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Partial Derivatives CheatSheet

This cheat sheet covers the fundamentals of partial derivatives, including definitions, implicit functions, and the chain rule. It also outlines Clairaut's Theorem regarding mixed partial derivatives and provides key equations for the Laplace and wave equations. The document serves as a quick reference for understanding and applying these concepts in calculus.

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shahmeasum007
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663 views3 pages

Partial Derivatives CheatSheet

This cheat sheet covers the fundamentals of partial derivatives, including definitions, implicit functions, and the chain rule. It also outlines Clairaut's Theorem regarding mixed partial derivatives and provides key equations for the Laplace and wave equations. The document serves as a quick reference for understanding and applying these concepts in calculus.

Uploaded by

shahmeasum007
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Cheat Sheet: Partial Derivatives, PDEs &

Clairaut's Theorem
CHEAT SHEET: Partial Derivatives & PDEs (with Clairaut's Theorem)

🔹 1. PARTIAL DERIVATIVES

✅ Definition:
If f(x, y) is a function of two variables:

∂f/∂x = lim(h→0) [f(x + h, y) - f(x, y)] / h


∂f/∂y = lim(h→0) [f(x, y + h) - f(x, y)] / h

🗒 Steps:
1. Choose variable to differentiate.
2. Treat other variables as constants.
3. Use derivative rules.

🔹 2. IMPLICIT FUNCTIONS (Partial Derivatives)

✅ Setup:
Given: F(x, y, z) = 0

🗒 Steps:
1. Differentiate both sides w.r.t. x or y.
2. Use chain rule for implicit variables.
3. Solve for ∂z/∂x or ∂z/∂y.

✅ Example:
x² + y² + z² = 1
2x + 2z·∂z/∂x = 0 → ∂z/∂x = -x/z

🔹 3. CHAIN RULE IN PARTIAL DERIVATIVES

✅ Formula:
If z = f(x, y), and x = g(t), y = h(t):

dz/dt = ∂z/∂x·dx/dt + ∂z/∂y·dy/dt

🗒 Steps:
1. Compute ∂z/∂x and ∂z/∂y
2. Multiply with dx/dt, dy/dt
3. Add the terms.

🔹 4. CLAIRAUT'S THEOREM

✅ Statement:
If f_xy and f_yx are continuous near a point, then:
∂²f/∂x∂y = ∂²f/∂y∂x

🗒 Use:
- Ensures mixed partial derivatives are equal.
- Helpful in simplifying second-order derivative problems.

🔹 5. PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS (PDEs)

✅ Laplace Equation:
∂²u/∂x² + ∂²u/∂y² = 0

🗒 Steps:
1. Compute second-order partials w.r.t. x and y.
2. Plug into equation.
3. Check if LHS = RHS.

🔹 6. WAVE EQUATION

✅ Formula:
∂²u/∂t² = a²·∂²u/∂x²

🗒 Steps:
1. Given u(x, t), find ∂²u/∂t².
2. Find ∂²u/∂x².
3. Multiply ∂²u/∂x² by a².
4. Verify both sides match.

🔁 SUMMARY TABLE

| Concept | Formula / Key Idea |


|------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------|
| Partial Derivative | ∂f/∂x, ∂f/∂y (other variable constant) |
| Implicit Function | Differentiate full equation, apply chain rule |
| Chain Rule | dz/dt = ∂z/∂x·dx/dt + ∂z/∂y·dy/dt |
| Clairaut’s Theorem | ∂²f/∂x∂y = ∂²f/∂y∂x (if continuous) |
| Laplace Equation | ∂²u/∂x² + ∂²u/∂y² = 0 |
| Wave Equation | ∂²u/∂t² = a²·∂²u/∂x² |

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