MA5158 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS I

UNIT III - FUNCTIONS OF SEVERAL

VARIABLES /

MA6151 Mathematics-I Modules III & IV

(RUSA)

Faculty
Department of Mathematics
Anna University
Strictly for University Departments only 1
 CONTENTS

• Partial Derivatives
• Total Derivatives
• Change of Variables and Jacobians
• Taylor’s Series for Functions of Two Variables
• Errors and Approximations
• Maxima and Minima of Functions of Two
Variables

Strictly for University Departments only 2

 REFERENCES

1. Grewal B.S., Higher Engineering Mathematics, Khanna

Publishers, 44th Edition, New Delhi, 2017.

2. Ramana B.V., Higher Engineering Mathematics, Tata

McGraw Hill Co. Ltd., 11th Reprint, New Delhi, 2010.

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SECTION 1-PARTIAL DERIVATIVES
• Functions of two or more variables
• Definition
• Limits
• Continuity
• Partial derivatives
• Definition
• Which variable is to be treated as constant
• Notations
• Homogeneous functions
• Euler’s theorem on homogeneous functions
• Examples
• Practice Problems and MCQs
Strictly for University Departments only 4
 Functions of two or more variables

Definition: (Function of two variables)

A variable z that has a definite value for every pair
of values of x and y is called a function of two
independent variables x and y and we write z = f(x,y).

Example: The area 𝐴 of a rectangle is a function of

the length x and breadth y of the rectangle and is
given by A = xy.

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 Functions of two or more variables
Definition:
When 𝑧 is a function of three or more variables
x,y,t,…, then
the relation is represented by z = f (x,y,t,…).

Example: The volume of a parallelopiped depends

on three variables x(= length), y(= breadth) and h(=
height) and it is given by V = xyh.

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 Limits
Let 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) be a function of two variables 𝑥
and 𝑦. The function 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) is said to tend
to a limit 𝑙 as 𝑥 → 𝑎 and 𝑦 → 𝑏 if and only if
the limit 𝑙 is independent of the path followed by
the point (𝑥, 𝑦) as 𝑥 → 𝑎 and 𝑦 → 𝑏 and we
write Lt f ( x, y)  l.
x a
y b

2x2 y  2x2 y 
For example, Lt 2  Lt  Lt 2 
x 1 x  y  1 y  2  x 1 x  y  1 
2 2
y 2

 2y  2
 Lt  2   .
y 2  y  2  3
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Working Rule for the existence of the limit:
To evaluate Lt f ( x, y ) :
xa
y b

(i ) Find Lt f ( x, y )  Lt  Lt f ( x, y )   l (say)
xa y b  x  a 
y b

 
(ii ) Find Lt f ( x, y )  Lt  Lt f ( x, y )   m (say)
y b x  a  y b 
xa

If l  m, then we say that the limit exists and if l  m,

then we say that the limit does not exists.
Further, if (a, b)  (0,0), then evaluate limit along
y  mx and y  mx n , n  1.

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 x2  y2
Example 1 : Evaluate Lt
( x , y ) ( 0 , 0 ) x2  y2
Solution :
x2  y2  x2  y2   y2
Lt  Lt  Lt 2   Lt 2  1 (1)
2 
( x , y ) ( 0 , 0 ) x y
2 2
y 0  x 0 x  y  y 0 y

x2  y2  x2  y2  x2
Lt  Lt  Lt 2   Lt 2  1
2 
(2)
( x , y ) ( 0 , 0 ) x y
2 2
x 0  y 0 x  y  x 0 x

 (1)  (2), the limit does not exist.

