Implicit Differentiation: Solving for dx/dy in an Example Problem

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around implicit differentiation, specifically focusing on finding dx/dy for the equation (x²+y)² + x² + xy² = 100. The original poster expresses difficulty with the concept and seeks clarification on their approach to the problem.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply implicit differentiation but is unsure about their calculations and seeks validation. Other participants provide alternative methods, including the use of the chain rule, and some express their own challenges with the concepts involved.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, with some providing corrections and alternative approaches. There is a mix of attempts to clarify the original poster's method and to introduce additional concepts like the chain rule. No explicit consensus has been reached, but there is a productive exchange of ideas.

Contextual Notes

The original poster mentions the absence of answers in their textbook, which contributes to their uncertainty about the correctness of their solution. There is also a note of their recent introduction to derivatives, indicating a learning curve in understanding the topic.

A_Munk3y
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Let me first say i just learned implicit differentiation (earlier today) and i am also new in general to derivatives. I am finding implicit differentiation difficult but i want to understand it before we go over it in class.

Homework Statement


This is a example in my book. I have been trying to solve it for a while now, but I'm not sure i am doing it right and the book does not have answers so i can not check if i am even close to the right answer.
Find dx/dy by implicit differentiation (x2+y)2+x2+xy2=100

The Attempt at a Solution


(x2+y)2+x2+xy2=100
=(x2+y)(x2+y)+x2+xy2=100
=(x4+2x2y+y2)+x2+(xy2)=100
4x3+(2x2*1)(dy/dx))+y*4x+2y(dy/dx)+2x+(x*2y(dy/dx))+(1*y2)=0
-(4x3+y*4x+2x+1*y2)=(dy/dx)(2x2+2y+x*2y)
dy/dx=-(4x3+y*4x+2x+1*y2)/(2x2+2y+x*2y)
I don't think that is right is it?
 
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fixed it up... is that better now?
i removed the equal sign too, but didn't right anything on here (makes it confusing) :)
(x2+y)2+x2+xy2=100
=(x2+y)(x2+y)+x2+xy2=100
=(x4+2x2y+y2)+x2+(xy2)=100
4x3+(2x2*1)(dy/dx))+y*4x+2y(dy/dx)+2x+(x*2y(dy/dx))+(1*y2)=0
-(4x3+y*4x+2x+1*y2)=(dy/dx)(2x2+2y+x*2y)
dy/dx=-(4x3+y*4x+2x+1*y2)/(2x2+2y+x*2y)
 
Yes, that is correct. You could also do this without multiplying out the squares, using the chain rule:
((x^2+ y)^2)'= 2(x^2+ y)(x^2+ y)'= 2(x^2+y)(2x+ y')
while the derivative of x^2+ xy^2, with respect to x, is 2x+ y^2+ 2xyy'.

The derivative of (x^2+ y)^2+ x^2+ xy^2= 100, with respect to x, is 2(x^2+ y)(2x+y&#039;)+ 2x+ y^2+ 2xyy&#039;= 0[/math].<br /> <br /> Notice that I say &quot;is given by&quot;. To find the actual derivative of <b>y</b> with respect to x, you solve for y&#039; as you did.
 
Ahh... the chain rule :) I have such a hard time with that rule! lol
But thanks for the info. I don't really understand how you did that, but i will look up the rule again and then come back and see how you went about doing what you did.

Thanks a lot!
 
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