1

Chapter – 2
PARTIAL DERIVATIVES

MULTIVARIATE FUNCTIONS
PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
CHAIN RULE
Functions of several variables (Multivariate Functions): 2
1. Functions of two variables:
Definition: A function of two variables is a rule that assigns to each ordered pair of real numbers (x, y ),
a unique real number f (x, y ).

The set of ordered pairs D = (x, y ) / x, y  R is called the domain of f and the set of values that f takes,
that is  f (x, y ) /( x, y )  D is called the range of f.

A function of two variables x and y can be written as

z = f ( x, y),
where x, y are called independent variable and z is called dependent variable.
For example, the volume V of circular cylinder depends on its radius r and height h. so, we could write
v =  r 2 h = f ( r , h) .
Note: Here the domain of the function f is understood to be the set of all ordered pairs (x, y) for which the
expression for f is a well defined real number. 1/12/2021
2. Functions of three variables: 3
Definition: A function of three variables is a rule that assigns to each
ordered triple of real numbers ( x, y, z ) a unique real number f ( x, y, z ).

The set of ordered triples D = (x, y, z ) / x, y, z  R is called the domain of f and the set values that f takes,
that is  f (x, y, z ) /( x, y, z )  D is called the range of f.

A function of three variables x , y and z can be written as

w = f ( x, y, z ),

where x, y, z are called independent variable and w is called dependent variable.

For example, the temperature T at a point on the surface of the earth depends on the longitude x
and latitude y of the point and on the time ‘t’. So, we could write T = f ( x, y, t ) .

1/12/2021
Partial Derivatives: 4
Let z = f(x, y) be a function of two variables x and y. If we keep y as a constant and vary x
alone, the f becomes a function of a single variable x. The derivative of f with respect to x,
treating y as a constant, is called the partial derivative of f with respect to x and is denoted by
f z
fx = = = Dx f = f1 = D1 f .
x x
Thus,
f (x + h, y ) − f (x, y )
f x (x, y ) = lim .
h →0 h
Similarly, the derivative of f with respect to y, treating x as a constant, is called the partial
derivative of f with respect to y and is denoted by
f z
fy = = = Dy f = f 2 = D2 f .
y y
Thus,
f ( x, y + h ) − f ( x, y )
f y (x, y ) = lim .
h →0 h

f x (x, y ) and f y (x, y ) are called the first order partial derivatives of f (x, y ).
1/12/2021
Example 1: Find the first partial derivatives of the function.
5
(i) f (x, y ) = x 5 + 3x 3 y 2 + 3xy 4 (vii) w = r 2 + s 2 + t 2
x− y (viii) u = xe −t sin 
(ii) f (x, y ) =
x+ y
 x  (ix) f (x, y, z , t ) = xyz 2 tan ( yt )
(iii) f (x, y ) = sin 
1+ y 
(iv) w = ln( x + 2 y + 3z ) (x) f (x, t ) = arctan x t ( )
( v) f ( x, y, z ) = x 2 e yz

(vi) u = te w / t

1/12/2021
Sol:
6
(i). f (x, y ) = x + 3x y + 3xy
5 3 2 4

f  5
 fx = =
x x
(
x + 3x 3 y 2 + 3xy 4 )
= 5x 4 + 9 x 2 y 2 + 3 y 4

and
f  5
fy = =
y y
(
x + 3x 3 y 2 + 3xy 4 )
= 0 + 6 x 3 y + 12 xy 3

= 6 x 3 y + 12 xy 3

1/12/2021
 x− y
Sol: (ii). f ( x, y ) = 7
x+ y

f  x− y
 fx = =  
x x  x + y 

(x + y )  (x − y ) − (x − y )  (x + y )
= x x
(x + y )2

 u v 
=
( x + y ) 1 − ( x − y ) 1   u v
   = x
−u 
x 
(x + y )2  x  v 

v2 

 

x+ y−x+ y 2y
= =
(x + y )2 (x + y )2

1/12/2021
 8
and
f  x− y
fy = =  
y y  x + y 


(x + y )  (x − y ) − (x − y )  (x + y )
y y
=
(x + y )2

=
(x + y )  (− 1) − (x − y )  (1)
(x + y )2
−x− y−x+ y − 2x
= =
(x + y )2 (x + y )2

