Where am I going wrong on implicit differentation?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves determining the equation of a tangent line to a curve defined by the equation 3x² + xy + 2y² = 36 at the point P(2,3). The subject area is implicit differentiation and tangent line equations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to find the derivative using implicit differentiation and then calculates the slope at the given point. Some participants question the correctness of the slope derived and suggest re-evaluating the substitution of the point into the derivative.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the original poster's calculations, offering corrections and suggestions for re-evaluating the slope. There is a recognition of potential errors in the original poster's work, but no consensus on a final solution has been reached.

Contextual Notes

The original poster expresses difficulty in identifying mistakes in their calculations, indicating a possible struggle with the implicit differentiation process and the accuracy of their substitutions.

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Homework Statement



Determine the equation of a tangent line to a curve at the given point.

3x2+xy+2y2=36 , P(2,3)

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



3x2+xy+2y2 = 36

finding the derivatives of each term I get:

6x+xy'+y+4yy' = 0
xy'+4yy' = -6x-y
y'(x+4y) = -6x-y
y' = \frac{-6x-y}{x+4y}
Which gives me a slope of 1.5 after plugging (2,3) into the equation.

Then for the tangent: y-3=1.5(x-2) , y=1.5x

Somewhere I went wrong because this is not the right answer.
 
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Haven't looked at it carefully, but slope should be -1.5, after substitution.
 
Try replugging your point (2,3).
 
\frac{-6(2)-3}{2+4(3)}=\frac{-15}{14}

I copied the wrong sign down.
 
Last edited:
if you plug in (2,3) you get -15 / 14 for the slope.
 
Thanks for your help, I don't know why I can't seem to find my mistakes when going back through the problem. I even copied it down wrong on here as I was saying right outloud to myself.

Once again Thanks.
 

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