Section 14.3 Partial Derivatives With Two Variables
Section 14.3 Partial Derivatives With Two Variables
Section 14.3 Partial Derivatives With Two Variables
3 (3/23/08)
Definition 1 Suppose that the function z = f (x, y) is defined in a circle with its center at the point
(x0 , y0 ), except possibly at the point (x0 , y0 ) itself. Then the limit of f (x, y) as (x, y) approaches (x0 , y0 )
is L and we write
if the number f (x, y) approaches L as (x, y) approaches (x0 , y0 ) along all paths that lie in the circle and
do not contain the point (x0 , y0 ) (Figure 1). Here L can be a number or ±∞.
(x0 , y0 )
† The formal definition of this limit for numbers L reads as follows: The limit of f (x, y ) is L as (x, y ) → (x , y ) if for each
0 0
> 0 there is a δ > 0 such that |f (x, y ) − L| < for all points (x, y ) 6= (x0 , y0 ) within a distance δ of (x0 , y0 ). The definitions
for L = ±∞ are similar.
301
p. 302 (3/23/08) Section 14.3, Partial derivatives with two variables
1
Example 2 What is the limit of z = p as (x, y) → (0, 0)?
x + y2
2
p
Solution Because x2 + y 2 is positive for (x, y) 6= (0, 0) and tends to 0 as (x, y) → (0, 0),
1
lim p = ∞.
(x,y)→(0,0) x2 + y 2
1
The result of Example 2 is illustrated in Figure 2, which shows the graph of z = p . The
x2 + y 2
z-coordinates of points on the surface tend to ∞ as their x- and y-coordinates tend to zero.
FIGURE 2
Any function z = f (x, y) given by one formula that is constructed from the basic functions of
one variable by adding, multiplying, dividing, and composition is continuous at any point such that it is
defined in a circle centered at the point.
Section 14.3, Partial derivatives with two variables p. 303 (3/23/08)
Partial derivatives
The partial derivatives of a function z = f (x, y) of two variables are defined as follows.
The derivatives in this definition are also denoted fx (x, y) and fy (x, y) and are referred to as the
first derivatives or first-order derivatives of f .
Definition (2) is the same as the definition from Chapter 2 of the x-derivative of f (x, y) viewed as
a function of x. Similarly definition (3) is the same as the definition of the y-derivative of f (x, y) viewed
as a function of y. Consequently, we can find the x- and y-derivatives of z = f (x, y) by holding the other
variable constant and using formulas for derivatives of functions of one variable from earlier chapters.
Example 3 Find the x- and y-derivatives of f (x, y) = x3 y − x2 y 5 + x.
Solution To obtain the x-derivative, we consider y to be a constant and differentiate with respect
to x:
∂f ∂ 3 ∂ 3 ∂ 2 ∂
h i h i
= (x y − x2 y 5 + x) = (x ) y − (x ) y 5 + (x)
∂x ∂x ∂x ∂x ∂x
= 3x2 y − 2xy 5 + 1.
∂f ∂ 3 ∂ ∂ 5 ∂
h i h i
= (x y − x2 y 5 + x) = x3 (y) − x2 (y ) + (x)
∂y ∂y ∂y ∂y ∂y
= x3 − 5x2 y 4 .
∂ 2 3y
gx (x, y) = (x e ) = 2xe3y .
∂x
To differentiate with respect to y with x constant, we need the Chain Rule
d f (y)
formula (e ) = ef (y) f 0 (y) for one variable rewritten using the partial derivative
dy
∂
symbol . We obtain with f (y) = 3y
∂y
∂ 2 3y ∂
gy (x, y) = (x e ) = x2 e3y (3y) = 3x2 e3y .
∂y ∂y
Example 5 The volume of a right circular cylinder of radius r and height h is equal to the product
V (r, h) = πr2 h of its height h and the area πr2 of its base (Figure 3). What is the rate of
change of the volume with respect to the radius and what is its geometric significance?
[Volume] = πr2 h h
∂V ∂
Solution The rate of change of V with respect to r is = (πr2 h) = 2πrh. It equals the area
∂r ∂r
of the lateral surface (the sides) of the cylinder, which is given by the circumference of
the base 2πr of the cylinder, multiplied by the height h.
FIGURE 4 FIGURE 5
Similarly, when we hold x equal to a constant x0 , z = f (x, y) becomes the function z = f (x0 , y) of
y, whose graph is the intersection of the surface with the plane x = x0 (Figure 5), and the y-derivative
fy (x0 , y0 ) is the slope in the positive y-direction of the tangent line to this curve at y = y0 .
