Math S21a: Multivariable calculus Oliver Knill, Summer 2011

fx (x, y) = (3x2 y − y 3)/(x2 + y 2) − 2x(x3 y − fy (x, y) = (x3 − 3xy 2 )/(x2 + y 2) − 2y(x3 y −

Lecture 9: Partial derivatives An equation for an unknown function f (x, y) which involves partial derivatives with
respect to at least two different variables is called a partial differential equation.
∂ If only the derivative with respect to one variable appears, it is called an ordinary
If f (x, y) is a function of two variables, then ∂x f (x, y) is defined as the derivative
differential equation.
of the function g(x) = f (x, y), where y is considered a constant. It is called partial
derivative of f with respect to x. The partial derivative with respect to y is defined Here are some examples of partial differential equations. You should know the first 4 well.
similarly.

∂
4 The wave equation ftt (t, x) = fxx (t, x) governs the motion of light or sound. The function
One also uses the short hand notation fx (x, y) = ∂x
f (x, y). For iterated derivatives, the notation
∂ ∂ f (t, x) = sin(x − t) + sin(x + t) satisfies the wave equation.
is similar: for example fxy = ∂x ∂y
f.

The notation for partial derivatives ∂x f, ∂y f were introduced by Carl Gustav Jacobi. Josef La- 5 The heat equation ft (t, x) = fxx (t, x) describes diffusion of heat or spread of an epi-
grange had used the term ”partial differences”. Partial derivatives fx and fy measure the rate 1 −x2 /(4t)
demic. The function f (t, x) = √
t
e satisfies the heat equation.
of change of the function in the x or y directions. For functions of more variables, the partial
derivatives are defined in a similar way.
6 The Laplace equation fxx + fyy = 0 determines the shape of a membrane. The function
f (x, y) = x3 − 3xy 2 is an example satisfying the Laplace equation.
1 For f (x, y) = x4 − 6x2 y 2 + y 4 , we have fx (x, y) = 4x3 − 12xy 2, fxx = 12x2 − 12y 2, fy (x, y) =
−12x2 y + 4y 3, fyy = −12x2 + 12y 2 and see that fxx + fyy = 0. A function which satisfies this 7 The advection equation ft = fx is used to model transport in a wire. The function
equation is also called harmonic. The equation fxx + fyy = 0 is an example of a partial −(x+t)2
f (t, x) = e satisfy the advection equation.
differential equation: it is an equation for an unknown function f (x, y) which involves
partial derivatives with respect to more than one variables.
8 The eiconal equation fx2 + fy2 = 1 is used to see the evolution of wave fronts in optics.
Clairot’s theorem If fxy and fyx are both continuous, then fxy = fyx . The function f (x, y) = cos(x) + sin(y) satisfies the eiconal equation.

Proof: we look at the equations without taking limits first. We extend the definition and say that 9 The Burgers equation ft + f fx = fxx describes waves at the beach which break. The
√ 1 −x2 /(4t)
a background Planck constant h is positive, then fx (x, y) = [f (x + h, y) − f (x, y)]/h. For h = 0 e
function f (t, x) = xt √t 1 −x2 /(4t) satisfies the Burgers equation.
we define fx as before. Compare the two sides for fixed h > 0: 1+ t
e

hfx (x, y) = f (x + h, y) − f (x, y) dyfy (x, y) = f (x, y + h) − f (x, y). 10 The KdV equation ft + 6f fx + fxxx = 0 models water waves in a narrow channel.
h2 fxy (x, y) = f (x + h, y + h) − f (x + h, y + h2 fyx (x, y) = f (x + h, y + h) − f (x + h, y) −
a2
h) − (f (x + h, y) − f (x, y)) (f (x, y + h) − f (x, y)) The function f (t, x) = 2
cosh−2 ( a2 (x 2
− a t)) satisfies the KdV equation.

