In mathematics, a weak derivative is a generalization of the concept of the derivative of a function (strong derivative) for functions not assumed differentiable, but only integrable, i.e., to lie in the Lp space . The method of integration by parts holds that for differentiable functions and we have A function u' being the weak derivative of u is essentially defined by the requirement that this equation must hold for all infinitely differentiable functions φ vanishing at the boundary points.