ ∂u ∂ ∂u ∂
= . (x − y) + . (y − z) + . (z − x)
∂p ∂x ∂q ∂x ∂r ∂x
∂u ∂u ∂u
= (1 − 0) + (0) + (0 − 1)
∂p ∂q ∂r
∂u ∂u
ux = −
∂p ∂r

∂u ∂u ∂p ∂u ∂q ∂u ∂r
uy = = . + . + .
∂y ∂p ∂y ∂q ∂y ∂r ∂y
∂u ∂ ∂u ∂ ∂u ∂
= . (x − y) + . (y − z) + . (z − x)
∂p ∂y ∂q ∂y ∂r ∂y
∂u ∂u ∂u
= (0 − 1) + (1 − 0) + (0)
∂p ∂q ∂r
∂u ∂u
uy = −
∂q ∂p

8
 ∂u ∂u ∂p ∂u ∂q ∂u ∂r
uz = = . + . + .
∂z ∂p ∂z ∂q ∂z ∂r ∂z
∂u ∂ ∂u ∂ ∂u ∂
= . (x − y) + . (y − z) + . (z − x)
∂p ∂z ∂q ∂z ∂r ∂z
∂u ∂u ∂u
= (0) + (0 − 1) + (1 − 0)
∂p ∂q ∂r
∂u ∂u
uz = −
∂r ∂q

∂u ∂u ∂u ∂u ∂u ∂u
∴ ux + uy + uz = − + − + −
∂p ∂r ∂q ∂p ∂r ∂q
=0

Practice Problems  2
∂z ∂z ∂z ∂z 2 ∂z


1. If z = f (x, y) and x = eu cosv, y = eu sinv, prove that x ∂v +y ∂u = e2u ∂y and ∂x
+ ∂y
=
h
i
∂z 2 ∂z 2
e−2u ∂u


+ ∂v .
2. If u = f (2x − 3y, 3y − 4z, 4z − 2x), prove that 21 ∂u∂x
+ 13 ∂u
∂y
+ 1 ∂u
4 ∂z
= 0.
 
y−x z−x
3.If u = u xy , xz , show that x2 ∂u ∂x
+ y 2 ∂u
∂y
+ z 2 ∂u
∂z
= 0.

Jacobians
∂u ∂u
∂x ∂y
If u and v are functions of two independent variables x and y, then the determinant ∂v ∂v
  ∂x ∂y

is called the Jacobian of u, v with respect to x, y and is written as ∂(u,v)

∂(x,y)
or J u,v
x,y
.

∂u ∂u ∂u
∂x ∂y ∂z
∂(u,v,w) ∂v ∂v ∂v
Similarly the Jacobian of u, v and w with respect to x, y and z is ∂(x,y,z)
= ∂x ∂y ∂z
.
∂w ∂w ∂w
∂x ∂y ∂z
Properties of Jacobians
′ ′
1. If J = ∂(u,v)
∂(x,y)
∂(x,y)
and J = ∂(u,v) then JJ = 1.
∂(u,v) ∂(u,v) ∂(r,s)
2. If u, v are functions of r, s and r, s are functions of x, y then ∂(x,y)
= .
∂(r,s) ∂(x,y)

Problems
x2 x3 x1 x3 x1 x2
1. If y1 = x1
, y2 = x2
, y3 = x3
, show that the Jacobian of y1 ,y2 ,y3 with respect to x1 ,x2 ,x3
is 4.
Solution
x2 x3 x1 x3 x1 x2
Given y1 = x1
, y2 = x2
, y3 = x3

9
Differentiating the above equations partially with respect to x1 ,x2 and x3 , we get

∂y1 x2 x3 ∂y2 x3 ∂y3 x2

=− 2 , = , =
∂x1 x1 ∂x1 x2 ∂x1 x3
∂y1 x3 ∂y2 x1 x3 ∂y3 x1
= , =− 2 , =
∂x2 x1 ∂x2 x2 ∂x2 x3
∂y1 x2 ∂y2 x1 ∂y3 x1 x2
= , = , =− 2
∂x3 x1 ∂x3 x2 ∂x3 x3

