# Implicit Derivative of y=31*arctan(x)

#### winslow

1. Homework Statement
Find the derivative of the following function. Simplify where possible.
y=31*arctan(sqrt(x))

2. Homework Equations
I know that the derivative of arctan(x) = 1 / (1+x2)
I also know we will be using chain rule and product rule.

3. The Attempt at a Solution

y' = (31)'[arctan(sqrt(x))] + (31)[arctan(sqrt(x))]'
y' = (0)[arctan(sqrt(x))] + (31)*[1/(1+x2)] * (2sqrt(x))

y' = 31 / (2sqrt(x))(1+x2)

y' = 31 / (2sqrt(x))(1+x) <-- no x2

I'm not sure why the x2 ends up being just x. I checked if it was simplifying problem but that wasn't it (at least not from what I see).

Thanks for the help in advance.

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#### Mark44

Mentor
1. Homework Statement
Find the derivative of the following function. Simplify where possible.
y=31*arctan(sqrt(x))

2. Homework Equations
I know that the derivative of arctan(x) = 1 / (1+x2)
I also know we will be using chain rule and product rule.

3. The Attempt at a Solution

y' = (31)'[arctan(sqrt(x))] + (31)[arctan(sqrt(x))]'
You should never use the product rule when one factor of the product is a constant. In such cases, you should always use the constant multiple rule; i.e., if y = k*f(x), y' = k*f'(x). It's not that using the product rule will give you the wrong answer; it's just that it adds too much complication, increasing the chances of making a mistake.
y' = (0)[arctan(sqrt(x))] + (31)*[1/(1+x2)] * (2sqrt(x))
In the line above you have two mistakes. d/dx(arctan(f(x)) = 1/[1 + (f(x))^2] * f'(x). In your problem, f(x) = sqrt(x), so (f(x))^2 = x. Also, d/dx(sqrt(x)) != 2sqrt(x).
y' = 31 / (2sqrt(x))(1+x2)

y' = 31 / (2sqrt(x))(1+x) <-- no x2

I'm not sure why the x2 ends up being just x. I checked if it was simplifying problem but that wasn't it (at least not from what I see).

Thanks for the help in advance.

#### tt2348

when you use the chain rule, you're supposed to think of it in the sense $$\frac{dg(u)}{dx}=g'(u)*du/dx$$
so for you're case

$$\frac{dg(u)}{dx}=\frac{d}{dx}(a*\arctan (u))=a*\frac{1}{1+u^{2}}*\frac{du}{dx}$$

just plug in u=sqrt(x)

#### Mark44

Mentor
In addition, the title of your thread is Implicit Derivative of ..., so you are probably not expected to know the derivative of arctan(x).

Assuming your title actually means something, you are probably expected to do something like this:

y = 31 arctan(sqrt(x)) ==> y/31 = arctan(sqrt(x)) ==> sqrt(x) = tan(y/31) ==> x = [tan(y/31)]^2. Now take the derivative (with respect to y) implicitly.

#### winslow

Oh I see where I went wrong with the arctan(u) and u = sqrt(x)

Thank you Mark44 and tt2348 for helping me! I appreciate it!

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