1/12/2021
 w = ln( x + 2 y + 3z )
(iv).
9
w  
= ln x + 2 y + 3z  = (x + 2 y + 3z )
1

x x x + 2 y + 3z x

1
=
x + 2 y + 3z

w 
= ln x + 2 y + 3z  =
1 2
 2 =
y y x + 2 y + 3z x + 2 y + 3z

w 
= ln x + 2 y + 3z  =
1 3
and  3 =
z z x + 2 y + 3z x + 2 y + 3z

(iii), (v), (vi), (vii), (viii), (ix) and (x), Please try yourself.
1/12/2021
Interpretations of Partial Derivatives:

Partial derivatives can be interpreted as rates of change. If z = f (x, y ),

10
z
then x
represents the rate of change of z with respect to x when y is fixed.
z
Similarly, represents the rate of change of z with respect to y when x is fixed.
y

1/12/2021
Example 2: The temperature at a point (x, y) on a flat metal plate is given by
11
T ( x, y ) =
60
( 1+ x + y
2 2
) where T is measured in
, C and x, y in meters.

Find the rate of change of temperature with respect to distance at the point (2,1) in
(a) the x-direction and (b) the y-direction. What is its physical significance?

1/12/2021
Sol (a) : The rate of change of temperature with respect to distance in the x-direction
12
is
T − 60
Tx (x, y ) =
120 x
=  2 x = −
x 2
(1 + x
2 2
+y 2
) 2 2
(1 + x +y )
At the point (2,1)
T − 240
Tx (2,1) =
120 (2) 20
=− = =− .
x (
1 + 2 2 + 12 )
2
36 3

∴ The temperature is decreasing in the x-direction. (Tx (2,1) is negative.)

(b) The rate of change of temperature with respect to distance in the y-direction
is 𝜕𝑇 −60 −120𝑦
𝑇𝑦 𝑥, 𝑦 = = 2 2 2
⋅ 2𝑦 = 2 2 2
𝜕𝑦 1+𝑥 +𝑦 1+𝑥 +𝑦

At the point (2,1),

− 120(1) − 120 − 10
T y (2,1) = = =
(
1+ 2 +1
2 2
)36 3
1/12/2021
∴ The temperature is decreasing in the y-direction
Higher Derivatives :

Let z = f (x, y ) be a function of two variables. If f x and f y are also functions of x and y,
then they can be differentiated further partially with respect to x and y. These are called
second order partial derivatives of f.

Thus,   f   2 f  2 z
( f x )x = fxx = f11 =   = 2 = 2
x  x  x x

  f   2 f 2z
( f x )y = fx y = f12 =   = =
y  x  yx yx

  f   2 f 2z
(f ) = fyx = f 21 =   = =
x  y  xy xy
y x

  f   2 f  2 z
(f ) = f y y = f22 =   = 2 = 2
y  y  y y
y y

1/12/2021 13
Example 3: Find all the second partial derivatives.

(i) f ( x, y ) = x 4 − 3 x 2 y 3

x
(ii) z=
(x + y )
(iii) u = e − s sin t

(iv) f (x, y ) = ln(3x + 5 y )

(v) z = y tan 2 x

(vi) v = x2 + y2

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Sol (i):

f ( x, y ) = x 4 − 3 x 2 y 3
f
fx = = 4 x 3 − 6 xy 3
x
f
fy = = 0 − 9 x 2 y 2 = −9 x 2 y 2
y
2 f   f  
fxx = 2 =  =
x x  x  x
( )
4 x 3 − 6 xy 3 = 12 x 2 − 6 y 3

2 f   f  
fx y = =  =
yx y  x  y
(
4 x 3 − 6 xy 3 = −18 xy 2 )
2 f   f  
fyx = =   =
xy x  y  x
(
− 9 x 2 y 2 = −18 xy 2)
2 f   f  
fyy = 2 =   =
y y  y  y
( )
− 9 x 2 y 2 = −18 x 2 y

