Partial Derivatives

Highlights of the activity

1. This small group activity is designed to emphasize the geometry of partial derivatives in terms of contour diagrams.
2. Students work in small groups to draw contour diagrams satisfying certain properties expressed in terms of partial derivatives.
3. The whole class wrap-up discussion emphasizes the geometry of contour diagrams, and the independence of first- and second-derivatives.

Reasons to spend class time on the activity

Provides practice interpreting partial derivatives in terms of contour diagrams.

If surfaces are available, The Hotplate provides an alternative to this activity.

Reflections

• Reflections from the original implementation.

• Reflections from "official" adapters/adopters.

• Reflections from the general public.

Instructor's Guide

• Wiki version