Derivatives Definition and 1000 Threads

  1. davidge

    B How Can Time Derivatives Be Taken in GR and SR with Orthogonal Basis Vectors?

    Since in GR and SR the basis vectors are generally orthogonal, how can we take derivatives of position with respect to time? For example, the current four-vector is $$J^{\alpha} = \sum_n e_{n} \frac{\partial x^{\alpha}}{\partial t} \delta^{3}(x - x_{n})$$ where n labels the n-th particle. In...
  2. cg78ithaca

    A Inverse Laplace transform of a piecewise defined function

    I understand the conditions for the existence of the inverse Laplace transforms are $$\lim_{s\to\infty}F(s) = 0$$ and $$ \lim_{s\to\infty}(sF(s))<\infty. $$ I am interested in finding the inverse Laplace transform of a piecewise defined function defined, such as $$F(s) =\begin{cases} 1-s...
  3. cg78ithaca

    A Taylor/Maclaurin series for piecewise defined function

    Consider the function: $$F(s) =\begin{cases} A \exp(-as) &\text{ if }0\le s\le s_c \text{ and}\\ B \exp(-bs) &\text{ if } s>s_c \end{cases}$$ The parameter s_c is chosen such that the function is continuous on [0,Inf). I'm trying to come up with a (unique, not piecewise) Maclaurin series...
  4. I

    F(x) = x^4 sin(1/x) has derivatives change sign indefinitely

    Homework Statement Consider the function ##f(x) = x^4 \sin(\frac 1 x)## for ##x \ne 0## and ##f(x) = 0## for ##x =0##. I have to prove that ##x=0## is the critical number of this function and its derivative changes the sign indefinitely. Homework Equations Definition of the critical number...
  5. T

    I Fixed Variables in Partial Derivatives

    My physics book is showing an example of why it matters "what variable you hold fixed" when taking the partial derivative. So it asks to show that ##(\frac{\partial{w}}{\partial{x}})_{y} \neq (\frac{\partial{w}}{\partial{x}})_z## where ##w=xy## and ##x=yz## and the subscripts are what variable...
  6. O

    I How Can You Integrate x-Squared Without the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus?

    OK, I admit: this will be the most idiotic question I have ever asked (maybe: there could be more) So, I am aware of the differential calculus (derivatives) and the integral calculus (integrals). And separate from that, there is the first fundamental theorem (FFT) of the calculus which relates...
  7. E

    Determining the sign of control derivatives

    I'm having quite a deal of trouble trying to figure this out. Say, for example, you wanted to have a statically stable aircraft. How do you determine what the signs (positive or negative) of the control derivates need to be for this condition to be satisfied ( CXα, CZα, Cmα, Cmq, CZδe, etc) ?
  8. rezkyputra

    Covariant Derivatives (1st, 2nd) of a Scalar Field

    Homework Statement Suppose we have a covariant derivative of covariant derivative of a scalar field. My lecturer said that it should be equal to zero. but I seem to not get it Homework Equations Suppose we have $$X^{AB} = \nabla^A \phi \nabla^B \phi - \frac{1}{2} g^{AB} \nabla_C \phi \nabla^C...
  9. naima

    I Commutator of covariant derivatives

    Hi there I came across this paper. the author defines a covariant derivative in (1.3) ##D_\mu = \partial_\mu - ig A_\mu## He defines in (1.6) ##F_{jk} = i/g [D_j,D_k]## Why is it equal to ##\partial_j A_k - \partial_k A_j - ig [A_j, A_k]##? I suppose that it comes from a property of Lie...
  10. Adeel Ahmad

    Partial Derivatives: Solve Homework Quickly

    Homework Statement So I know I have to take the derivative with respect to x, then respect to y, then respect to z, but I am not getting the right answer. I know that the answer is 0 and my professor did it with very few steps that I do not understand. Can someone please guide me through it?
  11. S

    A Interior products, exterior derivatives and one forms

    If ##\bf{v}## is a vector and ##\alpha## is a ##p##-form, their interior product ##(p-1)##-form ##i_{\bf{v}}\alpha## is defined...
  12. J

    A Parity and time reversal on derivatives and electric field?

    I am trying to learn how parity and time reversal transform the electric field, ##A_\mu## and ##\partial_\mu##. In other words what: what are ##P \partial_\mu P##, ##T \partial_\mu T##, ##T A_\mu T## and ##P A_\mu P##? My first guess was that ##P A_\mu(t,\vec{x}) P = A_\mu(t,-\vec{x})##, ##T...
  13. MiLara

    I Why do some but not all derivatives have physical meaning?

