Past exam of the mathematics course of the year 1 of the natural sciences course of the University of Cambridge / 2018 / Paper 2 / 12 / c / Solution

Apply the multivariable chain rule to $f(x,y)=g(r(x,y),\varphi (x,y))$. Using the coordinate partial derivatives above givesEquivalently, ${\partial }_x=\cos \varphi {\partial }_r-(\sin \varphi /r){\partial }_{\varphi }$ and ${\partial }_y=\sin \varphi {\partial }_r+(\cos \varphi /r){\partial }_{\varphi }$. Their coefficients vary with position and must also be differentiated when applying them twice.