A question about notation on derivatives

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    Derivatives Notation
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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the notation for derivatives in the context of Lagrangian mechanics, specifically addressing the total derivative \(\frac{\delta L}{\delta \lambda}\) in relation to transformations involving variables \(x\) and \(y\). The total derivative is expressed as \(\frac{\delta L}{\delta \lambda} = \frac{\partial L}{\partial x}\frac{dx}{d\lambda} + \frac{\partial L}{\partial y}\frac{dy}{d\lambda}\), utilizing the chain rule. This notation is more prevalent in physics literature compared to mathematical texts, which typically use the notation \(\frac{dL}{d\lambda}\).

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atomqwerty
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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 [itex]e^{\lambda}[/itex]. The problem asks for the derivative [itex]\frac{\delta L}{\delta \lambda}[/itex]. What this notation corresponds to? Thanks
 
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That is the "total derivative",
[tex]\frac{\delta L}{\delta \lambda}= \frac{\partial L}{\partial x}\frac{dx}{d\lambda}+ \frac{\partial L}{\partial y}\frac{dy}{d\lambda}[/tex]
by the chain rule.

It more often seen in physics texts than math texts. Math texts would just us "[itex]dL/d\lambda[/itex]".
 

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