# Using superscipt in argument of \dpd of commath package

I am using the commath package to typeset derivatives and need to use a superscript in the argument supplied to \dpd. What I require is something like

$$\dpd{}{X^{(j)}_0} f(X^{(j)}_0)$$


but this does not compile. There is no problem with subscripts as

$$\dpd{}{X_0} f(X^{(j)}_0)$$


does compile. Does anyone know of a workaround?

(Note sure about the tag used - perhaps someone can suggest something more appropriate?)

• I realise one may use $\frac{\partial}{\partial X^{(j)}_0} f(X^{(j)}_0)$ but I would like to know if it can be done within the \dpd environment. – Freakalien Feb 28 '16 at 3:13
• I have not used commath package and think it was because there were some issues with it. I haven't found where I thought I read a recommendation to not use this package, but perhaps you should look at this question and the comments and answer: commath and \ifinner. Just an FYI. – Peter Grill Feb 28 '16 at 3:50
• @Petter Grill I have noticed that the \pd (and \od) environment does a poor job of automatically determining whether a displayed or inline equation is required, but this can be overcome by specifying this manually as \tpd or \dpd etc. – Freakalien Feb 28 '16 at 4:06
• really I wouldn't use commath, so many of its macros are incorrect. – David Carlisle Feb 28 '16 at 14:24
• @David Carlisle yeah, I see your point. I wish I had used a macro to define the derivatives - a lot quicker to change than going step by step through the document. – Freakalien Feb 29 '16 at 4:13

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{commath}

\begin{document}

$$\dpd{}{{X^{(j)}_0}} f(X^{(j)}_0)$$

\end{document}


Nevertheless, this package seems to be abandoned. As we cannot expect correcting its bugs, I wouldn't recommend using its macros.

• Do you know which is the best alternative? – Freakalien Feb 28 '16 at 4:10
• @Freakalien It is easy to write your own macros, remembering about potential double superscript, e.g. \def\dpd#1#2{\dfrac{\mathrm{d}{#1}}{\mathrm{d}{#2}}}. – Przemysław Scherwentke Feb 28 '16 at 4:17