Geometric Interpretation of the partial derivatives

Partial derivatives can also be interpreted as rates of change.

Notes :
If C is any other curve that lies on the surface S and passes through P, then Its tangent line at P also lies in the tangent plane. We can think of the tangent plane at a point P on the surface S, as consisting of all possible tangent lines at P to curves that lie on S and pass through P. The tangent plane at P is the plane that most closely approximates S near P.

3. Find the total differential of z = sin^2(x)+cos^2(y) 4. Find the total differential of z = sqrt(x^2+y^2) Note : For sufficiently small increments in x and y directions, we have for a differentiable function z = f(x,y), the increment in z direction can be approximately by the differential of z.