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 x2 y
Example 2 : Evaluate Lt
( x , y ) ( 0 , 0 ) x  y
4 2

Solution :
2
x y 0
(i ) Lt 4  Lt  Lt 0  0
x 0 x  y y 0 0  y
2 2
y 0
y 0
2
x y 0
(ii ) Lt 4  Lt 4  Lt 0  0
y 0 x  y x 0 x  0
2
x 0
x 0

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 x2 y x 2 (mx)
(iii ) Lt 4  Lt 2 2
y  mx x  y y  mx x ( x  m )
2 2
x 0 x 0

x 2 (mx) 0
 Lt 2 2  0
x 0 x ( x  m ) (0  m )
2 2

x2 y mx 2  x 2 mx 4
(iv) Lt 4  Lt 4  Lt 4
y  mx 2
x  y 2
x 0 x  m 2 4
x x 0 x (1  m 2
)
x 0

m
 , which depends on m and
1 m 2

therefore the limit does not exist.

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 Continuity
A function f (x,y) is said to be continuous at the
point (a,b) if f (x,y) is defined at (a,b) and
Lt f ( x, y ) exists and equals f (a, b).
x a
y b

If a function is continuous at all points of a region

contained in xy-plane and then it is said to be
continuous in that region.

A function which is not continuous at a point is said

to be discontinuous at that point.

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 x y
Example 3 : Show that f ( x, y )  is discontinuous at the origin.
x y
Solution :
y
Lt f ( x, y )  Lt  1
x 0 y 0 y
y 0

x
Lt f ( x, y )  Lt  1
y 0 x 0 x
x 0

 the limit Lt f ( x, y ) does not exist and therefore

( x , y ) ( 0 , 0 )

the function is not continuous at the origin.

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Example 4 :
 x2
 2 if ( x, y )  (0,0)
Show that the function f ( x, y )   x  y 2


0, if ( x, y )  (0,0)
is continuous at the origin.
Solution :
x2 0
(i ) Lt f ( x, y )  Lt  Lt 0
x 0
y 0
x 0
y 0
x y
2 2 y 0 0 y 2

x2
(ii ) Lt f ( x, y )  Lt  Lt x  0
y 0
x 0
x 0 x2  0 x 0

(i )  (ii ). Next we consider the limits

( x, y )  (0,0) along y  mx and y  mx n .
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 x2
(iii ) Lt f ( x, y )  Lt
( x , y )( 0 ,mx ) ( x , y )( 0 ,mx ) x2  y 2
x2
 Lt
x 0 x2  m2 x2
x2
 Lt
x 0 
x 1  m2 
x
 Lt 0
x 0 1 m 2

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 x2
(iv) Lt f ( x, y )  Lt
( x , y )( 0 , mx )
n
( x , y )( 0 , mx n ) x2  y 2
x2
 Lt
x 0 x 2  m2 x 2n
x2
 Lt ,n 1
x 1  m 2 x 2 n2 x 0

x
 Lt ,n 1

x 0 1  mx 2 n 2

0
The limit exists and is equal to f (0,0).
Therefore, the function is continuous
at the origin.
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 Partial Derivatives
Let 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) be a function of two variables 𝑥 and 𝑦.
The derivative of z with respect to x, treating y as
constant, is called the partial derivative of z with respect
to x and is denoted by one of the symbols
𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑓
, , 𝑓𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦), 𝐷𝑥 𝑓.
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥

Similarly the derivative of z with respect to y, treating x as

constant, is called the partial derivative of z with respect
to y and is denoted by one of the symbols
𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑓
, , 𝑓𝑦 𝑥, 𝑦 , 𝐷𝑦 𝑓.
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦

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Similarly if 𝑧 is a function of three or more variables
𝑥1 , 𝑥2 , 𝑥3 , … , the derivatives of 𝑧 w.r.t. 𝑥1 is obtained
by differentiating z w.r.t.
𝑥1 keeping all other vaiables constant
𝜕𝑧
and is written as .
𝜕𝑥1
𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧
Similarly, the partial derivatives , ,…
𝜕𝑥2 𝜕𝑥3
can be obtained.