    I know that taking the derivative of certain functions that explain physical phenomena can lead to another statement describing the physical system, the most famous being the derivatives of position. That is, position-->velocity-->acceleration-->jerk-->jounce...and taking any other further...
  14. S

    Partial derivatives and chain rule

    Homework Statement a. Given u=F(x,y,z) and z=f(x,y) find { f }_{ xx } in terms of the partial derivatives of of F. b. Given { z }^{ 3 }+xyz=8 find { f }_{ x }(0,1)\quad { f }_{ y }(0,1)\quad { f }_{ xx }(0,1) Homework Equations Implicit function theorem, chain rule diagrams, Clairaut's...
  15. sebastian tindall

    A lot of confusion about partial derivatives

    Homework Statement Hi there, what is the difference between the partial derivative and the total derivative? how do we get the gradient "the actual gradient scalar value" at a point on a multivariable function? what does the total derivative tell us and what does the partial derivative tell...
  16. M

    Theoretic doubt about the definition of derivatives.

    Homework Statement Hi, this is a question that has been bothering me for a while. (Im in calculus II at the moment) Why do i need to derivate some functions by definition and other times i dont? for example if somebody asks me to calculate the partial derivatives of a branch function in a a...
  17. D

    I Calculate partial derivatives and mixed partial derivatives

    Hi. I know how to calculate partial derivatives and mixed partial derivatives such as ∂2f/∂x∂y but I've now become confused about something. If I have a function of 3 variables eg. f(x,y,z) and I calculate ∂x then I am differentiating wrt x while holding y and z constant. Does that mean ∂x then...
  18. Motivanka

    Medical Xanthen 3 one and its derivatives

    I need to write essey about xanthen 3 one and its derivatives. But the problem is that on internet there is so little data about xanthen 3 one. Does anyone know is xanthen 3 one same as xanthen ? Does it have other name ? Any information would be great help. These are just some questions I need...
  19. J

    Problem about existence of partial derivatives at a point

    Homework Statement I have the function: f(x,y)=x-y+2x^3/(x^2+y^2) when (x,y) is not equal to (0,0). Otherwise, f(x,y)=0. I need to find the partial derivatives at (0,0). With the use of the definition of the partial derivative as a limit, I get df/dx(0,0)=3 and df/dy(0,0)=-1. However, my...
  20. I

    B How does the delta ε definition prove derivatives?

    The exercises in my imaginary textbook are giving me an ε, say .001, & are making me find a delta, such that all values of x fall within that ε range of .001. The section that I'm working on is called "proving limits." Well, that is not proving a limit. All that's doing is finding values of...
  21. I

    B Can you perform algebra on derivatives?

    Question 1: Consider the numbers 2 & 8. The average between these two quantities is 5, hence 2+8=10, 10/2=5. Now consider two arbitrary derivatives. It wouldn't make much sense to find the average between two unrelated derivatives, but suppose that f(x,y) was a function of both x & y. Now...
  22. T

    Partial Derivatives and the Linear Wave Equation

    Homework Statement I'm reading through the derivations of the linear wave equation. I'm following everything, except the passage I highlighted in yellow in the below attachment: Homework Equations I'm not understanding why partials must be used because "we evaluate this tangent at a...
  23. MrDickinson

    B I with a related rates question

    A spherical snowball melts at a rate proportional to its surface area. Show that the rate of change of the radius is constant. Two ratios are proportional if they change equally and are related by a constant of proportionality? Not sure about this definition, but please correct it if you can...
  24. Eclair_de_XII

    How to apply the fundamental theorem to partial derivatives?

    Homework Statement "Under mild continuity restrictions, it is true that if ##F(x)=\int_a^b g(t,x)dt##, then ##F'(x)=\int_a^b g_x(t,x)dt##. Using this fact and the Chain Rule, we can find the derivative of ##F(x)=\int_{a}^{f(x)} g(t,x)dt## by letting ##G(u,x)=\int_a^u g(t,x)dt##, where...
  25. M

    I Which derivatives should I review for my DiffEq course?

