Will this stump you?

MangoTBG

Diamond Member
Apr 28, 2003
3,101
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If f is a differentiable function of ONE VARIABLE, and z(x,y) = f(y/x), what is:

x (dz/dx) + y (dz/dy)?
 

SpecialEd

Platinum Member
Jul 18, 2001
2,110
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0
the expression x(dz/dx)+y(dz/dy) is exactly zero.

proof:

Let u=y/x

By the chain rule, we have dz/dx=f'(u)*(-y/x^2) and dz/dy=f'(u)*(1/x).

The terms in the expression above then cancel.