MHB Why Is Implicit Differentiation of This Equation So Tricky?

Click For Summary
The discussion focuses on the challenges of using implicit differentiation on the equation 6x - √(2xy) + xy^3 = y^2. Participants emphasize the importance of applying both the product rule and the chain rule correctly when differentiating terms like √(2xy). There is confusion over the application of differentiation rules, with some participants correcting each other's mistakes and clarifying the necessary steps. The conversation highlights the need to show all work to avoid errors and ensure accurate results. Overall, the thread illustrates the complexities of implicit differentiation in calculus.
karush
Gold Member
MHB
Messages
3,240
Reaction score
5
$$6x-\sqrt{2xy}+xy^3 ={y}^{2}$$
$$6-?+3x{y}^{2}{y'}^{}+{y}^{3}=2y{y'}^{}$$

Got stumped on this one answer was complicated...
 
Physics news on Phys.org
karush said:
$$6x-\sqrt{2xy}+xy^3 ={y}^{2}$$
$$6-?+3x{y}^{2}{y'}^{}+{y}^{3}=2y{y'}^{}$$

Got stumped on this one answer was complicated...

You're almost there. Write $\displaystyle \begin{align*} \sqrt{2\,x\,y} = \sqrt{2} \, x^{\frac{1}{2}} \, y ^{\frac{1}{2}} \end{align*}$, then you can use the product rule to differentiate it.
 
$$u'v+vu'$$
$$\sqrt{2xy} \ '=\frac{\sqrt{2x}}{2\sqrt{y}}y'+\sqrt{2y}$$
Sorta?
 
I have moved this thread since our "Calculus" forum is a better fit.
 
Oops, I thot it was in calculus??
 
karush said:
Oops, I thot it was in calculus??

You overshot by one forum and went to "Business Mathematics" instead. :D
 
$$\dfrac{\mathrm d}{\mathrm dx}\sqrt{2xy}=\dfrac{\mathrm d}{\mathrm dx}(2xy)^{1/2}=\dfrac12(2xy)^{-1/2}\cdot\dfrac{\mathrm d}{\mathrm dx}(2xy)$$
 
Last edited:
greg1313 said:
$$\dfrac{\mathrm d}{\mathrm dx}\sqrt{2xy}=\dfrac{\mathrm d}{\mathrm dx}(2xy)^{1/2}=\dfrac12(2xy)\cdot\dfrac{\mathrm d}{\mathrm dx}(2xy)$$

Is this the product rule?
 
It's the chain rule. Use the product rule to complete the differentiation.
 
  • #10
Or you could just follow my advice, thereby you can avoid the chain rule altogether...
 
  • #11
Prove It said:
Or you could just follow my advice, thereby you can avoid the chain rule altogether...

You would still need the chain rule...but I know what you mean. :D
 
  • #12
Is post #3 correct?
 
  • #13
MarkFL said:
You would still need the chain rule...but I know what you mean. :D

Only on the y term :P
 
  • #14
My post (#7) contains an error. It should be

$$\dfrac{\mathrm d}{\mathrm dx}\sqrt{2xy}=\dfrac{\mathrm d}{\mathrm dx}(2xy)^{1/2}=\dfrac12(2xy)^{-1/2}\cdot\dfrac{\mathrm d}{\mathrm dx}(2xy)$$

Sorry about the confusion.
 
  • #15
$$
\displaystyle \dfrac{\mathrm d}{\mathrm dx}\sqrt{2xy}
=\dfrac{\mathrm d}{\mathrm dx}(2xy)^{1/2}
=\dfrac12(2xy)^{-1/2}\cdot\dfrac{\mathrm d}{\mathrm dx}(2xy)
$$

so could this be rewritten as
$$\left[\frac{\sqrt{2xy}}{2}\right]y'$$
 
  • #16
No. You need to differentiate implicitly with respect to $$x$$. Use the product rule on $$2xy$$ (and the chain rule on $$y$$). Don't forget to post all of your work.

$$\dfrac12(2xy)^{-1/2}=\dfrac{1}{2\sqrt{2xy}}$$

It may very well be easier to use the method outlined by Prove It. Again, show all of your work.
 
  • #17
$$\d{}{x}\left(2xy\right)=2\left(xy'\left(x\right)+y\right)$$
 
  • #18
Why do you have the $$x$$ in brackets there? Remove that and you have the correct result.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Replies
9
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
7
Views
2K