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Sol (ii) z=
x
(x + y )
z
(x + y )  (x ) − x 
(x + y ) (x + y )  1 − x  1 x + y − x
= x x = = =
y
x (x + y )2
(x + y ) 2
( x + y ) ( x + y )2
2

z 
=−
x
 ( x + y ) = −
x
y (x + y )2 y (x + y )2

 2 z   z    y  2y
=   =   = −
x 2 x  x  x  (x + y )2  (x + y )3
2z   z    x  (x + y )  (−1) − (− x)  2(x + y )
2
=   = − =
xy x  y  x  (x + y )2  (x + y )4

=
(x + y )− x − y + 2 x = x − y
(x + y )4 (x + y )3
2z   z    y 
=   =  
yx y  x  y  (x + y )2 

=
( x + y ) 1 − y  2(x + y )
2

=
(x + y )x + y − 2 y  = x − y
(x + y )4 (x + y )4 (x + y )3
1/12/2021 16
Sol (iii)
u ( s, t ) = e − s sin t
u
= −e −s sin t
s
u
= e − s cost
t

 2 u   u  
s 2
=  =
s  s  s
( )
− e − s sin t = e − s sin t

 2u   u   − s
=  =
st s  t  s
( )
e cost = −e − s cost

 2 u   u  
=  =
ts t  s  t
( )
− e − s sin t = −e − s cost

 2 u   u   − s
t 2
=  =
t  t  t
( )
e cost = −e − s sin t

(iv), (v), and (vi) Please try yourself.

1/12/2021 17
Clairaut’s Theorem: Suppose f is defined on a disk D that contains the point (a, b). If the
functions f xy and f yx are both continuous on D, then

f xy (a, b) = f yx (a, b)

1/12/2021 18
Example 4:

Verify that the conclusion of Clairaut’s theorem holds, that is u xy = u yx

(i) u = x sin (x + 2 y )

(ii) u = ln x 2 + y 2

(iii) u = xye y

Please try yourself.

1/12/2021 19
Example 5: Find the indicated partial derivatives

(i) f (x, y ) = 3xy 4 + x 3 y 2 ; f xxx, f xxy , f yyy

(ii) f (x, t ) = x 2 e − ct ; f ttt f txx

Please try yourself.

1/12/2021 20
Functions of more than two variables:

In the same way, we can define the partial derivatives for functions of three (or)
more variables.
For example, if w = f (x, y, z ) is a function of three variables x, y and z. Then, its
partial derivative with respect to x is denoted by

f w
fx = = = f1 = D1 f = Dx f ,
x x

We cannot interpret f x geometrically, because the graph of f lines in

four-dimensional space.

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In general, if u is a function of n variables,

u = f (x1 , x2 ,.......,xn )

Then its partial derivative with respect to the variable x i is denoted by

f u
f xi = = = f i = Di f .
xi xi

1/12/2021 22
Example 6: Find the indicated partial derivatives.
x 3w 3w
(i) w= ; ,
y + 2 z zyx x 2 y

(ii) f (x, y, z ) = cos(4 xx + 3 y + 2 z ); f xyz , f yzz

(iii) ( )
f (r , s, t ) = r ln rs 2t 3 ; f rss , f rst

r  3u
(iv) u = e sin  ; 2
r 

3 z
(v) z = u v − w;
uvw

 6u
(vi) u=x y z ;
a b c

xy 2 z 3

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Sol (i): x
w=
y + 2z
w 1
=
x y + 2 z

2w   w    1  −1  −1
=   =   =  ( y + 2 z ) =
yx y  x  y  y + 2 z  ( y + 2 z )2 y ( y + 2 z )2

3w    2w    − 1 
=   =  
2 
zyx z  yx  z  ( y + 2 z ) 


=
2
 (y + 2z)
( y + 2 z )3 t
2 4
=  2 =
( y + 2 z )3 ( y + 2 z )3

1/12/2021 24
and w   x 
=  
y y  y + 2 z 
−x  −x
= ( y + 2 z ) =
( y + 2 z )2 y ( y + 2 z )2

2w   w    − x  1
=   =   = −
xy x  y  x  ( y + 2 z )2  ( y + 2 z )2

3w   2w    −1 
=  =  =0
x 2 y x  xy  x  ( y + 2 z )2 

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Sol (vi)
u = xa yb zc
u
= cx a y b z c −1
z
 2u   u  
z 2
=  =
z  z  z
( )
cx a y b z c −1 = c(c − 1)x a y b z c − 2