We have not taken any limits in this proof but established an identity which holds for all h > 0, the 11 The Schrödinger equation ft = ih̄
f is used to describe a quantum particle of mass
2m xx
discrete derivatives fx , fy satisfy the relation fxy = fyx . We could fancy the identity obtained in
h̄
i(kx− 2m k 2 t)
the proof as a ”quantum Clairot” theorem. If the classical derivatives fxy , fyx are both continuous, m. The function f (t, x) = e solves the Schrödinger equation. [Here i2 = −1 is
we can take the limit h → 0 to get the classical Clairot’s theorem as a ”classical limit”. Note the imaginary i and h̄ is the Planck constant h̄ ∼ 10−34 Js.]
that the quantum Clairot theorem shown first in this proof holds for any functions f (x, y) of two
Here are the graphs of the solutions of the equations. Can you match them with the PDE’s?
variables. We do not even need the functions to be continuous.

2 Find fxxxxxyxxxxx for f (x) = sin(x) + x6 y 10 cos(y). Answer: Do not compute, but think.

3 The continuity assumption for fxy is necessary. The example

x3 y − xy 3
f (x, y) =
x2 + y 2
contradicts Clairaut’s theorem:
 3 Verify that f (x, t) = e−rt sin(x + ct) satisfies the driven transport equation ft (x, t) =
cfx (x, t) − rf (x, t) It is sometimes also called the advection equation.

4 The partial differential equation fxx +fyy = ftt is called the wave equation in two dimensions.
It describes waves in a pool for example. √
a) Show that if f (x, y, t) = sin(nx + my) sin( n2 + m2 t) satisfies the wave equation. It
describes waves in a square where x ∈ [0, π] and y ∈ [0, π]. The waves are zero at the
boundary of the pool.
b) Verify that if we have two such solutions with different n, m then also the sum is a
Notice that in all these examples, we have just given one possible solution to the partial differen- solution.
tial equation. There are in general many solutions and only additional conditions like initial or c) For which k is f (x, y, t) = sin(nx) cos(nt) + sin(mx) cos(mt) + sin(nx + my) cos(kt) a
boundary conditions determine the solution uniquely. If we know f (0, x) for the Burgers equation, solution of the wave equation? Verify that the wave is periodic in time f (x, y, t + 2π) =
then the solution f (t, x) is determined. A course on partial differential equations would show you f (x, y, t) if m2 + n2 = k 2 is a Pythagorean triple.
how to get the solution.

Paul Dirac once said: ”A great deal of my work is just playing with equations and seeing
what they give. I don’t suppose that applies so much to other physicists; I think it’s a peculiarity
of myself that I like to play about with equations, just looking for beautiful mathematical
relations which maybe don’t have any physical meaning at all. Sometimes they do.” Dirac
discovered a PDE describing the electron which is consistent both with quantum theory and special
relativity. This won him the Nobel Prize in 1933. Dirac’s equation could have two solutions, one
for an electron with positive energy, and one for an electron with negative energy. Dirac interpreted
the later as an antiparticle: the existence of antiparticles was later confirmed. We will not learn
here to find solutions to partial differential equations. But you should be able to verify that a
given function is a solution of the equation.

Homework
5 The partial differential equation ft + f fx = fxx is called Burgers equation and describes
1 Verify that f (t, x) = sin(cos(t + x)) is a solution of the transport equation ft (t, x) = waves at the beach. In higher dimensions, it leads to the Navier Stokes equation which are
fx (t, x). used to describe the weather. Verify that the function
 3/2 x2
1
2 Verify that f (x, y) = 3y 2 + x3 satisfies the Euler-Tricomi partial differential equation t
xe− 4t
f (t, x) q 2
uxx = xuyy . This PDE is useful in describing transonic flow. Can you find an other 1 − x4t
e +1
t
solution which is not a multiple of the solution given in this problem?
is a solution of the Burgers equation.
Remark. This calculation might need a bit perseverance, when done by hand. You are
welcome to use technology if you should get stuck. Here is an example on how to check that
a function is a solution of a partial differential equation in Mathematica:

f[t_,x_]:=(1/Sqrt[t])*Exp[-x^2/(4t)];
Simplify[ D[f[t,x],t] == D[f[t,x],{x,2}]]