∂y1 ∂y1 ∂y1

∂x1 ∂x2 ∂x3
∂ (y1 , y2 , y3 ) ∂y2 ∂y2 ∂y2
w.k.t = ∂x1 ∂x2 ∂x3
∂ (x1 , x2 , x3 ) ∂y3 ∂y3 ∂y3
∂x1 ∂x2 ∂x3

− xx2 x2 3 x3
x1
x2
x1
1
∂ (y1 , y2 , y3 ) x3
∴ = x2
− xx1 x2 3 x1
x2
∂ (x1 , x2 , x3 ) 2
x2 x1
x3 x3
− xx1 x2 2
3
      
x2 x3 x1 x3 x1 x2 x1 x1
=− 2 − 2 − 2 −
x1 x2 x3 x2 x3
     
x3 x1 x2 x3 x1 x2
− − 2 −
x1 x3 x2 x2 x
       3 
x2 x3 x1 x1 x3 x2
+ − − 2
x1 x2 x3 x2 x3
 2 2
   
x2 x3 x1 x2 x3 x1 x3 x1 x2 x3 x1
=− 2 2 2
− − − 2
−
x1 x2 x3 x 2 x3 x1 x 2 x3 x3
 
x2 x1 x 1 x2 x3
+ + 2
x1 x2 x2 x3
= −1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1
=4

∂(u,v)
2. If u = x2 − y 2 , v = 2xy and x = r cos θ, y = r sin θ, find ∂(r,θ)
.
Solution
Given u = x2 − y 2 and v = 2xy

10
Differentiating the above equation partially with respect to x and y, we get

∂u ∂v
= 2x − 0 = 2x, = 2y,
∂x ∂x
∂u ∂v
= 0 − 2y = −2y, = 2x,
∂y ∂y
∂u ∂u
∂ (u, v) ∂x ∂y
w.k.t = ∂v ∂v
∂ (x, y) ∂x ∂y

∂ (u, v) 2x −2y
∴ =
∂ (x, y) 2y 2x
= 4x2 − −4y 2

= 4 x2 + y 2

Also given x = r cos θ and y = r sin θ Differentiating the above equation partially with respect
to r and θ, we get

∂x ∂y
= cos θ, = sin θ,
∂r ∂r
∂x ∂y
= −r sin θ, = r cos θ,
∂θ ∂θ

∂x ∂x
∂ (x, y) ∂r ∂θ
w.k.t = ∂y ∂y
∂ (r, θ) ∂r ∂θ

∂ (x, y) cos θ −r sin θ

∴ =
∂ (r, θ) sin θ r cos θ
= r cos2 θ − −r sin2 θ

= r cos2 θ + sin2 θ

= r (1)
=r

∂ (u, v) ∂ (u, v) ∂ (x)

w.k.t = .
∂ (r, θ) ∂ (x, y) ∂ (r, θ)
∂ (u, v)
= 4 x2 + y 2 r


∴
∂ (r, θ)
Now,x2 + y 2 = r2 cos2 θ + r2 sin2 θ
= r2 cos2 θ + sin2

= r2 (1)
x2 + y 2 = r 2

11
 ∂ (u, v)
= 4 r2 r


∴
∂ (r, θ)
= 4r3

Practice Problems
1. If u = x + 3y 2 − z 3 , v = 4x2 yz, w = 2z 2 − xy, evaluate ∂(u,v,w)
∂(x,y,z)
at (1, −1, 0).
Ans: 20
∂(x,y,z)
2. In cylinderical coordinates, x = ρ cos ϕ, y = ρ sin ϕ, z = z, show that ∂(ρ,ϕ,z) = ρ.
Ans: ρ

