Partial Derivatives Report: Name: Mostafa Qasim Tahr
Partial Derivatives Report: Name: Mostafa Qasim Tahr
Partial Derivatives Report: Name: Mostafa Qasim Tahr
Collage Of Enginnering.
Second stage
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
given by the derivative, written .A similar situation occurs with functions of more than one
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
of f with respect to x by (to be read as „partial dee f by dee x‟ ). In this example, when y = 3:
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(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
For a function of two variables z = f(x, y) the partial derivative of f with respect to x is denoted
by and is obtained by differentiating f(x, y) with respect to x in the usual way but treating the
Example.
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The Partial Derivative of f with respect to y
For a function of two variables z = f(x, y) the partial derivative of f with respect to y is denoted
by and is obtained by differentiating f(x, y) with respect to y in the usual way but treating the
Example.
The Partial Derivatives of f (x, y, u, v, w, . . .)
For a function of several variables z = f(x, y, u, v, w, . . .) the partial derivative of f with respect
in the usual way but treating all the other variables as if they were constants.
Alternative notations for when z = f(x, y, u, v, w, ... ) are fv(x, y, u, v, w,.. .) and fv and .
Example.
= 2x + y 2 + 0 + 0 = 2x + y 2 ; = 0 + 0 + y 2 × 3u 2 − 7v 4 = 3y 2u 2 − 7v 4 .
2. Second partial derivatives
Performing two successive partial differentiations of f(x, y) with respect to x (holding y constant)
= ( )
For functions of two or more variables as well as other second-order partial derivatives can
be obtained. Most obvious is the second derivative of f(x, y) with respect to y is denoted by
= ( )
Example.
= 3x 2 + 2xy2 + 0 + 2 + 0 = 3x 2 + 2xy2 + 2
= ( ) = 6x + 2y 2 +0 = 6x + 2y 2.
= 0 + x 2 × 2y + 6y 2 + 0 + 1 = 2x 2 y + 6y 2 + 1
= ( ) = 2x 2 +12y
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.
We use to mean “differentiate first with respect to y and then with respect to x”and we use
i.e = ( ) and = ( ).
Example.