Section 14.3, Partial derivatives with two variables p. 305 (3/23/08)
Example 6 The monkey saddle in Figure 6 is the graph of g(x, y) = 31 y 3 − x2 y. The curves
drawn with heavy lines are the intersections of the surface with the planes y = 1 and
x = 2. (a) What is the slope in the positive x-direction at (2, 1) of the intersection with
y = 1? (b) What is the slope in the positive y-direction at (2, 1) of the intersection
with x = 2?
FIGURE 6
Solution (a) The slope at (2, 1) of the intersection of the surface with the plane y = 1 is the
partial derivative
∂g ∂ 1 3
h i
= ( y − x2 y) = − 2x = −2(2) = −4. (4)
∂x ∂x 3
(2,1) (2,1)
(2,1)
When we set y = 1 in the equation z = 13 y 3 − x2 y, we obtain the equation z = 13 − x2 for the cross
section in terms of x and z. Figure 7 shows the graph of this equation and its tangent line at x = 2 in an
xz-plane. The slope of the tangent line is the x-derivative (4) of z = g(x, y) at (2, 1).
z z = 13 − x2 z z = 13 y 3 − 4y
(y = 1) (x = 2)
4 4
2 1
x −2 y
−4 −4
FIGURE 7 FIGURE 8
p. 306 (3/23/08) Section 14.3, Partial derivatives with two variables
On the other hand, when we set x = 2 in the equation z = 31 y 3 − x2 y, we obtain the equation
1 3
z= 3 y − 4y for this cross section in terms of x and z, whose graph is shown in the yz-plane of Figure 8
with its tangent line at y = 1. The slope of this tangent line is the y-derivative (4) of g at (2, 1).
t = 25 t = 35 t = 45 t = 55 t = 65
Solution One answer, using a right difference quotient: The rate of change with respect
to age of the average blood pressure of forty-five-year old women who are exercising
at the rate of 100 watts is Pt (45, 100). It is approximately equal to the average rate of
change of P (t, 100) with respect to t from t = 45 to t = 55:
(1)
Data adapted from Geigy Scientific Tables, edited by C. Lentner, Vol. 5, Basel, Switzerland: CIBA-GEIGY Limited,
1990, p. 29.
Section 14.3, Partial derivatives with two variables p. 307 (3/23/08)
To estimate first derivatives at points that are between those in a table, we can use average rates
of change with nearby points that are in the table, as in the next example.
Example 8 Based on the data in Table 1, what is the approximate rate of change of P = P (t, E)
with respect to E at t = 62, E = 75?
Solution One answer: If we use values at t = 55 with E = 50 and E = 100, we obtain
∂P P (55, 100) − P (55, 50) 199 − 177
≈ =
∂E 100 − 50 50
(62,75)
= 0.44 millimeters of mercury per watt.
∂P P (65, 100) − P (65, 50) 200 − 181
≈ =
∂E 100 − 50 50
(62,75)
= 0.38 millimeters of mercury per watt.
(2)
Data adapted from Fundamentals of Air Pollution by S. Williamson, Reading, MA: Addison Wesley, 1973, p. 162.
p. 308 (3/23/08) Section 14.3, Partial derivatives with two variables
Solution Because t = 14 at 2:00 PM and h = 10 ten centimeters below the surface of the
ground, the required rate of change is the t-derivative Tt (t, 10) at t = 14. To find
its approximate value, we draw the horizontal line h = 10, as in Figure 10. The point
(14, 10) is between the level curves T = 28 and T = 29 of the temperature, so the change
∆T in temperature from the left curve to the right curve is 1 degree. The horizontal
distance ∆t along h = 10 from the left curve to the right curve is approximately 1 hour.
Consequently,
∆T 1 degrees
Tt (14, 10) ≈ ≈ = 1 degree per hour.
∆t 1 hour
Example 10 What is the approximate rate of change of the temperature with respect to depth at
2:00 PM at a point ten centimeters beneath the surface of the ground?
Solution Along the vertical line t = 14 in Figure 11, the distance between the level curves T = 28
above and T = 29 below the point h = 10, t = 14 is approximately 2 centimeters,
measured on the h-axis. The temperature changes ∆T = −1 degree as h increases
∆h = 2 centimeters, so that
∆T −1 degree
Th (14, 10) ≈ ≈ = − 21 degree per centimeter.
