Derivative of Function f with Respect to t

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the derivative of a function "f" with respect to a variable "t," where "f" is dependent on another variable "T," which in turn is a function of "t." Participants explore the implications of this relationship, particularly in the context of chain rule applications and the definition of derivatives in functional spaces.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the validity of the original query, stating that "f" is not a function of "t" and suggests defining the derivative with respect to "T" instead.
  • Another participant introduces the chain rule, explaining that if "y = f(T)" and "T" is a function of "t," then "y" can be expressed as a function of "t," leading to the derivative relationship involving both functions.
  • Some participants express uncertainty about how to define a derivative in the context of continuous functions, noting that while it can be done, it is not straightforward.
  • A later reply mentions the Fréchet derivative as a potential approach to defining the derivative in the discussed context.
  • One participant provides a reference to perturbation analysis by Ablowitz and Kodama, indicating that "T" is a slowly varying time while "t" is a fast variable.
  • Several participants inquire about formatting mathematical expressions using LaTeX in the forum, indicating a need for assistance with this technical aspect.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the original question, with multiple competing views regarding the definition of derivatives in this context and the application of the chain rule. There is also uncertainty about the appropriate mathematical framework to use.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of clarity on how to define derivatives in the space of continuous functions and the specific conditions under which the chain rule applies. The discussion also reflects varying levels of familiarity with mathematical notation and formatting in the forum.

saravanan13
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I have a function "f", which is a function of "T" but "T" is a function of small "t".
Now my question is what is the derivative of "f" with respect to "t"?
 
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What you're asking simply has no sense. Where did you encounter this?

Basically, T could be a function [tex]T:\mathbb{R}\rightarrow \mathbb{R}[/tex] and [tex]f:\mathcal{C}(\mathbb{R},\mathbb{R})\rightarrow \mathbb{R}:T\rightarrow f(T)[/tex].

But now there are two problems
1) I have no clue how to define a derivative on [tex]\mathcal{C}(\mathbb{R},\mathbb{R})[/tex], I'm certain it can be done, but it's not immediately clear.
2) f is not a function of t. The best thing you can do is to define a derivative of f w.r.t. T.

However, you possible can do the following:
define the function [tex]g:\mathbb{R}\times\mathcal{C}(\mathbb{R},\mathbb{R}):(t,T)\rightarrow T(t)[/tex]
And you could possible use this to define a derivative w.r.t. t. But I'm quite sure this is not what you mean...


Where did you encounter this, can you give me the reference??
 


I think saravanan13 is talking about the "chain rule":
if y= f(T) is a function to the variable T and T itself is a function of the variable t, then we can think of y as a function of t: y= f(T(t)).

Further, if both functions are differentiable then so is the composite function and
[tex]\frac{dy}{dt}= \frac{df}{dT}\frac{dT}{dt}[/tex]

So that, for example, if [itex]y= T^3[/itex] and [itex]T= 3t^2+ 1[/itex] then we can calculate that [itex]y= (3t^2+ 1)^3= 27t^6+ 27t^4+ 9t^2+ 1[itex]so that <br /> [tex]\frac{dy}{dt}= 182t^5+ 108t^3+ 18t[/tex]<br /> <br /> Or we could calculate that<br /> [tex]\frac{dy}{dT}= 3T^2[/tex]<br /> and<br /> [tex]\frac{dT}{dt}= 6t[/tex]<br /> so that<br /> [tex]\frac{dy}{dt}= 3(3t^2+ 1)^2(6t)= 18t(9t^4+ 6t^2+1)= 162t^5+ 108t^2 18t[/tex]<br /> as before.[/itex][/itex]
 


micromass said:
What you're asking simply has no sense. Where did you encounter this?

Basically, T could be a function [tex]T:\mathbb{R}\rightarrow \mathbb{R}[/tex] and [tex]f:\mathcal{C}(\mathbb{R},\mathbb{R})\rightarrow \mathbb{R}:T\rightarrow f(T)[/tex].

But now there are two problems
1) I have no clue how to define a derivative on [tex]\mathcal{C}(\mathbb{R},\mathbb{R})[/tex], I'm certain it can be done, but it's not immediately clear.
2) f is not a function of t. The best thing you can do is to define a derivative of f w.r.t. T.

However, you possible can do the following:
define the function [tex]g:\mathbb{R}\times\mathcal{C}(\mathbb{R},\mathbb{R}):(t,T)\rightarrow T(t)[/tex]
And you could possible use this to define a derivative w.r.t. t. But I'm quite sure this is not what you mean...


Where did you encounter this, can you give me the reference??


I came across this problem in perturbation analysis formulated by Ablowitz and Kodama.
In that T is slowly varying time and t is a fast variable.
Thanks for your kin reply...
 


micromass said:
What you're asking simply has no sense. Where did you encounter this?

Basically, T could be a function [tex]T:\mathbb{R}\rightarrow \mathbb{R}[/tex] and [tex]f:\mathcal{C}(\mathbb{R},\mathbb{R})\rightarrow \mathbb{R}:T\rightarrow f(T)[/tex].

But now there are two problems
1) I have no clue how to define a derivative on [tex]\mathcal{C}(\mathbb{R},\mathbb{R})[/tex], I'm certain it can be done, but it's not immediately clear.
2) f is not a function of t. The best thing you can do is to define a derivative of f w.r.t. T.

However, you possible can do the following:
define the function [tex]g:\mathbb{R}\times\mathcal{C}(\mathbb{R},\mathbb{R}):(t,T)\rightarrow T(t)[/tex]
And you could possible use this to define a derivative w.r.t. t. But I'm quite sure this is not what you mean...


Where did you encounter this, can you give me the reference??

Could you help me out how to type the mathematics formula in this forum.
After i used some latex that give in the last icon of top left go for a preview it was not shown that i typed.
 


micromass said:
I have no clue how to define a derivative on [tex]\mathcal{C}(\mathbb{R},\mathbb{R})[/tex], I'm certain it can be done, but it's not immediately clear.

Just use the Fréchet derivative.
 


saravanan13 said:
Could you help me out how to type the mathematics formula in this forum.
After i used some latex that give in the last icon of top left go for a preview it was not shown that i typed.

After you click 'preview', refresh the page - it should now show you what you typed. This is a known issue on these forums.
 

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