MTH318 LECTURE NOTE

A function of a single variable y = f(x) is interpreted graphically as a planar curve. In this Section
we generalize the concept to functions of more than one variable. We shall see that a function of two
variables z = f(x, y) can be interpreted as a surface. Functions of two or more variables often arise in
engineering and in science and it is important to be able to deal with such functions with confidence
and skill. We see in this Section how to sketch simple surfaces. In later Sections we shall examine
how to determine the rate of change of f(x, y) with respect to x and y and also how to obtain the
optimum values of functions of several variables.

1. Functions of several variables

We know that f(x) is used to represent a function of one variable: the input variable is x and the
output is the value f(x). Here x is the independent variable and y = f(x) is the dependent
variable.
Suppose we consider a function with two independent input variables x and y, for example
f(x, y) = x + 2y + 3.
If we specify values for x and y then we have a single value f(x, y). For example, if x = 3 and
y = 1 then f(x, y) = 3 + 2 + 3 = 8. We write f(3, 1) = 8.
Task
Find the values of f(2, 1), f(−1,−3) and f(0, 0) for the following functions.
(a) f(x, y) = x2 + y2 + 1 (b) f(x, y) = 2x + xy + y3

Solution
(a) f(2, 1) = 22 + 12 + 1 = 6; f(−1,−3) = (−1)2 + (−3)2 + 1 = 11; f(0, 0) = 1
(b) f(2, 1) = 4 + 2 + 1 = 7; f(−1,−3) = −2 + 3 − 27 = −26; f(0, 0) = 0

In a similar way we can define a function of three independent variables. Let these variables be x, y
and u and the function f(x, y, u).
Example 1
Given f(x, y, u) = x2 + yu + 2, find f(0, 1, 0), f(−1,−1, 2).
Solution
f(0, 1, 0) = 02 + 1 × 0 + 2 = 2; f(−1,−1, 2) = 1 − 2 + 2 = 1

Exercise
(a) Find f(2,−1, 1) for f(x, y, u) = xy + yu + ux.
(b) Evaluate f(x, y, u, t) = x2−y2−u2−2t when x = 1, y = −2, u = 3, t = 1.

First partial derivatives

The x partial derivative
For a function of a single variable, y = f(x), changing the independent variable x leads to a
corresponding change in the dependent variable y. The rate of change of y with respect to x is
given by the derivative, written df/dx. A similar situation occurs with functions of more than one
variable. For clarity we shall concentrate on functions of just two variables.

In the relation z = f(x, y) the independent variables are x and y and the dependent variable z.
We have seen in Section 18.1 that as x and y vary the z-value traces out a surface. Now both the
variables x and y may change simultaneously inducing a change in z. However, rather than consider
this general situation, to begin with we shall hold one of the independent variables fixed. This is

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equivalent to moving along a curve obtained by intersecting the surface by one of the coordinate
planes.
Consider f(x, y) = x3 + 2x2y + y2 + 2x + 1.
Suppose we keep y constant and vary x; then what is the rate of change of the function f?
Suppose we hold y at the value 3 then
f(x, 3) = x3 + 6x2 + 9 + 2x + 1 = x3 + 6x2 + 2x + 10
In effect, we now have a function of x only. If we differentiate it with respect to x we obtain the
expression:
3x2 + 12x + 2.
We say that f has been partially differentiated with respect to x. We denote the partial derivative of
∂f
f with respect to x by
∂x
(to be read as ‘partial dee f by dee x’ ). In this example, when y = 3:
∂f
= 3x2 + 12x + 2.
∂x
In the same way if y is held at the value 4 then f(x, 4) = x3+8x2+16+2x+1 = x3+8x2+2x+17
and so, for this value of y
∂f
= 3x2 + 16x + 2.
∂x
Now if we return to the original formulation
f(x, y) = x3 + 2x2y + y2 + 2x + 1
and treat y as a constant then the process of partial differentiation with respect to x gives
∂f
= 3x2 + 4xy + 0 + 2 + 0
∂x
= 3x2 + 4xy + 2.

Remark 1: The Partial Derivative of f with respect to x

For a function of two variables z = f(x, y) the partial derivative of f with respect to x is denoted
∂f
by and is obtained by differentiating f(x, y) with respect to x in the usual way but treating the y-
∂x
variable as if it were a constant.

∂f ∂z
Alternative notations for are fx(x, y) or fx or
∂x ∂x

Example 2
∂f
Find for (a) f(x, y) = x3 + x + y2 + y, (b) f(x, y) = x2y + xy3.
∂x
Solution
∂f ∂f
(a) = 3x2 + 1 + 0 + 0 = 3x2 + 1 (b) = 2x × y + 1 × y3 = 2xy + y3
∂x ∂x

The y partial derivative

For functions of two variables f(x, y) the x and y variables are on the same footing, so what we have
done for the x-variable we can do for the y-variable. We can thus imagine keeping the x-variable
fixed and determining the rate of change of f as y changes. This rate of change is denoted by @f/@y

Remark 2: The Partial Derivative of f with respect to y

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For a function of two variables z = f(x, y) the partial derivative of f with respect to y is denoted
∂f
by and is obtained by differentiating f(x, y) with respect to y in the usual way but treating the x-
∂y
variable as if it were a constant.