Taylor’s Theorem For Functions Of Two Variables

The Taylor’s series expansion of f (x, y) in power of (x − a) and (y − b) is

f (x, y) = f (a, b) + [(x − a) fx (a, b) + (y − b) fy (a, b)]

1 
(x − a)2 fxx (a, b) + 2 (x − a) (y − b) fxy (a, b) + (y − b)2 fyy (a, b)

+
2!
1 
+ (x − a)3 fxxx (a, b) + 3 (x − a)2 (y − b) fxxy (a, b) + 3 (x − a) (y − b)2 fxyy (a, b)
3!
+ (y − b)3 fyyy (a, b) ] + ...

12
 Problems
1. Expand ex log (1 + y) in power of x and y upto terms of second degree.
Solution
Let f (x, y) = ex log (1 + y)
Here a = 0 and b = 0.

∴ f (0, 0) = e0 log (1 + 0)
= 1 ∗ log1
=0 [∵ log1 = 0]
f x (x, y) = ex log (1 + y)
∴ fx (0, 0) = e0 log (1 + 0)
= 1 ∗ log1
=0 [∵ log1 = 0]
f xx (x, y) = ex log (1 + y)
∴ fxx (0, 0) = e0 log (1 + 0)
= 1 ∗ log1
=0 [∵ log1 = 0]
 
1
f y (x, y) = ex
1+y
 
0 1
∴ f y (0, 0) = e
1+0
 0 
=1 ∵e =1
 
x 1
f yy (x, y) = e −
(1 + y)2
 
0 1
∴ f yy (0, 0) = e −
(1 + 0)2
 0 
= −1 ∵e =1
 
x 1
f xy (x, y) = e
1+y
 
0 1
∴ f y (0, 0) = e
1+0
 0 
=1 ∵e =1

The Taylor’s series expansion of f (x, y) in power of (x − a) and (y − b) upto second degree is

f (x, y) = f (a, b) + [(x − a) fx (a, b) + (y − b) fy (a, b)]

1 
(x − a)2 fxx (a, b) + 2 (x − a) (y − b) fxy (a, b) + (y − b)2 fyy (a, b) + ...

+
2!

13
 ∴ f (x, y) = f (0, 0) + [(x − 0) fx (0, 0) + (y − 0) fy (0, 0)]
1 
(x − 0)2 fxx (0, 0) + 2 (x − 0) (y − 0) fxy (0, 0) + (y − 0)2 fyy (0, 0) + ...

+
2!
1
= 0 + [(x) (0) + (y) (1)] + (x)2 (0) + 2 (x) (y) (1) + (y)2 (−1) + ...

2
1
= y + 2xy − (y)2 + ...

2
1
= y + xy − (y)2 + ...
2

2. Expand x2 y + 3y − 2 in power of x − 1 and y + 2 using Taylor’s theorem upto terms of second

degree.
Solution
Let f (x, y) = x2 y + 3y − 2
Here a = 1 and b = −2.

∴ f (1, −2) = (1)2 (−2) + 3 (−2) − 2 = −2 − 6 − 2 = −10

fx (x, y) = 2xy
∴ fx (1, −2) = 2 (1) (−2) = −4
fxx (x, y) = 2y
∴ fxx (1, −2) = 2 (−2) = −4
fy (x, y) = x2 + 3
∴ fy (1, −2) = (1)2 + 3 = 4
fyy (x, y) = 0
∴ fyy (1, −2) = 0
fxy (x, y) = 2x
∴ fxy (1, −2) = 2 (1) = −2

f (x, y) = f (a, b) + [(x − a) fx (a, b) + (y − b) fy (a, b)]

1 
(x − a)2 fxx (a, b) + 2 (x − a) (y − b) fxy (a, b) + (y − b)2 fyy (a, b) + ...