 3u    2 u  
=   =
z 3 z  z 2  z
c (
c − 1)x a b c−2
y z = c 
(c − 1)(c − 2 )x a b c −3
y z

 4u    3u 
=   = bc(c − 1)(c − 2 )x a b −1 c −3
y z
yz 3 y  z 3 

 5u    4u 
=   = bc(b − 1)(c − 1)(c − 2)x a y b − 2 z c −3
3 
y z
2 3
y  yz 

 6u    5u 
=  2 3  = abc(b − 1)(c − 1)(c − 2)x a −1 y b − 2 z c −3
xy z
2 3
x  y z 

(ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) Please try yourself.

1/12/2021 26
 1 2
Example 7: The kinetic energy of a body with mass m and velocity v is k= mv
2
k  2 k
Show that  =k
m v 2

Sol:
1 2
k= mv
2
k 1 2
 = v
m 2
k 1
= m  2v = mv
v 2

 2k
and =m
v 2
k  2 k 1 2 1
  2 = v  m = mv 2 = k
m v 2 2

k  2 k
Thus,   =k
m v 2

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Example 8: The gas law for a fixed mass m of an ideal gas at absolute temperature T, pressure P and
volume V is PV = mRT, where R is the gas constant. Show that

P V T
  = −1
V T P

Sol: Please try yourself.

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Example 9: The total resistance R produced by three conductors with resistance
R1 , R2 , R3 connected in a parallel electrical circuit is given by the formula

1 1 1 1
= + +
R R1 R2 R3

R
.
Find R1

Sol: Please try yourself.

R R 2
Answer : =
R1 R12

1/12/2021 29
Differentials
Let z = f(x, y) be a differentiable function of two variables x and y. If dx and dy are
small increments (or changes or errors) in x and y, respectively, then the corresponding
increment (or change or error) in z is given by the differential dz, also called the total
differential, is defined by
z z
dz = f x ( x, y )dx + f y ( x, y )dy = dx + dy (some times df is used in place of dz)
x y
dx dx
Note: If dx is the error in x, then (i) relative error = , (ii) percentage error = 100 .
x x

Let w = f(x, y, z) be a differentiable function of three variables x, y, and z. Then the differential
dw is defined by
w w w
dw = dx + dy + dz
x y z

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Example 10: Find the differential of the function
(i ) z = x 3 ln( y 2 )
r
(ii ) u =
s + 2t
(iii ) v = y cos xy
(iv) u = et sin 

Sol:

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Example 11: The dimensions of a closed rectangular box are measured as 80 Cm,
60 Cm, and 50 Cm, respectively, with a possible error of 0.2 Cm in each
dimension. Use differentials to estimate the maximum error in calculating the
surface area of the box.
Sol:

1/12/2021 32
Example 12: Use the differentials to estimate the amount of metal in a closed
cylindrical can that is 10 Cm high and 4 Cm in diameter if the metal in the top
and bottom is 0.1 Cm thick and the metal in the sides is 0.05 Cm thick.
Sol:

1/12/2021 33
The Chain Rule for Multivariate Function:

Case (i): If z = f (x, y ) is a differentiable function of x and y, where x = g (t ) and y = h(t )

are both differentiable functions of t. Then z is a composite function of t and

dz z dx z dy
= +
dt x dt y dt

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 dz
Example 13: If z = x 2 y + xy 2 where x = 2 + t 4 and y = 1 − t 3, Find dt
.

Sol: Here z is a composite function of t

By chain rule
dz z dx z dy
= +
dt x dt y dt
dz z 2 z 2
=
dt x
(
x y + xy 2
d
dt
) (
2 + t4 +
y
)
x y + xy 2
d
dt
(
1− t3 ) ( )
( )( ) (
= 2 xy + y 2 4t 3 + x 2 + 2 xy − 3t 2 )( )
( ) ( )
= 4 2 xy + y 2 t 3 − 3 x 2 + 2 xy t 2

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 −2t dz
Example 14: If z= x2 + y2 where x = e and y = e , find
2t
dt
.

