Partial derivative of matrix functions with respect to a vector variable

Abstract

The partial derivatives of scalar functions and vector functions with respect to a vector variable are defined and used in dynamics of multibody systems. However the partial derivative of matrix functions with respect to a vector variable is also still limited. In this paper firstly the definitions of partial derivatives of scalar functions, vector functions and matrix functions with respect to a vector variable are represented systematically. After an overview of the matrix calculus related to Kronecker products is presented. Two theorems which specify the relationship between the time derivative of a matrix and its partial derivative with respect to a vector, and the partial derivative of product of two matrices with respect to a vector, are then proved.