MTH 281 MATHEMATICAL METHODS 1

2 2
f + f = 0. (39)
2 2
x y
In general, any function satisfying this equation is called a harmonic
function.

3.3.1 Commutative Property of Partial Differentiation

In Example 6 we have shown that the second partial derivatives f xy and

y
fyx of the function f(x,y) = tan-1 are equal. This is in fact the case for
x
most functions as can be verified by choosing a few functions at
random. It can be proved that a sufficient (but not necessary) condition
that fxy = fyx at some point (a,b) is that both fxy and fyx are continuous at
(a,b) and in all that follows it will be assumed that this condition is
satisfied.

SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISES 2

Show that fxy = fyx for the following functions

i. f(x,y) = x2 – xy + y2

ii. f(x,y) = x sin (y – x)

iii. f(x,y) = eyloge (x + y)

xy
iv. f(x,y) =
x2 y2

3.4 Total Derivatives

Suppose f(x,y) is a continuous function defined in a region R of the xy-

f f
plane, and that both and are continuous in this region. We
x y x y
now consider the change in the value of the function brought about by
following small changes in x and y.

If f is the change in due to change x and y in x and y then

f = f(x + x, y + y) – f(x,y) (40)

= f(x + x, y + y) – f(x, y + y) + f(x, y + y) – f(x,y). (41)

Now by definition (see (6) and (7))

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