Multivariable Calculus

Dr. S. K. Gupta
Department of Mathematics
Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee

Lecture - 09
Chain Rule-I

Hello friends. So, welcome to lecture series on multivariable calculus. In the last lecture,
we have seen some properties of partial derivatives. Now, we will see chain rule what
chain rule is and how we can apply it.

(Refer Slide Time: 00:38)

Now suppose w = f(x, y) function of 2 variables. Now first come to function of single
variable. Suppose, we have z = f(x) function of single variable and say x is a function of
t. So, if you find dz/dt. So, it is nothing, but df/dx.dx/dt. This is a chain rule for single
variable function.

Now, we extend the same rule for several variable functions. Now here instead of one
variable we are having 2 variables and say x is a function of t and y is also some function
of t and we are assuming w, x and y all are differentiable functions ok. So, if we want to
find out say dw/dt because when you substitute x is a function of t and y is the function
of t. So, it will be a function of single variable t ok.
So, instead of partial derivative we will be having complete derivative dw/dt because
now w is a function of only one variable t ok. So, this dw/dt=f/x.dx/dt+f/y.dy/dt. So,
by chain rule we are having this expression to calculate dw/dt.

Now, what the proof of this chain rule how we are obtaining this? So, proof is quite
simple, suppose, t is changing from t 0 to t0+t and the corresponding change in x is x and
in y it is y and in w it is w. Now, suppose p is a point p[x(t0),y(t0)] because x and y both
are the functions t .

Now, since function w is a differentiable function of x and y; so, we can always take w
as w which is equals to f/x.x+ f/y.y +1. x+2.y, where 1, 2 0 x, y 0. This
is by the definition of differentiability because we are taking w as a differentiable
function of x and y. So, by that we can easily write w = f/x.x+ f/y.y +1. x+2.y
and we are taking this at say point p. So, we are taking this as point p now you divide the
entire expression this entire expression by t.

(Refer Slide Time: 05:46)

So, what we will obtain w/t = w = (f/x)p.x/t+ (f/y)p.y/t +1. x/t +2.y/t

Now take t 0 both the sides. So, what we will obtain

(dw/dt)t0=limt0 w/t = (f/x)p(dx/xt)t0+(f/y)p(dy/dt)t0+0.(dx/dt)t0+0.(dy/dt)t0

= (f/x)p(dx/xt)t0+(f/y)p(dy/dt)t0
This means epsilon 1 and epsilon 2 will tend to 0 because these are the function of delta
x and delta y and when delta t tends to 0 epsilon 1 epsilon 2 both will tends to 0. So, we
get back to the same expression again and it is valid for every p and every t 0. So, this is
how we can obtain the proof of the chain rule.

Now, we will solve some problems based on this.The easy way to remember the chain
rule is by tree diagram. So, how can we obtain this or what is tree diagram now you see.

(Refer Slide Time: 09:03)

Now you see, as w is a function of x and y. So, this w is a function of x and y and x and
y both are the functions of t. So, x is a function of t and y is also a function of t. So, it is
del f by del x when you take derivative, here it will be a partial derivative del f by del x
and from here to here it will be d x by d t ok, again, here will be del f by del y and this
will be d y by d t.

Now we have to write say d w by d t from here from this point to this point d w by d t.
So, how can we remember that expression now you simply multiply one branch of this
into the other branch of this and add them. So, simply this will be del f by del x into d x
by d t plus del f by del y into d y by d t. So, this is how we can easily remember chain
rule this is called tree diagram.
(Refer Slide Time: 10:40)

It is w = x cos y + e-x sin y. and x = t2 +1 and y =2t. So, w is a function of x and y and x
and y both are the functions of t. So, we want to compute say dw/dt. For solution see
(Refer Slide Time: 10:40)

So, we have to compute dw/dt(t=0). At t=0, x=1, y=0, put in the expression of dw/dt. we
obtain dw/dt|(t=0) =2/e

(Refer Slide Time: 13:41)

