How do I find dy/dx for x2y+xy2=6 using implicit differentiation?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jim4592
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Implicit
Join the discussion
Ask a follow-up here, or get your own question answered by working scientists, mathematicians and engineers — people, not an autocomplete.
Real named experts · corrections over time · the nuance an AI answer skips
5 replies · 7K views
Jim4592
Messages
49
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


find dy/dx for x2y+xy2=6


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


d/dx (x2y+xy2) = d/dx (6)
x2*(dy/dx)+y*2x+x*2y(dy/dx)+2y=0
x2*(dy/dx)+y*2x+x*2y(dy/dx)=-2y
(dy/dx)+y*2x+x*2y(dy/dx)=(-2y/x2)
(dy/dx)+y*2x+(dy/dx)=(-2y/x2+2xy)

I'm not sure what to do now, i know that the answer is (2xy-y2/x2+2xy)

I got the denominator correct in my answer but I'm not sure how to get the numerator correctly. Did I go wrong somewhere during the process?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Jim4592 said:

Homework Statement


find dy/dx for x2y+xy2=6

The Attempt at a Solution


d/dx (x2y+xy2) = d/dx (6)
x2*(dy/dx)+y*2x+x*2y(dy/dx)+2y=0
Try that again. Piece by piece:
[tex]x^2y[/tex] differentiates to [tex]2xy + x^2y'[/tex]
[tex]xy^2[/tex] differentiates to [tex]y^2 + 2xyy'[/tex]

Then follow Tom's advice!
 
Jim4592 said:
I'm not sure what to do now, i know that the answer is (2xy-y2/x2+2xy)

I got the denominator correct in my answer but I'm not sure how to get the numerator correctly.

Hi Jim4592! :smile:

Isn't it (2xy + y2/x2+2xy)?
 
tiny-tim said:
Isn't it (2xy + y2/x2+2xy)?
Rather,

-[/color](2xy + y2)/(x2 + 2xy)