What is a partial derivative?
Q: What is a partial derivative?
A: A partial derivative is the derivative of one named variable in a function, where all other unnamed variables are held constant.
Q: How is the partial derivative usually notated?
A: The partial derivative of a function f with respect to the variable x is usually notated as {\displaystyle {\frac {\partial f}{\partial x}}}, f_x, or \partial _{x}f.
Q: Is the partial derivative always taken in a multivariable function?
A: Usually, although not always, the partial derivative is taken in a multivariable function (a function which takes two or more variables as input).
Q: What does it mean to differentiate certain indicated variables of a function?
A: Differentiating certain indicated variables of a function means taking the derivatives of those particular variables while keeping all other variables constant.
Q: What type of calculus does this concept involve?
A: This concept involves multivariate calculus, which studies rate of change on functions with multiple variables.
Q: Are there any other valid notations for the partial derivative besides those mentioned in the text?
A: Yes, there may be other valid notations for the partial derivative besides those mentioned in the text.
