How Do You Calculate the Second Derivative of an Implicit Function?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves finding the second derivative of an implicit function defined by the equation 3(x^2)y + y + x = x^5. The discussion centers around the use of implicit differentiation and the application of the quotient rule.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the process of finding the first derivative using implicit differentiation and express confusion regarding the subsequent steps to find the second derivative, particularly when applying the quotient rule.
  • Some participants suggest isolating y from the original equation to simplify the differentiation process.
  • There are attempts to differentiate expressions for u and v as part of the quotient rule, with questions about the correctness of their derivatives.
  • Concerns are raised about substituting dy/dx into the expressions, indicating a struggle with the complexity of the implicit relationships.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants sharing their attempts and corrections. Some guidance has been provided regarding the differentiation process, and multiple interpretations of the problem are being explored. There is no explicit consensus on a single approach, but productive dialogue continues.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the challenges of implicit differentiation, particularly with the presence of the variable y in their derivatives. The original equation and the derived expressions introduce complexity that is being examined collectively.

menco
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Homework Statement


Find the second derivative of 3(x^2)y+y+x=x^5


Homework Equations


Find the first derivative using implicit differentiation.
Find the second by using quotient rule.


The Attempt at a Solution


So I found the first derivative to be

dy/dx = 5(x^4)-6xy-1 / 3(x^2)+1

I get very lost after this trying to find the second derivative using the quotient rule as there is the y variable still in the equation. Any help please?
 
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menco said:

The Attempt at a Solution


So I found the first derivative to be

dy/dx = (5(x^4)-6xy-1) / (3(x^2)+1)

I get very lost after this trying to find the second derivative using the quotient rule as there is the y variable still in the equation. Any help please?

The equation for y' is wrong without parentheses.
Isolate y from the first equation 3(x^2)y+y+x=x^5 and sub into y'.

ehild
 
Put u = 5(x^4)-6xy-1, then get du/dx using implicit differentiation and put v= 3(x^2)+1 and get dv/dx.

Then just put it into your formula for the quotient rule. But in du/dx you will have a term with dy/dx in it (which you know from the first derivative).
 
Finding du/dx I get 20(x^3)-6x(dy/dx)-6y and dv/dx I get 6x. Is that correct?

This is what I tried earlier but got very lost trying to sub in dy/dx
 
Last edited:
menco said:
Finding du/dx I get 20(x^3)-6x(dy/dx)-6y and dv/dx I get 6x. Is that correct?

This is what I tried earlier but got very lost trying to sub in dy/dx

It is correct now.:smile:

Show your further work.

ehild
 
so then using the quotient rule

dy/dx = (v(du/dx)-u(dv/dx))/(v^2)

= ((3(x^2)+1)*(20(x^3)-(6x((5(x^4)-6xy-1)) / (3(x^2)+1))-6y) - (5(x^4)-6xy-1)* (6x)) / ((3(x^2)+1)^2)

sorry it looks very confusing like that if I knew how to make an image i would.

My calculator gives a result of (2(10(x^3)+27(x^2)(y)+6x-3y) / (3(x^2)+1)^2)
and I have not been able to get close to that answer.
 
factoring the above I get a result of

(-60(x^5)+20(x^3)+72(x^2)(y)+12x-6y) / ((3x^2+1)^2)

or

(2(-30(x^5)+10(x^3)+36(x^2)(y)+6x-3y)) / ((3x^2+1)^2)
 
Finding y' by implicit diferentiation is a good idea and I see no reason not to do the same for the second derivative.

[itex]3x^2y+y+x=x^5[/itex] so
[itex]6xy+ 3x^2y'+ y'+ 1= 5x^4[/itex]

Differentiating, implicitely, again,
[itex]6y+ 6xy'+ 6xy'+ 3x^2y''+ y''= 20x^3[/itex]
[itex]6y+ 12xy'+ (3x^2+ 1)y''= 20x^3[/itex]

You can solve
[itex]3x^2y+y+x=x^5[/itex]
for [itex]y= \frac{x^5- x}{3x^2+ 1}[/itex] and
[itex]6xy+ 3x^2y'+ y'+ 1= 5x^4[/itex]
for [itex]y'= \frac{5x^4- 6xy+ 1}{3x^2+ 1}[/itex]
and put those into [itex]y''= \frac{20x^3- 12xy'- 6y}{3x^2+ 1}[/itex]
if you like but my experience is that you seldom have to solve for y'' in terms of x only.
 

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