Chapter 14: Problem 39
Find the indicated partial derivatives. $$f(x, y)=\ln \left(x+\sqrt{x^{2}+y^{2}}\right) ; \quad f_{x}(3,4)$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The partial derivative \( f_x(3, 4) = \frac{1}{5} \).
Step by step solution
01
Understanding the Function
We are given the function \( f(x, y) = \ln \left( x + \sqrt{x^2 + y^2} \right) \). We need to find the partial derivative of this function with respect to \( x \), which is denoted as \( f_x(x, y) \). This partial derivative will be evaluated at the point \((3,4)\).
02
Applying the Chain Rule
To find \( f_x(x, y) \), we will use the chain rule. The chain rule is particularly useful here because \( f(x, y) \) is a composition of the natural logarithm and the inside function \( g(x, y) = x + \sqrt{x^2 + y^2} \). That means \( f(x, y) = \ln(g(x, y)) \). Hence, the derivative is \( f_x = \frac{1}{g(x, y)} \cdot g_x(x, y) \).
03
Differentiating the Inside Function
Now, we need to calculate \( g_x(x, y) \). The function \( g(x, y) = x + \sqrt{x^2 + y^2} \) has two parts. The derivative of \( x \) with respect to \( x \) is 1. For \( \sqrt{x^2 + y^2} \), use the chain rule: the derivative is \( \frac{x}{\sqrt{x^2 + y^2}} \). So, \( g_x(x, y) = 1 + \frac{x}{\sqrt{x^2 + y^2}} \).
04
Finding the Partial Derivative
Substitute \( g(x, y) = x + \sqrt{x^2 + y^2} \) and \( g_x(x, y) = 1 + \frac{x}{\sqrt{x^2 + y^2}} \) back into the expression for \( f_x \) from Step 2: \[ f_x(x, y) = \frac{1}{x + \sqrt{x^2 + y^2}} \left(1 + \frac{x}{\sqrt{x^2 + y^2}}\right) \].
05
Evaluating at the Given Point
Evaluate \( f_x(x, y) \) at \((3,4)\). First, compute \( \sqrt{3^2 + 4^2} = \sqrt{9 + 16} = 5 \). Therefore, \( g(3, 4) = 3 + 5 = 8 \) and \( g_x(3, 4) = 1 + \frac{3}{5} = \frac{8}{5} \). Substitute these into \( f_x(3,4) \): \( f_x(3, 4) = \frac{1}{8} \cdot \frac{8}{5} = \frac{1}{5} \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
chain rule
The chain rule is a powerful tool in calculus used to differentiate composite functions. When dealing with partial derivatives, it helps us differentiate a function that is composed of multiple functions combined together. This is particularly useful when analyzing functions of multiple variables, like in our exercise.
- Let's break down a composite function: imagine we have a function \( f(x) = h(g(x)) \), where \( g(x) \) is another function inside \( f \).
- To find the derivative \( f'(x) \) using the chain rule, we first differentiate the outside function \( h \) with respect to \( g \), and then multiply it by the derivative of the inside function \( g \) with respect to \( x \).
- In the multi-variable context, like \( f(x, y) = \ln(g(x, y)) \), the chain rule is extended to show how \( f \) changes with respect to one variable while keeping others constant.
natural logarithm
The natural logarithm is a special kind of logarithm featuring the base \( e \), where \( e \approx 2.71828 \). It's often used in calculus due to its simplifying properties when differentiating.
- The derivative of the natural logarithm \( \ln(x) \) with respect to \( x \) is \( \frac{1}{x} \). This property makes logarithmic differentiation straightforward.
- In the exercise, the function \( f(x, y) = \ln \left( x + \sqrt{x^2 + y^2} \right) \) requires this derivative property.
- Logarithms are useful for transforming multiplicative relationships into additive ones, simplifying complex differentiation problems.
partial differentiation
Partial differentiation is the process of finding the derivative of a function with respect to one variable while keeping other variables constant. It's an essential tool in multivariable calculus.
- When you have a function like \( f(x, y) \), two partial derivatives exist: with respect to \( x \) and with respect to \( y \).
- The notation \( f_x(x, y) \) indicates the partial derivative of \( f \) with respect to \( x \).
- In our step-by-step solution, we calculated \( f_x \) for the function, systematically finding how changes in \( x \) affect \( f(x, y) \) while \( y \) stays constant.
function of two variables
A function of two variables, such as \( f(x, y) \), relates two independent variables \( x \) and \( y \) to a dependent variable \( f \). Such functions describe surfaces in a 3D space where each point is defined by three coordinates.
- In our exercise, \( f(x, y) = \ln(x + \sqrt{x^2 + y^2}) \) represents how different combinations of \( x \) and \( y \) provide a specific output.
- These functions can be visualized as surfaces, enabling us to see how changes in \( x \) or \( y \) affect the output.
- Evaluating partial derivatives like \( f_x \) and \( f_y \) tells us the slope of this surface in the respective directions.