y x z An Introduction to Partial Derivatives Greg Kelly, Hanford High School, Richland, Washington

y x z When we have functions with more than one variable, we can find partial derivatives by holding all the variables but one constant. Note:is also written as (eff sub ecks)

y x z would give you the slope of the tangent in the plane y=0 or in any plane with constant y. In other words, how is changing one variable going to change the value of the function?

Mixed variables are also possible: Both answers are the same! 