4.4.

Homogeneous Functions and Euler’s Theorem

Learning objectives

 To define a homogeneous function of two and three variables.

 To state and prove Euler’s Theorem for functions of two variables.

AND

 To practice the related problems.

4.4. Homogeneous Functions and Euler’s Theorem
In this module we define a homogeneous function of two and three variables and
prove Euler’s theorem for homogeneous functions of two variables.

Homogeneous function of two variables

A function 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 is said to be a homogeneous function of degree 𝒏 in 𝒙 and 𝒚 if
it can be written in any one of the following forms:

i) 𝑓 𝜆𝑥, 𝜆𝑦 = 𝜆𝑛 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 , 𝜆 > 0
𝑦
ii) 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑥 𝑛 𝑔
𝑥
𝑥
iii) 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑦 𝑛 𝑕
𝑦

Homogeneous function of three variables

A function 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 is said to be a homogeneous function of degree 𝒏 in 𝒙, 𝒚 and
𝒛 if it can be written in any one of the following forms:

(i) 𝑓 𝜆𝑥, 𝜆𝑦, 𝜆𝑧 = 𝜆𝑛 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧

𝑦 𝑧
(ii) 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 = 𝑥 𝑛 𝑔 ,
𝑥 𝑥
𝑥 𝑧
(iii) 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 = 𝑦 𝑛 𝑢 ,
𝑦 𝑦
𝑥 𝑦
(iv) 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 = 𝑧 𝑛 𝑣 ,
𝑧 𝑧

The degree of homogeneity 𝑛 can be an integer or any real number.

Example 1: Find the degree of homogeneity of the functions

1 𝑥
(i) 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = (ii) 𝑔 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 =
𝑥+𝑦 𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 +𝑧 2

Solution:
1 1
(i) For any 𝜆 > 0, we have 𝑓 𝜆𝑥, 𝜆𝑦 = = 𝜆−1 = 𝜆−1 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦
𝜆𝑥 +𝜆𝑦 𝑥+𝑦

Therefore, the degree of homogeneity of 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 is −1.

(ii) For any 𝜆 > 0, we have
1
𝜆𝑥 𝜆 𝑥
𝑔 𝜆𝑥, 𝜆𝑦, 𝜆𝑧 = = = 𝜆− 2 𝑔 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧
𝜆𝑥 2 + 𝜆𝑦 2 + 𝜆𝑧 2 𝜆 𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 +𝑧 2

1
Therefore, the degree of homogeneity of 𝑔 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 is − .
2

The following is an important theorem concerning homogeneous functions.

Theorem 1: Euler’s Theorem

Let 𝒇 𝒙, 𝒚 be a homogeneous function of degree 𝒏 in 𝒙 and 𝒚.

i) If the first order partial derivatives of 𝒇 exist, then

𝝏𝒇 𝝏𝒇
𝒙 +𝒚 = 𝒏𝒇 … (1)
𝝏𝒙 𝝏𝒚

for all 𝒙, 𝒚 in the domain of 𝒇.

ii) If the first and second order partial derivatives of 𝒇 are continuous, then
𝝏𝟐 𝒇 𝝏𝟐 𝒇 𝝏𝟐 𝒇
𝒙𝟐 𝟐
+ 𝟐𝒙𝒚 + 𝒚𝟐 = 𝒏 𝒏−𝟏 𝒇 … (2)
𝝏𝒙 𝝏𝒙𝝏𝒚 𝝏𝒚𝟐

for all 𝒙, 𝒚 in the domain of 𝒇.

Proof: Since 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 is a homogeneous function of degree 𝑛 in 𝑥 and 𝑦, we can

𝑦
write 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑥 𝑛 𝑔 , for all 𝑥, 𝑦 in the domain of 𝑓.
𝑥

Differentiating partially w.r.t. 𝑥 and 𝑦, we obtain,

𝜕𝑓 𝑦 𝑦 𝑦 𝑦 𝑦
= 𝑛𝑥 𝑛−1 𝑔 + 𝑥 𝑛 𝑔′ − = 𝑛𝑥 𝑛−1 𝑔 − 𝑦𝑥 𝑛−2 𝑔′
𝜕𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥2 𝑥 𝑥

𝜕𝑓 𝑦 1 𝑦
= 𝑥 𝑛 𝑔′ = 𝑥 𝑛−1 𝑔′
𝜕𝑦 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥

𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓 𝑦 𝑦 𝑦 𝑦
Now, 𝑥 +𝑦 = 𝑛𝑥 𝑛 𝑔 − 𝑦𝑥 𝑛−1 𝑔′ + 𝑦𝑥 𝑛−1 𝑔′ = 𝑛𝑥 𝑛 𝑔 = 𝑛𝑓
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥

This proves the first part of the theorem.

 𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
We have, 𝑥 +𝑦 = 𝑛𝑓 … (1)
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦

Differentiating (1) partially w.r.t. 𝑥 and 𝑦, we obtain

𝜕2𝑓 𝜕𝑓 𝜕2𝑓 𝜕𝑓 𝜕2𝑓 𝜕2𝑓 𝜕𝑓
𝑥 2
+ +𝑦 =𝑛 ⇒𝑥 2
+𝑦 = 𝑛−1 … (3)
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥

𝜕2𝑓 𝜕𝑓 𝜕2𝑓 𝜕𝑓 𝜕2𝑓 𝜕2𝑓 𝜕𝑓

𝑥 + +𝑦 =𝑛 ⇒𝑥 +𝑦 = 𝑛−1 … (4)
𝜕𝑦𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑦

Multiplying (3) by 𝑥, (4) by 𝑦 and adding, we obtain

𝜕2𝑓 𝜕2𝑓 𝜕2𝑓 𝜕2𝑓 𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
𝑥2 2
+ 𝑥𝑦 + + 𝑦2 = 𝑛−1 𝑥 +𝑦 𝑓
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦

𝜕2𝑓 𝜕2𝑓 𝜕2𝑓 𝜕2𝑓

i.e., 𝑥2 2
+ 𝑥𝑦 + + 𝑦2 =𝑛 𝑛−1 𝑓 … (5)
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 2

𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
(since 𝑥 +𝑦 = 𝑛𝑓)
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦

Since the first and second order partial derivatives are continuous in the domain
𝜕2𝑓 𝜕2𝑓
𝑓, by mixed derivative theorem = at all points in the domain of 𝑓.
𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦𝜕𝑥

𝜕2𝑓 𝜕2𝑓 𝜕2𝑓

Therefore, (5) reduces to 𝑥 2 2
+ 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦2 = 𝑛 𝑛 − 1 𝑓, for all 𝑥, 𝑦
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 2
in the domain of 𝑓. Thus, the theorem is proved.
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
Note: If 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 is a homogeneous function of degree 𝑛, then and are
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
homogeneous functions of degree 𝑛 − 1 in 𝑥 and 𝑦.
𝑦
Proof: We have 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑥 𝑛 𝑔 . Then
𝑥

𝜕𝑓 𝑦 𝑦 𝑦 𝑦 𝑦
= 𝑛𝑥 𝑛−1 𝑔 − 𝑦𝑥 𝑛−2 𝑔′ = 𝑥 𝑛−1 𝑛𝑔 − 𝑔′
𝜕𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥

𝑦 𝑦 𝑦 𝑦 𝑦
= 𝑥 𝑛−1 ∅ , where ∅ = 𝑛𝑔 − 𝑔′
𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥

𝜕𝑓 𝑦
and = 𝑥 𝑛−1 𝑔′
𝜕𝑦 𝑥
 𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
Thus, and are homogeneous functions of degree 𝑛 − 1 in 𝑥 and 𝑦.
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦

𝑥+𝑦
Example 2: If 𝑢 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛−1 𝑥+ 𝑦
, 0 < 𝑥, 𝑦 < 1, then prove that
𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 1
𝑥 +𝑦 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑢 .
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 2

𝑥+𝑦
Solution: For all 𝑥, 𝑦: 0 < 𝑥, 𝑦 < 1, we have < 1.
𝑥+ 𝑦

Therefore, 𝑢 𝑥, 𝑦 is defined. The given function can be written as

𝑦 𝑦
𝑥 1+ 1 1+ 1
𝑥+𝑦 𝑥 𝑥 𝑦
𝑉 = sin 𝑢 = = =𝑥 2 = 𝑥2 𝑔
𝑥+ 𝑦 𝑦 𝑦 𝑥
𝑥 1+ 1+
𝑥 𝑥

1
⇒ 𝑉 is a homogeneous function of degree . By Euler’s theorem, we have
2

𝜕𝑉 𝜕𝑉 1 𝜕 𝜕 1
𝑥 +𝑦 = 𝑉⇒𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑢 + 𝑦 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑢 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑢
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 2

𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 1 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 1
⇒ 𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑢 + 𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑢 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑢 ⇒ 𝑥 +𝑦 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑢
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 2

Example 3: If 𝑉 𝑥, 𝑦 is a homogeneous function of degree 𝑛 and 𝑢 = 𝑙𝑛 𝑉, then

𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢
𝑥 +𝑦 =𝑛.
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦

