# Homework Help: Implicit differentiation

1. Feb 20, 2012

### aanandpatel

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

Find the coordinates of the stationary points on the curve:
x^3 + (3x^2)(y) -2y^3=16

2. Relevant equations
Stationary points occur when the first derivative of y with respect to x is equal to zero

3. The attempt at a solution
I implicitly differentiated the equation and got
dy/dx = (x^2 + 2xy) / (2y^2 - x^2)

I know I have to make this equal to zero but then I'm not sure how to find the x and y coordinates of the stationary point.

Help would be greatly appreciated :)

2. Feb 20, 2012

### ehild

Hi aanandpatel,

Find y in terms of x from the condition dy/dx=0. Substitute back into the original equation.

ehild

3. Feb 20, 2012

### HallsofIvy

You have two equations,
$$x^3 + (3x^2)(y) -2y^3=16$$
and
$$(x^2 + 2xy) / (2y^2 - x^2)= 0$$
to solve for x and y. The second equation can easily be solved for y in terms of x since a fraction is equal to 0 if and only if the numerator is 0.

4. Feb 21, 2012

### aanandpatel

Thanks guys - helped a lot! :)