The higher order partial derivatives can be defined

similarly.
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The second order partial derivatives of 𝑧 are given by,
𝜕 𝜕𝑧 𝜕2𝑧
= 2
𝑜𝑟 𝑓𝑥𝑥
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥
𝜕 𝜕𝑧 𝜕2𝑧
= 𝑜𝑟 𝑓𝑦𝑥
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦
𝜕 𝜕𝑧 𝜕2𝑧
= 𝑜𝑟 𝑓𝑥𝑦 and so on.
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦𝜕𝑥
In general we consider those function𝑠 𝑧 for which
𝜕2𝑧 𝜕2𝑧
= .
𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦𝜕𝑥
Sometimes we use the following standard notations:

𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧 𝜕2𝑧 𝜕2𝑧 𝜕2𝑧

= 𝑝, = 𝑞, 2
= 𝑟, = 𝑠, 2
= 𝑡
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦
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Example 5: Find the first and second order partial
derivatives of 𝑧 = 𝑥 3 + 𝑦 3 − 3𝑎𝑥𝑦

Solution:
𝜕𝑧
= 3𝑥 2 + 0 − 3𝑎𝑦 1 = 3𝑥 2 − 3𝑎𝑦
𝜕𝑥

𝜕𝑧
= 0 + 3𝑦 2 − 3𝑎𝑥 1 = 3𝑦 2 − 3𝑎𝑥
𝜕𝑦

Also,
𝜕2𝑧 𝜕 2 − 3𝑎𝑦 = 6𝑥
= 3𝑥
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑥
𝜕2𝑧 𝜕
= 3𝑥 2 − 3𝑎𝑦 = −3𝑎
𝜕𝑦𝜕𝑥 Strictly
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 𝜕2 𝑧 𝜕
= 3𝑦 2 − 3𝑎𝑥 = 6𝑦
𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑦

𝜕2𝑧 𝜕
= 3𝑦 2 − 3𝑎𝑥 = −3𝑎
𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥

𝜕2 𝑧 𝜕2 𝑧
Note: Here =
𝜕𝑦𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦

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 𝜕2 𝑢 𝜕2 𝑢
Example 6: Prove that + 2 = 0 if
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦
2 2 −1 𝑦
𝑢 = log 𝑥 + 𝑦 + tan .
𝑥
Solution:
𝜕𝑢 1(2𝑥) 1 −𝑦
= 2 +
𝜕𝑥 𝑥 + 𝑦 2 𝑦 2 𝑥2
1+
𝑥
2𝑥 𝑥 2 −𝑦 1
= 2 2
+ 2
𝑥 +𝑦 𝑥 + 𝑦2 𝑥2
2𝑥 − 𝑦
= 2
𝑥 + 𝑦2

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 𝜕2𝑢 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 2 − 2𝑥 − 𝑦 2𝑥
2
=
𝜕𝑥 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 2
2𝑦 2 − 2𝑥 2 + 2𝑥𝑦
=
𝑥2 + 𝑦2 2

𝜕𝑢 2𝑦 𝑥2 1 2𝑦 + 𝑥
= 2 2
+ 2 2
= 2
𝜕𝑦 𝑥 + 𝑦 𝑥 +𝑦 𝑥 𝑥 + 𝑦2

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𝜕2𝑢 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 2 − 2y + 𝑥 2𝑦
2
=
𝜕𝑦 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 2
2𝑥 2 + 2𝑦 2 − 4𝑦 2 − 2𝑥𝑦
=
𝑥2 + 𝑦2 2
2𝑥 2 − 2𝑦 2 − 2𝑥𝑦
=
𝑥2 + 𝑦2 2

𝜕2𝑢 𝜕2𝑢
∴ 2+ 2=0
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
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 Homogeneous Functions