Solution: Given 𝑉 𝑥, 𝑦 is a homogeneous function of degree 𝑛 and 𝑢 = ln 𝑉,

i.e., 𝑉 = 𝑒 𝑢 . Clearly, the first order partial derivatives of 𝑉 exist and

𝜕𝑉 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑉 𝜕𝑉
= 𝑒𝑢 , = 𝑒𝑢
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦

Since 𝑉 is a homogeneous function of degree 𝑛 in 𝑥, 𝑦, by Euler’s theorem

𝜕𝑉 𝜕𝑉 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢
𝑥 +𝑦 = 𝑛𝑉 ⇒ 𝑥𝑒 𝑢 + 𝑦𝑒 𝑢 = 𝑛, i.e., 𝑥 +𝑦 = 𝑛𝑒 𝑢
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦

𝑦 𝑥
Example 4: If 𝑢 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 𝑥
− 𝑦 2 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1
𝑦
, 𝑥 > 0, 𝑦 > 0, then
evaluate 𝑥 2 𝑢𝑥𝑥 + 2𝑥𝑦𝑢𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 𝑢𝑦𝑦 .
Solution: We have for all 𝜆 > 0,
𝜆𝑦 𝜆𝑥
𝑢 𝜆𝑥, 𝜆𝑦 = 𝜆2 𝑥 2 tan−1 − 𝜆2 𝑦 2 tan−1
𝜆𝑥 𝜆𝑦

𝑦 𝑥
= 𝜆2 𝑥 2 tan−1 − 𝑦 2 tan−1 = 𝜆2 𝑢 𝑥, 𝑦
𝑥 𝑦

Therefore, 𝑢 𝑥, 𝑦 is a homogeneous function of degree 𝑛 = 2.

Note that
𝑦 1 𝑦 1 1 𝑦
𝑢𝑥 = 2𝑥 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 + 𝑥2 𝑦 2
− − 𝑦2 𝑥 2
= 2𝑥 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 −𝑦
𝑥 1+ 𝑥2 1+ 𝑦 𝑥
𝑥 𝑦

1 1 𝑥 1 𝑥 𝑥
𝑢𝑦 = 𝑥 2 𝑦 2
− 2𝑦 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 − 𝑦2 𝑥 2
− = −2𝑦 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 +𝑥
1+ 𝑥 𝑦 1+ 𝑦2 𝑦
𝑥 𝑦

1 1 2𝑥 2 𝑥 2 −𝑦 2
Now, 𝑢𝑥𝑦 = 𝑢𝑥 𝑦 = 2𝑥 𝑦 2
−1= −1=
1+ 𝑥 𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 𝑥 2 +𝑦 2
𝑥

1 1 2𝑦 2 𝑥 2 −𝑦 2
𝑢𝑦𝑥 = 𝑢𝑦 = −2𝑦 𝑥 2
+1=− +1=
𝑥 1+ 𝑦 𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 𝑥 2 +𝑦 2
𝑦

Notice that 𝑢𝑥𝑦 = 𝑢𝑦𝑥 at all points 𝑥, 𝑦 in the domain of 𝑢.

By Euler’s Theorem, we have

𝜕2𝑢 𝜕2𝑢 𝜕2𝑢
𝑥2 2
+ 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦2 = 𝑛 𝑛 − 1 𝑢 = 2 2 − 1 𝑢 = 2𝑢
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 2

𝑥 3 +𝑦 3 𝜕2𝑢
Example 5: Let 𝑢 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑥+𝑦
, 𝑥, 𝑦 ≠ 0,0 . Then evaluate 𝑥
𝜕𝑥 2
+
𝜕2𝑢 𝜕𝑢
𝑦 − .
𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥

𝑦 3 𝑦 2
𝑥 3 +𝑦 3 𝑥 3 1+ 1+ 𝑦
𝑥
Solution: We have, 𝑢 𝑥, 𝑦 = = 𝑦 = 𝑥2 𝑥
𝑦 = 𝑥2𝑔
𝑥+𝑦 𝑥 1+𝑥 1+ 𝑥
𝑥

⇒ 𝑢 𝑥, 𝑦 is a homogeneous function of degree 2.

𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢
By Euler’s Theorem, we have 𝑥 +𝑦 = 2𝑢
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
Differentiating partially w.r.t.𝑥, we obtain
𝜕𝑢 𝜕2𝑢 𝜕2𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝜕2𝑢 𝜕2𝑢 𝜕𝑢
+𝑥 2
+𝑦 =2 , i.e., 𝑥 2
+𝑦 − =0
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥

Example 6: Let 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 and 𝑔 𝑥, 𝑦 be two homogeneous functions of degree 𝑚

𝜕𝑕 𝜕𝑕
and 𝑛 respectively, where 𝑚 ≠ 0. If 𝑕 = 𝑓 + 𝑔 and 𝑥 +𝑦 = 0, then show
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
that 𝑓 = 𝑘𝑔 for some scalar 𝑘.

Solution: Given 𝑓 and 𝑔 are homogeneous functions of degree 𝑚 and 𝑛

respectively. By Euler’s theorem,
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑔 𝜕𝑔
𝑥 +𝑦 = 𝑚𝑓 ; 𝑥 +𝑦 = 𝑛𝑔
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦

𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑔 𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑔
Adding, we obtain 𝑥 + +𝑦 + = 𝑚𝑓 + 𝑛𝑔
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦

𝜕 𝜕 𝜕𝑕 𝜕𝑕
⇒𝑥 𝑓+𝑔 +𝑦 𝑓 + 𝑔 = 𝑚𝑓 + 𝑛𝑔 ⇒ 𝑥 +𝑦 =0
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦

𝜕𝑕 𝜕𝑕 𝑛
Given 𝑥 +𝑦 = 0 ⇒ 𝑚𝑓 + 𝑛𝑔 = 0 ⇒ 𝑓 = − 𝑔 = 𝑘𝑔, where
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝑚
𝑛
𝑘=− , 𝑚≠0 .
𝑚

Euler’s theorem for homogeneous functions of three variables

If 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 is a homogeneous function of degree 𝑛 in 𝑥, 𝑦 and 𝑧 and first order
partial derivatives of 𝑓 exist, then
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
𝑥 +𝑦 +𝑧 = 𝑛𝑓
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

for all 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 in the domain of 𝑓.

𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 +𝑧 2 𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑤
Example 7: If 𝑤 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛−1 𝑢 , 𝑢 = 𝑥+𝑦+𝑧
, then 𝑥
𝜕𝑥
+𝑦
𝜕𝑦
+𝑧
𝜕𝑧
= 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑤

𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 +𝑧 2
Solution: Given, 𝑤 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛−1 𝑢 , 𝑢 =
𝑥+𝑦 +𝑧

⇒ 𝑢 = sin 𝑤 and 𝑢 is a homogeneous function of degree 𝑛 = 1.

 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢
By Euler’s theorem, we have 𝑥 +𝑦 +𝑧 = 𝑛𝑢 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑤
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑤
i.e., 𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑤 + 𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑤 + 𝑧 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑤 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑤
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑤
i.e., 𝑥 +𝑦 +𝑧 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑤
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
IP1.

Find the degree of homogeneity of the function , , = + +

Solution: Given function is , , = + +

For any > 0, we have

, , = + + = + + = , ,

Therefore, the given function is a homogeneous function of degree 0.

P1.

, =
√
Find the degree of homogeneity of the function

Solution: The function , can be written as

, = =
,
√

Therefore, the given function is a homogeneous function of degree −

!
IP2.

If = , then find + +

Solution: The given function can be written as = sec =

Let !"#, $, %& =

( ( (
Now, !"'#, '$, '%& = =' = ' !"#, $, %&
( ( (

⟹ is a homogenous function of degree −3.

-. -. -.
By Euler’s Theorem, we have # +$ +% = −3
- - -

- - -
⟹# "/01 & + $ "/01 & + % "/01 & = −3 /01
- - -

-6 -6 -6
⟹ /01 234 5 # +$ +% 7 = −3 /01
- - -

-6 -6 -6
⟹ # +$ +% = −3 182
- - -
P2.

If = , then prove that + + = .

Solution: The given function can be written as = =

! " #

Let $%&, (, )* =
! " #

%, * %, * %, *
Now, $%+&, +(, +)* = = +- = +- $%&, (, )*
,! ," ,# ! " #

⟹ is a homogeneous function of degree 2.

01 01 01
By Euler’s Theorem, we have & +( +) =2
0 0 0

0 0 0
⟹& % * + ( % * + ) % * = 2
0 0 0

04 04 04
⟹ & 23 + ( 23 + ) 23 =2
0 0 0

04 04 04
⟹& +( +) = 2 56
0 0 0

Hence proved.
IP3.

If , = , then prove that + = .

Solution: The given function can be written as

" # " #
= = = = $% = $ % & $, '
! !

!
" !
"

⟹ is a homogeneous function of degree 2.

