MHB Kartik's Diff. of Cont. Fraction Q @ Yahoo Answers

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The discussion centers on a calculus problem involving the differentiation of a continuous fraction. The equation given is y = x/(a + x/(b + x/(a + b + ...))). The user seeks to find dy/dx in terms of y, leading to the transformation of the equation into a solvable form. After manipulating the equation, it is shown that dy/dx = b/(a(b + 2y)). Additionally, a method to express y as a function of x is provided, highlighting that y(x) is a multivalued function. The thread concludes with a focus on the differentiation process and the implications of the multivalued nature of y.
MarkFL
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Here is the question:

Differentiation : Calculus : Thanks :)?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/97838434@N06/9241146888/sizes/c/in/photostream/

Help needed with "Q.18) " on the above link. Thanks in advance :)

I have posted a link there to this topic so the OP can see my work.
 
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Hello Kartik,

We are given:

$$y=\cfrac{x}{a+\cfrac{x}{b+\cfrac{x}{a+\cfrac{x}{b+ \cdots}}}}$$

and asked to find $$\frac{dy}{dx}$$ in terms of $y$ only.

We may choose to write:

$$y=\cfrac{x}{a+\cfrac{x}{b+y}}$$

Multiplying through by $$\frac{1}{b+y}$$ we obtain:

$$\frac{y}{b+y}=\frac{x}{a(b+y)+x}$$

Inverting both sides, then subtracting through by 1, we have:

$$\frac{b}{y}=\frac{a(b+y)}{x}$$

Solving for $x$, we obtain:

$$x=ay+\frac{a}{b}y^2$$

Differentiating with respect to $y$, we find:

$$\frac{dx}{dy}=a+\frac{2a}{b}y=\frac{a(b+2y)}{b}$$

Hence:

$$\frac{dy}{dx}=\frac{b}{a(b+2y)}$$
 
MarkFL said:
... inverting both sides, then subtracting through by 1, we have...

$$\frac{b}{y}=\frac{a(b+y)}{x}$$

Solving for $x$, we obtain...

If You want to obtain $\displaystyle \frac{d y}{d x}$ in 'standard form' [i.e. as function of the only x...] You can solve respect to y obtaining...$\displaystyle y= - \frac{b}{2} \pm \sqrt{\frac{b^{2}}{4} + \frac{b}{a} x}\ (1)$

... and then differentiate (1). Note from (1) that y(x) is a multivalue function...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
Here is a little puzzle from the book 100 Geometric Games by Pierre Berloquin. The side of a small square is one meter long and the side of a larger square one and a half meters long. One vertex of the large square is at the center of the small square. The side of the large square cuts two sides of the small square into one- third parts and two-thirds parts. What is the area where the squares overlap?

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