___________________________________________________________________________________

MODULE 9. Partial Derivatives

Overview:

Module 9 familiarizes the students with how to calculate partial derivatives.

Determine the first and second partial derivatives of the given function. The
differentiation of a function f (x , y ) with respect to one independent variable, say
with respect to x, can be obtained by keeping y as constant.
Intended Learning Outcomes_____________________________________________ _

At the end of the module, I can:

1. Determine the first and second partial derivatives of the given function

Topics

9. Partial Differentiation

9.1. Functions of Two Variables

9.2. Function Computations

9.3. Partial Derivative

Pre-test ____________________________________________________________
Name: ______________________________________ Date: ______________________
Section: _____________________________________

Directions: Multiple Choice. Choose the best answer. Write your solution at
the back.

1. Suppose that w ,u ,∧vare differentiable functions such that w=w (u , v ) ,

u=u(x , y ) , v=v (x , y , z )
∂w
Which ONE expression below must be equal to
∂y
Fy
(a)
Fw
∂ w ∂ w ∂u ∂ u ∂ v ∂ v ∂ v
(b) + + + + + +
∂u ∂ v ∂ x ∂ y ∂ x ∂ y ∂ z
∂w ∂ x ∂w ∂ y ∂w ∂ z
(c) ⋅ + ⋅ + ⋅
∂ x ∂ v ∂ y ∂ v ∂z ∂v
∂ w ∂u ∂ x ∂ w ∂ u ∂ y ∂ w ∂ u ∂ z
(d) ⋅ ⋅ + ⋅ ⋅ + ⋅ ⋅
∂u ∂ x ∂ v ∂ u ∂ y ∂ v ∂u ∂ z ∂ v
∂w ∂u ∂w ∂v
(e) ⋅ + ⋅
∂u ∂ y ∂ v ∂ y

2.  f (x , y )=x 2+ xyz + z Find f x at (1,1,1)

(a) 0
(b) 1
(c) 3
(d) -1

3. f (x , y )=sin(xy )+¿x2ln ( y) Find f yx at (0 , π ⁄ 2)

(a) 33
(b) 0
(c) 3
(d) 1

4. f (x , y )=x 2+ y 3 ; X =t 2+t 3 ; y=t 3+t 9 Find df ⁄ dt at t=1.

(a) 0
(b) 1
(c) -1
(d) 164

5. The existence of first-order partial derivatives implies continuity

a) True
b) False
6. Suppose that w ,u ,∧vare differentiable functions such that w=w (u , v ) ,
u=u(x , y ) , v=v (x , y , z )
∂w
Which ONE expression below must be equal to
∂y
Fy
(a)
Fw
∂ w ∂ w ∂u ∂ u ∂ v ∂ v ∂ v
(b) + + + + + +
∂u ∂ v ∂ x ∂ y ∂ x ∂ y ∂ z
∂w ∂ x ∂w ∂ y ∂w ∂ z
(c) ⋅ + ⋅ + ⋅
∂ x ∂ v ∂ y ∂ v ∂z ∂v
∂ w ∂u ∂ x ∂ w ∂ u ∂ y ∂ w ∂ u ∂ z
(d) ⋅ ⋅ + ⋅ ⋅ + ⋅ ⋅
∂u ∂ x ∂ v ∂ u ∂ y ∂ v ∂u ∂ z ∂ v
∂w ∂u ∂w ∂v
(e) ⋅ + ⋅
∂u ∂ y ∂ v ∂ y

7. Find the first-order partial derivative with respect to x of f ( x , y )=e3 x cos y.
(a). f x ( x , y )=3 e 3 x cos y +e 3 x sin y
(b). f x ( x , y )=−e3 x sin y
(c) f x ( x , y )=3 e 3 x cos y +e 3 x cos y
(d) f x ( x , y )=3 e 3 x cos y

8. Find the first-order partial derivative with respect to  y of f (x , y)=x3 y 2 +3 x e y

(a) f y (x , y )=3 x 2 y 2 +3 e y
(b) f y ( x , y )=2 x 3 y +3 x e y
(c) f x ( x , y )=3 x 2 y 2 +2 x3 y +3 e y + 3 x e y
(d) f y ( x , y )=6 x 2 y +3 e y
Lesson Proper_________________________________________________________________
Unit 9. Partial Derivatives

Functions of Two Variables

In our previous discussion, we have been concerned with the functions of a

single independent variable. Some quantities depend upon two or more
independent variables, for instance, the area of a triangle is a function of its base and
altitude, the mass of a rectangular solid of a homogenous material is a function of its
length, breadth, height, and density, the present value of an annuity is a function of
the size and frequency of the payments, the interest rate, and the length of time
during which payments are to be made.

