CONTENTS

1. Functions of Several Variables

2. Partial Derivatives

3. Second-Order Partial Derivatives : Maxima and Minima

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1. Functions of Several Variables

Functions of a single variable

Functions of two variables

also known as bivariate functions

Functions of three variables

also known as trivariate function

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Example 1 : Evaluate a Bivariate Function

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Example 2 : Evaluate a Trivariate Function

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2. PARTIAL DERIVATIVES

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Example 1

Obtain partial derivatives of

Solution:

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Example 2

Solution:

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Example 3

Solution:

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Example 4

Solution:

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Example 5

Solution:

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EXERCISES

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3. SECOND-ORDER PARTIAL DERIVATIVES :
MAXIMA AND MINIMA

Four second partial derivatives are possible depending on the choice of

variable of differentiation:

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Example 1 :

Find the second partial derivatives of the function.

Solution:

the first-order derivatives are

the second partial derivatives follow from first-order derivatives as

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Example 2 :

Find second partial derivatives.

Solution:

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 Maxima and Minima

The test derivative, D, is known as a discriminant.

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Example 3 :

Solution:

To locate extrema, set the first partial derivatives to zero. The resulting
system of equations is

This system is easily solved for the only possible extremum at (−2, −1).
The second-order partial derivatives are

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Next, D, is evaluated at (−2, −1). That is,

As D > 0, an extremum exists, and as fxx is positive, the extremum

is a local minimum at (−2, −1).
The minimum value of f (x, y) there is f (−2, −1) = 1.

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Example 4 :

Solution:

Firstly, find all first and second partial derivatives of f (x, y).
They are :

Setting fx = 0 yields x = y.

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Substituting into fy yields

This signals possible extrema at (−1, −1) and (3, 3) as x = y.

Evaluate D at (−1, −1) to obtain

As D < 0, there is no extremum at (−1, −1).

Now, to investigate the other possibility at (3, 3), calculate

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As D > 0,

there is an extremum, and as fxx > 0, it is a minimum.

Therefore, f (3, 3) = 3(3)2 − 6(3)(3) + (3)3 − 9(3)

= −27

is a local minimum.

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EXERCISE

Determine local extrema of the functions

Determine local extrema of the functions

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