Implicit Differentiation Problem

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves implicit differentiation of the equation (1+x^2)(y^2)=1-x^2, with the goal of showing that the square of the derivative, (\frac{dy}{dx})^2, equals \frac{1-y^4}{1-x^4}. Participants are exploring the differentiation process and the relationships between the derivatives.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the correctness of differentiation steps and the interpretation of the notation for derivatives. There is confusion regarding whether to find the second derivative or the square of the first derivative. Suggestions include differentiating the original equation twice and using implicit differentiation techniques.

Discussion Status

Some participants have confirmed the correctness of the differentiation, while others are clarifying the notation and the goal of the problem. There is ongoing exploration of how to manipulate the expressions derived from the implicit differentiation to reach the desired form.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted confusion about the notation used for derivatives, specifically between the square of the first derivative and the second derivative. Participants are also considering how to substitute expressions for x^2 and y^2 into their results to simplify the problem.

steven10137
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Homework Statement



If [tex](1+x^2)(y^2)=1-x^2[/tex], show that [tex](\frac{d}{{dx}})^2=\frac{1-y^4}{{1-x^4}}[/tex]

2. The attempt at a solution

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/7133/calcqn1qd8.gif

I have got to this point and tried to simplify the problem with no success ...
Have I made an error in my differentiation or is there a way to possibly simplify this equation to the required form??

thanks in advance
Steven

- sorry bout the quality of the image it was the best i could do with my scanner ...
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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Your differentiation is correct. Subsequently, start with [tex](\frac{dy}{dx})^2 = \frac{x^2(1+y^2)^2}{y^2(1+x^2)^2}[/tex] and work from there (do not expand everything).

Eventually, you should be able to show that [tex](\frac{dy}{dx})^2 = \frac{1-y^4}{1-x^4}[/tex].
 
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I'm not too sure what you mean by this [tex](\frac{d}{{dx}})^2=\frac{1-y^4}{{1-x^4}}[/tex]. I'd say that you really mean [tex]\left(\frac{d}{{dx}}\right)^2y=\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}=\frac{1-y^4}{{1-x^4}}[/tex].

In other words, you want to show that the second derivative of y wrt x is (1-y^4)/(1-x^4). To do this, you need to differentiate [tex]\frac{dy}{dx}=\frac{x(1+y^2)}{y(x^2+1)}[/tex], implicitly.
 
cristo said:
I'm not too sure what you mean by this [tex](\frac{d}{{dx}})^2=\frac{1-y^4}{{1-x^4}}[/tex]. I'd say that you really mean [tex]\left(\frac{d}{{dx}}\right)^2y=\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}=\frac{1-y^4}{{1-x^4}}[/tex].

In other words, you want to show that the second derivative of y wrt x is (1-y^4)/(1-x^4). To do this, you need to differentiate [tex]\frac{dy}{dx}=\frac{x(1+y^2)}{y(x^2+1)}[/tex], implicitly.

my mistake sorry, i didn't show it clearly enough:
[tex]\left(\frac{dy}{{dx}}\right)^2=\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}=\frac{1-y^4}{{1-x^4}}[/tex]
is what i meant that was a typo.

Just to clarify;
[tex]\frac{dy}{dx}=-\frac{x(1+y^2)}{y(x^2+1)}[/tex]
Note the negative sign ...

Im not sure how I can go about differentiating implicitly:
[tex]\frac{dy}{dx}=-\frac{x(1+y^2)}{y(x^2+1)}[/tex]
If you could give me any suggestions as to how to approach that it would be appreciated

cheers for your fast responses
Steven
 
Last edited:
To get the second derivative:

Just differentiate

[tex](1+x^2)(y^2)=1-x^2[/tex]

twice with respect to x. You'll get some y''s and some y's. You know what y' is, so you can sub that in and solve for y'' in terms of y and x.

If you're a bit hesitant to doubly differentiate implicitly, you can take your function y'(x,y) and differentiate that with respect to x. Again, implicitly differentiating the RHS. and the LHS becomes y''. Then plug in your function of x and y for y' into the RHS wherever y' shows up, and you should be done
 
You have your expression for dy/dx. Square that like you did to get but don't expand the numerator and denominator. Instead, solve the initial equation for x^2, and then also for y^2, and see if cleverly substituting these into the result works.

Edit: Ah, second derivative, not square of the first derivative. I haven't worked out the 2nd derivative yet, but oddly the square of the first derivative does work out correctly.
 
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steven10137 said:
my mistake sorry, i didn't show it clearly enough:
[tex]\left(\frac{dy}{{dx}}\right)^2=\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}=\frac{1-y^4}{{1-x^4}}[/tex]
is what i meant that was a typo.

Just to clarify;
[tex]\frac{dy}{dx}=-\frac{x(1+y^2)}{y(x^2+1)}[/tex]
Note the negative sign ...

Im not sure how I can go about differentiating implicitly:
[tex]\frac{dy}{dx}=-\frac{x(1+y^2)}{y(x^2+1)}[/tex]
If you could give me any suggestions as to how to approach that it would be appreciated

cheers for your fast responses
Steven

Ok, well I misinterpreted your original post. You do indeed require the square of dy/dx, and not the second derivative of y wrt x. Note that [tex]\left(\frac{dy}{dx}\right)^2[/tex] and [tex]\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}[/tex] are not the same thing!

You have found dy/dx, and so now need to square it. Then follow the advice given above, and use the original equation to eliminate x^2 and y^2 in your expression for (y')^2. This should yield the required expression, after a little cancellation.
 
Last edited:
If you really meant

[tex]\left(\frac{dy}{{dx}}\right)^2=\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}=\ frac{1-y^4}{{1-x^4}}[/tex]

then you want the square of the first derivative.
 

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