# Using partial derivatives in mathematica

I am attempting to use the partial derivative operator in mathematica but can't quite get it working. This is my code.

Subscript[\[PartialD],x]x


It keeps saying "Derivative: ∂, x cannot be interpreted. A partial derivative requires a subscript differentiation variable."

Is this not how you do it? I have looked at a lot of documentation ... Also I do not want to use D[x,y] (more friendly for my code)

• Your issue is that the box-structure is wrong. You will want something like this: ToExpression[ RowBox[{SubscriptBox["\[PartialD]", RowBox[{"x"}]], "y"}], StandardForm, Defer]. Mathematica has a front-end that works with "boxes". This is a case where your "boxes" aren't quite right for it to interpret. – b3m2a1 Dec 7 '17 at 8:33
• "Also I do not want to use D[x,y] (more friendly for my code)" Mathematica is a programming language. You should use clear and unambiguous code. Traditional mathematical notation is far from unambiguous. – Szabolcs Dec 7 '17 at 10:07
• But if you really want to, you can type the following sequence of keys: ESC pd ESC Ctrl-_ x RightArrow x. This is not the same as what you show in your post, even though it looks the same. – Szabolcs Dec 7 '17 at 11:53