Topic: Functions of Several Variables

The definition of a function of several variables (two or more variables) is

very similar to the definition for a function of one variable. The main
difference is that, instead of mapping values of one variable to values of
another variable, we map ordered pairs of variables to another variable.

Definition: Function of two variables

A function of two variables 𝒛 = 𝒇(𝒙, 𝒚) maps each ordered pair (𝒙, 𝒚) in a

subset 𝑫 of the real plane 𝑹𝟐 to a unique real number 𝒛. The set 𝑫 is
called the domain of the function. The range of 𝒇 is the set of all real
numbers 𝒛 that has at least one ordered pair (𝒙, 𝒚) ∈ 𝑫 such that 𝒇(𝒙, 𝒚) =
𝒛 as shown in figure below.

An application problem regarding function of several variables can

be of the following types:

1. Tabular Data Representation (using limit formula of partial

derivative).
2. Algebraic function (solve the functions algebraically)
3. Comparative or complimentary commodities (Interpretation of the
function depending upon commodity behaviour showing direct or
inverse proportion).
 Example 1:
Consider an airline’s ticket pricing. To avoid flying planes with
many empty seats, it sells some tickets at full price and some at a
discount. For a particular route, the airline’s revenue 𝑹, earned in a given
time period is determined by the number of full priced tickets, 𝒙, and
number of discounted tickets, 𝒚, sold. We say that 𝑹 is a function of 𝒙, 𝒚
and we write:

𝑹 = 𝒇(𝒙, 𝒚)

where 𝑹 is the dependent variable whereas, 𝒙 and 𝒚 are the independent

variables.

• The collection of all possible inputs (𝒙, 𝒚) is called domain of 𝒇.

• We say a function is an increasing (or decreasing) function of one
of its variables if the function increases (or decreases) as that
variable increases while the other independent variables are held
constant.

Consider the table below

𝒚/𝒙 100 200 300 400

200 75,000 110,000 145,000 180,000
400 115,000 150,000 185,000 220,000
600 155,000 190,000 225,000 260,000
800 195,000 230,000 265,000 300,000
1000 235,000 270,000 305,000 340,000

a) Find the value of 𝒇(𝟑𝟎𝟎, 𝟔𝟎𝟎) and interpret it.

b) Is 𝒇 an increasing or decreasing function of 𝒙?
c) Is 𝒇 an increasing or decreasing function of 𝒚?

Solution:
(a) From the above table, we can write
𝒇(𝟑𝟎𝟎, 𝟔𝟎𝟎) = 𝟐𝟐𝟓, 𝟎𝟎𝟎

Interpretation: The revenue from 𝟑𝟎𝟎 full price tickets and 𝟔𝟎𝟎
discounted tickets is $ 𝟐𝟐𝟓, 𝟎𝟎𝟎.

(b) Answer: Increasing function

(c) Answer: Increasing function
Example 2:
A car rental company charges $ 𝟒𝟎 per day & 𝟏𝟓 𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 per mile
for its cars.

a) Write a formula for the cost 𝑪, of renting a car as a function of the

number of days 𝒙, and the number of miles driven 𝒚.
b) If 𝑪 = 𝒇(𝒙, 𝒚). Find 𝒇(𝟓, 𝟑𝟎𝟎) and interpret it.
c) Explain the significance of 𝒇(𝟑, 𝒚) in terms of rental cost. Graph
this function with 𝑪 as a function of 𝒚.