+
2!
∴ f (x, y) = f (1, −2) + [(x − 1) fx (1, −2) + (y + 2) fy (1, −2)]
1
+ (x − 1)2 fxx (1, −2) + 2 (x − 1) (y + 2) fxy (1, −2) + (y + 2)2 fyy (1, −2) + ...

2
= −10 + [(x − 1) (−4) + (y + 2) (4)]
1
+ (x − 1)2 (−4) + 2 (x − 1) (y + 2) (2) + (y + 2)2 (0) + ...

2
1
= −10 − 4 (x − 1) + 4 (y + 2) − 2 (x − 1)2 + 2 (x − 1) (y + 2) + (y + 2)2 + ...
2

14
3. If f (x, y) = tan−1 (xy), compute f (0.9, −1.2) approximately upto second degree.
Solution
Let f (x, y) = tan−1 (xy)
Here a = 0.9 and b = −1.2.

∴ f (0.9, −1.2) = tan−1 (0.9 ∗ −1.2) = −52.4473

 
1
fx (x, y) = y
1 + (xy)2
 
1
∴ fx (0.9, −1.2) = (−1.2) = −0.5539
1 + (0.9 ∗ −1.2)2
!
1
fxx (x, y) = −
2 (2xy (y)) y
1 + (xy)2
!
1
2xy 3


= − 2
2
1 + (xy)
!
1 3

∴ fxx (0.9, −1.2) = − 2 2 ∗ 0.9 ∗ (−1.2) = 0.6627
1 + (0.9 ∗ −1.2)2

 
1
fy (x, y) = x
1 + (xy)2
 
1
∴ fy (0.9, −1.2) = (0.9) = 0.4154
1 + (0.9 ∗ −1.2)2
!
1
fyy (x, y) = −
2 (2xy (x)) x
1 + (xy)2
!
1 3


= − 2 2x y
1 + (xy)2


!
1 3

∴ fyy (0.9, −1.2) = − 2 2 (0.9) (−1.2) = 0.3728
1 + (0.9 ∗ −1.2)2


!  
−1 1
fxy (x, y) =
2 (2xy (x)) y +
1 + (xy)2 1 + (xy)2
!  
1 2 2

1
=−
2 2x y +
1 + (xy)2 1 + (xy)2
!  
1 2 2
1
∴ fxy (0.9, −1.2) = −
2 2 (0.9) (−1.2) +
1 + (0.9 ∗ −1.2)2 1 + (0.9 ∗ −1.2)2
= −0.4971 + 0.2131
= −0.2840

15
 f (x, y) = f (a, b) + [(x − a) fx (a, b) + (y − b) fy (a, b)]
1 
(x − a)2 fxx (a, b) + 2 (x − a) (y − b) fxy (a, b) + (y − b)2 fyy (a, b) + ...

+
2!
∴ f (0.9, −1.2) = f (0.9, −1.2) + [(x − 0.9) fx (0.9, −1.2) + (y + 1.2) fy (0.9, −1.2)]
1
+ (x − 0.9)2 fxx (0.9, −1.2) + 2 (x − 0.9) (y + 1.2) fxy (0.9, −1.2)
2
+ (y + 1.2)2 fyy (0.9, −1.2) + ...


= −52.4473 + [(x − 0.9) (−0.5539) + (y + 1.2) (0.4154)]

1
+ (x − 0.9)2 (0.6627) + 2 (x − 0.9) (y + 1.2) (−0.2840)
2
+ (y + 1.2)2 (0.3728) + ...


= −52.4473 − −0.5539 (x − 0.9) + 0.4154 (y + 1.2)

+ 0.3313 (x − 0.9)2 − 0.2840 (x − 0.9) (y + 1.2) + 0.1864 (y + 1.2)2 + ...

Practice Problems
1. Expand the following functions as far as terms of third degree (i) sin x cos y, (ii) ex sin y at
(−1, π4 ), (iii) xy 2 + cos xy about (1, π2 ).
Ans:
i) x − 16h(x3 + 3xy 2 )
1
 π

 1 h 2 π


i
π 2
i
ii) 2 2 1 + (x + 1) + y − 4 + 2 (x + 1) − 2 (x + 1) y − 4 + y − 4
√ + ...