    Background: It has been about a year and a half since I took Calc 3 so I am not as familiar with using derivatives as I would like to be. Basically my math dept. had a concentration in math-stats that didn't even require differential equations at all, so I wasn't expecting to take the course...
  26. K

    Properties of Wave Functions and their Derivatives

    Homework Statement I am unsure if the first statement below is true. Homework Equations \frac{\partial \psi^*}{\partial x} \frac{\partial^2 \psi}{\partial x^2}=\frac{\partial^2 \psi}{\partial x^2}\frac{\partial \psi^*}{\partial x} Assuming this was true, I showed that \int \frac{\partial...
  27. 2

    Neural networks and the derivatives of the cost function

    Hello. I need some guidance on the derivation of the derivatives of the quadratic cost function (CF) in an artificial neural network. I can derive the equations for the forward propagation with no trouble but when it comes to finding the derivative of the CF with respect to the weight matrix...
  28. C

    Another "Partial Derivatives in Thermodynamics" Question

    Hi all, It seems I haven't completely grasped the use of Partial Derivatives in general; I have seen many discussions here dealing broadly with the same topic, but can't find the answer to my doubt. So, any help would be most welcome: In Pathria's book (3rd ed.), equation (1.3.11) says: P =...
  29. K

    MHB Derivatives and relative max's and min's

    f(x)=x^3-12x^2+15x+16 Use the first derivative to find relative maximums, minimums, or neither. I am trying to find x to plug it back into f(x) to get my y value, but I am not sure if I am getting the correct x value. I did the first derivative and got 3x^2-24x+15. I then set it equal to 0 and...
  30. BiGyElLoWhAt

    I Covariant derivative of a contravariant vector

    This is (should be) a simple question, but I'm lost on a negative sign. So you have ##D_m V_n = \partial_m V_n - \Gamma_{mn}^t V_t## with D_m the covariant derivative. When trying to deduce the rule for a contravariant vector, however, apparently you end up with a plus sign on the gamma, and I'm...
  31. B

    I Multiple time derivatives of gravitational potential

    Hello! Let's say our gravitational potential is (as usual for 2 body), $$a = -\frac{\mu}{r^3} \mathbf{r}$$. Then the gradient of this is G, $$\frac{\partial G}{\partial \mathbf{r}} = G = \frac{\mu}{r^3} [3 \hat{\mathbf{r}} \hat{\mathbf{r}}^\top - I] $$ Now if we take two time derivatives of...
  32. P

    Liénard–Wiechert potentials: Local or Material derivatives?

    If I took a charged particle and accelerated it, that acceleration would have an effect on charges potentials, allowing for the radiation of electromagnetic waves. This acceleration would be local to a point in spacetime and the observed potentials would depend on the frame of reference of the...
  33. defaultusername

    Particle's Equation, Velocity and Acceleration

    Homework Statement r(t) is the position of a particle in the xy-plane at time t. Find an equation in x and y whose graph is the path of the particle. Then find the particle’s velocity and acceleration vectors at the given value of t. Homework Equations First derivative = velocity...
  34. R

    Derivative of a Sum: Does the Index Change?

    Homework Statement This is for a differential equations class I'm taking and we're talking about the method of Frobeneus, Euler equations, and power series solutions for non-constant coefficients. The ODE is: 6x^2y''+7xy'-(1-x^2)y=0 I need to find the recurrence formula and I keep running into...
  35. U

    Limits and Derivatives: Solving lim[2sin(x-1)/(x-1)] as x approaches 1

    Homework Statement What will be lim[2sin(x-1)/(x-1)], where x tends to 1? [ ] denotes greatest integer function. Homework Equations Can I directly solve it using the formula sinx/x =1 when x tends to 0 The Attempt at a Solution Okay so the quantity inside [ ] can be written as ——>>2...
  36. G

    Second order derivatives and resonance

    Homework Statement 2. Consider an electric circuit consisting of an inductor with inductance L Henrys, a resistor with resistance R Ohms and a capacitor with capacitance C Farads, connected in series with a voltage source of V Volts. The charge q(t) Coulombs on the capacitor at time t ≥ 0...
  37. O

    I "Hence the partial derivatives ru and rv at P are tangential

    I've been looking at the equation for r tilde prime in the image I attached below, but I cannot understand why it is that they say "Hence, the partial derivatives ru and rv at P are tangential to S at P". How does that equation imply that ru and rv are tangential to P?
  38. J

    Solve first order partial derivatives

    Homework Statement Use the Chain Rule to find the 1. order partial derivatives of g(s,t)=f(s,u(s,t),v(s,t)) where u(s,t) = st & v(s,t)=s+t The answer should be expressed in terms of s & t only. I find the partial derivatives difficult enough and now there is no numbers in the problem, which...
  39. L

    A Is y(x) Identically Zero in This ODE Given Specific Initial Conditions?