Sol: Since z is a composite function of t, therefore, by chain rule

dz z dx z dy
= +
dt x dt y dt
dz z
=
dt x
(x 2
+ y2 )dtd (e 2t
) + yz ( x2 + y2 )dtd (e − 2t
)
1 1
=  2 x  e 2t  2 +  2 y  e − 2t  −2
2 x2 + y2 2 x2 + y2

=
2
(xe 2t
− ye − 2t )
x +y
2 2

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Example 15: If z = x 2 y + 3xy 4 , where x = sin 2t and y = cost ,
dz
find dt when t =0.

Sol: Here z is a composite functions of t.

By chain rule,
dz z dx z dy
= +
dt x dt y dt

( ) ( )
= 2 xy + 3 y 4 (cos 2t  2) + x 2 + 12 xy 3 (− sin t )

( ) ( )
= 2 2 xy + 3 y 4 cos 2t − x 2 + 12 xy 3 sin t

When t = 0,
x = sin 0 = 0 and y = cos 0 = 1

= 2(0 + 3) cos 0 − (0 + 0)sin 0 = 6 − 0 = 6

dz

dt
1/12/2021 37
Case (ii): If z = f (x, y ) is a differential function of x and y, where x = g (s, t ) and y = h(s, t )

are differentiable functions of s and t. Then z is a composite function of s

and t, and
z z x z y
= + z
s x s y s

z z x z y
= +
t x t y t
x y

t
s t s

1/12/2021 38
 z z
Example 16: If z = x 2 + xy + y 2 , where x = s + t and y = st find and
s t

Sol: Here z is a composite function of s and t.

By chain rule,
z z x z y
= +
s x s y s
= (2 x + y + 0)(1 + 0) + (0 + x + 2 y )(t )

= (2 x + y ) + t (x + 2 y )

and
z z x z y
= +
t x t y t
= (2 x + y + 0)(0 + 1) + (0 + x + 2 y )(s )
= (2 x + y ) + s(x + 2 y )

1/12/2021 39
 s z z
Example 17: If z = e xy tan y where x = s + 2t and y= find and
t s t

Sol: Here z is a composite function of s and t.

By chain rule,

z z x z y
= +
s x s y s

( ) ( 1
= e xy tan y  y (1 + 0) + e xy  x  tan y + e xy  sec 2 y   )
t 
= ye tan y +
xy e xy
t
(
x tan y + sec 2 y )
and
z z x z y
= +
t x t y t

( ) ( )  s
= e xy tan y  y (0 + 2) + e xy  x  tan y + e xy  sec 2 y  − 2 
 t 
= 2 ye xy tan y − 2 e xy (x tan y + sec 2 y )
s
t

1/12/2021 40
 z z
Example 18: Use chain rule to find and .
s t

(i) z = e r cos  , r = st ,  = s 2 + t 2

x
(ii) z= , x = set , y = 1 + se −t
y

(iii) z = arctan(2 x + y ), x = s 2t , y = s ln t

(iv) z = sin  tan  ,  = 3s + t ,  = s − t

Please try yourself.

Answer.
 
( ) ( )
(i) e r cos  (s ) + e r  − sin  
1
 2t 
 2 s +t 
2 2

1/12/2021 41
Case (iii): If u is a differentiable of n variables x1 , x2 ...xn and each x J is a differential function
of m variables t1 , t2 ,..., tm . Then u is a composite function of t1 , t2 ,..., tm and

u u x1 u x2 u xn

=  + +−−−−+
t i x1 t i x2 t i xn t i

For each i = 1,2,...m.

1/12/2021 42
Example 19: If w = xy + yz 2 wherex = et , y = e t sin t and z = e t cost

dw
find dt

Sol: Here w is a composite function of t.