2. Expand f (x, y) = tan−1 xy in power of (x − 1) and (y − 1) upto third degree terms.

Hence compute f (1.1, 0.9) approximately.

Ans:
y π 1 1
−1
− [(x − 1) − (y − 1)] + (x − 1)2 − (y − 1)2

tan =
x 4 2 4
1 
(x − 1) + 3 (x − 1) (y − 1) − +3 (x − 1) (y − 1)2 − (y − 1)3 ,
3 2 
−
12
f (1.1, 0.9) = 0.6857.

Maxima and Minima For Functions Of Two Variables

A function f (x, y) is said to have a maximum value at a point(a, b) if there exists a neighbor-
hood of the point (a, b) say (a + h, b + k), h and k are small such that f (a, b) > f (a + h, b + k).
A function f (x, y) is said to have a minimum value at a point(a, b) if there exists a neighbor-
hood of the point (a, b) say (a + h, b + k), h and k are small such that f (a, b) < f (a + h, b + k).
Also f (a, b) is said to be an extreme value of f (x, y) if it is a maximum value or a minimum
value.
If f (a, b) is not an extreme value, then (a, b) is called saddle point.

Procedure for finding extreme value of f (x, y)

1. Find the stationary (x, y) such that fx = 0 and fy = 0.

16
 2. Find second order partial derivatives A = fxx ,B = fxy , C = fyy .

3. Compute AC − B 2 for the stationary point (x0 , y0 )

ˆ If AC − B 2 > 0 and A < 0, then f (x0 , y0 ) is a maximum value.

ˆ If AC − B 2 > 0 and A > 0, then f (x0 , y0 ) is a minimum value.
ˆ If AC − B 2 < 0 then f (x0 , y0 ) is a saddle point.
ˆ If AC − B 2 = 0 then no condition can be drawn.

Problems
1. Find the extreme values of the function f (x, y) = x3 + y 3 − 3x − 12y + 20.
Solution
Given f (x, y) = x3 + y 3 − 3x − 12y + 20

fx (x, y) = 3x2 + 0 − 3 − 0 + 0 = 3x2 − 3, fy (x, y) = 0 + 3y 2 − 0 − 12 + 0 = 3y 2 − 12

A = fxx (x, y) = 6x, B = fxy (x, y) = 0, C = fyy (x, y) = 6y

To find stationary point

fx (x, y) = 0 fy (x, y) = 0
3x2 − 3 = 0 3y 2 − 12 = 0
3 x2 − 1 = 0 3 y2 − 4 = 0

x2 − 1 = 0 y2 − 4 = 0
x2 = 1 y2 = 4
x = ±1 y = ±2
x = 1, −1 y = 2, −2

The stationary points are (1, 2), (1, −2), (−1, 2) and (−1, −2).

(1, 2) (1, −2) (−1, 2) (−1, −2)

A = 6x, 6>0 6>0 −6 < 0 −6 < 0
B=0 0 0 0 0
C = 6y 12 -12 12 12
AC − B 2 72 > 0 −72 < 0 −72 < 0 72 > 0
Conclusion Minimun point Saddle point Saddle point Maximum point

17
 Maximum value of f (x, y) at (−1, −2) is
f (−1, −2) = (−1)3 + (−2)3 − 3 (−1) − 12 (−2) + 20
= 38
Minimum value of f (x, y) at (1, 2) is
f (1, 2) = (1)3 + (2)3 − 3 (1) − 12 (2) + 20
=2