)* )*
By Euler’s theorem, we have $ +' =2
) )

) )
⟹$ +' = 2
) )

)/ )/
⟹ $ ,-. % + ' ,-. % = 2
) )

)/ )/
⟹$ +' = 2 .0, % ⟹ $ +' = ,1 2
) )

Hence proved
P3.

If ( , ) = < , < , then prove that + =−

√
,

Solution: For all , ; 0 < , < 1, we have <1

√ √

Therefore, !( , )is defined. The given function can be written as

( (
&' * ' & *
" = #$%! = = = 0 1= 2 & *
. .
) )
/ /
√ √ (
' ,
(
√ +' , )- )

⟹ " is a homogeneous function of degree .

'
4

+ = "
56 56 '
5 5 4
By Euler’s theorem, we have

⟹ (#$%!) + (#$%!) = #$%!

5 5 '
5 5 4

⟹ (−%78!) + (−%78!) = #$%!

59 59 '
5 5 4

⟹ + = − #$:!
59 59 '
5 5 4

Hence proved
IP4.

If = , then show that + + =−

Solution: The given function can be written as = = = =

⟹ is a homogeneous function degree 1.

! !
By Euler’s theorem, we have +" =

⟹ # $+" # $=# $

) )
⟹ %&' ( + "%&' ( =

) ) *+, )
⟹ + " = = %0 2
-./ )

) ) 2
⟹ + " = %0 2 … (1)
(

Differentiating (1) partially w.r.t , we get

) ) ) 2 ) )
+ + " = #2'3%2 $ = '3%2
(

Multiplying on both sides with , we get

( ) ) ) )
+ + " = '3%2 ... (2)

Differentiating (1) partially with respect to " , we get

) ) ) 2 ) )
+" + = #2'3%2 $ = '3%2
(

Multiplying on both sides with ", we get

) ) ) )
" + "( +" = "'3%2 … (3)
#2$ + #3$ gives

( ) ) ) ) )
+2 " + "( = #'3%2 − 1$ +"

2
= #'3%2 − 1$ %0 2 [From (1)]
(

2 ( (
= %0 2 5−2 %0 6 = −%0 2 %0
(

Hence proved.
P4.

If = , ≠ , then show that

+ + = −

Solution: The given function can be written as

!
# $
= = = = & #
"
!
"
#

⟹ is a homogeneous function of degree 2.

)* )*
By Euler’s theorem, we have ++ =2
) )

) )
⟹ , -++ , -=2
) )

)1 )1
⟹ ./0 + + ./0 =2
) )

)1 )1 2341
⟹ ++ = = .9 2 … (1)
) ) 567 8 1

Differentiating (1) partially w.r.t. , we get

)8 1 )1 )8 1 )1
8
+ ++ = 20:.2 … (2)
) ) ) ) )

Multiplying (2) by on both sides, we get

)8 1 )1 )8 1 )1
8
+ + + = 2 0:.2 … (3)
) ) ) ) )

Differentiating (1) partially w.r.t. +, we get

)8 1 )8 1 )1 )1
++ 8
+ = 20:.2
) ) ) ) )

Multiplying (3) by + on both sides, we get

 )8 1 )8 1 )1 )1
+ ++ ++ = 2+ 0:.2 … (4)
) ) ) 8 ) )

)8 1 )8 1
Note that = and adding (3) and (4), we get
) ) ) )

)8 1 )8 1 )8 1 )1 )1 )1 )1
) 8
++
) 8
+2 +
) )
+
)
++
)
=
)
++
)
# ,20:.2 -

)8 1 )8 1 )8 1
⟹ 8
++ 8
+2 + + .9 2 = ,.9 2 -,20:.2 -
) ) ) )

)8 1 )8 1 )8 1
⟹ 8
++ 8
+2 + = 2.9 2 0:.2 − .9 2 = .9 4 − .9 2
) ) ) )

)8 1 )8 1 )81
∴ 8
+2 + ++ = .9 4 − .9 2
) ) ) ) 8

Hence proved
3.4. Homogeneous Functions and Euler’s Theorem
EXERCISE
1. If = − sin , then show that + =

2. If = sin , then show that + =

3. If = tan , then show that

a) + = 2 b) +2 + = !1 − 4 $ 2

4. If = %
sin +& −& , then show that
+ =6 %

5. If = (
+ (
+ )( + 3 ), then prove that + +) =3 .
+

-
6. If =! + +) $
, then prove that + +) =− .
+

7. If = , then prove that + = 2

8. If = ./ , then prove that + = /0

-
- -

9. If = 1 3 , then show that

√ √

+2 + = ! ./ + 12$
%%