Implicit differentiation of one-parameter family

[bleucat]

Homework Statement

Use implicit differentiation to show that the one parameter family f(x, y)=c satisfies the differential equation dy/dx = -f_{x}/f_{y}, where f_{x}=\frac{\partial f}{\partial x} and f_{y}=\frac{\partial f}{\partial y}.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

Well, my teacher said I need to use the chain rule, but I'm confused about how to differentiate something that is in the general form f(x, y). And if f(x, y)=c, doesn't the derivative trivially equal 0?

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[Vid]

From the chain rule for the total derivative with respect to x:
\frac{\partial f}{\partial x}\frac{dx}{dx} +\frac{\partial f}{\partial y}\frac{dy}{dx} = 0

\frac{\partial f}{\partial x} +\frac{\partial f}{\partial y}\frac{dy}{dx} = 0

Solving for dy/dx gives -fx/fy.