What is the partial derivative of f(x,y) with respect to x if y=0?

[nuuskur]

Homework Statement

Find [itex]\frac{\partial}{\partial x} [/itex] if:
[tex]f(x,y) = \begin{cases}x^2\frac{\sin y}{y}, & y\neq 0\\0, &y=0 \end{cases}[/tex]

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

If [itex]y\neq 0 [/itex], then it's simple, but I get confused about the second part. How can I exactly utilize the limit definition of a derivative when I'm told that y=0?
[tex]f_x = \frac{\sin y}{y}\lim_{t\to 0}\frac{(x+t)^2 - x^2}{t} = 2x\frac{\sin y}{y}[/tex]. If y = 0 can I say that [itex]\frac{\sin y}{y} = 1[/itex] since that would be the limit as y approaches 0, but y is already fixed at 0. Does the partial derivative not exist if y = 0?

 

[SteamKing]

Homework Statement

Find [itex]\frac{\partial}{\partial x} [/itex] if:
[tex]f(x,y) = \begin{cases}x^2\frac{\sin y}{y}, & y\neq 0\\0, &y=0 \end{cases}[/tex]

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

If [itex]y\neq 0 [/itex], then it's simple, but I get confused about the second part. How can I exactly utilize the limit definition of a derivative when I'm told that y=0?
[tex]f_x = \frac{\sin y}{y}\lim_{t\to 0}\frac{(x+t)^2 - x^2}{t} = 2x\frac{\sin y}{y}[/tex]. If y = 0 can I say that [itex]\frac{\sin y}{y} = 1[/itex] since that would be the limit as y approaches 0, but y is already fixed at 0. Does the partial derivative not exist if y = 0?

Wow! You weren't kidding when you said you're confused.

Since you want to find ∂f(x,y) / ∂x, then y is treated as a constant, so it is irrelevant what the limit of sin(y)/y is.

 

[nuuskur]

And I am treating it as a constant. When the arguments are taken only on the x-axis I would say that the derivative is [itex]\frac{0}{0}2x [/itex], which is gibberish and leads me to believe that the function is not partially differentiable with respect to x when y=0. Is this conclusion correct, incorrect and/or incomplete?

 

[SteamKing]

And I am treating it as a constant. When the arguments are taken only on the x-axis I would say that the derivative is [itex]\frac{0}{0}2x [/itex], which is gibberish and leads me to believe that the function is not partially differentiable with respect to x when y=0. Is this conclusion correct or incorrect?

Since f(x,y) = 0 when y = 0, then what is ∂ 0 / ∂x ? Remember, f(x,y) = 0 when y = 0 presumably holds for any and all values of x.

 

[nuuskur]

Since f(x,y) = 0 when y = 0, then what is ∂ 0 / ∂x ? Remember, f(x,y) = 0 when y = 0 presumably holds for any and all values of x.

Oh right, I am dumb. It's 0.