If z is a function of two variables x and y, we write z=f ( x , y ), this can be

represented geometrically by the z-coordinate of a point on a surface in space of
three dimensions. We call z a dependent variable, and x and y the independent
variable.

For example,
z=f ( x , y )=x 2 + y 2.

We recall the graph of a function of one variable is a curve. Then the graph of a
function of two variables is represented by a surface shown below. The graph of a
function of two variables is always drawn in three dimensions.
 Figure 9.1

Example 1

Determine the domain of the function f ( x , y )=√ x− y +1

Solution:

Domain: x− y +1 ≥ 0
y ≥ x +1

Figure 9.2

Example 9.1.2

Find the domain of f ( x , y )=√ x2 + y 2−1

Solution:

Domain: x 2+ y 2−1≥ 0
 x 2+ y 2 ≥ 1, All points on and outside of the circle

Figure 9.3

Function Computation

The value of the function z=f ( x , y ) is based on the extended concept of

computing the value of a function for the independent variable of y=f (x )

Example 1

If f ( x , y )=x 2− y 3−4 x 2 y−x , find f (2 ,−1)

Solution:
2 3 2
f ( 2 ,−1 )=( 2 ) −(−1 ) −4 ( 2 ) (−1 )−2

¿ 4 — 1+16−2

¿ 19

Example 2.
y
If f ( x , y )=x 2 e x , compute the following:
a ¿ f ( 1,0 ) , b ¿ f (−1,0 ) , c ¿ f (−1,1)
Solution:
0
2 1
a ¿ f ( 1,0 )=(1) e =1
0
b ¿ f (−1,0 )=(−1)2 e −1 =1

1
1
c ¿ f (−1,1 )=(−1)2 e −1 =
e

Example 3.

y π
If f ( x , y )=x sin
x
− y , compute the following: (
a ¿ f ( 1,0 ) , b ¿ f −1 ,
2 )
Solution:

0
a ¿ f ( 1,0 )=(1)sin – 0=0
1

π
π 2 π π
( 2 )
b ¿ f −1 , =(−1 ) sin − =1−
−1 2 2

Definition: Partial Derivatives

Let f (x) be a function of two variables, differentiate f (x , y ) with respect to

the variable x, keeping the variable y constant. This is called the partial derivative of
f (x , y )
with respect to x. Denoted by any of the following symbols’

∂f
,f ,f (x, y)
∂x x x

Similarly, keeping the variable x constant and differentiate f (x , y ) with

respect to the variable y, then this is called the partial derivative of f (x , y ) with
respect to y which is denoted by any of the following symbols

∂f
, f , f ( x , y)
∂y y y

Example 1.
 Given f ( x , y )=x 2−3 xy+ 2 y 2 , find f y and f x

Solution:

f ( x , y )=x 2−3 xy+ 2 y 2

∂ 2
a. f y= ( x −3 xy +2 y 2 ) variable x is constant
∂y

¿−3 x+ 4 y

∂ 2
b. f x= ( x −3 xy +2 y 2 ) variable y is constant
∂x

¿ 2 x−3 y

Example 2.

Given z=x 3 y+5 x y 2 , find z y and z x

Solution:

z=x 3 y+5 x y 2

∂ 3
a. z y= ( x y+ 5 x y 2) variable x is constant
∂y
¿ x 3+ 10 xy
∂ 3 2
b. z x = (x y+ 5 x y ) variable y is constant
∂x
¿ 3 x 2 y +5 y 2

Example 3.

