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# 2.6: Euler's Theorem for Homogeneous Functions

There is a theorem, usually credited to Euler, concerning homogenous functions that we might be making use of.

A homogenous function of degree n of the variables x, y, z is a function in which all terms are of degree n. For example, the function $$f(x,~y,~z) = Ax^3 +By^3+Cz^3+Dxy^2+Exz^2+Gyx^2+Hzx^2+Izy^2+Jxyz$$ is a homogenous function of x, y, z, in which all terms are of degree three.

The reader will find it easy to evaluate the partial derivatives $$\frac{\partial f}{\partial x},~ \frac{\partial f}{\partial x},~ \frac{\partial f}{\partial x}$$ and equally easy (if slightly tedious) to evaluate the expression $$x \frac{\partial f}{\partial x} + y \frac{\partial f}{\partial y} + z \frac{\partial f}{\partial z}$$. Tedious or not, I do urge the reader to do it. You should find that the answer is $$3Ax^3 +3By^3+3Cz^3 + 3Dxy^2+3Exz^2+3Fyz^2+3Gyx^2+3Hzx^2+3Izy^2+3Jxyz.$$

In other words, $$x \frac{\partial f}{\partial x} + y \frac{\partial f}{\partial y} + z \frac{\partial f}{\partial z} = 3f$$. If you do the same thing with a homogenous function of degree 2, you will find that $$x \frac{\partial f}{\partial x} + y \frac{\partial f}{\partial y} + z \frac{\partial f}{\partial z} = 2f$$. And if you do it with a homogenous function of degree 1, such as $$Ax + By+Cz$$, you will find that $$x \frac{\partial f}{\partial x} + y \frac{\partial f}{\partial y} + z \frac{\partial f}{\partial z} = f$$. In general, for a homogenous function of x, y, z... of degree n, it is always the case that

$x \frac{\partial f}{\partial x} + y \frac{\partial f}{\partial y} + z \frac{\partial f}{\partial z} + ... = nf.$

This is Euler's theorem for homogenous functions.