Solution:
Solution (a): Let us consider the variables 𝒙 and 𝒚 represents

𝒙 : Per day charges of renting a car

𝒚 : Per mile charges of renting a car

Since we know that

𝟏$ = 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔

Hence, the cost of renting a car can be represented as a function of 𝒙

and 𝒚 as

𝑪 = 𝒇(𝒙, 𝒚) = 𝟒𝟎 𝒙 + 𝟎. 𝟏𝟓 𝒚 _______________(𝟏)

Solution (b):

To find the value of 𝑓(5, 300), put 𝒙 = 𝟓, and 𝒚 = 𝟑𝟎𝟎 in equation (1), we
get

𝒇(𝟓, 𝟑𝟎𝟎) = 𝟒𝟎(𝟓) + 𝟎. 𝟏𝟓(𝟑𝟎𝟎) = 𝟐𝟒𝟓

It means if the car is rented for 𝟓 days and is driven 𝟑𝟎𝟎 miles then it
costs $ 𝟐𝟒𝟓.

Solution (c):

Since 𝒇(𝟑, 𝒚) is the value of 𝑪 for various values of 𝒚 with 𝒙 fixed at 𝟑

days.

In other words, it is the cost of renting a car for three days & driven for
variable number of miles.
Since days are fixed, that is 𝒙 = 𝟑. Then

Miles (y) 𝑪 = 𝒇(𝟑, 𝒚) = 𝟏𝟐𝟎 + 𝟎. 𝟏𝟓𝒚

100 𝑓(3,100) = 135
200 𝑓(3,200) = 150
300 𝑓(3,300) = 165
400 𝑓(3,400) = 180

Graph:
C

180

165

150

135

15

0 100 200 300 400 m

Solution (d):

Since 𝒇(𝒙, 𝟏𝟎𝟎) is the value of 𝑪 for various values of 𝒙 with 𝒚 fixed at
𝟏𝟎𝟎 miles.

In other words, it is the cost of renting a car for various number of days
& driven for 𝟏𝟎𝟎 miles.

Draw the graph by yourself.

Example 3:
The total sales of a product 𝑺 can be expressed as a function of the price
𝑷 charged for the product and amount 𝒂 spent on advertisement, so 𝑺 =
𝒇(𝒑, 𝒂).

a) Do you expect 𝒇 to be an increasing or decreasing function of 𝑷?

b) Do you expect 𝒇 to be an increasing or decreasing function of 𝒂?

Solution:
Since given that 𝑺 = 𝒇(𝒑, 𝒂)
Solution (a):

Let suppose we fixed some amount for advertisement, i.e., 𝒂 = 𝟐𝟎 $,

then 𝑺 = 𝒇(𝒑, $ 𝟐𝟎). That is, 𝑺 is a function of 𝑷, i.e., 𝒂 = advertisement
amount is fixed.

➢ Now there is an inverse relationship between sales and price.

That is
• If the price of product increases, its sale decreases

P↑  S↓
• If the price of product decreases, its sale increases

P↓  S↑
So, 𝒇 is decreasing function of 𝑷.

Solution (b):

Let suppose we fixed the price of product, i.e., 𝒑 = 𝟐𝟎 $, then 𝑺 =

𝒇($ 𝟐𝟎, 𝒂). That is, 𝑺 is a function of advertisement 𝒂, i.e., 𝒑 = price of
product is fixed.

➢ Now, there is direct relationship between advertisement and

sales. That is
• If the advertisement of product increases, its sale increases
 a↑  S↑
• If the advertisement of product decreases, its sale decreases

a↓  S↓
So, 𝒇 is increasing function of 𝒂.

Practice Questions for Students:

Exercise: 9.1. Q # 3-5, Q # 10-11 from Applied Calculus Book By

Hughes Hallet 4th Edition.

Partial Derivatives
Example 1:
Consider the airline’s ticket pricing example having revenue function

𝑹 = 𝒇(𝒙, 𝒚)

where

𝑹 = Revenue of Airline Company,

𝒙 = Number of full price tickets, and

𝒚 = Number of discounted price tickets.

