Partial Derivatives

∂ϕ ∂ϕ
Suppose ϕ ( x , y ) is a function of x and y. Then there exist partial derivatives and .
∂x ∂y
To compute these partial derivatives is actually quite easy. First lets look at a function of one variable say,
f ( x ) = kx 3 where k is a constant. Notice, our variable is x and k is a constant. So the derivative
d
is simply f ′( x) = k g x3 = k (3x2 ) = 3kx2 .
dx

∂ϕ
Finding partial derivatives is basically the same idea as used with the example above. When finding , the
∂x
variable that we wish to differentiate is x, everything else is treated like a constant.

∂ϕ
Example: Find if ϕ ( x , y) = 5 x 3 y 2 − 3x 5 .
∂x

Solution: In the term 5x3 y 2 , we treat 5 and y 2 as constants and differentiate with respect to x. Therefore,
∂ϕ d 3 d
= 5 y2 x − 3x 5
∂x dx dx
= 5 y (3 x ) − 15 x4
2 2

∂ϕ
So, = 15 x 2 y 2 − 15 x4
∂x

∂ϕ
You should verify that = 10x3 y
∂y

∂ϕ ∂ϕ
if ϕ ( x , y ) = xe x − y + y sin x4
3 2
Example: Find and
∂x ∂y

∂ϕ 2 d d 3 2 d
= ex −y x + x e x − y + y sin x 4 (Notice the use of the product rule)
3
Solution:
∂x dx dx dx
3
−y2 3
− y2
= ex + x(3 x 2 )e x + y cos x4 ⋅ (4 x3 )
3
−y2 3
−y2
= ex + 3 x3 e x + 4 x3 y cos x 4

∂ϕ d 3 2 d
= x e x − y + sin x4 y
∂y dy dy
3
−y2
= −2 xye x + sin x4