Differentiating x² + 2xy - 3y² + 16 = 0

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves differentiating the implicit equation of a curve given by x² + 2xy - 3y² + 16 = 0 and finding the coordinates where dy/dx = 0. The subject area is implicit differentiation and calculus.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss implicit differentiation and the application of the chain and product rules. Some express confusion about the differentiation process, particularly regarding terms involving y and the correct application of rules. There are attempts to clarify the differentiation of specific terms and the relationship between variables.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the differentiation process. Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of the chain rule and product rule, but there remains uncertainty about specific steps and the overall approach to solving the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention difficulties with implicit differentiation and the need for clarity on how to treat variables when differentiating. There is also a reference to external resources that some are consulting for additional understanding.

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Homework Statement



A curce has equation:

x² + 2xy - 3y² + 16 = 0

find the co-ordinates of the points on the curve where dy/dx = 0

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I don't have a clue. Do I convert them into parametric equations?
 
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Differentiate Implicitly.

You should get \mathrm{d}y/ \mathrm{d}x within the differentiated equation twice. Factorise \mathrm{d}y/ \mathrm{d}x (by taking it to one side) and rearrange it so that it is only on one side. Then solve for co-ordinates.
 
Last edited:
i tried looking at implicit differentiation here http://www.maths.abdn.ac.uk/~igc/tch/ma1002/diff/node49.html
and my book but i don't understand it.

dy/dx (x² + 2xy - 3y² + 16)
= 2x + 2y - 3y² + 16

Apparently i should use the chain rule somewhere?
Thanks
 
Last edited by a moderator:
thomas49th said:
i tried looking at implicit differentiation here http://www.maths.abdn.ac.uk/~igc/tch/ma1002/diff/node49.html
and my book but i don't understand it.

dy/dx (x² + 2xy - 3y² + 16)
= 2x + 2y - 3y² + 16

Apparently i should use the chain rule somewhere?
Thanks

We should write that first line as

d/dx (x² + 2xy - 3y² + 16) = d/dx (0)

i.e., it's "d/dx" and not "dy/dx" in front, since we want to take the derivative with respect to x.

Then use the chain rule, and when needed the product rule. For example:

<br /> \frac{d}{dx}(x^2 y^4)<br /> = 2x \cdot y^4 + x^2 \cdot 4 y^3 \frac{dy}{dx} <br />
 
Last edited by a moderator:
so if i do:

d/dx (x² + 2xy - 3y² + 16)

i get

2x + 2y - 3y²

how am i ment to use the chain rule? I don't see.

dy/dx = dy/du x du/dx is the chain rule. What is u and y

Thanks :)
 
Let's suppose u = y^4, and we want to differentiate that with respect to x.

d/dx (y^4)
= d/dx (u)
= du/dx
and by the chain rule
= (du/dy) * (dy/dx)
= 4 y^3 * (dy/dx)

Moreover:

d/dx (2xy) is not 2y. You need the product rule here, applied to the functions "x" and "y".
 
Hi thomas49th! :smile:

Simple question:
thomas49th said:
dy/dx = dy/du x du/dx is the chain rule. What is u and y

Simple answer:

y is 3y², and u is y. :biggrin:

oh yes they are …

d(3y²)/dx = d(3y²)/dy dy/dx = 6y dy/dx. :smile:
 
im still lost completely. I know the chain rule. I don't see how y is 3y² nor why u is y. Can you show me why. Why do you set u equal to y?
Thanks :)
 
thomas49th said:
im still lost completely. I know the chain rule. I don't see how y is 3y² nor why u is y. Can you show me why. Why do you set u equal to y?
Thanks :)

Hi thomas49th! :smile:

Your original problem was implicit differentiation of x² + 2xy - 3y² + 16:

that is, d/dx of x² + 2xy - 3y² + 16.

Obviously , d/dx of x² + 16 is really easy, and d/dx of 2xy is fairly easy … I assume you can do that …

So that leaves d/dx of 3y².

You know how to do d/dy of 3y².

So you use the chain rule: d(3y²)/dx = d(3y²)/dy dy/dx = 6y dy/dx.