Such that the revenue function is given as

𝑹 = 𝒇(𝒙, 𝒚) = 𝟑𝟓𝟎𝒙 + 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝒚

Fixing one variable (say we fix variable 𝒚)

Suppose we fix the number of discounted price tickets at 𝒚 = 𝟏𝟎, we

have a function one variable, that is

𝑹 = 𝒇(𝒙, 𝟏𝟎) = 𝒈(𝒙) = 𝟑𝟓𝟎 𝒙 + 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟎

The rate of change of revenue with respect to 𝒙 is given by

𝒅 𝒅 𝒅
𝒈′ (𝒙) = (𝟑𝟓𝟎 𝒙 + 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟎) = (𝟑𝟓𝟎 𝒙) + (𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟎) = 𝟑𝟓𝟎
𝒅𝒙 𝒅𝒙 𝒅𝒙
Interpretation:

• This tells us that if we increase the number of full price tickets by

one unit then the revenue of airlines is increased by $ 𝟑𝟓𝟎 while
the number of discounted tickets is fixed at 𝟏𝟎.
• We call 𝒈′(𝒙) the partial derivative of 𝑹 with respect to 𝒙 at point
(𝒙, 𝟏𝟎).

Example 2:
Find the rate of change of revenue 𝑹 as 𝒙 increases with 𝒚 fixed at 𝒚 =
𝟏𝟎 such that the revenue function is

𝑹 = 𝒇(𝒙, 𝒚) = 𝟑𝟓𝟎𝒙 + 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝒚

Solution:
The given revenue function is

𝑹 = 𝒇(𝒙, 𝒚) = 𝟑𝟓𝟎𝒙 + 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝒚

Since 𝒚 = 𝟏𝟎 is fixed, then

𝑹 = 𝒇(𝒙, 𝟏𝟎) = 𝟑𝟓𝟎𝒙 + 𝟐𝟎𝟎(𝟏𝟎)

𝑹 = 𝒇(𝒙, 𝟏𝟎) = 𝟑𝟓𝟎𝒙 + 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟎

𝝏𝑹 𝝏
= 𝒇𝒙 (𝒙, 𝟏𝟎) = (𝟑𝟓𝟎 𝒙 + 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟎)
𝝏𝒙 𝝏𝒙
𝝏𝑹
= 𝒇𝒙 (𝒙, 𝟏𝟎) = 𝟑𝟓𝟎
𝝏𝒙

Example 3:
Find the rate of change of revenue 𝑹 as 𝒚 increases with 𝒙 fixed at
𝒙 = 𝟐𝟎.

Solution:
The given revenue function is

𝑹 = 𝒇(𝒙, 𝒚) = 𝟑𝟓𝟎𝒙 + 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝒚

Since 𝒙 = 𝟐𝟎 is fixed, then

𝑅 = 𝑓(20, 𝑦) = 350 (20) + 200𝑦

 𝑅 = 𝑓(20, 𝑦) = 7000 + 200𝑦
𝝏𝑹 𝝏
= 𝒇𝒚 (𝟐𝟎, 𝒚) = (𝟕𝟎𝟎𝟎 + 𝟐𝟎𝟎 𝒚)
𝝏𝒚 𝝏𝒙
𝝏𝑹
= 𝒇𝒚 (𝟐𝟎, 𝒚) = 𝟐𝟎𝟎 𝒚
𝝏𝒚

Recall:
The derivative of 𝒇 with respect to 𝒙 is defined as:

𝒅𝒇 𝒇(𝒙 + 𝒉) − 𝒇(𝒙)
= 𝐥𝐢𝐦
𝒅𝒙 𝒉→𝟎 𝒉
Partial Derivatives for function of two variables 𝒇(𝒙, 𝒚)
• The partial derivative of 𝒇 with respect to 𝒙 with 𝒚 fixed or constant
is defined as:
𝝏𝒇 𝒇(𝒙 + 𝒉, 𝒚) − 𝒇(𝒙, 𝒚)
= 𝐥𝐢𝐦 − − − (𝟏)
𝝏𝒙 𝒉→𝟎 𝒉
• The partial derivative of 𝒇 with respect to 𝒚 with 𝒙 fixed or constant
is defined as:
𝝏𝒇 𝒇(𝒙, 𝒚 + 𝒌) − 𝒇(𝒙, 𝒚)
= 𝐥𝐢𝐦 − − − (𝟐)
𝝏𝒚 𝒌→𝟎 𝒌
At any arbitrary point (𝒙, 𝒚) = (𝒂, 𝒃), the formulas in equations (1) and (2)
can be written as:

