從數學的推演可知穩定狀態近似法的定義應爲中間物的濃度與反應物濃度成一平衡現象。對下面的延伸系統來說,此平衡關係爲(方程式略) 1/a_i=τ_i是X_i的生存期,此系統的緩衝時間爲(方程式略)。若有一中間物的生存期較其他中間物的生存期的和爲長時,部份穩定狀態近似法可在T_r之前被應用於其他中間物上。若另有一個中間物的生存期特別短,則(X_m)=_(a_m)^(a_m-1)[X_(m-1)]的部份穩定狀態近似法在反應時間超τ_m過後卽可應用。
Steady state concentration of intermediates in consecutive reactions may be obtained from mathematical derivations. The relaxation time of such reaction has been discussed. This concentration usually varies with the reaction conversion. As the lifetime of the reactant is much longer the relaxation time, steady state is a good approximation for the estimation of the concentration profile of intermediates. If one of these intermediates has a very long lifetime compared to the lifetime sum of rest intermediates, partial steady state may also be applied.