Help Needed: Find Points on x+xy+2y^2=6 with Slope at (2,1)

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on finding points on the curve defined by the equation x + xy + 2y² = 6 that have the same slope as the point (2,1). To solve this, participants suggest using implicit differentiation to find the derivative of the curve. The derivative at the point (2,1) is calculated using the product rule, leading to the formula (dy/dx) = (-2 - y²)/(2xy). This derivative can then be used to identify other points on the curve with the same slope.

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ashleyk
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I'm new at this, so I hope someone can help me. I have AP Calculus and need some help on a problem...

Given the curve x+xy+2y^2 = 6

Find the coordinates of all points on this curve with slope equal to the slope at (2,1)

Any help is much appreciated!
 
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First find the derivative (you could, for example, solve for x and calculate dx/dy, or you could perform implicit differentiation on the relation you were given). Then calculate the derivative at (2, 1), etc.
 
Last edited:
Let me add this, to help you with implicit derivatives :

Example : xy^2 + 2x = 1

then (d/dx)(xy^2) + (d/dx)(2x) = (d/dx)1

So, using the product rule on the first term, x(d/dx)(y^2) + y^2(d/dx)(x) + (d/dx)(2x) = (d/dx)1

Now evaluating the derivatives : x(2y)(dy/dx) + y^2(1) + 2 = 0

Separating out dy/dx gives, (dy/dx) = (-2 - y^2)/(2xy)

Now substituting any pair of values (x1,y1) gives you the value of the slope at (x1,y1).
 

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