• The partial derivative of 𝒇 with respect to 𝒙 at (𝒂, 𝒃) with 𝒚 fixed or

constant is defined as:
𝝏𝒇 𝒇(𝒂 + 𝒉, 𝒃) − 𝒇(𝒂, 𝒃)
|(𝒙,𝒚)=(𝒂,𝒃) = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 − − − (𝟑)
𝝏𝒙 𝒉→𝟎 𝒉
• The partial derivative of 𝒇 with respect to 𝒚 at (𝒂, 𝒃) with 𝒙 fixed or
constant is defined as:
𝝏𝒇 𝒇(𝒂, 𝒃 + 𝒌) − 𝒇(𝒂, 𝒃)
| = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 − − − (𝟒)
𝝏𝒚 (𝒙,𝒚)=(𝒂,𝒃) 𝒌→𝟎 𝒌
 Alternative Notations for Partial Derivatives:
If 𝒛 = 𝒇(𝒙, 𝒚)

𝝏𝒛 𝝏𝒛
𝒇𝒙 (𝒙, 𝒚) = & 𝒇𝒚 (𝒙, 𝒚) =
𝝏𝒙 𝝏𝒚
At any arbitrary point (𝒙, 𝒚) = (𝒂, 𝒃)
𝝏𝒛 𝝏𝒛
𝒇𝒙 (𝒂, 𝒃) = | & 𝒇𝒚 (𝒂, 𝒃) = |
𝝏𝒙 (𝒂,𝒃) 𝝏𝒚 (𝒂,𝒃)
Example 4:
An experiment done on rats to measure the toxicity of formaldehyde
yielded the data shown in the given table.

Time 𝒕 (in months)

Concentration 𝒄

𝒄\𝒕 𝟎 𝟐 𝟒 𝟔 𝟖 𝟏𝟎 𝟏𝟐 𝟏𝟒 𝟏𝟔 𝟏𝟖 𝟐𝟎 𝟐𝟐 𝟐𝟒
𝟎 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 99 97 95
(ppm)

𝟐 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 99 98 97 95 92

𝟔 100 100 100 99 99 98 96 96 95 93 90 86 80
𝟏𝟓 100 100 100 99 99 99 99 96 93 82 70 58 36

The values in the table show the percent 𝑷 of rats that survived an
exposure with concentration 𝒄 (in parts per million) after time, 𝒕 month,
so, 𝑷 = 𝒇(𝒕, 𝒄).

Estimate 𝒇𝒕 (𝟏𝟖, 𝟔) & 𝒇𝒄 (𝟏𝟖, 𝟔) from the table. Interpret your answers.

Solution:
𝜕𝑓 𝑓(𝑡 + ℎ, 𝑐) − 𝑓(𝑡, 𝑐)
𝑓𝑡 (18, 6) = |(18,6) ≈
𝜕𝑡 ℎ
[𝑓(18 + 2, 6)– 𝑓(18, 6)]
≈
2
[𝑓(20, 6)– 𝑓(18, 6)]
≈
2
 (90 – 93)
≈ (20 = −1.5 % per month.
– 18)

Interpretation: This partial derivative tells us that after 𝟏𝟖 months of

exposure to formaldehyde at a concentration of 𝟔 ppm, 𝑷 decreases by
𝟏. 𝟓% for every additional month of exposure.
𝜕𝑓 [𝑓(𝑡, 𝑐 + 𝑘)– 𝑓(𝑡, 𝑐)]
𝑓𝑐 (18, 6) = |(18,6) ≈
𝜕𝑡 𝑘
[𝑓(18, 6 + 9)– 𝑓(18, 6)]
≈
9
[𝑓(18, 15)– 𝑓(18, 6)]
≈
9
(82 – 93)
≈ (15 − 6)
= −1.22 % per ppm