An expression of the form 𝑎 0𝑥 𝑛 + 𝑎1 𝑥 𝑛−1 𝑦+. . . +𝑎𝑛 𝑦 𝑛

in which every term is of the nth degree, is called a
homogeneous function of degree n. This can be written as
𝑛 𝑦 𝑦 2 𝑦 𝑛
𝑥 𝑎0 + 𝑎1 + 𝑎2 +. . . +𝑎𝑛 𝑜𝑟
𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
𝑥 𝑛 𝑥 𝑛−1 𝑥 𝑛−2
𝑦 𝑛 𝑎0 + 𝑎1 + 𝑎2 +. . . +𝑎𝑛 .
𝑦 𝑦 𝑦

Thus any function f (x,y) which can be expressed in the form

𝑛 𝑦 𝑛 𝑥
𝑥 𝜑 or 𝑦 𝜑 is called a homogeneous function of
𝑥 𝑦
degree n in x 𝑎𝑛𝑑 y.

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A function f (x,y) is said to be homogeneous function in x
and y of degree n if
𝑓(𝑡𝑥, 𝑡𝑦) = 𝑡 𝑛 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦)for any positive t.

In general, a function 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧, 𝑡. . . ) is said to be a

homogeneous function of degree n in x, y, z, t, ... if it can
𝑛 𝑦 𝑧 𝑡
be expressed in the form 𝑥 𝜑 , , , . . . .
𝑥 𝑥 𝑥

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For Example,
𝑦6 𝑦6
𝑥 6 +𝑦 6 𝑥6 1+ 6 𝑥2 1+ 6
𝑥 𝑥
1. 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = = 𝑦4
= 𝑦4
𝑥 4 +𝑦 4 4
𝑥 1+ 4 1+ 4
𝑥 𝑥
𝑦
𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑥 2𝜑
𝑥
Or, 𝑓(𝑡𝑥, 𝑡𝑦) = 𝑡 2 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦).
Therefore 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 is a homogeneous function of degree 2.

3 𝑦
2. 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑥 cos is a homogeneous function of degree
𝑥
3 in x and y. (Because 𝑓(𝑡𝑥, 𝑡𝑦) = 𝑡 3 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦). )

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3. Consider the following function
4𝑥 3 + 2𝑦 2 𝑧
𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) =
𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 3𝑧
𝑦 2 𝑧
𝑥3 4 + 2
𝑥 𝑥
=
𝑦 𝑧
𝑥 1+2 +3
𝑥 𝑥
𝑦 𝑧 2
= 𝑥 𝜙 , .
𝑥 𝑥
Or 𝑓(𝑡𝑥, 𝑡𝑦, 𝑡𝑧) = 𝑡 2 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧).

∴ 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) is a homogeneous function of degree 2.

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Euler’s Theorem on Homogeneous Functions
Theorem 1:
If 𝑢 is a homogeneous function of degree n in x and y ,
then
𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢
𝑥 + 𝑦 = 𝑛u
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
Proof:
Since 𝑢 is a homogeneous function of degree
𝑛 𝑦
𝑛 in 𝑥 and 𝑦, 𝑢 = 𝑥 𝑓 .
𝑥
𝜕𝑢 𝑛−1 𝑦 𝑛 ′ 𝑦 1
Therefore, = 𝑛𝑥 𝑓 +𝑥 𝑓 𝑦 − 2
𝜕𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
𝑛−1
𝑦 𝑛−2 ′
𝑦
= 𝑛𝑥 𝑓 − 𝑦𝑥 𝑓
𝑥 𝑥

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𝜕𝑢 𝑛 ′ 𝑦 1 𝑦
=𝑥 𝑓 = 𝑥 𝑛−1 𝑓 ′
𝜕𝑦 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝑦
Hence, 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 𝑛𝑥 𝑛 𝑓 = 𝑛u
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝑥

In general, if u is a homogeneous function of degree n

in x, y, z, t, … then

𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢
𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 + 𝑡 + ⋯ = 𝑛𝑢
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑡

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 Examples
Example 5: Verify Euler’s theorem when
𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 2ℎ𝑥𝑦 + 𝑏𝑦 2 .