Given w=xy + y 2 z+ xz , find w x , w y and w z

Solution
w=xy + y 2 z+ xz
∂
a. w x= ( xy + y 2 z+ xz ), variable y and z are constants
∂x
¿ y+z
∂
b. w y= ( xy + y 2 z+ xz ) , variable x and z are constants
∂y
 ¿ x+ 2 y z
∂
c. wz= (xy + y 2 z + xz), variable x and y are constants
∂z
¿ y2+ x

Example 4.
Given f ( x , y )=x sin (x− y ) , find f x and f y
Solution:
f ( x , y )=x sin (x− y )
∂
a. f x= ( x sin ( x− y )) variable y is constant
∂x
∂ ∂
¿x sin( x− y ) + sin(x – y) ( x)
∂x ∂x
¿ x cos ( x− y )( 1 ) +sin ( x− y ) (1)
¿ x cos ( x− y )+ sin(x− y )

∂
a. f y= ( x sin ( x− y )) variable x is constant
∂y
∂ ∂
¿x sin( x − y) + sin(x – y) ( x )
∂y ∂y
¿ x cos ( x− y )(−1 ) +sin ( x− y ) (0)
¿−x cos (x− y )

Example 5.
−1 y
Given z=tan , find z x , z y
x
Solution:
y
z=tan−1 ( )
x
∂
a. zx= ¿) variable y is constant
∂x
 1 ∂ y
¿ ( )
2
∂x x
1+ ( xy )
1 −y
¿
x + y x2
2 2 ( )
x2
y
¿−
x + y2
2

∂
b. z y= ¿) variable x is constant
∂y
1 ∂ y
¿ ( )
2
∂y x
1+ ( xy )
1 1
¿
x +y x
2 2 ()
x2
x
¿
x + y2
2

Example 6.
x 3− y 3 ∂ ∂
Given f ( x , y )= , show that f ( x , y )=x f ( x , y )+ y f (x, y)
xy ∂x ∂y
Solution;
x 3− y 3
f ( x , y )=
xy
∂ xy ( 3 x 2 ) −( x 3− y 3 ) ( y )
a. f ( x , y )=
∂x ( xy )2

y [ 3 x 3− ( x 3 − y 3 ) ]
¿ 2
( xy )
y [ 2 x3+ y3]
¿
( xy )2

∂ ( [ 2 x3 + y3 ]
f x , y )=
∂x x2 y
 ∂ xy (−3 y 2 )−( x 3− y 3 ) ( x)
b. f ( x , y )=
∂y ( xy )2
x (−3 y 3 )− ( x3 − y 3 ) (x)
¿
( xy )2
[ (−3 y 3 )−( x 3− y 3 ) ](x)
¿
( xy )2
(−2 y3 ) −( x 3 )
¿ ¿¿¿
∂ −( 2 y 3 + x 3 )
f ( x , y )=
∂y xy 2
∂ ∂
Prove that f ( x , y )=x f ( x , y )+ y f (x, y)
∂x ∂y
x3 − y 3 [ 2 x 3 + y 3 ] −( 2 y 3 + x 3 )
=x +y
xy x2 y xy 2
xy [ 2 x3 + y 3 ]−xy ( 2 y 3+ x3 )
¿
x2 y2
xy ( [ 2 x 3 + y 3 ]−( 2 y3 + x 3 ) )
¿ 2
( xy )
x3 − y 3 x 3− y 3
=
xy xy
Therefore, f ( x , y )=f ( x , y )
Example 7.
If f ( x , y )=e− y cos(x− y), show that f x + f y =−f ( x , y )
Solution:
f ( x , y )=f ( x , y )
∂ ∂ −y
f x =e− y cos( x− y)+cos ( x− y ) e
∂x ∂x
¿ e− y ¿
f x =−e− y sin ( x− y )

∂ ∂ −y
f y =e− y cos( x− y)+cos ( x− y ) e
∂y ∂y
¿ e− y ¿
 f y =−e− y ¿

Show that f x + f y =−f ( x , y )

−e− y sin ( x− y ) +¿ ¿
−e− y sin ( x− y ) +¿ e− y sin ( x− y )−e− y cos( x− y)=−e− y cos ( x− y )¿
Therefore, −e− y cos(x − y)=−e− y cos( x− y)

