Multivariate Functions and Partial Derivatives
Multivariate Functions and Partial Derivatives
CONTENTS
Rules of Partial Differentiation 42
Second-order Partial Derivatives 47
Optimization of Multivariable Functions 47
Unconstrained Optimization 48
Constrained Optimization 49
Incremental Changes, Partial or total
differentials and Total Derivatives 51
Implicit Function Rule 54
R U LE S OF P A R T I A L D IF F E R E NT IA T IO N
All rules of ordinary differentiation apply. To show that something has been
partially (instead of fully) differentiated we use the symbol 𝜕. At a time, we
differentiate only one independent variable and keep all other independent
variables constant. Thus, a partial derivative of a function of several variables
is its derivative with respect to one variable, with the others held constant.
𝑔(𝑥,𝑦)
Quotient rule: Given 𝑧 = where g and h are differentiable functions and
ℎ(𝑥,𝑦)
ℎ ≠ 0:
𝜕𝑔
𝜕𝑧 ℎ(𝑥,𝑦)∙𝜕𝒙−𝑔(𝑥,𝑦)∙𝜕ℎ
𝜕𝒙
= 2 (Consider y as a constant)
𝜕𝒙 [ℎ(𝑥,𝑦)]
𝜕𝑔 𝜕ℎ
𝜕𝑧 ℎ(𝑥,𝑦)∙𝜕𝒚−𝑔(𝑥,𝑦)∙𝜕𝒚
= 2 (Consider x as a constant)
𝜕𝒚 [ℎ(𝑥,𝑦)]
EXAMPLE 4.1
Find the partial derivatives of the following functions:
a) 𝑧 = 5𝑥 2 − 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 4 b) 𝑧 = −𝑤 2 + 𝑤𝑥𝑦 − 𝑥 3 𝑦 2
S O L U T I O N tips
a) Apply the power rule:
𝜕𝑧
= 10𝑥 − 𝑦 + 0 𝑦 is a constant
𝜕𝑥
= 10𝑥 − 𝑦
𝜕𝑧
= 0 − 𝑥 + 4𝑦 3 𝑥 is a constant
𝜕𝑦
= −𝑥 + 4𝑦 3
𝜕𝑧
b) = 0 + 𝑤𝑦 − 3𝑥 2 𝑦 2 w and 𝑦 are constants
𝜕𝑥
= 𝑤𝑦 − 3𝑥 2 𝑦 2
𝜕𝑧
= 0 + 𝑤𝑥 − 2𝑥 3 𝑦 𝑤 and 𝑦 are constants
𝜕𝑦
= 𝑤𝑥 − 2𝑥 3 𝑦
𝜕𝑧
= −2𝑤 + 𝑥𝑦 − 0 𝑥 and 𝑦 are constants
𝜕𝑤
= −2𝑤 + 𝑥𝑦
EXAMPLE 4.2
Consider the functions:
3 2
a) 𝑧 = (5𝑥 − 𝑦)3 b) 𝑧 = (𝑥 3 − 𝑥𝑦 2 )
2
Differentiate z partially with respect to x and y.
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