∆h 2 centimeters
The line t = 14
FIGURE 11
∂ ∂
2. Find the partial derivatives (a) (xy 5 − 4y 2 + 6x4 y 7 ) and (b) (xy 5 − 4y 2 + 6x4 y 7 ).
∂x ∂y
3. What are Wx and Wy for W (x, y) = ln(1 − xy)?
† In
the published text the interactive solutions of these examples will be on an accompanying CD disk which can be run by
any computer browser without using an internet connection.
Section 14.3, Partial derivatives with two variables p. 309 (3/23/08)
4. The following table gives values of the air pressure z = P (x, y) (millibars), measured x miles east
and y miles north of New Orleans at one time on August 29, 2005 during hurricane Katrina.(3)
Estimate the rate of change of the pressure with respect to x and y in New Orleans at that time.
x = −30 x=0 x = 30
5. Figure 12 shows level curves of the temperature z = T (x, y)◦ F in a square plate. Find approximate
values of (a) Tx (3, 2) and (b) Tx (3, 2).
y (meters)
4
3
80
2 40
1
20
FIGURE 12
1 2 3 4 x (meters)
Exercises 14.3
A O C
Answer provided. Outline of solution provided. Graphing calculator or computer required.
CONCEPTS:
1. What is the h-derivative of the volume V = πr2 h from Example 5 and what is the geometric
interpretation of this formula?
2. The result of Example 5 has the following interpretation: If the radius of the cylinder is increased
slightly without changing its height, then the increase in the volume is approximately equal to
the lateral surface area of the cylinder multiplied by the change in the radius. (a) Give a similar
interpretation of Exercise 1. (b) Why is the term “approximately” not needed in your answer
to part (a)?
3. (a) What is the x-derivative of A(x, y) = xy 3 at (5, 2)? (b) Describe the intersection of the
graph z = xy 3 with the vertical plane y = 2. (c) How are the results of parts (a) and (b)
related?
4. Why is the surface z = 31 y 3 − x2 y in Figure 6 called a “monkey saddle”?
(3)
Data adapted from “Tropical Cyclone Report, Hurricane Katrina”, National Hurricane Center, December, 2005.
p. 310 (3/23/08) Section 14.3, Partial derivatives with two variables
BASICS:
∂ 3 2 ∂
11.O (x y − x + y) 13. (xey + 6x2 − y)
∂x ∂x
∂ 2 3y 14.O Fx and Fy for F (x, y) = sin(x2 y 4 )
12.A (x e + y 2 e3x )
∂y
15.O ∂W/∂x and ∂W/∂y for G(x, y) = sin(x2 + y).
16. Hx and Hy for H(x, y) = (x2 + x + 1)(y 2 + y − 3)
17. The y-derivative of G(x, y) = x2 sin(xy) + y − x
18.A The first derivatives of P (u, v)
2
= eu cos(v 2 )
19. The first derivatives of Q(x, y) = x1/2 y 1/4 + x2 y 4 .
20.A The volume of a right circular cone of height h meters and with a base of radius r meters is
V = 31 πr2 h cubic meters. What is the rate of change of the volume with respect to the radius?
21. If a constant current of I amperes flows through a circuit with a resistance of 100 ohms for t
seconds, it will produce H(I, t) = 23.9I 2 t calories of heat.(4) What are the rates of change of the
heat production (a) with respect to I and (b) with respect to t at I = 10, t = 5? Give the
units.
22.O Use the following table of values of z = g(x, y) to estimate (a) gx (2, 5) and (b) gy (2, 5).
(4)
Data adapted from CRS Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 62nd edition, Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, Inc., 1981,
p. F-98.
Section 14.3, Partial derivatives with two variables p. 311 (3/23/08)
23.A The table below gives the volume V = V (p, T ) (cubic feet) of a pound of a p-percent solution
of sulfuric acid in water that is at a temperature of T ◦ C.(5) (a) Does the volume of a pound
of a solution increase or decrease as the temperature increases? (b) Suppose that two solutions
are at the same temperature but one contains a greater concentration of sulfuric acid. Which
has the greater volume? (c) What rate of change is represented by Vp (15, 80) and what is
its approximate value? (d) What is the approximate value of VT (p, T ) for 10 ≤ p ≤ 20 and
60 ≤ T ≤ 100?
