1. Home
  2. Unit notes
  3. University Calculus III
  4. Partial Derivatives
University Calculus III In the University Calculus III bundle

University Calculus III Partial Derivatives — Unit Notes

Every definition and theorem this unit expects you to know, stated once each and written to be revised from: 5 definitions and 7 theorems, 8 worked examples, 3 diagrams, in 12 printable pages. This page lists what the notes cover. The notes themselves come with the University Calculus III bundle.

Unit notes — in the bundle

12 pages 12 definitions & theorems 8 worked examples 25 key words 6 Try-it pairs, answered 13-row at-a-glance table 25-entry glossary Fill-in-the-blank guided twin 3 diagrams Letter size, print-ready

Not sold separately. The practice worksheet for this unit is free, with no email and no account.

Partial Derivatives — what the notes cover

7 sections, in the order the unit is taught. Each entry below is the title of a definition or a theorem the notes state in full.

What you need

Also in this section: 1 note on method and common errors.

First-order partial derivatives

  • Definition — Partial derivatives of a function of two variables
  • Theorem — Computing a partial derivative

Also in this section: 1 worked example, 1 note on method and common errors, 1 diagram.

Higher-order and mixed partial derivatives

  • Definition — Second-order partial derivatives
  • Theorem — Equality of mixed partial derivatives

Also in this section: 1 worked example, 1 note on method and common errors.

Tangent planes to a graph

  • Theorem — Tangent plane to a graph

Also in this section: 1 worked example, 1 note on method and common errors.

Linear approximation and differentials

  • Definition — Linearization
  • Definition — Differentiable function of two variables
  • Theorem — Continuous partials give differentiability
  • Definition — Total differential

Also in this section: 2 worked examples, 1 note on method and common errors, 1 diagram.

The chain rule for several variables

  • Theorem — Chain rule with one independent variable
  • Theorem — Chain rule with two independent variables

Also in this section: 2 worked examples, 1 note on method and common errors, 1 diagram.

Implicit differentiation

  • Theorem — Implicit differentiation

Also in this section: 1 worked example, 1 note on method and common errors.

Where the notes are

The notes are one of the documents in the University Calculus III Solutions Bundle, beside the unit test, the challenge problems and every worked answer key. The Partial Derivatives practice worksheet is free and stays free.

Best value for the whole year

Every University Calculus III topic — the complete Solutions Bundle

One download, one payment, the whole program. For all 9 University Calculus III units: the worksheet, the reference notes, the challenge set, the unit test and every answer key — these notes included.

9 units · 72 PDFs · 516 pages$24.99
  • Worked solutions, not answer lists — every step written out
  • Covers the whole year's program at this level
  • Less than the price of one hour of tutoring — for the entire year's solutions
Everything paid, in one file $24.99CAD · one payment University Calculus III bundle — coming soon Not on sale yet

Practise it, then test yourself

Notes on their own do not make anything stick. This unit has a free, printable practice worksheet, and an end-of-unit test that comes with the bundle.

Partial Derivatives practice worksheet   About the Partial Derivatives unit test

← All 9 University Calculus III unit notes

Free practice worksheet

Ready to improve your grades?

WhatsApp is the way to reach me — tell me the course you're taking and what you're stuck on, and we'll sort out a first session from there.

Message Me on WhatsApp

or send a message

I reply within a day, usually sooner. Your details are used only to answer you — see the Privacy Policy.

Private math & science tutoring in Montreal, QC — Westmount · Outremont · Town of Mount Royal · Hampstead · Côte-Saint-Luc · NDG · Nuns' Island · West Island — and online across Quebec.

Chat with Marius