EMTH204/MATH264 Multivariable calculus (2009)

A function with unequal mixed second order partial derivatives

Let
x2 − y 2
f (x, y) = x y
x2 + y 2
when (x, y) 6= (0, 0), and let f (0, 0) = 0 (this is just the value that is got by continuity).
By direct calculation,
∂f x2 − y 2 4x y 2
=y 2 + x y .
∂x x + y2 (x2 + y 2 )2
Now, differentiating with respect to y at (0, 0),

fx (0, 0 + k) − fx (0, 0) −k − 0
fxy (0, 0) = lim = lim = −1
k→0 k k→0 k
(to do this computation, you need to put x = 0 and y = k in the formula for fx ). A similar computation
(first find fy , then restrict to the line (x, y) = (h, 0) and differentiate) gives:

fyx (0, 0) = +1.

Please note that this function has discontinous second order partial derivatives at (0, 0)! (Although, it is
differentiable at (0, 0). The derivatives fx and fy are 0, and the graph is (locally) well approximated by a
tangent plane—try drawing this in M APLE.

How to picture what is going on

By transforming to polar coordinates (x = r cos θ, y = r sin θ), f is written as

r2
f (r, θ) = sin(4θ)
4
(good practise with trigonometry). This explains the parabolic shape as you move along a line through the
origin. However, moving around a circle of constant r, the graph fluctuates like a wave.

Rua Murray (February 26, 2009)