∂f ∂z
Alternative notations for are fy(x, y) or fy or
∂y ∂y

Returning to f(x, y) = x3 + 2x2y + y2 + 2x + 1 once again, we therefore obtain:

∂f
= 0 + 2x2 × 1 + 2y + 0 + 0 = 2x2 + 2y.
∂y
Example 3
∂f
Find for (a) f(x, y) = x3 + x + y2 + y (b) f(x, y) = x2y + xy3
∂y
Solution
∂f ∂f
(a) = 0 + 0 + 2y + 1 = 2y + 1 (b) = x2 × 1 + x × 3y2 = x2 + 3xy2
∂y ∂y

∂f
We can calculate the partial derivative of f with respect to x and the value of
∂x
at a specific point e.g. x = 1, y = −2.
Example 4
Find fx(1,−2) and fy(−3, 2) for f(x, y) = x2 + y3 + 2xy.
∂f ∂f
[Remember fx means and fy means .]
∂x ∂y
Solution
fx(x, y) = 2x+2y, so fx(1,−2) = 2−4 = −2; fy(x, y) = 3y2+2x, so fy(−3, 2) = 12−6 = 6

Exercise
Given f(x, y) = 3x2 + 2y2 + xy3 find fx(1,−2) and fy(−1,−1).

Functions of several variables

As we have seen, a function of two variables f(x, y) has two partial derivatives,
∂f ∂f
and
∂x ∂y
. In an exactly analogous way a function of three variables f(x, y, u) has three partial derivatives
∂ f ∂f ∂f
, and , and so on for functions of more than three variables. Each partial derivative is
∂x ∂ y ∂u
obtained in the same way as stated in Remark 3:

Remark 3: The Partial Derivatives of f(x, y,u, v,w, . . . )

For a function of several variables z = f(x, y, u, v, w, . . . ) the partial derivative of f with respect
∂f
to v (say) is denoted by and is obtained by differentiating f(x, y, u, v,w, . . . ) with respect to v in
∂v
the usual way but treating all the other variables as if they were constants.

∂f ∂z
Alternative notations for when z = f(x, y, u, v, w, . . . ) are fv(x, y, u, v, w . . . ) and fv and
∂v ∂v

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Exercises
∂f ∂f
1.Find and for f(x, y, u, v) = x2 + xy2 + y2u3 − 7uv4
∂x ∂u

The pressure, P, for one mole of an ideal gas is related to its absolute temperature,
T, and specific volume, v, by the equation
Pv = RT where R is the gas constant.
Obtain simple expressions for (a) the coefficient of thermal expansion, alpha defined by:
alpha = ( )
1 ∂v
v ∂T P
(b) the isothermal compressibility, KT , defined by:
KT = ( )
−1 ∂ v
v ∂T T

∂f ∂f
2. For the following functions find and
∂x ∂y
(a) f(x, y) = x + 2y + 3
(b) f(x, y) = x2 + y2
(c) f(x, y) = x3 + xy + y3
(d) f(x, y) = x4 + xy3 + 2x3y2
(e) f(x, y, z) = xy + yz
3. For the functions of Exercise 2 (a) to (d) find fx(1, 1), fx(−1,−1), fy(1, 2), fy(2, 1).

2. Second partial derivatives

Performing two successive partial differentiations of f(x, y) with respect to x (holding y constant) is
2
∂ f
denoted by 2 (or fxx(x, y)) and is defined by
∂x

( )
2
∂ f ∂ ∂ f
2 =
∂x ∂x ∂x

2
∂ f
For functions of two or more variables as well as 2 other second-order partial derivatives can be
∂x
obtained. Most obvious is the second derivative of f(x, y) with respect to y is denoted by
2
∂ f
2 (or fyy(x, y)) which is defined as:
∂y

( )
2
∂ f ∂ ∂f
2 =
∂y ∂y ∂y

Example 5
2 2
∂ f ∂ f 3 2 2 3
Find 2 and 2 for f(x, y) = x + x y + 2y + 2x + y.
∂x ∂y
Solution
@f/@x = 3x2 + 2xy2 + 0 + 2 + 0 = 3x2 + 2xy2 + 2

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 ( )
2
∂ f ∂ ∂f
2= = 6x + 2y2 + 0 = 6x + 2y2.
∂x ∂ x ∂ x
∂f
= 0 + x2 × 2y + 6y2 + 0 + 1 = 2x2y + 6y2 + 1
∂y

( )
2
∂ f ∂ ∂f
2 = = 2x2 + 12y.
∂y ∂ y ∂ y