Interpretation: It means that after 𝟏𝟖 months of exposure to

formaldehyde at a concentration of 𝟔 ppm, 𝑷 decreases by 𝟏. 𝟐𝟐% for
every additional ppm of concentration.
Example 5:
The following table gives the number of calories burned per minute 𝑩 =
𝒇(𝒘, 𝒔) of a cyclist as a function of the person’s weight 𝒘 and speed 𝒔.

a) Is 𝒇𝒘 positive or negative?
b) Is 𝒇𝒔 positive or negative?
c) What do your answers tell us about the effect of weight and speed
on calories burned per minute?
d) Estimate 𝒇𝒘 (𝟏𝟔𝟎, 𝟏𝟎)and interpret your answer.
e) Estimate 𝒇𝒔 (𝟏𝟔𝟎, 𝟏𝟎) and interpret your answer.

w/s 8 mph 9 mph 10 mph 11 mph

120 lbs 4.2 5.8 7.4 8.9
140lbs 5.1 6.7 8.3 9.9
160 lbs 6.1 7.7 9.2 10.8
180 lbs 7.0 8.6 10.2 11.7
200 lbs 7.9 9.5 11.1 12.6

Solution:
(a) 𝒇𝒘 measures how the calories burned change as weight increases
while keeping speed constant.
From the table, we can see that 𝒇𝒘 is positive since 𝑩 increases as
𝒘 increases, when 𝒔 held constant.
(b) 𝒇𝒔 measures how the calories burned change as speed increases
while keeping weight constant.
𝒇𝒔 is also positive since 𝑩 increases as 𝒔 increases, when 𝒘 held
constant.
(c) What do these answers tell us about the effect of weight and
speed on calories burned per minute?

Weight (𝒘):

Heavier cyclists burn more calories per minute at a fixed speed.

Speed (𝒔):

Cyclists burn more calories per minute when cycling faster at a

fixed weight.
(d) Partial Derivative Estimation 𝒇𝒘 (𝟏𝟔𝟎, 𝟏𝟎):
𝒇𝒘 (𝟏𝟔𝟎, 𝟏𝟎): Rate of change in calories burned with respect to
weight at 𝒘 = 𝟏𝟔𝟎 lbs and 𝒔 = 𝟏𝟎 mph.
𝝏𝒇(𝟏𝟔𝟎, 𝟏𝟎) [𝒇(𝟏𝟔𝟎 + 𝟐𝟎, 𝟏𝟎)– 𝒇(𝟏𝟔𝟎, 𝟏𝟎)]
𝒇𝒘 (𝟏𝟔𝟎, 𝟏𝟎) = =
𝝏𝒘 𝟏𝟖𝟎 – 𝟏𝟔𝟎
(𝟏𝟎. 𝟐 – 𝟗. 𝟐)
= = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟓
(𝟏𝟖𝟎 – 𝟏𝟔𝟎)

Interpretation:

It means if we change the person’s weight by 𝟏 lbs then the number of

calories burned per minute is increased by 𝟎. 𝟎𝟓.

(e) Partial Derivative Estimation 𝒇𝒘 (𝟏𝟔𝟎, 𝟏𝟎):

𝒇𝒔 (𝟏𝟔𝟎, 𝟏𝟎): Rate of change in calories burned with respect to speed at

𝒘 = 𝟏𝟔𝟎 lbs and 𝒔 = 𝟏𝟎 mph.
𝝏𝒇(𝟏𝟔𝟎, 𝟏𝟎) [𝒇(𝟏𝟔𝟎, 𝟏𝟏)– 𝒇(𝟏𝟔𝟎, 𝟏𝟎)]
𝒇𝒔 (𝟏𝟔𝟎, 𝟏𝟎) = =
𝝏𝒔 𝟏𝟏 – 𝟏𝟎
(𝟏𝟎. 𝟖 – 𝟗. 𝟐)
= = 𝟏. 𝟔
𝟏𝟏 – 𝟏𝟎
Interpretation:

