"Derivative" is an easy to use free and open-source (LGPL v3) application to calculate mathematical derivatives with many features :

* ordinary and partial derivatives from 1 to 3 variables;
* multiple derivatives;
* calculation of gradient, divergent, curl and laplacian in 3 dimensions and different coordinate systems (cartesian, cylindrical and spherical);
* 5 simplification methods for non-numerical results;
* option to show the calculation time;
* option to show the not calculated derivative before the result;
* 7 output types : simple, bidimensional, typesetting, LaTeX, MathML, C and Fortran;
* copy&paste available in all entry fields and also in the result, allowing copying the result to anywhere;
* history and line completion editing in the input expressions.

See the Derivative web site : http://www.robertocolistete.net/derivative/.

"Derivative" runs on Maemo 4 (Nokia N800/N810), Maemo 5 (Nokia N900) or any smartphone/tablet/computer where Python, SymPy and PyQt are available. Future versions will use PySide and QML.

SymPy is a computer algebra system (CAS) written in pure Python, it is free and open source project, see http://sympy.org/. SymPy last version (0.7.1, July 2011) is available for Maemo 4 (Diablo) and Maemo 5 (Fremantle), see the SymPy thread in Talk Maemo.org.







(16/10/2011)
Derivative v1.0.0 is available for Maemo 5 (Fremantle) in the extras repositories and Maemo.org Downloads :
* 1st public release for Maemo 4 Diablo and Maemo 5 Fremantle on extras-devel/extras-testing/extras repository;
* using SymPy 0.7.1 (07/2011);
* time to load is approx. 16 seconds on Nokia N810 and 7 seconds on Nokia N900 @ 600 MHz.

(22/10/2011)
Derivative v1.0.2 for Maemo 4 (Diablo) is in extras repository as well as Maemo.org Downloads :
* depends on python-symPy_0.7.1-maemo4 which fixes the missing dependency of python2.5-dev on Maemo 4 Diablo;
* saves the last used coordinate system;
* uses 'Symplify terms' as the default simplification method.

For the users of Derivative v1.0.0 for Maemo 4, which was not running because of the missing python2.5-dev dependency, the solution is :
- uninstall "Integral"/"Derivative"/"Limit" from the application manager (it will uninstall python-sympy_0.7.1-maemo3);
- update the application manager;
- install "Integral"/"Derivative"/"Limit" so that the new python-sympy (and python2.5-dev) will be installed.

The "About" dialog shows "In loving memory of my wife Lorena" because unfortunately she left this world in 19/09/2011.

Python, PyQt and SymPy will also be installed if not installed before.

"Derivative" is small (60 KB) but it installs "SymPy" (about 18.5 MB after install, with .pyc compiled Python files). "Derivative" and "SymPy" are optified on Maemo 5.

On Maemo 4 (Diablo) "Derivative" and its dependencies takes about 40 MB after install :
* SymPy (about 18.5 MB);
* python2.5-dev for SymPy, about 15 MB after install;
* "ttf-dejavu" (7,7MB after install) font because the Monospace font on Maemo 4 lacks many mathematical symbols for bidimensional output, so DejaVu Sans Mono is used.

For Maemo 5 users, please help promote "Derivative" (v1.0.0 promoted in 30/10/2011) to extras repository by voting in :
Derivative 1.0.0-1fremantle1

See also "Integral" and "Limit" for Maemo 4 & 5, which calculate mathematical integrals and limits.

hey i dont know how to use it. can u give a lil tutorial? i have started differentiation in my uni and this would be helpful. can this solve equations which use the chain or the product rule? or is it just to find the derivative of k or x? plx explain how to use thansks

In the Derivative mode (there are also Grad, Div, Curl and Laplacian modes), just :
- type the expression to derivate in the "Expression" field, using the syntax shown in "Help";
- choose which variable with respect to derivative in "Var.1" field, and the number of multiple derivatives (e.g. 2 for second derivative) in "#" field. For partial derivatives, "Var.2" and "Var.3" can also be used.
- type enter in any field to calculate;
- see the "Settings" for many options.

zurrain101, "Derivative" does not solve equations. If you tell me exactly what you want maybe SymPy can be useful to make a sequence of calculations using derivatives, etc.

And try to learn and calculate by hand in your Calculus classes. This software is an aid to calculate more difficult derivatives and differential operators (gradient, etc).

Feel free to tell me your opinion, make questions, etc.

Comparing "Derivative" with "SymPy" :

- everything "Derivative" calculates uses Python/SymPy, but "Derivative" is a lot easier to use;

- launching SymPy and typing "simplify(diff(sqrt(x/(1+x**3)),x,x))" is easy, but "Derivative" has time measuring, shows non-calculated derivative, has zoom in/out for output, many simplification options, output types, etc;

- SymPy does not know how to calculate gradient, divergence, curl and laplacian, it needs to be programmed to do it, like it is done in "Derivative" (see the end of the source code);

- it is better to use SymPy (interactive shell, i.e., tapping the SymPy icon) when it is needed a sequence of calculations, like derivate some expression, use the result in a equation, solve it, take the result and replace some variables, etc.

The last item will be further addressed because I hope to release "MathSymPy", a SymPy front-end in Python/Qt, mixing some features (easy of use of graphical user interface, many options, etc) of "Integral", "Derivative", etc, with the flexibility of the iSymPy interactive shell. In the best scenario, MathSymPy will be first released in 2-3 months for Maemo 4 & 5 and then MeeGo 1.2 Harmattan.

Derivative v1.0.2 (22/10/2011) for Maemo 4 (Diablo) is in extras repository as well as Maemo.org Downloads :
* depends on python-symPy_0.7.1-maemo4 which fixes the missing dependency of python2.5-dev on Maemo 4 Diablo;
* saves the last used coordinate system;
* uses 'Symplify terms' as the default simplification method.

See in the topic SymPy, Integral, Derivative, etc - CAS for Maemo 4 (Diablo) the discussion about the missing dependency of python2.5-dev on Maemo 4 Diablo.

Derivative is now promoted to extras repository, thanks for the votes.

It is also visible in Maemo.org Downloads.

Corrected the time to open Derivative, it is faster due to byte compiling of Python files of last SymPy package version :

- on Nokia N900, about 7 s instead of 23 s;

- on Nokia N810, about 16 s instead of 18 s.