Need some help with implicit differentiation

In summary, the student was trying to find the y-value of a function that when graphed looked like y=x^2 but when differentiated yielded a zero. The student then attempted to solve for y' but was eventually able to find it using the product rule and the second derivative.
  • #1
AdiV
15
0
Hi, I need some help with these question, and would appreciate the help.

Homework Statement


Part 1
Use implicit differentiation to find y'' if 2xy = y^2 Simplify and Leaev in terms of x and y.

Part 2
Use implicit differentiation to find y '' if xy + y^3 = 1
Simplify your answer and leave it in terms of x and y

Homework Equations



The Attempt at a Solution


For part 1;

I had

2x dy/dx + 2y = 2y dy/dx
Took out 2's
solved for dy/dx

dy dx = y / [y-x]

Part 2
I tried the same, took d/dx to get

dy/dx + 3y^2 dy/dx = 0 But here I get stuck because of the zero.
 
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  • #2
It asked for y'' not y', let me work it but am I correct on that part?
 
  • #3
Ohh, so go through the process again? Ok, but can you help me along?
 
  • #4
AdiV said:
Ohh, so go through the process again? Ok, but can you help me along?
Sure, so now we're at

[tex]y'=\frac{x}{y-x}[/tex]

Take the derivative again, quotient rule:

[tex]y'=\frac{d}{dx}(\frac{x}{y-x})[/tex]

so...

[tex]y''=\frac{(y-x)\frac{d}{dx}(x)-x\frac{d}{dx}(y-x)}{(y-x)^2}[/tex]
 
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  • #5
For part 2: You forgot or did the the product rule incorrectly;

[tex]xy+y^3 =1[/tex]

[tex]xy'+y+3y^2 y'=0[/tex]

The zero means nothing. It's the same thing as saying x-2=0, well then x=2.

Solving for y'

[tex]y'=\frac{-y}{x+3y^2}[/tex]

Now take the 2nd derivative, quotient rule:
 
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  • #6
You don't need to solve for y' itself. If [itex]2xy= y^2[/itex], then [itex]2y+ 2xy'= 2yy'[/itex]. Now differentiate both sides of that with respect to x: [itex]2y'+ 2y'+ 2xy"= 2y'^2+ yy"[/itex] or [itex]4y'- 2y'^2= (y- 2x)y"[/itex] so [itex] y"= (4y'-2y'^2)/(y- 2x)[/itex]. Personally, I would consider that a perfectly good answer but since your problem specifically says "leave in terms of x and y", NOW use x/(y- x).
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #7
Wow, thanks for clearing it up for me, I greatly appreciate the help =]
 

1. What is implicit differentiation?

Implicit differentiation is a mathematical technique used to find the derivative of a function in cases where the function is not explicitly defined in terms of a single variable. Instead, the function is defined implicitly in terms of multiple variables.

2. When is implicit differentiation used?

Implicit differentiation is used when a function cannot be easily expressed in terms of a single variable, making it difficult to find the derivative using traditional methods. It is commonly used in physics, engineering, and economics to model relationships between multiple variables.

3. How does implicit differentiation work?

Implicit differentiation involves taking the derivative of both sides of an equation with respect to a given variable, treating all other variables as constants. This allows us to isolate the derivative of the function with respect to the given variable, even if the function is not explicitly defined in terms of that variable.

4. What are the steps for performing implicit differentiation?

The steps for performing implicit differentiation are as follows:

  • 1. Differentiate both sides of the equation with respect to the variable of interest.
  • 2. Treat all other variables as constants.
  • 3. Simplify the resulting expression to isolate the derivative of the function with respect to the given variable.

5. What are some common mistakes to watch out for when using implicit differentiation?

Some common mistakes to watch out for when using implicit differentiation include:

  • Forgetting to use the chain rule when differentiating functions within functions.
  • Misapplying the product rule or quotient rule when differentiating a product or quotient of functions.
  • Forgetting to differentiate constants as 0.
  • Not simplifying the resulting expression to isolate the derivative of the function with respect to the given variable.

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