## A question about notation on derivatives

Hi,
I didn't put this into homework since is only a question about notation:

In a problem, given a Lagrangian and a transformation (x,y) -> (x',y'), where these x' and y' depend on λ, in particular like $e^{\lambda}$. The problem asks for the derivative $\frac{\delta L}{\delta \lambda}$. What this notation corresponds to? Thanks
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 Recognitions: Gold Member Science Advisor Staff Emeritus That is the "total derivative", $$\frac{\delta L}{\delta \lambda}= \frac{\partial L}{\partial x}\frac{dx}{d\lambda}+ \frac{\partial L}{\partial y}\frac{dy}{d\lambda}$$ by the chain rule. It more often seen in physics texts than math texts. Math texts would just us "$dL/d\lambda$".

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