2. Find the maximum and minimum values of the function f (x, y) = x3 + 3xy 2 − 15x2 −
15y 2 + 72x.
Solution
Given f (x, y) = x3 + 3xy − 15x2 − 15y 2 + 72x

fx (x, y) = 3x2 + 3y 2 − 30x + 72, fy (x, y) = 6xy − 30y

A = fxx (x, y) = 6x − 30, B = fxy (x, y) = 6y, C = fyy (x, y) = 6x − 30

To find stationary point

fx (x, y) = 0 fy (x, y) = 0
3x2 + 3y 2 − 30x + 72 = 0 6xy − 30y = 0
3 x2 + y 2 − 10x + 24 = 0


6y (x − 5) = 0
x2 + y 2 − 10x + 24 = 0 y = 0, x−5=0
x2 + y 2 − 10x + 24 = 0 y = 0, x=5

Substitute y = 0 in x2 + y 2 − 10x + 24 = 0, we get

x2 + 0 − 10x + 24 = 0
x2 − 10x + 24 = 0
(x − 4) (x − 6) = 0
x = 4, x = 6
ie. (4, 0) and (6, 0) are stationary points.
Substitute x = 5 in x2 + y 2 − 10x + 24 = 0, we get
52 + y 2 − 10(5) + 24 = 0
y2 − 1 = 0
y2 = 1
y = ±1
ie. (5, 1) and (5, −1) are stationary points.

18
 (4, 0) (6, 0) (5, 1) (5, −1)
A = 6x − 30, −6 < 0 6>0 0 0
B = 6y 0 0 6 -6
C = 6x − 30 -6 6 0 0
2
AC − B 36 > 0 36 > 0 −36 < 0 −36 < 0
Conclusion Maximum point Minimun point Saddle point Saddle point

Maximum value of f (x, y) at (4, 0) is

f (4, 0) = (4)3 + 3(4)(0) − 15 ∗ (4)2 − 15(0) + 72(4)
= 112
Minimum value of f (x, y) at (6, 0) is
f (6, 0) = (6)3 + 3(6)(0) − 15 ∗ (6)2 − 15(0) + 72(6)
= 108

3. Examine the function x3 + y 3 − 3axy for maxima and minima.

Solution
Let f (x, y) = x3 + y 3 − 3axy

fx (x, y) = 3x2 − 3ay, fy (x, y) = 3y 2 − 3ax

A = fxx (x, y) = 6x, B = fxy (x, y) = −3a, C = fyy (x, y) = 6y

To find stationary point

fx (x, y) = 0 fy (x, y) = 0
3x2 − 3ay = 0 3y 2 − 3ax = 0
3 x2 − ay = 0 3 y 2 − ax = 0

x2 − ay = 0 y 2 − ax = 0 → (4)
x2
y=
a
x2
Substitute y = in (4), we get
a
 2 2
x
− ax = 0
a
x 4 − a3 x = 0
x x 4 − a3 = 0

x = 0, x4 = a3
x = 0, x = a

19
Substitute x = 0 in (4), we get y = 0
ie. (0, 0) is stationary point.
Substitute x = a in (4), we get y = a
ie. (a, a) is stationary point.

(0, 0) (a, a)
A = 6x, 0 6a
B = −3a -3a -3a
C = 6y 0 6a
2 2
AC − B −9a 27a2
Conclusion Saddle point

If a > 0 then A > 0 and AC − B 2 = 27a2 > 0

∴ Minimum value of f (x, y) at (a, a) is
f (a, a) = a3 + a3 − 3a(a)(a)
= −a3
If a < 0 then A < 0 and AC − B 2 = 27a2 > 0
∴ Maximum value of f (x, y) at (a, a) is
f (a, a) = a3 + a3 − 3a(a)(a)
= −a3

Practice Problems
1. Examine the function f (x, y) = 1 + sin(x2 + y 2 for extremum.
Ans:Minimum value of f (x, y) at (0, 0) is 1.
2. Examine the function sinx + siny + sin(x + y) for extreme values.
√
Ans:Maximum value of f (x, y) at π3 , π3 is 3 2 3 .

20