Calculus Help: Solving xy + x - 2y - 1 = 0 with Schaum's Calculus 5th Edition

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the implicit differentiation of the equation xy + x - 2y - 1 = 0 and the comparison of results obtained through implicit differentiation and explicit differentiation using the quotient rule. The subject area is calculus, specifically focusing on differentiation techniques.

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  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore both implicit and explicit differentiation methods to find the derivative of y with respect to x. The original poster questions the consistency of their results and the correctness of the book's answer. Others suggest substituting values to check for equivalence and discuss potential sign errors.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on checking the work by substituting values and have indicated that the results may be equivalent despite initial appearances. There is an ongoing exploration of the differences in the results obtained through different methods.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working within the constraints of a homework assignment and are discussing the validity of their approaches and the answers provided in the textbook. There is an emphasis on understanding the reasoning behind the discrepancies in the results.

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Bought Schaum's Calculus 5th edition to clean up my calculus worries but I haven't cleared this one up yet;

xy + x - 2y -1 = 0

Solving for (y);
xy - 2y = - x + 1
y(x - 2) = - x + 1
y = \frac {-x+1}{x-2}

Taking the derivative of y = \frac {-x+1}{x-2} using the quotient rule

\frac {dy}{dx} = \frac {- 1 (x - 2) - 1 (- x + 1)} {(x - 2)^2}

\frac {dy}{dx} = \frac {- x + 2 + x - 1)} {(x - 2)^2}

\frac {dy}{dx} = \frac {1} {(x - 2)^2}

Now, my problem is that when I do this calculation via Implicit Differentiation, this is what I get;

xy + x - 2y -1 = 0

y + x\frac {dy}{dx} + 1 - 2\frac {dy}{dx} = 0
x\frac {dy}{dx}- 2\frac {dy}{dx} = - y - 1
\frac {dy}{dx}( x - 2) = - y - 1
\frac {dy}{dx} = \frac {- y - 1} {x - 2}

So;
1.My two answers don't agree, aren't they supposed to? If not, why don't they?

2.My book gives a different answer which I cannot get,
\frac{1+ y} {2 - x}
Am I careless with signs or is my book wrong?

Gratias tibi ago !
 
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i haven't checked all your working yet but the main differnce is the y in the implictly derived equation if you sub in for y and have done everything correctly they will be the same
 
xy + x - 2y -1 = 0
differntiating
y + xy' + 1 - 2y'= 0
re-arranging
y'(x-2)= -(y+1)
so
y'= \frac{(y+1)}{2-x}

your answer is in fact the same as the book and above, try multiplying through by (-1)/(-1)
 
That's great, I got very worried I was still getting wrong answers (but also excited at the thought I found another wrong answer in a book lol) But is the quotient rule derivation wrong? It seems very plausible the way I worked it out yet there's a different answer. How so?
 
They're both the same thing. You've got y=(1-x)/(x-2) So,

y+1=(1-x)/(x-2)+1=(1-x+x-2)/(x-2)=1/(2-x) So

(y+1)/(2-x)=1/(2-x).^2
 

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