Derivative of Composite Function/Second Derivative
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Theorem
Let ${D_x}^k u$ denote the $k$th derivative of a function $u$ with respect to $x$.
Then:
- ${D_x}^2 w = {D_u}^2 w \paren { {D_x}^1 u}^2 + {D_u}^1 w {D_x}^2 u$
Proof
For ease of understanding, let Leibniz's notation be used:
- $\dfrac {\d^k u} {\d x^k} := {D_x}^k u$
Then we have:
\(\ds {D_x}^2 w\) | \(=\) | \(\ds \map {\dfrac \d {\d x} } {\dfrac {\d w} {\d x} }\) | ||||||||||||
\(\ds \) | \(=\) | \(\ds \map {\dfrac \d {\d x} } {\dfrac {\d w} {\d u} \dfrac {\d u} {\d x} }\) | Derivative of Composite Function | |||||||||||
\(\ds \) | \(=\) | \(\ds \dfrac {\d u} {\d x} \map {\dfrac {\d} {\d x} } {\dfrac {\d w} {\d u} } + \dfrac {\d w} {\d u} \dfrac {\d^2 u} {\d x^2}\) | Product Rule for Derivatives | |||||||||||
\(\ds \) | \(=\) | \(\ds \dfrac {\d u} {\d x} \map {\dfrac {\d} {\d u} } {\dfrac {\d w} {\d u} } \dfrac {\d u} {\d x} + \dfrac {\d w} {\d u} \dfrac {\d^2 u} {\d x^2}\) | Derivative of Composite Function | |||||||||||
\(\ds \) | \(=\) | \(\ds \map {\dfrac {\d^2 w} {\d u^2} } {\dfrac {\d u} {\d x} }^2 + \dfrac {\d w} {\d u} \dfrac {\d^2 u} {\d x^2}\) | ||||||||||||
\(\ds \) | \(=\) | \(\ds {D_u}^2 w \paren { {D_x}^1 u}^2 + {D_u}^1 w {D_x}^2 u\) | Definition of Leibniz's Notation for Derivatives |
$\blacksquare$
Sources
- 1997: Donald E. Knuth: The Art of Computer Programming: Volume 1: Fundamental Algorithms (3rd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): $\S 1.2.5$: Permutations and Factorials: Exercise $21$