# Homework Help: Derivation of higher deratives of parametric equations

1. Apr 6, 2010

### thomas49th

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

so dy/dx = y dot / x dot

and d^2y/dx^2 = d/dx(y dot/x dot)

can someone please show me the steps to get

d^2y/dx^2 = (x dot y dot dot - y dot x dot dot)/ (x dot)^ 2

I've been trying to get to it for the last half an hour and failing

Thanks

2. Apr 6, 2010

### lanedance

so you have
$$\frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{y'}}{x'}} = y'(x')^{-1}$$

now try differntiating using the product & chain rule
(i used dashes instead of dots, but same thing)

3. Apr 6, 2010

### thomas49th

sorry but I don't see where you got x' = y'(x')^-1 from

Thanks
Thomas

4. Apr 6, 2010

### Cyosis

The product rule and chain rule need to be used here. Use the product rule first then use the chainrule. Example $\frac{d}{dx} \frac{1}{y}=\frac{d}{dy}\left(\frac{1}{y}\right)\frac{dy}{dx}$.

The first step is using the product rule on:

$$\frac{d}{dx} \frac{\dot{y}}{\dot{x}}$$.

Can you post the results?

Last edited: Apr 6, 2010
5. Apr 6, 2010

### Cilabitaon

That isn't what he meant: he was writing out the equation and it started on a new line.

What he meant was:

$$\frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{y'}{x'} = y' \cdot (x')^{-1}$$

and if you ask me you needn't do that step and head straight on to the quotient rule: $$\frac{vdu - udv}{v^{2}}$$ or $$\frac{vu'-uv'}{v^{2}}$$ where $$y' = u \ ; \ x' = v$$

Just to expand on this:

$$\frac{du}{dx}=y''$$ or $$u'=y''$$

$$\frac{dv}{dx}=x''$$ or $$v'=x''$$

both give you the same result(duh) and there is not extra calculation needed.

Last edited: Apr 6, 2010
6. Apr 6, 2010

### Cilabitaon

I hope this has solved your problems.=]