Generally we come across with functions of two or more variables. For example, the area of a rectangle, with sides of length x and y is given by A = xy, which obviously depends on the values of x and y, and so it is a function of two variables. Similarly the volume V of a rectangular parallelepiped having sides x, y and z is given by V = xyz and so it is a function of three variables x, y and z. Generally functions of two, three, …, n variables are denoted by f (x, y), f ( x, y, z),…., f(x1, x2,…,xn) respectively. If u = f(x, y) is a function of two variables x and y, then x and y are called independent variables and u is called the dependent variable.
Partial derivatives: Let f(x, y) be a function of two variables x and y. The partial derivatives of f(x, y) with respect to x is defined as Lim h -> 0 f(x + h, y) – f(x, y) / h. Provided that the limit exists and is denoted by del f/del x. Thus, the partial derivative of f(x, y) with respect to x is its ordinary derivative w.r.t. x when y is treated as a constant. Similarly, the partial differentiation of f(x, y) with respect to y is defined as Lim k -> 0 f(x, y + k) – f(x, y) / k .Provided that limit exists and is denoted by del f/del y.
Thus, the partial differentiation of f(x, y) with respect to y is its ordinary derivative w.r.t. y when x is treated as a constant. The process of finding partial differentiation of a function is known as partial differentiation.
Let us see some Partial derivative examples: If f(x, y) = x^3 + y^3 – 3 axy, then Del f/del x = 3 x^2 + 0 – 3 ay = 3 ( x^2 – ay) [because y is treated as a constant].And del f/del y = 0 + 3 y^2 – 3 ax = 3 (y^2 – ax) [because x is treated as a constant].
Partial derivative symbols: Let f(x, y) be a function of two variables such that its partial differentiation (del f/del x) and del f/del y both exists. Then del f/del x and del f/del y are functions of x and y, so we may further differentiate them partial with respect to x or y. The partial differentiation of del f/del x with respect to x and y are denoted by del^2 f/del x^2 and del^2 f/(del y del x). Similarly, the partial differentiation of del f/del y with respect to x and y are denoted by del^2 f/(del x del y) and del^2 f/del y^2.
