How to Treat Y When Differentiating Implicitly?

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves differentiating the equation x3y + y3x = 30 implicitly with respect to x, focusing on how to treat y during differentiation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to differentiate both sides of the equation using the product rule but is uncertain about how to handle y when it appears in the terms. Some participants suggest treating y as a function of x and applying the chain rule for differentiation. Others question whether using the product rule directly will yield the same results as the chain rule.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively discussing the differentiation process, with some providing guidance on using the chain rule and confirming the original poster's approach. There is a sense of progress as the original poster expresses a moment of clarity regarding the differentiation steps.

Contextual Notes

The original poster expresses confusion regarding the treatment of y during differentiation, indicating a need for clarification on implicit differentiation techniques.

1MileCrash
Messages
1,338
Reaction score
41

Homework Statement



[itex]x^{3}y + y^{3}x = 30[/itex]

Homework Equations



-

The Attempt at a Solution



My understanding is that I'm supposed to take the derivative of each side and try to solve for y'.

But, I don't know how to treat the y when I am differentiating it, to a power or whatever.

For example, here I did

[itex]Dx(x^{3}y) + Dx(y^{3}x) = Dx(30)[/itex]

When differentiating the first term, using the product rule, I have to get Dx(y). Simply saying that it's 1 doesn't seem to work, so I just leave it as y'. Using the product rule on that first term on the left side gives me:

y' + 3(x^2)y.

Added to the derivative of (y^3)(x). But that's the derivative I'm having trouble with.

Can anyone walk me through this? How do I treat y when differentiating a term with it in it? I don't understand.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
think of y as a function of x, y = y(x)

then think of the power as a function of y, g(y) = y^3

then you have
[tex]y^3 = (y(x))^3 = g(y(x))[/tex]

now use the chain rule
[tex]\frac{d}{dx}y^3 = \frac{d}{dx}g(y(x)) = g'(y(x))y'(x)[/tex]
 
Last edited:
Will simply deriving it normally and then multiplying the result by y prime always give the same result as the chain rule?
 
Alright, you know that feeling after something very simple clicks, and you kick yourself for not grasping it right off the bat, that's what I'm feeling now. I guess my textbook and I are on two different wavelengths...

[itex]x^{3}y+y^{3}x=30[/itex]

First term differentiated: 3yx^2+y'x^3
Second term: 3xy'y^2 + y^3
derivative of 30 is zero..

So, 3yx^2 + y'x^3 + 3xy'y^2 + y^3 = 0

Since I'm solving for y', get them all to once side..

3yx^2 + y^3 = -y'x^3 - 3xy'y^2

Factor out y' on right side.. : y'(-x^3 - 3xy^2), then divide for a final answer of:

(3yx^2+y^3) / (-x^3 - 3xy^2) = y'

Can someone confirm I'm on the right track?
 
look good to me
[tex]y' = -\frac{y}{x} \frac{(3x^2+y^2} {x^2 + 3y^2}[/tex]
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
2K
Replies
9
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K