Which statement best describes an inexact differential?

An inexact differential is properly understood as one that is path-dependent, meaning that its value can vary depending on the route taken between two states in a thermodynamic process. This is in contrast to exact differentials, which are associated with state functions and yield the same change regardless of the path taken.

In thermodynamics, work and heat are typical examples of quantities described by inexact differentials. For instance, when calculating the amount of work done in a system, the specific pathway (such as isothermal, adiabatic, etc.) directly influences the amount of work performed. Therefore, the statement that an inexact differential results in a value that depends on the path taken accurately captures this essential characteristic of inexact differentials in thermodynamics. This path dependency is crucial in processes where energy transfer and conversion occur through varying routes.