# Finding 2nd partial derivative

1. Feb 4, 2015

### MathewsMD

I've attached an image to this post. It essentially shows the equation for the first partial derivative using chain rule, which makes sense. What I'm confused with is how the second partial derivative was formulated. It seems they've simply squared the first partial derivative to find the second partial derivative. It seems a little odd but is this a valid operation? Would I cube it to find the 3rd partial derivative? Could anyone possibly explain the intuition behind why this is allowed (possibly directing me to a proof to also explain, if possible)?

Thank you!

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2. Feb 4, 2015

### mathman

You haven't supplied the full picture. What is equation 2.2?

3. Feb 4, 2015

### MathewsMD

My apologies, equation 2.2:

t = t'
x = x' - vt' = x' - vt

4. Feb 4, 2015

### MathewsMD

Any thoughts? I feel like I'm missing something very fundamental here...

5. Feb 5, 2015

### mathman

I haven't gone through the analysis, but I suspect the simple form of the second derivative results from t=t'.

6. Feb 5, 2015

### MathewsMD

The same method is used for subsequent problems where this isn't necessarily true

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7. Feb 5, 2015

### HallsofIvy

They are not "squaring", they are applying the partial derivative twice. Just as $\frac{d^2 f}{dx^2}= \frac{d}{dx}\left(\frac{df}{dt}\right)$ so that we can write the second derivative operator as $\frac{d^2}{dt^2}= \frac{d}{dt}\left(\frac{d}{dt}\right)$.