Solution: 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) is a homogeneous function of degree

2 in 𝑥 and 𝑦.
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
= 2𝑎𝑥 + 2ℎ𝑦 + 0; = 2ℎ𝑥 + 2𝑏𝑦
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
𝑥 +𝑦 = 2𝑎𝑥 2 + 4ℎ𝑥𝑦 + 2𝑏𝑦 2
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
=2 𝑎𝑥 2 + 2ℎ𝑥𝑦 + 𝑏𝑦 2 = 2𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 .

This verifies Euler’s Theorem for 𝑓.

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 −1 𝑥+2𝑦+3𝑧
Example 6: If 𝑢 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 , find the value
𝑥 8 +𝑦 8 +𝑧 8
𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢
of 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 .
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝑥+2𝑦+3𝑧
Solution: Let 𝑤 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑢 = 8 8 8
𝑥 +𝑦 +𝑧
𝑦 𝑧
𝑥 1+2𝑥+3𝑥
= 𝑦 8 𝑧 8
𝑥8 1+ 𝑥
+ 𝑥
𝑦 𝑧
1+2𝑥+3𝑥
=𝑥 −7 𝑦 8 𝑧 8
1+ +
𝑥 𝑥
Therefore, 𝑤 is a homogeneous function of
degree −7 in 𝑥, 𝑦 and 𝑧.

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By Euler’s theorem,

𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑤
𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 𝑛𝑤 = −7𝑤 1
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑢
= 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑢 ;
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑢
= 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑢 ;
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑢
= 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑢 .
𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢
From (1), 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑢 𝑥 + 𝑦 𝑧+ = −7𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑢
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢
∴𝑥 +𝑦 +𝑧 = −7𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑢.
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 Strictly𝜕𝑧for University Departments only 33
Example 7: If 𝑧 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑥 2 + 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 show that
𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧
𝑥 +𝑦 = 2.
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦

Solution: Let u = 𝑒 𝑧 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2
𝑢 is homogeneous of degree 2 in 𝑥 and 𝑦. By Euler’s
theorem for homogeneous functions, we have
𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢
𝑥 + 𝑦= 2𝑢.
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑧 𝑧 𝑧
𝜕𝑧 𝑧
𝜕𝑧
𝑥 +𝑦 = 2𝑒 𝑜𝑟 𝑥𝑒 + 𝑦𝑒 = 2𝑒 𝑧
𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧
𝑒 (𝑥 + 𝑦 )= 2𝑒 𝑧 .
𝑧
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧
Since 𝑒𝑧 ≠ 0, 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 2.
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
Strictly for University Departments only 34
 𝑥 4 +𝑦 4 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢
Example 8: If 𝑢 = log
𝑥+𝑦
, Show that 𝑥
𝜕𝑥
+𝑦
𝜕𝑦
= 3.

𝑥 4 +𝑦 4
Solution: Let 𝑢 = log
𝑥+𝑦

𝑥 4 +𝑦 4
Taking exponential on 𝑏𝑜𝑡ℎ sides, 𝑤 = 𝑒𝑢 = ;
𝑥+𝑦

𝑤 = 𝑒 𝑢 is a homogeneous function of degree 3.

𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑤
Hence by Euler’s Theorem, 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 𝑛𝑤.
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦

𝜕(𝑒 𝑢 ) 𝜕(𝑒 𝑢 ) 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢
𝑥 + 𝑦 = 3(𝑒 𝑢 ) ; 𝑥𝑒 𝑢 + 𝑦𝑒 𝑢 = 3𝑒 𝑢
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦

𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢
∴ 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 3.
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 35
Strictly for University Departments only
Theorem 2:
If u is a homogeneous function of degree n in x and y ,
then from Euler’s theorem one can deduce that
𝜕 2𝑧 𝜕 2𝑧 𝜕 2𝑧
𝑥 2 2 + 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 2 = 𝑛 𝑛 − 1 𝑧.
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦
Proof: By Euler’s theorem for homogeneous functions,
𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧
𝑥 + 𝑦 = 𝑛𝑧 (1)
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
Differentiate (1) partially w.r.t. 𝑥, we get
𝜕 2 𝑧 𝜕𝑧 𝜕2𝑧 𝜕𝑧
𝑥 2+ +𝑦 =𝑛
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥
Multiplying throughout by 𝑥, we get
2 2
2
𝜕 𝑧 𝜕𝑧 𝜕 𝑧 𝜕𝑧
𝑥 2
+𝑥 + 𝑥𝑦 = 𝑛𝑥
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥
2 𝜕2 𝑧 𝜕2 𝑧 𝜕𝑧
𝑥 + 𝑥𝑦 = 𝑛−1 𝑥 (2)
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥

Strictly for University Departments only 36

Differentiate (1) partially w.r.t. 𝑦 we get,
𝜕2𝑧 𝜕𝑧 𝜕2𝑧 𝜕𝑧
𝑥 + +𝑦 2 =𝑛
𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦

Multiplying throughout by 𝑦 we get

𝜕2 𝑧 2 𝜕2 𝑧 𝜕𝑧
𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 = 𝑛−1 𝑦 (3)
𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑦

(2)+(3) gives

𝜕 2𝑧 𝜕2 𝑧 𝜕 2𝑧 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧
𝑥2 2 + 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦2 2 = 𝑛−1 (𝑥 +𝑦 )
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
= 𝑛 − 1 𝑛𝑧

Strictly for University Departments only 37

 𝑥+𝑦
Example 9: If 𝑢 = sin−1 , Prove that
𝑥+ 𝑦
𝜕 2𝑢 𝜕 2𝑢 𝜕 2𝑢 cos2𝑢 sin𝑢
𝑥 2 2 + 2𝑥𝑦 +𝑦 2
2
= − 3
.
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 4cos 𝑢

Solution :
𝑥+𝑦
Let w= sin 𝑢 = = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦).
𝑥+ 𝑦

u is not a homogeneous function, but w is a

homogeneous function of degree ½ since

Strictly for University Departments only 38

 𝜆𝑥 + 𝜆𝑦
𝑓(𝜆𝑥, 𝜆𝑦) =
𝜆 𝑥+ 𝑦
1 𝑥+𝑦
= 𝜆2
𝑥+ 𝑦
1
= 𝜆2 (𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦)
𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑤 1 1
∴𝑥 +𝑦 = 𝑤= sin 𝑢
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 2 2

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 𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑢
𝐵𝑢𝑡 = cos 𝑢 , = cos 𝑢
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 1
𝐻𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑥cos 𝑢 + 𝑦cos 𝑢 = sin 𝑢
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 2
𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 1
⇒ 𝑥 + 𝑦 = tan 𝑢 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1)
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 2
Differentiate 1 partially w. r. t. 𝑥, we get
𝜕 2 𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝜕2𝑢 1 2
𝜕𝑢
𝑥 2+ +𝑦 = sec 𝑢
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑥
𝜕2𝑢 𝜕2𝑢 1 2
𝜕𝑢
Therefore 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 = s𝑒𝑐 𝑢 − 1 … … (2)
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑥
Strictly for University Departments only 40
 Differentiating (1) partially w.r.t 𝑦, we have
𝜕2𝑢 𝜕 𝑢 𝜕2𝑢 1 2
𝜕𝑢
𝑦 2+ +𝑥 = sec 𝑢
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕y𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦
𝜕2𝑢 𝜕2𝑢 1 2
𝜕𝑢
⇒ 𝑦 2+𝑥 = sec 𝑢 − 1 . . . . . . . . (3)
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑦
Multiplying (2) by 𝑥, (3) by 𝑦 and adding, we have
𝜕 2𝑢 𝜕 2𝑢 𝜕 2𝑢 1 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢
𝑥 2 + 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 = 2
sec 𝑢 − 1 𝑥 +𝑦
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 2 2 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
1 1
= 2
− 1 tan 𝑢
2cos 𝑢 2
1 − 2cos 2 𝑢 1 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑢
=
2cos2 𝑢 2 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑢
cos2𝑢 sin𝑢
= − 3
.
4cos 𝑢
Strictly for University Departments only 41
 𝑦 𝑧
Example 10: If 𝑢 = + show that
𝑧 𝑥
𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢
𝑥 +𝑦 +𝑧 = 0.
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
Solution :
𝑦 𝑧
𝑢 = 𝑢(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = +
𝑧 𝑥
𝑡𝑦 𝑡𝑧
𝑢(𝑡𝑥, 𝑡𝑦, 𝑡𝑧) = + = 𝑡 0 𝑢 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 .
𝑡𝑧 𝑡𝑥

