partial derivative

partial derivative
The derivative of a function of two or more arguments with respect to any one argument, holding all the remaining arguments constant. Thus if y = f (x, z), the partial derivative of y with respect to x is the derivative of y with respect to x, holding z constant. This is written ∂y/∂x, or sometimes f x or f1, the derivative of f(.) with respect to x, its first argument. Similarly the partial derivative of y with respect to z is the derivative of y with respect to z, holding x constant. This is written ∂y/∂z, or sometimes f z or f2, the derivative of f(.) with respect to z, its second argument.

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