    For ordinary differential equation y''(x)+V(x)y(x)+const y(x)=0 for which ##\lim_{x \to \pm \infty}=0## if we have that in some point ##x_0## the following statement is true ##y(x_0)=y'(x_0)=0## is then function ##y(x)=0## everywhere?
  40. F

    B What does the derivative of a function at a point describe?

    I understand that the derivative of a function ##f## at a point ##x=x_{0}## is defined as the limit $$f'(x_{0})=\lim_{\Delta x\rightarrow 0}\frac{f(x_{0}+\Delta x)-f(x_{0})}{\Delta x}$$ where ##\Delta x## is a small change in the argument ##x## as we "move" from ##x=x_{0}## to a neighbouring...
  41. CynicusRex

    What is the Quotient Rule for Calculating Derivatives?

    Homework Statement Homework Equations The Quotient rule for calculating the derivative. The Attempt at a Solution The derivative f'(x) = (x+5)-(x+3) / (x+5)^2 I tried a previous similar problem but failed as I didn't and still don't know what '' means.
  42. Amrator

    Finding a Directional Derivative Given Other Directional Derivatives

    Homework Statement Suppose ##D_if(P) = 2## and ##D_jf(P) = -1##. Also suppose that ##D_uf(P) = 2 \sqrt{3}## when ##u = 3^{-1/2} \hat i + 3^{-1/2} \hat j + 3^{-1/2} \hat k##. Find ##D_vf(P)## where ##v = 3^{-1/2}(\hat i + \hat j - \hat k)##. Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution...
  43. A

    I Are the derivatives of eigenfunctions orthogonal?

    We know that modes of vibration of an Euler-Bernoulli beam are given by eigenfunctions, with the natural frequency of each mode being given by its eigenvalue. Thus these modes are all mutually orthogonal.Can anything be said of the derivatives of these eigenfunctions? For example, I have the...
  44. Amrator

    Partial Derivatives Using Chain Rule

    Homework Statement Suppose ω = g(u,v) is a differentiable function of u = x/y and v = z/y. Using the chain rule evaluate $$x \frac{\partial ω}{\partial x} + y \frac {\partial ω}{\partial y} + z \frac {\partial ω}{\partial z}$$ Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution u = f(x,y) v = h(y,z)...
  45. Maor Hadad

    And Another Question About Partial Derivatives

    Homework Statement \frac{d}{dt}\left(\frac{\dot{q}}{\sqrt{1+\left(\dot{q}\right)^{2}}}\right)=0\Rightarrow\frac{\dot{q}}{\sqrt{1+\left(\dot{q}\right)^{2}}}=const\Rightarrow\dot{q}=A\Rightarrow q=At+B Homework Equations Why it ok to say that...
  46. vktsn0303

    I What Is the Order of Derivatives in Variable v?

    If v is of order δ, what is the order of ∂v/∂x and ∂2v/∂x2 ?
  47. Maor Hadad

    A Question About Partial Derivatives

    Homework Statement v_{i}=\dot{x}_{i}=\dot{x}_{i}\left(q_{1},q_{2},..,q_{n},t\right) T \equiv \frac{1}{2}\cdot{\sum}m_{i}v_{i}^{2} \frac{\partial T}{\partial\dot{q}_{k}}={\sum}m_{i}v_{i}\frac{\partial v_{i}}{\partial\dot{q}_{k}}={\sum}m_{i}v_{i}\frac{\partial x_{i}}{\partial q_{k}}[/B]...
  48. R

    Calculus - Related Rates Problem

    Question: Two bikers leave a diner at the same time. Biker Slim rides at 85kmh [N] and Biker Haug rides at 120kmh [NE]. How fast is the distance between them changing 40 minutes after they left? I suggest looking at my photos of the triangles and such, as explaining it over text can be a bit...
  49. M

    A Obtain parameter derivatives solving PDE

    I have a PDE which is the following: $$\frac {\partial n}{\partial t} = -G\cdot\frac {\partial n}{\partial L}$$ with boundary condition: $$n(t,0,p) = \frac {B}{G}$$ , where G is a constant, L is length and t is time. G and B depend on a set of parameters, something like $$B = k_1\cdot C^a$$...
  50. Jonathan Densil

    What is the Uncertainty of Weight Flow Rate in a Discharging Water Experiment?

    Homework Statement I know this is more of a physics question, but I tried there and wasn't successful. I have done a physics experiment measuring the weight as a function time of the discharge of water from a cylindrical bottle with a pinhole at the bottom. What I ultimately want to get at is...
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