Fμν ∂Fσμ/∂xν = -½ Fμν ∂Fμν/∂xσ

= -½ gμα gνβ Fαβ ∂Fμν/∂xσ.

Owing to symmetry, this expression can also be written in the form

= -1/4 [gμα gνβ Fαβ ∂Fμν/∂xσ

+ gμα gνβ ∂Fαβ/∂xσ Fμν],

which can also be put in the form

- 1/4 ∂/∂xσ (gμα gνβ Fαβ Fμν)

+ 1/4 Fαβ Fμν ∂/∂xσ (gμα gνβ).

The first of these terms can be written shortly as

- 1/4 ∂/∂xσ (Fμν Fμν),