Implicit differentiation question?

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SUMMARY

The discussion revolves around using implicit differentiation to find the equation of the tangent line for the curve defined by the equation y²(y²-4) = x²(x²-5) at the point (0, -2). The user initially calculated the derivative dy/dx as (3x²-10x)/(4y³-8y), but the correct derivative is (4x³-10x)/(4y³-8y). The discrepancy arose from an error in differentiating the right side of the equation, specifically the term x²(x²-5), which should have been differentiated as x⁴-5x².

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  • Understanding of implicit differentiation
  • Familiarity with polynomial functions
  • Knowledge of calculating derivatives
  • Ability to evaluate limits and slopes at specific points
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  • Review the rules of implicit differentiation in calculus
  • Practice differentiating polynomial functions, particularly products
  • Learn how to find tangent lines using derivatives
  • Explore common mistakes in differentiation and how to avoid them
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Students studying calculus, particularly those learning about implicit differentiation and tangent lines, as well as educators looking for examples of common errors in derivative calculations.

shocklightnin
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Homework Statement


use implicit differentiation to find an equation of the tangent line to the curve a the given point.

y^2(y^2-4) = x^2(x^2-5)

at (0,-2)


Homework Equations




y^2(y^2-4) = x^2(x^2-5)


The Attempt at a Solution



I got dy/dx to be (3x^2-10x)/(4y^3-8y)

but the answer book says otherwise:
(4x^3-10x)/(4y^3-8y)

while it works out with the point since 0/anything = 0 (which is the answer of what the slope it at that point) i ended up getting the wrong formula in the first place - how is one to do this question then?
 
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shocklightnin said:

Homework Statement


use implicit differentiation to find an equation of the tangent line to the curve a the given point.

y^2(y^2-4) = x^2(x^2-5)

at (0,-2)


Homework Equations




y^2(y^2-4) = x^2(x^2-5)


The Attempt at a Solution



I got dy/dx to be (3x^2-10x)/(4y^3-8y)

but the answer book says otherwise:
(4x^3-10x)/(4y^3-8y)

So it is telling you exactly where your mistake is. What to you get when you differentiate the ##x^4-5x^2## on the right side?
 
good grief i had x^2(x-5) copied on my paper. goodness, nevermind haha. :$$
 

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