Uses of the partial derivative. *UPDATE* Please read

[PowerMacG5]

I am going to be doing a math paper in the coming weeks, and I chose to do Partial Derivatives. I don't want help on the paper itself, just a list of interesting topics that use the partial derivative. I know where it comes handy for multi-dimensional work in physics, but what about anything else? Thanks in advance.

*UPDATE*
All right, I think I may be doing the hyperbolic functions. I just looked at the hanging cable problem, and it looks quite interesting. What do you all think of this? The paper would be to explain (define) the hyperbolic trig functions (as I learned from this quick lookup I can do it using the definition of e and a summation), explain/describe the derivatives and integrals. And then mention the classic problem (hanging cable). What do you all think?

 

[QueHuong]

Using Legrange Multiples and partial derivatives, you may be able to optimize a problem that has constraints.

 

[oboeguy]

"Lagrange" not "Legrange".

Anyway, what a wide topic but shallow. I guess partial differential equations come to mind, and, of course, optimization, as mentioned above. Heck, where are they not used? OTOH, what's the big deal? They're partial derivatives, get over it and move on. It's not like there's something special about them.

 

[Insomnium]

Originally posted by: oboeguy
"Lagrange" not "Legrange".

Anyway, what a wide topic but shallow. I guess partial differential equations come to mind, and, of course, optimization, as mentioned above. Heck, where are they not used? OTOH, what's the big deal? They're partial derivatives, get over it and move on. It's not like there's something special about them.

Agreed. They're as exciting as normal derivatives. They are used quite heavily in Economics, so you might want to look into that.

 

[Lizardman]

Example of the optimizations he is talking about: UPS delivery routes. think country wide

 

[StormRider]

I don't see anything special about partial derivatives. They're just like regular derivatives except you use partials when you have functions that depend on more than 1 variable. I give you an F.

 

[thraxes]

They are handy when you are working out the mean error in physical measurements (sorry if I mess up the english terms).

For example speed is meters/seconds. You can't just add the impreciseness of your tapemeasure with that of your stopwatch and say that is the mean error of your measurement. You have to take partial derivatives of time and distance and then do some other funky stuff with them for which I need my notes and I am not getting them out for ATOTs benefit

In short, do some physics experiments then you will see that they are very usefull.

 

[PowerMacG5]

Since you don't like that topic, what do you think about Hyperbolic functions? He told us this: "Consider derivitives, integrals, curcular trig functions, and to give strict definitions. Also be sure to mention the hanging cable problem." Consider I am still in high school, so this is an AP course, what do you think of this topic instead?

 

[oboeguy]

A class of function applied to solving a particular problem sounds a heck of a lot more interesting.

 

[PowerMacG5]

All right, I think I may be doing the hyperbolic functions. I just looked at the hanging cable problem, and it looks quite interesting. What do you all think of this? The paper would be to explain (define) the hyperbolic trig functions (as I learned from this quick lookup I can do it using the definition of e and a summation), explain/describe the derivatives and integrals. And then mention the classic problem (hanging cable). What do you all think?

 

[PowerMacG5]

Bump.

 

[TuxDave]

Umm... sounds ok to me. I'm not a math major so I can't really get excited over solving problems. The only time I used partial derivatives was for optimizing my digital circuits in terms of power or speed, or energy*delay product.

 

[gsellis]

Then you can flip it 180 degrees on y and take about the Gateway Arch in St. Louis.

 

[PowerMacG5]

Originally posted by: gsellis
Then you can flip it 180 degrees on y and take about the Gateway Arch in St. Louis.

I was planning on talking about that if I do the hyperbolic functions because it is essentially an inverted catenary.

 

[thetruth21]

hey congrats man worst thread in ATOT history. haha