Section 14.

3 Partial Derivatives
Alveen Chand

df
For functions of one variable f (x), when we differentiate the function in terms of x, that is, dx , we differentiate
f completely since the whole function is in terms of x. For instance
f (x) = 3x2 + x
df
= 6x + 1.
dx
But it is different for functions of two variables or more f (x, y). The function in question are described in terms of
both x and y variables.
So find the derivative in terms of x is not completely differentiating the function, we say we are find partial
derivative of f . In this case, you assume that the other variable ( variable y) is constant, and we only differentiate
wherever x variable is present.
For instance, let
f (x, y) = 3x2 + 5x3 y 4 − 2y
∂f
= 6x + 15x2 y 4 + 0.
∂x
Remark. Notations for Partial Derivatives. If z = f (x, y), we write
∂f ∂ ∂z
fx (x, y) = fx = = f (x, y) = = f1 = D 1 f = D x f
∂x ∂x ∂x
∂f ∂ ∂z
fy (x, y) = fy = = f (x, y) = = f2 = D2 f = Dy f.
∂y ∂y ∂y
Note that the D is called the differential operator of f .

Partial Derivatives
Rules for Finding Partial Derivatives of z = f (x, y).
1. To find fx , regard y as a constant and differentiate f (x, y) with respect to x.
2. To find fy , regard x as a constant and differentiate f (x, y) with respect to y.
Remark. The Differentiation Rules remain the same when finding partial derivatives of functions of three variables
f (x, y, z).
Example. If f (x, y) = x3 + x2 y 3 − 2y 2 , find fx (2, 1) and fy (2, 1).
Solution.
fx (x, y) = 3x2 + 2xy 3
fx (2, 1) = 3(2)2 + 3(2)(1)3 = 16
and
fy (x, y) = 3x2 y 2 − 4y
fy (2, 1) = 3(2)2 (1)2 − 4(1) = 8.
Example. Find fx , fy and fz if f (x, y, z) = exy ln z.
Solution.
fx = yexy ln z
fy = xexy ln z
xxy
fz = .
z

1
Higher Derivatives
If f is a function of two variables, then its partial derivatives fx and fy are also functions of two variables, so we can
consider their partial derivatives (fx )x , (fx )y , (fy )x and (fy )y which are called the second partial derivatives of
f . Notations for (fx )x :

∂2f ∂2z
 
∂ ∂f
(fx )x = fxx = = 2
=
∂x ∂x ∂x ∂x2
∂2f ∂2z
 
∂ ∂f
(fx )y = fxy = = =
∂y ∂x ∂y∂x ∂y∂x
2
∂2z
 
∂ ∂f ∂ f
(fy )x = fyx = = =
∂x ∂y ∂x∂y ∂x∂y
2
∂2z
 
∂ ∂f ∂ f
(fy )y = fxx = = =
∂y ∂y ∂y∂y ∂y∂y
∂2f
Remark. For fxy = ∂y∂x , it means that f is first differentiated in terms of x and then differentiated in terms of y.

Example. Find the second partial derivatives of

f (x, y) = x3 + x2 y 3 − 2y 2 .

Solution.

fx (x, y) = 3x2 + 2xy 3

fy (x, y) = 3x2 y 2 − 4y.

Then

fxx = 6x + 2y 3
fxy = 6xy 2
fyx = 6xy 2
fyy = 6x2 y − 4.

Theorem. (Equality of Mixed Partials) Suppose f is defined on a disk D. If the functions fxy and fyx are
both continuous on D, then
fxy = fyx
or
∂2f ∂2f
=
∂x∂y ∂y∂x
for every point on disk D.

Example. Calculate fxxyz if f (x, y, z) = sin(3x + yz).

Solution.

fx = 3 cos(3x + yz)
fxx = −9 sin(3x + yz)
fxxy = −9z cos(3x + yz)
fxxyz = −9 cos(3x + yz) + 9xyz sin(3x + yz).

2
Geometric Interpretations of Partial Derivatives fx (x, y) and fy (x, y)
For the surface S below defined by the function z = f (x, y), notice the curves C1 and C2 .

• Note that f (a, b) = c.

• By regarding y = b a constant, we are restricting to the curve C1 on the surface.
• By regarding x = a a constant, we are restricting to the curve C2 on the surface.

• The line T1 is tangent to C1 and is in the plane x = a.

• The line T2 is tangent to C2 and is in the plane y = b.
• Then, the slope of T1 is exactly fx (a, b), that is, for g(x) = f (x, b), g 0 (a) = fx (a, b).
• Then, the slope of T2 is exactly fy (a, b), that is, for h(y) = f (a, y), h0 (y) = fy (a, b).

Partial Differential Equations

Partial derivatives occur in Partial Differential Equations (PDE) that express certain physical laws. For
instance,
∂2u ∂2u
+ =0
∂ 2 x ∂y 2
is called Laplace equation after Pierre Laplace (1749 − 1827). Solutions of this equation are called harmonic
equations; they play a role in problems of heat conduction, fluid flow and electric potential.
This equation
∂2u ∂2u
2
= a2 2
∂t ∂x
is called the Wave equation. It describes the motion of a waveform, which could be an ocean wave, a sound wave,
a light wave, or a wave travelling along a vibrating string.
Example. Show that the function u(x, y) = ex sin y is a solution of Laplace’s equation.
Example. Verify that the function u(x, t) = sin(x − at) satisfies the wave equation.