Finding y' by implicit differentiation SO HARD FOR ME help~

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the derivative of y with respect to x using implicit differentiation, specifically for the equation cos(x-y) = xe^x.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore different methods of implicit differentiation, including the application of the chain rule and product rule. Some question the validity of alternative approaches, such as simplifying cos(x-y) to cos(x)/cos(y).

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, offering various interpretations and methods. Some guidance has been provided regarding the differentiation process, but there is no explicit consensus on the correct approach or final answer.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of confusion regarding the manipulation of trigonometric identities and the assumptions made in the differentiation process. Participants are also navigating the implications of their methods on the final derivative.

r3dxP
Find dy/dx by implicit differentiation. (Meaning find the derivative of y.. so y' = ??)

cos(x-y)=xe^x

Please help and show step by step..
the final answer should be..

y' = 1 + [(e^x)(1+x)]/[sin(x+y)]

Thanks a bunch. :smile:
 
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If you know that the LHS is a function of "x" and the RHS is a function of "x" as well,then the equality A=B implies A'=B' (the equality of derivatives wrt to "x").So differentiate both sides of the eq.wrt to "x":
[tex]-[\sin(x-y)](1-\frac{dy}{dx})=e^{x}+xe^{x}\Rightarrow\frac{dy}{dx}-1=\frac{e^{x}(x+1)}{\sin(x-y)}\Rightarrow\frac{dy}{dx}=\frac{e^{x}(x+1)}{\sin(x-y)}+1[/tex]
,which means that your answer was wrong.

Daniel.
 
It's just the chain rule. Since y is a function of x, the derivative of cos(x-y) is
-sin(x-y) times the derivative of x-y, with respect to x. Of course, the derivative of x is 1. We don't know y as a function of x so we can only write its derivative as y':
(cos(x-y))'= -sin(x-y)(1- y').

The derivative of xex is (by the product rule) ex+ xex = ex(1+ x) so we have

-sin(x-y)(1- y')= ex(1+ x).

Now solve for y'.
 
Oh, Thanks. I did it so that , cos(x-y) = cosx/cosy, so i did : (-cosysinx + cosxsinyy')/(cos^2 y). Is that a valid method of doing that?
 
r3dxP said:
Oh, Thanks. I did it so that , cos(x-y) = cosx/cosy, so i did : (-cosysinx + cosxsinyy')/(cos^2 y). Is that a valid method of doing that?

Who were you responding to? Neither dexercioby nor I had "cos(x-y)" in our formulas.

And where did you get "cos(x-y)= cos(x)/cos(y)" from?
 
I meant when i tried solving it, i put it so that cos(x-y) is simplified to cosx/cosy, then i tried deriving that then solve the rest. I guess i did it wrong. Sorry for the confusion.
 
r3dxP said:
I meant when i tried solving it, i put it so that cos(x-y) is simplified to cosx/cosy, then i tried deriving that then solve the rest. I guess i did it wrong. Sorry for the confusion.

I hope for your sake that u are convinced that
[tex]\cos(x-y)\neq \frac{\cos x}{\cos y}[/tex]
,but instead
[tex]\cos(x-y)=\cos x\cos y+\sin x\sin y[/tex]

Daniel.
 
Oh thanks. I just looked up in the book and that's it! Thanks.
 

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