24.A The next table gives the wind chill W = W (T, v) (degrees Fahrenheit) as a function of the
Fahrenheit temperature T and the velocity of the wind v, measured in miles per hour for five
temperatures below the freezing point of water (32◦ F) and four wind speeds. W (T, v) is the
temperature which with no wind has the same cooling effect as temperature T ◦ F in a wind of
velocity v miles per hour. (a) Is W = W (T, v) an increasing or a decreasing function of T for
fixed v? (b) What is the approximate rate of change of W = W (T, v) with respect to T if the
temperature is 0◦ F and the wind velocity is 20 miles per hour? (c) Is wind chill an increasing
or a decreasing function of velocity for fixed temperature? (d) What is the approximate rate of
change of the wind chill with respect to the velocity of the wind when the temperature is 0◦ F
and the wind velocity is 20 miles per hour?
T = −20 T = −10 T =0 T = 10 T = 20
(5)
Data adapted from Handbook of Engineering Materials by F. Miner and J. Seastone, New York, NY: John Wiley &
Sons, 1955, p. 3-407
p. 312 (3/23/08) Section 14.3, Partial derivatives with two variables
25. The next table gives the amount of food F = F (w, t) (pounds) required each day by a horse
that weighs w pounds and is ridden t hours a day. (a) Give approximate values of Fw (1000, 4)
and Ft (1000, 4) with units. (b) What is it about horses causes F = F (w, t) to be an increasing
function of w for fixed t and an increasing function of t for fixed w?
26.O Use the level curves of z = G(x, y) in Figure 13 to find approximate values of (a) Gx (3, 3) and
(b) Gy (3, 3).
y
5 30
4 20 50
3
40
2
10
1
FIGURE 13
1 2 3 4 5 x
27.O Use the level curves of z = K(x, y) in Figure 14 to give its approximate x- and y-derivatives at
(6, 2).
y y
6
−16
20 1
−18 2
4 −10 −12 −14
3
4
2 −20
−10 20 x
2 4 6 8 x
Level curves of K(x, y) Level curves of L(x, y)
FIGURE 14 FIGURE 15
A
28. Based on the level curves of z = L(x, y) in Figure 15, what is the approximate value of Lx (20, 10)?
Section 14.3, Partial derivatives with two variables p. 313 (3/23/08)
29. The x- and y-derivatives of the function z = h(x, y) of Figure 16 are constant. What are their
values?
y t (days)
30
3 5000 4000 3000 2000
8 20
14 26 20
−6 −3 3 6 x 10
32
1000
4 5 6 7 8 g
(gallons of water per sack of cement)
Level curves of z = h(x, y) Level curves of S = S(g, t)
FIGURE 16 FIGURE 17
30. Figure 17 gives level curves of the compressive strength S = S(g, t) (pounds per square inch) of
portland concrete that is made with g gallons of water per sack of cement and that has cured t
days.(6) What are the approximate values of Sg (6, 15) and St (6, 15)?
EXPLORATION:
31.O Figure 18 shows the graph of the function z = P (x, 2) of x that is obtained from z = P (x, y) by
setting y = 2, and Figure 16 shows the graph of the function z = P (3, y) of y that is obtained
from z = P (x, y) by setting x = 3. Use the graphs to find the approximate values of Px (3, 2) and
Py (3, 2).
z z
(y = 2) (x = 3)
10 10
8 8
6 6
4 4
2 2
1 2 3 4 x 1 2 3 4 y
FIGURE 18 FIGURE 19
32.A (a) Draw in an xz-plane the intersection of the plane y = 2 with the graph of H(x, y) = 21 y 2 − x2
and the tangent line to the curve whose slope in the positive x-direction is Hx (1, 2). (b) Draw
in a yz-plane the intersection of the plane x = 1 with the graph of H(x, y) and the tangent line
to the curve whose slope in the positive y-direction is Hy (1, 2).
(6)
Data adapted from Handbook Of Engineering Materials, Ibid., p. 4-14
p. 314 (3/23/08) Section 14.3, Partial derivatives with two variables
33. Figure 20 gives level curves of the amount of solar radiation R = R(t, L) (calories per square
centimeter) during a cloudless day at a latitude of L (degrees) and at time t (month) of the
year. What are the approximate values of (a) R, (b) ∂R/∂t, and (c) of ∂R/∂L at May 1
and a latitude of 40◦ . (d) Why, based on the seasons, is R(6, 0) greater than R(6, −60) and
R(1, 60)? (d) Why are R(1, 80) and R(6, −80) zero? (e) Where and when is the solar radiation
the greatest?
FIGURE 20 FIGURE 21
34. Figure 21 shows level curves of the amount of the yield Y = Y (x, t) (cubic feet per acre) from a
pine plantation with x trees per acre that are harvested t years after planting. (a) Determine
without doing any calculations whether Yt (700, 20) is less than or greater than Yt (1000, 15).
