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partial derivative

American  

noun

Mathematics.
  1. the derivative of a function with respect to one of its variables with all other variables held constant.


partial derivative British  

noun

  1. the derivative of a function of two or more variables with respect to one of the variables, the other or others being considered constant. Written ∂f/∂ x

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

partial derivative Scientific  
/ pärshəl /
  1. The derivative with respect to a single variable of a function of two or more variables, regarding other variables as constants.


Etymology

Origin of partial derivative

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

There are no points in ℝ2 that make either partial derivative not exist.

From Textbooks Mar. 30, 2016

To calculate a partial derivative with respect to a given variable, treat all the other variables as constants and use the usual differentiation rules.

From Textbooks Mar. 30, 2016

A partial derivative is a derivative involving a function of more than one independent variable.

From Textbooks Mar. 30, 2016

In Partial Derivatives we introduced the partial derivative.

From Textbooks Mar. 30, 2016

The partial derivative fxx is equal to the partial derivative of fx with respect to x, and fyy is equal to the partial derivative of fy with respect to y.

From Textbooks Mar. 30, 2016

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