𝑤
By chain rule,
dw w dx w dy w dz
= + + 𝑥 𝑦
dt x dt y dt z dt 𝑧

𝑡 𝑡 𝑡

( ) ( )( ) (
= ( y + 0) e t + x + z 2 e t sin t + e t cost + (0 + 2 yz ) e t  cost + e t  − sin t )
= ye + e (x + z )(sin t + cost ) + 2 yz (cost − sin t )
t t 2 2

= e y + (x + z + 2 yz )cost + (x + z + − yz )sin t 
t 2 2

1/12/2021 43
Example 20: Use the chain rule to find the indicated partial derivatives:
(i) z = x 2 + xy 3 , x = uv 2 + w3 , y = u + ve w
z z z
, , when u = 2, v = 1, w = 0.
u v w

(ii) u = x 2 + yz, x = pr cos  , y = pr sin  , z = p + r

u u u
, , when p = 2, r = 1 , = 0.
p r 

y+ z2
(iii) M = xe , x = 2uv, y = u − v, z = u + v

M M
, when u = 3, v = −1.
u v

(iv) y = w tan −1 (uv ), u = r + s, v = s + t , w = t + r

y y y
, , when r = 1, s = 0, t = 1.
r s t

1/12/2021 44
Sol: (i) Here z is a composite function of u, v and w.
z
∴ By chain rule,

z z x z y
= + x y
u x u y u
= (2 x + y 3 )(v 2 + 0) + (0 + 3xy 2 )(1 + 0)
(
= v 2 2 x + y 3 + 3xy 2 ) u
v
w u v w

z z x z y
= +
v x v y v
( ) (
= 2 x + y 3 (2uv + 0) + 0 + 3xy 2 0 + e w )( )
(
= 2uv 2 x + y 3 + 3xy 2 e w)

z z x z y
and = +
w x w y w
( )( )
= 2 x + y 3 0 + 3w 2 + 3 xy 2 0 + ve w ( )
1/12/2021 ( )
= 3w 2 x + y 3 + 3 xy 2 ve w 45
 w
(ii) Here u is a composite function of 𝑝, 𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝜃

By chain rule, x z

r 
u u x u y u z
= + +  r
p x p y p z p p p
= (2 x + 0)(r cos ) + (0 + z )(r sin  ) + (0 + y )(1 + 0) y

= 2 xr cos + zr sin  + y r 
= r (2 x cos + z sin  ) + y p

u u x u y u z
= + +
r x r y r z r

= 2 x  p cos + z  p sin  + y  1
= p(2 x cos + z sin  ) + y

u u x u y u z
and = + +
 x  y  z 

= 2 x  − pr sin  + z  pr cos + y  0
= pr(− 2 x sin  + z cos )
(iii) and (iv) Please try yourself.
1/12/2021 46
Example 21: The radius of a right circular cone is increasing at a rate of 1.8 in/sec
while its height is decreasing at a rate of 2.5 in/sec. At what rate is the volume of
the cone changing when the radius is 120 in. and height is 140 in.?

1
Sol: The volume of a right circular cone is V = r 2 h
3

V is a function of r and h and r , h are functions of time t.

By chain rule, dr
= 1.8in / sec
dh
= −2.5in / sec
dV V dr V dh Given that, dt
dt
= +
dt r dt h dt r = 120 in. and h=140 in.
The rate of change in the volume of the cone is
dV 1 dr 1 dh
=   2r  h  + r 2  1
dt 3 dt 3 dt
1
3
 2

=   2(120)(140)(1.8) + (120) (− 2.5)


= 60480 − 36000 = 8160 in 3 / sec (or ) 25635.456 in 3 / sec
1/12/2021 3 47
Example 22: The voltage V in a simple electrical circuit is slowly decreasing as the
battery wears out. The resistance R is slowly increasing as the resistor heats up.
Use Ohm’s law, V=IR, to find how the current I is changing at the moment when
R = 400, I =0.08A, dV = −0.01V / sec, and dR = 0.03 / sec
dt dt

Sol: Since, V=IR, by chain rule

dV V dI V dR
= +
dt I dt R dt

dV dI dR
 =R +I
dt dt dt

+ 0.08(0.03)
dI
 −0.01 = 400
dt
dI
= 400 + 0.0024
dt
dI
 400 = − 0.0124
dt ∴The current I is decreasing by 0.000031A/s.
dI − 0.0124
 = = −0.000031 A / s
dt 400
1/12/2021 48
Example 23: If x decreases at a rate of 32 cm / s at the instant when x =1cm ad y =2cm.
Use partial differentiation to find the corresponding rate at which y must be changing in
order that U = x + y shall be neither increase or decrease.
2 2