Explain your reasoning and describe what this indicates about the trees. (b) Is it better to have
600 trees per acre or 1000 trees per acre if your only goal is to maximize the yield?
35. The fetch of the wind at a point on a body of water is the distance that the wind has blown over
water before it reaches the point. The next table gives the height h = h(v, f ) (feet) of waves as
a function of the velocity v (knots) and of the fetch f (nautical miles). (Knots are nautical miles
per hour). (a) Based on the table, what is hf (10, f ) for all f ? What does this say about the
waves? (b) Based on the table, is hv (40, f ) an increasing or a decreasing function of f ? What
does this say about the waves? (c) What do you think would happen to h(v, f ) as f → ∞ for
each fixed v and why?
v = 10 v = 20 v = 30 v = 40
f = 1000 3 8 18 50
f = 500 3 8 18 47.5
f = 100 3 7 14.5 31
f = 50 3 6 12 22
Section 14.3, Partial derivatives with two variables p. 315 (3/23/08)
36.A Use polar coordinates to find the following limits or show that they do not exist:
xy x+y (x2 + y 2 )2 + x3 y 3
(a) lim , (b) lim , (c) lim .
(x,y)→(0,0) x2 + y 2 (x2 + y 2 )2
p
(x,y)→(0,0) x2 + y 2 (x,y)→(0,0)
y
37. Use polar coordinates to find the value of lim or to show that the limit does not exist.
(x,y)→(0,0) x
x2 y
38. Show that lim does not exist by considering points (x, y) that approach (0, 0)
x4 + y 2
(x,y)→(0,0)
along different parabolas.
39. The total area of the base and lateral
√ surface of a right circular cone of height h and with base
of radius r is A(r, h) = πr2 + πr r2 + h2 for positive h and r. (a) What is the limit of A(h, r)
A(h, r)
as h → 0+ for fixed r > 0? (b) What is the limit of as r → ∞ for fixed hr > 0? Give
πr2
geometric interpretations of the results in parts (a) and (b).
40. If a gas has density ρ0 grams per cubic centimeter at 0◦ C and pressure of one atmosphere, then its
ρ0 P
density at T ◦ C and pressure P atmospheres is ρ(T, P ) = 1
grams per cubic centimeter.(7)
1 + 273 T
(a) Find formulas for ∂ρ/∂T and ∂ρ/∂P in terms of T, P , and the parameter ρ0 . Give the units.
(b) One of the derivatives in part (a) is positive and the other is negative for T > −273 and
positive P . What properties of gasses do these illustrate.
41. Flnd the approximate maximum and minimum values of Wy (x, y) for 0 ≤ x ≤ 5, 1 ≤ y ≤ 4,
where z = W (x, y) is the the function whose level curves are shown in Figure 22.
y y
16
3
4
12 0
2 1
8
2 4
−5 5 x
0
−3
2 4 x
FIGURE 22 FIGURE 23
42. (a) Describe the shape of the graph of the function Z = Z(x, y) whose level curves are shown in
Figure 23. (b) Aore Zx (0, y) and Zy (x, 0) even or odd functions of y and x?
2
C
43. (a) Find A(x) and B(y) such that the intersection of the graph of f (x, y) = x2 e(1−y )/2 with
the plane y = −1 has the equations z = A(x), y = −1, and its intersection with the plane x = 2
has the equations z = B(y), x = 2. (b) Draw the graph of z = A(x) in an xz-plane with its
tangent line whose slope is fx (2, −1). (c) Draw the graph of z = B(y) in an yz-plane with its
tangent line whose slope is fy (2, −1i).
C
44. (a) Generate the intersection of the graph of g(x, y) = x4 − xy 2 + y 3 with the plane y = −1 and
the tangent line whose slope is gx (1, −1). (b) Generate the intersection of the graph of g with
the plane x = 1 and the tangent line whose slope is gy (1, −1).
(7)
Ibid, p. F-94
p. 316 (3/23/08) Section 14.3, Partial derivatives with two variables
45. The volume of water (liters) in the body of a person who weighs w kilograms and is h centimeters
high can be predicted with the formula V (w, h) = 0.135w2/3 h1/2 .(8) Suppose that a man is 169
centimeters high and that at his current weight, the volume of water in his body would increase
by approximately 0.03∆w if his weight increased by a small amount ∆w. Based on the formula
for V , how much does he weigh?
(8)
Data adapted from Report of the Task Group on Reference Man, International Commission on Radiological
Protection, TarryTown, NY: Elsevier Science, Inc., 1975, p. 28.