# Calculus of Variation

## Main Question or Discussion Point

I have a question about calculus of variation.

does anybody here know a proof for the chain rule:
$$\delta S= \frac{dS}{dx} \delta x$$

and for the formulation:

$$\delta S= p \delta x$$
=> $$\frac{dS}{dx}= p$$

it would be totally sufficient, if anyone here knows(e.g. a weblink) where one could see this proof.

EnumaElish
Homework Helper
I find your notation confusing. Are you asking the conditions under which dy/dx = [partial]y/[partial]x ?

No, it is about calculus of variation and the delta should be the gateaux derivative

dextercioby
Homework Helper
Ok, if the delta S in the LHS is the $\mbox{G}\hat{\mbox{a}}\mbox{teaux}$ derivative of a functional S, then what are the things in the RHS ?

sorry that my notation confused you.

if I say $$S(x)=p \cdot x$$
then the variation says:
$$\delta S(x)=p \frac{d(x+\epsilon h)}{d \epsilon}|_{\varepsilon=0}$$
or in the other notation:
$$\delta S(x)=p \cdot \delta x$$

and now I wanted to see the proof of the chain rule:

$$\delta S(x)=\frac{\partial S}{\partial x} \cdot \delta x$$

and that:$$\frac{\partial S}{\partial x}=p$$

but I guess both proofs go hand in hand