Determine dy/dx of the following and simplify if possible

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the derivative dy/dx of the equation cos(x-y) = y sin x, focusing on implicit differentiation techniques.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore implicit differentiation and the manipulation of terms to isolate y'. There are questions about the validity of simplifications made during the process, particularly regarding the cancellation of terms.

Discussion Status

The discussion has seen various attempts to derive y' and clarify misunderstandings about differentiation rules. Some participants have provided guidance on how to approach the problem, while others have raised concerns about the simplifications made, indicating a productive exchange of ideas.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of the original poster's confusion regarding the differentiation of implicit functions and the need to make y' the subject. Additionally, participants question assumptions about simplifications that may not hold true in this context.

DevonZA
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< Mentor Note -- thread moved to HH from the technical math forums, so no HH Template is shown >[/color]

cos(x-y)=ysinx

My attempt:
-sin(x-y(x'-y')=y'cosx.x'

Yeah I'm stuck.. I know it is differentiation of implicit functions and I need to make y' the subject of the formula.
 
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Do you know that ## x'=\frac{dx}{dx}=1 ##?
 
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Shyan said:
Do you know that ## x'=\frac{dx}{dx}=1 ##?

I do now :smile:
 
Actually you've done something wrong. You should have ## (y'-1)\sin(x-y)=y'\sin x+y \cos x \Rightarrow [\sin(x-y)-\sin x]y'=y\cos x +\sin(x-y) ##.
Can you continue?
 
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y'= ##\frac{ycosx+sin(x-y)}{sin(x-y)-sinx}##

y'=##\frac{ycosx}{-sinx}##

Therefore ##\frac{dy}{dx}## = ##\frac{ycosx}{-sinx}##
 
What happened to ##\sin(x-y)##? You can't do that!
 
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Shyan said:
What happened to ##\sin(x-y)##? You can't do that!

Um it got canceled because it was the numerator and denominator of the fraction? My bad
 
DevonZA said:
Um it got canceled because it was the numerator and denominator of the fraction? My bad
If it was something like ##\frac{f(x)g(x)}{f(x)h(x)}##, then you could cancel f(x) and have ## \frac{g(x)}{h(x)}##. But here you have ##\frac{f(x)+g(x)}{f(x)+h(x)}##. you can't simplify further.
 
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##\frac{dy}{dx}## = ##\frac{ycosx+sin(x-y)}{sin(x-y)-sinx}##

Is the final answer then?
 
  • #10
Yes
 
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  • #11
Thank you very much :smile:
 
  • #12
Final answer attached. Thanks to all who helped.
 

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