How Do You Isolate dy/dx in Implicit Differentiation?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on using implicit differentiation to isolate dy/dx in the equation x² + y² = (2x² + 2y² - x)² at the point (0, 1/2). The user successfully differentiates the equation but struggles to isolate dy/dx. It is confirmed that substituting the coordinates into the equation is a valid strategy to simplify the process. Participants emphasize the importance of algebra skills in manipulating the resulting expressions to solve for dy/dx efficiently.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of implicit differentiation
  • Familiarity with polynomial equations
  • Basic algebra skills for manipulating equations
  • Knowledge of tangent lines and their equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Practice isolating dy/dx in various implicit differentiation problems
  • Review algebraic techniques for simplifying polynomial expressions
  • Study the concept of tangent lines in calculus
  • Explore advanced implicit differentiation techniques and applications
USEFUL FOR

Students preparing for calculus exams, particularly those focusing on implicit differentiation and tangent line calculations, as well as educators looking for effective teaching strategies in these topics.

Spiralshell
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Homework Statement


Use implicit differentiation to find an equation of the tangent line to the curve at the given point.

x^2+y^2=(2x^2+2y^2-x)^2 @ (0,(1/2))

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



So, I don't have a problem differentiating this.

Which I get 2x+2y(dy/dx)=2(2x^2+2y^2-x)(4x+4y(dy/dx)-1)

I am having trouble getting (dy/dx) alone. I was wondering if I could plug in the coordinates and treat (dy/dx) like a variable (e.g. being added and subtracted to other dy/dx like 1(dy/dx)-2(dy/dx)=-1?)

So, could I just plug in (0,(1/2))? Also, I have a test tomorrow and I was wondering in your expert opinions (I know you don't know my professor), but do you think it would be possible that he wants me to simplify this on a test instead (I mean is that more shall I say proper)?

If that is the case when I have 2 large polynomials is it true that I can do something like:
using (2x^2+2y^2-x)(4x+4y(dy/dx)-1) take out 4y(dy/dx) and multiply it by the other polynomial? by that I mean

(2x^2+2y^2-x)(4x+4y(dy/dx)-1) becomes (2x^2+2y^2-x)(4x-1)+4y(dy/dx)(2x^2+2y^2-x)

or like (2x^2+2y^2-x)(4x+4y(dy/dx)-1) is equivalent to (2x^2+2y^2)((4x+4y(dy/dx)-1)-x(4x+4y(dy/dx)-1)?
 
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Spiralshell said:

Homework Statement


Use implicit differentiation to find an equation of the tangent line to the curve at the given point.

x^2+y^2=(2x^2+2y^2-x)^2 @ (0,(1/2))

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



So, I don't have a problem differentiating this.

Which I get 2x+2y(dy/dx)=2(2x^2+2y^2-x)(4x+4y(dy/dx)-1)

I am having trouble getting (dy/dx) alone.
You should probably bone up on your algebra skills then, eh?
I was wondering if I could plug in the coordinates and treat (dy/dx) like a variable (e.g. being added and subtracted to other dy/dx like 1(dy/dx)-2(dy/dx)=-1?)

So, could I just plug in (0,(1/2))?
Yes, that is a very good idea to simplify it quickly, especially when time is at a premium.
 

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