Very simple but annoying question about differentiation

Fraggr · 21 Jan 2010 at 02:10

There are different greek letters when differentiating.

I know the d/dx meaning, Δ/Δx meaning, the letter for partial derivative differentiation meaning (like in this image http://upload.wikimedia.org/math/1/1/6/1167391da9a316b25ffd67f3bffc0bef.png), but the lower case delta is the one I don't understand. What does it mean?

SpeedFreak · 21 Jan 2010 at 02:15

from memory it's to do with a partial derivative called dell

Fraggr · 21 Jan 2010 at 02:17

That's the kinda backwards 6 one in the image.

I've seen it crop up several times and I've never really understood what it is :s

SpeedFreak · 21 Jan 2010 at 02:22

I'm dragging this from the recess or my partial derivatives uni module about 5 years ago lol

It relates to when there are several variable that need to be differentiated within the one equation

Meridian · 21 Jan 2010 at 08:34

Yep, that's the joys of partial differentiation. I used to be able to do that a long time ago.

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