User Guide

The diff Command
Maple computes derivatives using the diff command. To directly use the
diff command, specify the expression to differentiate and the variable.
>
(4.1)
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For information on equation labels such as (4.1), see Equation La-
bels (page 59).
To calculate a higher order derivative, specify a sequence of differentiation
variables. Maple recursively calls the diff command.
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To calculate a partial derivative, use the same syntax. Maple assumes that
the derivatives commute.
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To enter higher order derivatives, it is convenient to use the sequence oper-
ator ($). For more information, refer to the ?$ help page.
4.4 Calculus • 157