Partial Differentiation with 2 variables

In summary, partial differentiation is a mathematical concept used to find the rate of change of a function with respect to one of its variables while holding all other variables constant. It is important in analyzing the behavior of functions with multiple variables and is often used in fields such as physics and economics. To perform partial differentiation, the function is treated as a single-variable function while all other variables are treated as constants. This process is repeated for each variable in the function. The main difference between partial differentiation and ordinary differentiation is that in partial differentiation, all variables except for the one being differentiated are treated as constants. This allows for a more focused analysis of the relationship between variables. Partial differentiation is used in real-world applications to understand relationships between multiple variables and solve problems
  • #1
Lonely Lemon
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Homework Statement



When I write 'd' I mean the partial differentiation symbol 'del' here...

Find dz/dx and dz/dy of:

z=f(xy)

I'm guessing this isn't a case of simply pretending the 'f( )' isn't there, how do I approach this problem?

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution

 
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  • #2
when you say
dz/dx
you want to find the first partial derivative of z in terms of x.
meaning, that you treat y as a constant and x as a veritable

similarly goes with dz/dy
 

FAQ: Partial Differentiation with 2 variables

What is partial differentiation?

Partial differentiation is a mathematical concept used to find the rate of change of a function with respect to one of its variables, while holding all other variables constant. It is often used in multivariable calculus and is essential in understanding the behavior of functions with multiple variables.

Why is partial differentiation important?

Partial differentiation allows us to analyze the behavior of a function in relation to one variable while keeping all other variables constant. This is crucial in many fields of science, such as physics and economics, where multiple variables are involved and their relationships need to be understood.

How is partial differentiation performed?

To perform partial differentiation, the function is treated as a single-variable function while all other variables are treated as constants. The derivative is then taken with respect to the variable of interest, while holding all other variables constant. This process is repeated for each variable in the function.

What is the difference between partial differentiation and ordinary differentiation?

The main difference between partial differentiation and ordinary differentiation is that in partial differentiation, all variables except for the one being differentiated are treated as constants. In ordinary differentiation, all variables are treated as variables and the derivative is taken with respect to a single variable.

How is partial differentiation used in real-world applications?

Partial differentiation is used in a variety of fields, including physics, economics, and engineering, to understand the relationships between multiple variables. It is also used to optimize functions and solve real-world problems involving multiple variables, such as finding the minimum or maximum value of a function.

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