Example 8.
x− y
If z= , find z x (−1 ,2 ) ∧z y (−1 ,2 )
x+y
Solution:
x− y
z=
x+y
∂ ∂
(x+ y) ( x− y ) – (x − y) ( x + y )
∂x ∂x
zx= 2
( x+ y )

Example 9.
x− y
If z= , find z x (−1 ,2 ) ∧z y (−1 ,2 )
x+y
Solution:
x− y
z=
x+y
∂ ∂
(x+ y) ( x− y ) – (x − y) ( x + y )
∂x ∂x y is constant
zx= 2
( x+ y )
( x + y )( 1 ) – (x− y ) ( 1 )
zx=
( x + y )2

x + y – x+ y
zx=
( x + y )2
 2y
¿
( x + y )2
2(2)
z x (−1 ,2 ) =
(−1+2 )2
z x (−1 ,2 ) =4

x− y
z=
x+y
∂ ∂
( x+ y ) ( x − y ) – (x− y ) ( x+ y )
∂x ∂x x is constant
z y= 2
(x + y )
( x + y ) (−1 ) – ( x− y) ( 1 )
¿
( x+ y )2
−x− y – x+ y
¿
( x+ y )2
−2 x
z y=
( x+ y )2
−2(−1)
z y (−1 , 2 )=
(−1+2 )2

z y (−1 , 2 )=2

Assessing Learning_________________________________________________________________

Activity 1
Name: _____________________ Score: _______________
Section: ____________________ Date: ________________

Directions: Find the partial derivatives of the given functions with respect to each of
the independent variables. Avoid erasures

1. f ( x , y , z )=x 2 + y 2+ z2−sin xyz

2. f ( x , y , z )=cos x sin y tan z

3. f ( x , y , z )=e xy + cos x sin y

4. w=( xy+ yz+ xz)3

5. f ( x )=x 4 y 2 +3 xy

6. f ( x )=2 x 3 y 3 +3 x 2 y −x

3 /2
7. f ( x , y )=( 3 x 2+ 2 y 3 )

8. f ( x , y , z )=e xy + cos x sin y

9. w=( xy+ yz+ xz)3

Assessing Learning_________________________________________________________________

Activity 2
Name: _____________________ Score: _______________
Section: ____________________ Date: ________________

Find the partial derivatives of the given functions with respect to each of the
independent variables.
xy
1. z= 2 2
x +y

w
2. z=arcsin
x

3. z=tan−1 ( 4 x +3 y )

4. z=sin ( y ¿ e x ) ¿

5. F ( x , y ) =x tan ( xy )
4 2

6. f ( x , y )=e x + y

7. f (x , y )=e x ln ( x− y )

8. f ( x , y , z )=x 2 + y 3+ 2 x−3 z +4 z2

9. f ( x , y , z )=x 2 + y 2+ z2−sin xyz

10. f ( x , y , z )=cos x sin y tan z

Assessing Learning_________________________________________________________________
 Activity 3
Name: _____________________ Score: _______________
Section: ____________________ Date: ________________

Solve the following

1. f ( x , y )=ln( x 2 + y 2 ). Find a ¿ f x (−2 ,3 ) b ¿ f y (−3 , 2)

2
2. f ( x , y )=x cot
−1
( yx ). Find a ¿ f x (−1,1 ) b ¿ f y (−1 , 1)

e y+ x
3. f ( x , y )= , Show that f x + f y −f ( x , y )=0
e y+ e x

4. Given w=xy + yz + xz. Show that w x +w y + w z=x + y + z

5. z=x sin ( y−x ) , Show that z x + z y =sin ( y−x)

References________ ___________________________________________________________

Finley, T. Calculus and Analytic Geometry. Addison-Wesley Publishing Company,

8th Edition, 1993.

Leithold, L. The Calculus with Analytic Geometry. Harper and Row Publishers, 1990.

Longley, W.R. Elements of Differential Calculus. Ginn and Company. New Revised
Edition, 1957.

Love, C. and Rainville, E. Differential and Integral Calculus. The Macmillan Co., 6 th
Edition, 1970.

Mateo, R.A., Perez, A.P., Ymas Jr., S.E. Integral Calculus, Ymas Publishing House.
2002.

Peterson, T.S. Calculus with Analytic Geometry. Harper Edition, 1968.

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