Question

what is the difference between dy/dx & ∂y/∂x aren't both same?

Answer 1

I have the same doubt

Answer 2

follow this : http://mathoverflow.net/questions/73492/how-misleading-is-it-to-regard-fracdydx-as-a-fraction

Answer 3

both d ∂ symbol work same in differentiation but then why sometimes in text d is used & sometimes ∂

Answer 4

I read that dx is for exact differential and the other one for inexact differentials.

Answer 5

dy/dx is the differentiation of y wrt x, while del y/del x is the partial derivative of y wrt x keeping all other variables constant.

Answer 6

so ∂ is part of multivariable calc & d is a part of single variable calc? am i right? @arcticf0x

Answer 7

Yes

Answer 8

But that means that dy/dx is a special case of the other no, and that is not the case.

Answer 9

DIfferent

Answer 10

isnt the curved d used for partial derivatives?

Answer 11

@arcticf0x yeah you are right because I first encountered with ∂ in calc3 (multi) whereas in calc1&2 only used d

Answer 12

Yeah, check this out too http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Partial_derivative

Answer 13

thanx @arcticf0x

Answer 14

I read that a little amount of work must be represented with this \[\partial W\] and not \[dW\] but I still don't get the reasong.

Answer 15

lets say
x^2-2y=2
If you take dy/dx, using implicit differentiation,

\[2x-2\frac{dy}{dx}=0\]
\[\frac{dy}{dx}=x\]
---------------------------------------------
∂y/∂x,= 2x-0=0
∂y/∂x,= 2x