Simple Implicit Differentiation Problem

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around implicit differentiation involving the equation $$\ln(y+x) = x$$. Participants explore the differentiation of this equation and the subsequent interpretation of the results, particularly in relation to the expected answer from a textbook.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the differentiation steps taken by the original poster and question the validity of the final answer compared to the textbook's response. Some suggest that the problem may actually be asking for the derivative at a specific point, while others consider the possibility of a printing error in the textbook.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with various interpretations being explored. Some participants have provided guidance regarding the potential need for an initial condition to fully resolve the problem, while others emphasize the direct solvability of the given equation.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of a potential initial condition related to finding $$y'(1)$$, which may not have been explicitly stated in the original problem. The clarity of the problem's requirements is under scrutiny, particularly regarding the expected form of the answer.

Saracen Rue
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Homework Statement
Implicitly differentiate ##ln(x+y)=x## and solve for ##\frac{dy}{dx}## in terms of ##x##
Relevant Equations
How to differentiate the natural logarithm; ##\frac{d(ln(f(x)+g(x))}{dx} = \frac{f'(x)+g'(x)}{f(x)+g(x)}##
Okay so I'm really not sure where I went wrong here; here's how I worked through it:

$$\ln\left(y+x\right)=x$$
$$\frac{\frac{dy}{dx}+1}{y+x}=1$$
$$\frac{dy}{dx}+1=y+x$$

If ##\ln\left(y+x\right)=x## then ##y+x=e^x## and ##y=e^x-x##

$$\frac{dy}{dx}=y+x-1$$
$$\frac{dy}{dx}=e^x-x+x-1$$
$$\frac{dy}{dx}=e^x-1$$

So my answer is ##e^x-1##, however the answer in the back of the book says it should be ##e-1##. Can anyone give me an idea of where I've gone wrong with this question?
 
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##y## clearly cannot be a constant. Are you sure the problem is not asking for ##y'(1)##, which based on your findings is ##y'(1) = e^1-1 = e-1##? Alternatively, the ##x## has just fallen away as a typo in the answers.
 
Printing error in the back of the book
 
Orodruin said:
##y## clearly cannot be a constant. Are you sure the problem is not asking for ##y'(1)##, which based on your findings is ##y'(1) = e^1-1 = e-1##? Alternatively, the ##x## has just fallen away as a typo in the answers.
After going onto the next question I found that it does ask to find ##y'(1)##, however the back of the book says that ##e-1## is the answer for both this question and the previous question, so it must have just been a printing error.
 
Edit: Never mind.
I misread the previous post and was thinking the OP was trying to solve the differential equation.
Aside from the implicit differentiation part, the problem is one about a differential equation. Was there an initial condition given?
Without an initial condition, the solutions are an entire family of functions. In this case, your third equation in post #1 is ##y' - y = x - 1##
The general solution of this equation is ##y = Ce^x - x##, where the constant C can be determined only if we have an initial condition, i.e., a given point on the graph of the solution function. Since the problem mentions y'(1), I suspect that the value of y(1) is given somewhere.
 
Last edited:
It is hardly about a differential equation when you are given ##\ln(y+x) = x##, which is not a differential equation. You can solve for ##y## directly from there.
 
Orodruin said:
It is hardly about a differential equation when you are given ##\ln(y+x) = x##, which is not a differential equation. You can solve for ##y## directly from there.
I agree. Apparently @Saracen Rue went beyond the problem asked for, part of which was "and solve for ##\frac{dy}{dx}## in terms of ##x##".

My response was in reply to his work in solving the DE.
 
Mark44 said:
I agree. Apparently @Saracen Rue went beyond the problem asked for, part of which was "and solve for ##\frac{dy}{dx}## in terms of ##x##".

My response was in reply to his work in solving the DE.
I disagree, he did not solve the differential equation. He solved ##\ln(y+x) = x## and he computed ##dy/dx## in terms of ##x##.
 
Orodruin said:
I disagree, he did not solve the differential equation. He solved ##\ln(y+x) = x## and he computed ##dy/dx## in terms of ##x##.
OK, I didn't read his post carefully , mistakenly thinking he had attempted to solve a DE.
 

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