Math Problem Statement

Use the chain rule to find ∂z/∂s . z = ex + 2y, x = s/t, y = t/s

Solution

We are given that z=ex+2yz = e^x + 2y, where x=stx = \frac{s}{t} and y=tsy = \frac{t}{s}. We are tasked with finding zs\frac{\partial z}{\partial s} using the chain rule.

Step 1: Apply the chain rule

To compute zs\frac{\partial z}{\partial s}, we use the chain rule to account for the dependencies of zz on xx and yy, and their dependencies on ss and tt. The chain rule states:

zs=zxxs+zyys\frac{\partial z}{\partial s} = \frac{\partial z}{\partial x} \cdot \frac{\partial x}{\partial s} + \frac{\partial z}{\partial y} \cdot \frac{\partial y}{\partial s}

Step 2: Compute the partial derivatives

  • First, let's compute zx\frac{\partial z}{\partial x} and zy\frac{\partial z}{\partial y}:

zx=x(ex+2y)=ex\frac{\partial z}{\partial x} = \frac{\partial}{\partial x}(e^x + 2y) = e^x zy=y(ex+2y)=2\frac{\partial z}{\partial y} = \frac{\partial}{\partial y}(e^x + 2y) = 2

  • Next, compute xs\frac{\partial x}{\partial s} and ys\frac{\partial y}{\partial s}:

x=st,xs=1tx = \frac{s}{t}, \quad \frac{\partial x}{\partial s} = \frac{1}{t} y=ts,ys=ts2y = \frac{t}{s}, \quad \frac{\partial y}{\partial s} = -\frac{t}{s^2}

Step 3: Substitute these into the chain rule

Now we substitute the partial derivatives into the chain rule formula:

zs=ex1t+2(ts2)\frac{\partial z}{\partial s} = e^x \cdot \frac{1}{t} + 2 \cdot \left(-\frac{t}{s^2}\right)

Step 4: Final Expression

Substitute x=stx = \frac{s}{t} back into the equation:

zs=es/tt2ts2\frac{\partial z}{\partial s} = \frac{e^{s/t}}{t} - \frac{2t}{s^2}

This is the final expression for zs\frac{\partial z}{\partial s}.


Would you like more details on any specific step?

Here are some related questions to explore:

  1. How do you compute partial derivatives of exponential functions?
  2. What is the general form of the chain rule in multivariable calculus?
  3. How would you apply the same method to find zt\frac{\partial z}{\partial t}?
  4. How do changes in ss affect zz when tt is held constant?
  5. How do we interpret the partial derivatives in this context?

Tip: Always keep track of dependencies when applying the chain rule in multivariable calculus!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Multivariable Calculus
Partial Derivatives
Chain Rule

Formulas

∂z/∂s = ∂z/∂x * ∂x/∂s + ∂z/∂y * ∂y/∂s
∂z/∂x = e^x
∂z/∂y = 2
∂x/∂s = 1/t
∂y/∂s = -t/s^2

Theorems

Chain Rule for Partial Derivatives

Suitable Grade Level

University Level (Calculus 3 / Multivariable Calculus)