Why Doesn't My Implicit Differentiation Match the Book's Answer?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around implicit differentiation involving the equation \(\sin(x^2y^2)=x\), where the original poster expresses confusion over a discrepancy between their result and the answer provided in a textbook. The subject area is calculus, specifically focusing on differentiation techniques and trigonometric functions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply the product and chain rule but encounters a mismatch with the textbook answer. Some participants question the algebraic manipulation performed during the differentiation process, suggesting a need to reassess the steps taken.

Discussion Status

The conversation reflects a mix of attempts to clarify the algebra involved in implicit differentiation. While one participant offers guidance on correcting the algebraic steps, the original poster acknowledges their misunderstanding and seems to have resolved their confusion regarding the algebraic rule. However, the discussion remains open to further exploration of related concepts.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the complexity of implicit differentiation and mention specific mathematical concepts and curves that may relate to the original problem, indicating a broader context of exploration in calculus.

Aresius
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Doing fine until I reached a trig function where I know I've done the work correctly but the answer does not match up exactly with the one in the back of the book.

[tex]\sin(x^2y^2)=x[/tex]

I do the work using product and chain rule

[tex]\cos(x^2y^2)(2xy^2+2x^2yy')=1[/tex]
[tex]2xy^2+2x^2yy' = \frac {1} {\cos(x^2y^2)}[/tex]
[tex]y'=\frac {2xy^2} {2x^2y\cos(x^2y^2)}[/tex]

But the answer in the back of the book says

[tex]\frac {1-2xy^2\cos(x^2y^2)} {2x^2y\cos(x^2y^2)}[/tex]

Is there a theorem I'm missing?
 
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No theorem- it's algebra! You are fine up to
[tex]2xy^2+2x^2yy' = \frac {1} {\cos(x^2y^2)}[/tex]
but then you have:
[tex]y'=\frac {2xy^2} {2x^2y\cos(x^2y^2)}[/tex]
You appear to have multiplied by 2xy2 on the right.
Since 2xy2 is added on the left you need to subtract it on both sides:
[tex]2x^2yy'= \frac{1}{\cos(x^2y^2)}- 2xy^2[/tex]
which is also
[tex]2x^2yy'= \frac{1- 2xy^2\cos(x^2y^2)}{\cos(x^2y^2)}[/tex].
Now, divide both sides by 2x2y.
 
Edit:

Nevermind! I got the algebraic rule, the trig just threw me off.
 
Last edited:
yuck. implicit differentiation is a mess. check out the Devil's Rule by Cramer and The Folium of Descartes. <<< good to work with for finding out slopes at various points on the graph and understanding differentiation.
Devil's Curve y^4 -4y^2 = x^4 - 9x^2.
Folium of Descartes x^3 + y^3 - 9xy =0
Then find tangents, normals, and also parametrics! FUNN
 

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