- #1
iampaul
- 93
- 0
The total derivative of the function z=f(x,y) with respect to x is:
dz/dx = ∂z/∂x + (∂z/∂y)(dy/dx)
The way i see this is that the total derivative, dz/dx, gives the rate of change of z with x, allowing y to vary with x at the rate dy/dx. I don't know if this is right.
The directional derivative Daf(x,y) gives the rate of change of z in the direction of the vector a→. But, I am thinking, that for a particular direction, there is a line: y=mx +b, and y is a function of x. A certain direction gives a unique dy / dx. If i substitute this in the equation for a total derivative, I get a unique dz/dx.
My question is, what really is a total derivative?
I'm asking this since the way i understand it seems to blur the difference between directional and total derivatives. PLease help. Thanks in advance!
dz/dx = ∂z/∂x + (∂z/∂y)(dy/dx)
The way i see this is that the total derivative, dz/dx, gives the rate of change of z with x, allowing y to vary with x at the rate dy/dx. I don't know if this is right.
The directional derivative Daf(x,y) gives the rate of change of z in the direction of the vector a→. But, I am thinking, that for a particular direction, there is a line: y=mx +b, and y is a function of x. A certain direction gives a unique dy / dx. If i substitute this in the equation for a total derivative, I get a unique dz/dx.
My question is, what really is a total derivative?
I'm asking this since the way i understand it seems to blur the difference between directional and total derivatives. PLease help. Thanks in advance!