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Problem 18 - Entrance Test

If z = f(x, y) and x = r cos(θ), y = r sin(θ), find ∂z/∂r.

Correct: A

By the chain rule, ∂z/∂r = (∂z/∂x)(∂x/∂r) + (∂z/∂y)(∂y/∂r). Since x = r cos(θ), ∂x/∂r = cos(θ). Since y = r sin(θ), ∂y/∂r = sin(θ). Therefore, ∂z/∂r = (∂z/∂x)cos(θ) + (∂z/∂y)sin(θ).