View Full Version : Implicit differentiation question
Obsidian
Feb18-08, 01:14 AM
Find y' = dy/dx for x3 + y3 = 4
Okay, now what's really confusing me is that for the y3 is that you need to use the chain rule for it. When you do, the answer is 3y2(dy/dx). How does that actually work?
And if anyone can give me any good advice on any good guidelines on how to properly implicitly differentiate, it would be most helpful. Thanks. :)
rocomath
Feb18-08, 01:19 AM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Implicit_differentiation#Implicit_differentiation
3x^2+3y^2\frac{dy}{dx}=0
Obsidian
Feb18-08, 02:14 AM
My next question is, in my book, they differentiate d/dx(100xy) and turn it into:
100[x{dy/dx) + y]
How did they get to that?
Product rule. You can't just think of y as a constant when you differentiate implicitly.
Obsidian
Feb18-08, 02:38 AM
Yeah, I felt it had something to do with the product rule, but why did they take out the 100 like that?
It's just a constant, so that can be moved out. d/dx[100xy] = 100 d/dx[xy] = 100[x*dy/dx + dx/dx*y]
Obsidian
Feb18-08, 04:12 AM
But can't you do that only if the 100 is being multiplied in both x and y? I mean, the way it is, wouldn't it only be multiplying to either the X or the y, not twice to both of them?
HallsofIvy
Feb18-08, 06:24 AM
You really have to know algebra in order to do calculus! 100xy= (100x)y= x(100y)= 100(xy).
Obsidian
Feb18-08, 05:38 PM
No, I know that's how it works, but I guess my question is, why isn't the derivative of 100 being taken as well? Why is it being left out?
Sorry for the dumb questions. :/
rocomath
Feb18-08, 06:55 PM
No, I know that's how it works, but I guess my question is, why isn't the derivative of 100 being taken as well? Why is it being left out?
Sorry for the dumb questions. :/Ok, take the derivative of this problem. Treat it as if it's a product.
\frac{d}{dx}(100x)
What is your answer?
Now go back to your derivative properties in which, \frac{d}{dx}cf(x)=cf'(x)
Now do you see why it can be left out?
Obsidian
Feb18-08, 07:06 PM
Ah, of course! Me so dumb. Thanks a lot. :)
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