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Partial derivatives in 2nd year Calculus refer to the method of finding the rate of change of a multivariable function with respect to one of its variables, while holding all other variables constant.
Partial derivatives are important because they allow us to analyze how a multivariable function changes in different directions and to optimize such functions.
To find a partial derivative, we use the same rules as finding derivatives in single variable calculus, but we only take the derivative with respect to the variable we are interested in and treat all other variables as constant.
A partial derivative measures the rate of change of a function with respect to one of its variables, while holding all other variables constant. A total derivative, on the other hand, measures the overall rate of change of a function with respect to all of its variables.
Partial derivatives are used in various fields such as economics, physics, and engineering to analyze and optimize multivariable functions. For example, in economics, partial derivatives are used to find the optimal production levels for a company with multiple inputs.