Does that make sense? :smile:
 
  • #10
is d/dx of 2xy
= 2(x+y)
= 2x + 2y ?

i don't think it is. I've used the product rule (dy/dx = v du/dx + u dv/dx).

I know about the chain rule, quotient and product rule. I just don't know how to differeriate parametric equations and equations with both x and y in (i can do y = ... but not y² + yx + x²).

d/dx of x² + 16 is really easy, it's 2x. easy peasy. This implicit differentiation is really confusing me. I can't find it in my book!

Thanks :)
 
  • #11
thomas the idea is really simple.

if you have y^2 then different as if it was x , you should have 2y. simple right?

Now all you have to do is multiply the 2y by dy/dx. Just write 2y . dy/dx and that's the answer.

So whenever you different with the letter y, do it as if it was x but just multiply it by dy/dx. This is because of the chain rule, since y is a function of x.
 
  • #12
thomas49th said:
is d/dx of 2xy
= 2(x+y)
= 2x + 2y ?

i don't think it is. I've used the product rule (dy/dx = v du/dx + u dv/dx).

d/dx of 2xy

= d(2xy)/dx = yd(2x)/dx + 2x dy/dx = 2y + 2x dy/dx.
 
  • #13
so the final answer is

2x + 2y + 2x . (dy/dx) -6y . dy/dx

NOTE is it 2y + 2x . (dy/dx) or 2y . (dy/dx) + 2x

So now I've differntiated it i need to find these co-ordinates

Well ill set 2x +2y + 2x . (dy/dx -6y . dy/dx = 0

2x + (2x . dy/dx) = (6y . dy/dx) - 2y

But now I am stuck with how to treat these dy/dx...

Thanks :)
 
  • #14
thomas49th said:
NOTE is it 2y + 2x . (dy/dx) or 2y . (dy/dx) + 2x

You're right … it's definitely the first one.

(2y . (dy/dx) would be the d/dx of y²)

Then, as you said in your first post:
thomas49th said:
find the co-ordinates of the points on the curve where dy/dx = 0

So just put dy/dx = 0 in 2x + 2y + 2x . (dy/dx) - 6y.dy/dx

that gives you … ? :smile:

(going to bed now … :zzz:)
 
  • #15
ahhh YOU ACUTLALY SUBST FOR dy/dx = 0
2x + 2y = 0
y = x

please say that is right...

Thanks :)
Night Night.
 
  • #16
thomas49th said:
ahhh YOU ACUTLALY SUBST FOR dy/dx = 0
2x + 2y = 0
y = x

please say that is right...

Thanks :)
Night Night.

Not quite but you are really close.

2x + 2y = 0
Divide both sides of equation by 2:
x + y = 0
And then
x = ?
 
  • #17
No. It is NOT right.

2x+ 2y= 0 is right. But you solved that equation wrong!
 
  • #18
thomas49th said:
ahhh YOU ACUTLALY SUBST FOR dy/dx = 0
2x + 2y = 0
y = x

please say that is right...

Thanks :)
Night Night.

… yawn … stretch … rubs eyes …

It's right! :biggrin:

well … apart from the minus sign! :rolleyes:

Now put y = -x into the original curve equation x² + 2xy - 3y² + 16 = 0, to find the points where dy/dx = 0, as required. :smile:
 
  • #19
y = -x

silly mistake about the minus



right anyhow

x² + 2xy - 3y² + 16 = 0

= x² - 2(x)² - 3x² = -16
-4x² = -16
x = +-2


SOOOOOOOO ill sub x = - y

y² - 2y² - 3y² = 0

well that's easy y = +-2

so (2,-2),(-2,2)...how do i not know it's (-2,-2) (2,2)?
 
  • #20
Hi thomas49th! :smile:
thomas49th said:
x = +-2

SOOOOOOOO ill sub x = - y

y² - 2y² - 3y² = 0

erm … you're missing the obvious … you have x = ±2, and x = -y.

So you don't need to put y back into the equation, do you? :wink:
 
  • #21
yeh just sub x = 2 go get one y co-ord then x = -2
 

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