u is a homogeneous function of degree 0. Hence by Euler’s

theorem
𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢
𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 =0.
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

Hence proved.
Strictly for University Departments only 42
 Practice Problems

1. Verify Euler’s theorem for

𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 = 3𝑥 2 𝑦𝑧 + 5𝑥𝑦 2 𝑧 + 4𝑧 4

𝑥+𝑦 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢
2. If 𝑢 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 −1 , find 𝑥 + 𝑦 .
𝑥+ 𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦

𝑦 𝜕 𝑢 2 𝜕2 𝑢 𝜕2 𝑢
3. If 𝑢 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 , find 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 .
𝑥2 𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 2

Strictly for University Departments only 43

 Multiple Choice Questions
𝑥 𝜕2 𝑢 𝜕2 𝑢
1. If 𝑢 = 𝑒 𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑦 − 𝑦 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑦 , then + 𝜕𝑦 2 =⋯
𝜕𝑥 2
a. 0
b. 1
c. -1
d. 2

𝑦
2. If 𝑢 = 𝑓 𝑥
, then
𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢
a. 𝑥 𝜕𝑥 − 𝑦 𝜕𝑦 = 0
𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢
b. 𝑥 + 𝑦 =0
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢
c. 𝑥 𝜕𝑥 + 𝑦 𝜕𝑦 =2u
𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢
d. 𝑥 𝜕𝑥 + 𝑦 𝜕𝑦 = 1

Strictly for University Departments only 44

 𝜕𝑢
3. If 𝑢 = 𝑥 𝑦 , then 𝑖𝑠
𝜕𝑥
a. 0
b. 1
c. 𝑦𝑥 𝑦−1
d. 𝑥 𝑦 log 𝑥
𝜕𝑢
4. If 𝑢 = 𝑥 𝑦 , then 𝑖𝑠
𝜕𝑦
a. 0
b. 1
c. 𝑦𝑥 𝑦−1
d. 𝑥 𝑦 log 𝑥

𝜕2 𝑢
5. If 𝑢 = 𝑥3 + 3
𝑦 , 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 is equal to
𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦
a. -3
b. 3
c. 0
d. 3𝑥 + 3𝑦

Strictly for University Departments only 45

 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢
6.If 𝑢 = 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑥 + 𝑦, then 𝑥 +y is equal to
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
a. 2u
b. u
c. 2𝑥 2 + 2𝑦 2 + 4𝑥𝑦 + 2
d. 2𝑥 2 + 2𝑦 2 + 4𝑥𝑦 + 𝑥 + 𝑦

𝑥2 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢
7.If 𝑢 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔 , 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 +y is equal to
𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
a. 2u
b. 3u
c. 1
d. u

𝑥− 𝑦
8. is a homogeneous function of degree
𝑥+ 𝑦
a. 0
b. 1
c. 2
d. 3

Strictly for University Departments only 46

Answers to MCQs:

1. a
2. b
3. c
4. d
5. c
6. d
7. c
8. a

Strictly for University Departments only 47