It means if we change the speed of the person by 𝟏 mph then the number
of calories burned per minute is increased by 𝟏. 𝟔 units.
Example:
The demand for coffee ‘𝑸’, in pounds sold per week is a function of the
price of coffee, ‘𝒄’, in dollars per pound & the price of tea, ‘𝒕’ in dollars per
pound, so, 𝑸 = 𝒇(𝒄, 𝒕).

a) Do you expect 𝒇𝒄 to be positive or negative? What about 𝒇𝒕 ?

Explain.
b) Interpret each of the following statement in terms of the demand
for coffee: 𝒇(𝟑, 𝟐) = 𝟕𝟖𝟎, 𝒇𝒄 (𝟑, 𝟐) = −𝟔𝟎, 𝒇𝒕 (𝟑, 𝟐) = 𝟐𝟎.

Solution:
The function 𝑸 = 𝒇(𝒄, 𝒕) describes the weekly demand for coffee 𝑸, in
pounds, as a function of:

• 𝒄: the price of coffee (dollars per pound),

• 𝒕: the price of tea (dollars per pound).

𝒇𝒄 (Partial derivative 𝒇 with respect to 𝒄):

𝒇𝒄 measures the rate of change of coffee demand with respect to its
price.

As the price of coffee increases, the demand for coffee usually

decreases (Law of demand).

𝒇𝒄 < 𝟎 (Negative).

• If the price of coffee increases, the demand for coffee usually

decreases, and the rate of change of coffee demand with
respect to its price decreases.

c↑  Q↓
• If the price of coffee decreases, the demand for coffee usually
decreases, and the rate of change of coffee demand with
respect to its price increase.

c↓  Q↑
𝝏𝒇
The above statements represent the Inverse relationship and is
𝝏𝒄
negative.
So, 𝒇 is decreasing function of 𝒄.

𝒇𝒕 (partial derivative with respect to 𝒕):

𝒇𝒕 measures the rate of change of coffee demand with respect to the
price of tea.

Tea is likely a substitute for coffee.

As the price of tea increases, consumers might switch to coffee,

increasing its demand.

𝒇𝒕 > 𝟎 (Positive).

• If the price of tea increases, consumers might switch to coffee,

increasing its demand, and the rate of change of coffee
demand with respect to price of tea is also increases.

t↑  Q↑
• If the price of tea decreases, consumers will be interested to
have tea instead of coffee, which lead to the decease the demand
of coffee, and the rate of change of coffee demand with respect
to price of tea is also decreases.

t↓  Q↓
𝝏𝒇
The above statements represent the direct relationship and is
𝝏𝒕
negative.

So, 𝒇 is increasing function of 𝒕.

Interpretations:

• 𝒇(𝟑, 𝟐) = 𝟕𝟖𝟎
Interpretation: If the price of coffee is $𝟑 and price of tea is $𝟐 then we
can expect 𝟕𝟖𝟎 pounds of coffee to be sold each week.
𝝏𝒇
• 𝒇𝒄 (𝟑, 𝟐) = (𝟑, 𝟐) = −𝟔𝟎
𝝏𝒄

Interpretation: If we change or increase the price of coffee by 𝟏 unit

then the demand of coffee is decreased by 𝟔𝟎 units.
 𝝏𝒇
• 𝒇𝒕 (𝟑, 𝟐) = (𝟑, 𝟐) = 𝟐𝟎
𝝏𝒕

Interpretation: If we increase the price of tea by 𝟏 unit then the demand

for coffee is increased by 𝟐𝟎 units.

Practice Questions for Students:

Exercise: 9.2. Q # 3-5, from Applied Calculus Book By Hughes Hallet

4th Edition.