So, now we will try on more problem based on this now w = x 2+2xy2+y3, x=et, y=cost.
So, again at t=0; x=1 and y = 1. For solution see (Refer Slide Time: 13:41)
(Refer Slide Time: 15:11)

Now, come to functions of 3 variables ok. Now suppose f(w) is a function of 3

independent variables x, y, z and x is a function of t; y is a function of t; and z is a
function of t. Again suppose that all the functions x, y and z are differentiable functions
of t, then if you want to find out dw/dt. So, it is nothing, but f/x because now function
w or f is a function of 3 unknowns x, y and z and each is a function of t. So, it is dw/dt =
f/x.dx/dt+ f/y.dy/dt +f/z.dz/dt.

This is by the chain rule and the tree diagram also we can see this w is a function of x, y,
z and x, y, z each is a function of t. So, x is a function of t; y is a function of t; z is a
function of t, now from this branch it is f/x and from this branch it is dx/dt because
only one unknown is there it is f/y and it is dy/dt it is f/z it is dz/dt.
(Refer Slide Time: 17:30)

Now let us suppose w is a function of n unknowns and each x i is a function of t and

suppose you want to compute dw/dt. So, again by the chain rule how can we write this;
this will be f/x1.dx1/dt+ f/x2.dx2/dt+f/x3.dx3/dt +.....+f/xi.dxi/dt

n
f dxi
So this is  x
i 1 i dt

(Refer Slide Time: 19:45)

Now suppose w is a function of x y z and x is a function of r and s; y is also some

function of r and s, and z also a function of r and s. So, instead of only one variable now
x, y, z all other function of 2 independent variables r and s. Now when you substitute x
as a function of r and s; y as a function of r and s; z is the function of r and s.

So, overall this function will be a function of 2 variables r and s. So, instead of complete
derivative, now we will be having partial derivative. So, basically now we will be having
either w/r or we or we will be having w/s. So, how can we compute del w/r or w/s
again we can write chain rule for this function.

w/r=f/x. x/r+f/y. y/r+f/z. z/r

w/s=f/x. x/s+f/y. y/s+f/z. z/s

Now, we will try to solve some problems based on this first.

(Refer Slide Time: 23:41)

Now take w=2y.ex-log z; x=log(t2+1), y=tan-1t, z=et . At t=1, x=log2, y=tan-11=/4, z=e.

For solution see (Refer Slide Time: 23:41)

Now, similarly we can try for the second problem.

(Refer Slide Time: 27:40)

Now for a second problem w = (x + y)/z; x = cos 2t, y = sin2t, and z=1/t. At t=3, x=cos23,
y=sin23, z=1/3. For solution see (Refer Slide Time: 27:40)

So, that is how we can simply apply a chain rule to find out derivative respect to t or
some other variables. So, this I have already discussed, now come to some more
problems based on this.

(Refer Slide Time: 30:43)

So, we will compute say Z=4exlog y; x=log(r cos), y=r sin and the point is point is (r,
)= (2, /4). So, in the first problem we have to find out z/r or z/ at (2, /4).

So, how can we compute; now here z is a function of x and y and x and y are again
functions of 2 variables r and . For solution see (Refer Slide Time: 30:43)

So, you can simply substitute the values of x, y , r and  in the expressions for z/r and
z/.

(Refer Slide Time: 31:20)

Similarly, we can solve second and third problem also let us try the last problem z/p
and del z/q.

Now here in the last problem we are having z = x 3+y3-3x2y+6xy2; x=u2+v2, y=u2-v2, u=p-
q, v=p2+pq, at p=1, q=0. Now x is a function of u and v, y is again a function of u and v,
now u and v are again function of 2 variables p and q. So, when you substitute x as u
square plus v square and y as u square minus v square and again u as p minus q and v as
p square plus p q. So, that z will be a function of p and q. So, we have to compute z/p
and z/q in this problem at p = 1 and q = 0. So, for solution see. (Refer Slide Time:
34:28)
(Refer Slide Time: 34:28)

So, this is how we can solve some problems based on chain rule.

Thank you very much.