Finding the Second Derivative Using Implicit Differentiation

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The discussion revolves around finding the second derivative of the implicit function defined by the equation √x + √y = 1. The initial calculations for the first derivative are confirmed correct, but confusion arises in the simplification process for the second derivative. Participants note that the presence of y' in the second derivative complicates the evaluation, leading to discrepancies when substituting values. Ultimately, it is clarified that the original equation must be accurately represented when substituting values to avoid errors. The conversation concludes with a focus on ensuring proper understanding of the function's graph and its implications.
dekoi
Can someone check my answer (I am trying to find the second derivative) for any mistakes?
I have looked it over many times, and I've realized that my second derivative is not correct, but I cannot figure out why. Thank you.
\sqrt{x} + \sqrt{y} = 1
\frac{1}{2\sqrt{x}} + \frac{1}{2\sqrt{y}}(y') = 0
y' = (\frac{-1}{2\sqrt{x}})(\frac{2\sqrt{y}}{1}) = \frac{-2\sqrt{y}}{2\sqrt{x}} = \frac{-\sqrt{y}}{\sqrt{x}}
y'' = \frac{(\frac{-y'}{2\sqrt{y}})(\sqrt{x}) + (\sqrt{y})(\frac{1}{2\sqrt{x}})}{(\sqrt{x})^2}
y'' = \frac{\frac{-y'\sqrt{x}}{2\sqrt{y}} + \frac{\sqrt{y}}{2\sqrt{x}}}{x}
y'' = \frac{-y'\sqrt{x}\sqrt{x} + \sqrt{y}\sqrt{y}}{2x\sqrt{x}\sqrt{y}}
y'' = \frac{-(\frac{-\sqrt{y}}{\sqrt{x}})\sqrt{x}\sqrt{x} + \sqrt{y}\sqrt{y}}{2x\sqrt{x}\sqrt{y}}
y'' = \frac{\sqrt{y}\sqrt{x} + \sqrt{y}\sqrt{y}}{2x\sqrt{x}\sqrt{y}}
y'' = (\frac{\sqrt{x}\sqrt{y}+y}{2x\sqrt{x}\sqrt{y}})(\frac{\sqrt{x}\sqrt{y}}{\sqrt{x}\sqrt{y}})
y'' = \frac{xy + y\sqrt{x}\sqrt{y}}{2x^2y}
y'' = \frac{x + \sqrt{x}\sqrt{y}}{2x^2}
 
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Your first derivative is correct, but I don't see what you mean with 0y' then... You also appear to have a lot of equal-signs, it seems a bit weird...

So we have:
\left( {\sqrt x + \sqrt y } \right)^\prime = \frac{1}{{2\sqrt x }} + \frac{{y'}}{{2\sqrt y }}

Now, the second derivative is doing just the same, just a bit longer:
\left( {\frac{1}{{2\sqrt x }} + \frac{{y'}}{{2\sqrt y }}} \right)^\prime = \left( {\frac{1}{{2\sqrt x }}} \right)^\prime + \left( {\frac{{y'}}{{2\sqrt y }}} \right)^\prime = \cdots
 
I don't understand your first function. Is that supposed to be the second derivative?
 
And I have a lot of equal signs because I'm trying to simplify my second derivative. I think that's where I made the mistake... in simplifying.
 
My first line is the first derivative, the second line is the beginning of the second derivative. Since it's linear, I already split it for you. The first term will be easy since it only depends on x, the second will be a bit longer.
 
Well that's what I did, starting in my fourth line. I used the quotient rule on my simplified form of the first derivative, to find the second derivative. Shouldn't both methods result in the same answer?
 
Ok, I wasn't aware of the fact it was an equation at first.
It's much clearer now you've adjusted your initial post.

Line 6 seems to be correct, then:

y'' = \frac{{ - y'\sqrt x \sqrt x + \sqrt y \sqrt y }}{{2x\sqrt x \sqrt y }} = \frac{{y - y'x}}{{2x^{3/2} \sqrt y }}
 
How about after line 6?
Is the whole thing correct? Right up to the last line?
 
I took over after line 6 but I didn't realize you substituted y' again.
Anyway, it seems to correct (at least your solution, I didn't carefully check every step). It's possible to 'simplify' it one last bit, although it doesn't really matter a lot anymore:

y'' = \frac{{x + \sqrt x \sqrt y }}{{2x^2 }} = \frac{{\sqrt x + \sqrt y }}{{2x^{3/2} }}
 
  • #10
This makes sense, however...

When I substitute a value of x, y, & y' into my equation on line 4 (the first y''), I get a different value for y'' than when I substitute the exact same values into my last equation for y''.

Why is that?
 
  • #11
You realize that in line 4, the first derivative y' is still present in the expression for y''?
 
  • #12
nevermind..
 
  • #13
Yes I know.
 
  • #14
I used my values as:
x = 4
y = 1
y' = 1/2
 
  • #15
Huh? Your initial equation was \sqrt x + \sqrt y = 1 but \sqrt 4 + \sqrt 1 \ne 1[/tex]...
 
  • #16
You are right.

I know why now...
I rearranged that formula to put it in the graphing calculator.
But I forgot to consider the fact that squares can be positive or negative. ... Well at least I think that's my mistake.
Do you know what the graph of this function looks like?
Is it a circle? Or not?
 
  • #17
Never mind that...

Substitute x = 4 into the original equation and solve for y.

You will get the value "1" .
That's what I just got.

This is odd...
 

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