separably

Separably refers to the property of two or more things being able to be divided or detached from each other without difficulty or damage. In mathematics, a function is said to be separably continuous if its continuity can be demonstrated by considering its variables independently. For example, a function of two variables $f(x, y)$ is separably continuous if for every fixed value of $y$, the function $g(x) = f(x, y)$ is continuous in $x$, and for every fixed value of $x$, the function $h(y) = f(x, y)$ is continuous in $y$. However, separably continuous does not imply joint continuity; a function can be separably continuous but not continuous when $x$ and $y$ are varied simultaneously.

In other contexts, separably implies that components can be distinguished and handled apart from the whole. For instance, a piece of equipment might be designed to be separably assembled, meaning its parts can be put together and taken apart easily. Similarly, a legal contract might contain clauses that are separably enforceable, meaning that if one clause is found to be invalid, the rest of the contract remains in effect. The core idea is that of distinctness and the ability to isolate or treat parts as independent entities. This concept is crucial in various fields for analysis, maintenance, or modification.