x+ y
Sol: Given that,
dx 3 dU (U remains constant)
= − cm / s =0
dt 2 dt

x = 1cm and y = 2cm

By chain rule
dU U dx U dy
= +
dt x dt y dt
( x + y )  2 x − (x 2 + y 2 )1 dx (x + y )  2 y − (x 2 + y 2 )1 dy
= + 1 + 4 − 4  3  4 + 4 − 1 dy
(x + y )2 dt (x + y )2 dt 0 = −  +
9  2 9 dt
x 2 + 2 xy − y 2 dx 2 xy + y 2 − x 2 dy
= + 1 7 dy
(x + y )2 dt (x + y )2 dt 0 = − +
6 9 dt

dy 1 9 3
 = + =
dt 6 7 14
3
1/12/2021
 y increases at a rate of 14
cm / sec
49
Definition: (Explicit and Implicit Functions)
In a relation between x and y, if we can express y completely in terms of x, then y is
called an explicit function of x. If it is not possible to express y completely in terms of x,
then y is called an implicit function of x.
For example, y = x 2 − 4 x + 2 , y is called an explicit function.
In xy + sin y = 2 , y is an implicit function.

Implicit Differentiation
Case (i): If y is given implicitly as a function y = f (x) by an equation of the form F (x, y ) = 0,
where F is differentiable, then by chain rule
F dx F dy F F dy
+ =0  + =0
x dx y dx x y dx
F
= − x = − x
dy F

dx F Fy
y 50
 dy
Example 24: Find if xy = 1 + x 2 y
dx

Sol: The given equation can be written as

F (x, y ) = xy − x 2 y − 1 = 0 where y is an implicit function of x

1 1
Now, Fx =  y − 2 xy and Fy =  x − x2
2 xy 2 xy

y
− 2 xy
4(xy ) − y
3
dy F 2 xy y − 4 xy xy 2
 =− x =− =− =
dx Fy x
−x 2 x − 2 x 2
xy x − 2 x 2
xy
2 xy

51
Example 25: Find 𝑦′ if

y 5 + x 2 y 3 = 1 + ye x
2
(i)

(ii) cos(x − y ) = xe y

(iii) sin x + cos y = sin x cos y

Sol: (i) Let F (x, y ) = y 5 + x 2 y 3 − ye x − 1 = 0

2

dy Fx 2 xy − ye  2 x 3
2 xye − 2 xy 3
x2 x2
then y = =− =− 4 = 4
5 y + 3x y − e x2
5 y + 3x 2 y 2 − e x
2
2 2
dx Fy

52
Case (ii): If z is given implicitly as a function z = f (x, y ) by an equation of the form
F (x, y, z ) = 0 , where F is differentiable. Then by chain rule,
F x F y F z
+ + =0
x x y x z x F x F y F z
+ + =0
x y y y z y
But
 
(x ) = 1 and ( y ) = 0  
x x but (x ) = 0 and ( y ) = 1
y y
So this equation becomes
F F z F F z
+ =0 so, + =0
y z y
x z x
F
F
z y Fy
z  =− =−
= − x = − x
F
 y F Fz
x F Fz
z
z

53
 z z (i) x 3 + y 3 + z 3 + 6 xyz = 1
Example 26: Find and if
x y
(ii) xyz = cos(x + y + z )
(iii) x − z = arctan( yz )
(iv) yz = ln(x + z )

Sol: (i) Let F (x, y, z ) = x 3 + y 3 + z 3 + 6 xyz − 1 = 0

z Fx 3x 2 + 6 yz x 2 + 2 yz
 =− =− 2 =− 2
x Fz 3z + 6 xy z + 2 xy
z Fy 3 y 2 + 6 xz y 2 + 2 xz
and =− =− 2 =− 2
y Fz 3z + 6 xy z + 2 xy

(ii) Let F (x, y, z ) = xyz − cos(x + y + z ) = 0

z F yz + sin (x + y + z )
 =− x =−
x Fz xy + sin (x + y + z )
z Fy xz + sin (x + y + z )
and =− =−
y Fz xy + sin (x + y + z )
54
(iii) and (iv) Please try yourself.
END