IMPLICIT DIFFERENTIATION

Learning Outcomes
As a result of studying this topic, students will be able to:
a) Compute the derivative of variety of functions by using the technique of
implicit differentiation.
b) Find the equation of a tangent line to a curve which implicitly defines a
function.
c) Find higher order derivatives using implicit differentiation.
d) Compute derivatives using parametric differentiation.
e) Use applications of derivatives to compute rates of change, marginal revenue,
cost, and profit.

1. Introduction
A function is usually defined explicitly by means of a formula.
Example:
𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑥 2 − 𝑥 + 2
𝑓 (𝑥 ) = √𝑥
𝑥 2 − 1 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≥ 1
𝑓 (𝑥 ) = {
1 − 𝑥 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 < 1
However sometimes the value of y=f(x) is not given by such a direct formula.

Further Examples
a) The equation 𝑦 3 − 𝑥 = 0 implicitly determines y as a function of x. In this
case we can solve for y explicitly as:
𝑦 3 = 𝑥 or = 3√𝑥 .
b) The equation 𝑦 3 + 12𝑦 2 + 48𝑦 − 8𝑥 + 64 = 0 is impossible to find a
formula for y in terms of x.
1
c) The equation 𝑦 2 + 𝑥 2 = 1 implicitly determines two functions of x:
𝑦 = √1 − 𝑥 2 and 𝑦 = −√1 − 𝑥 2
These examples show that making y the subject of the formula may not always
be possible. It is therefore important to perform what is called implicit
differentiation so as to get the derivative of y with respect to x. The following
examples explain how to perform implicit differentiation.

2. First Derivative
Solved Examples
𝑑𝑦
1) Find for the equation 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 4.
𝑑𝑥

Solution
𝑑 𝑑
(𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 ) = (4) .
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 2𝑥 𝑥
2𝑥 + 2𝑦 =0 Thus 2𝑥 + 2𝑦 =− =−
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 2𝑦 𝑦
𝑑
NB: (4) = 0 because this is taken as finding the slope of line = 4 . This
𝑑𝑥
is a horizontal line, and has an obvious slope of 0
2) Consider the curve 3𝑥 2 − 𝑥𝑦 + 4𝑦 2 = 141.
a) Find the slope of the tangent line at any point (x, y) of the curve.
b) Write the y-intercept equation of line tangent to the curve at point (1 , 6).
c) Find the co-ordinates of all other points on the curve where the slope of the
tangent line is same as the slop of the tangent line at point (1 , 6).
Solution
𝑑 𝑑
a) (3𝑥 2 − 𝑥𝑦 + 4𝑦 2 ) = (141) .
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦
6𝑥 − (𝑥 + 𝑦(1)) + 8𝑦 =0
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦
Make the subject of the formula:(8𝑦 − 𝑥 ) = 𝑦 − 6𝑥
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦 𝑦−6𝑥
= which is the slope of the tangent line at point (x, y).
𝑑𝑥 8𝑦−𝑥

2
 b) Substitute 1 for x and 6 for y in the result obtained in (a) above:
𝑦−6𝑥 6−6(1) 0
= = =0
8𝑦−𝑥 8(6)−1 47

Equation of a line is given as y = mx + c where m is the gradient and c is

the y-intercept.
So 6 = 0(𝑥 ) + 𝑐 => 𝑐 = 6
The equation of the tangent line is therefore given as 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐
=> 𝑦 = 0(𝑥 ) + 6 => 𝑦 = 6
c) If (x , y) is a general point on this curve where the tangent line has a slope
of m = 0, then
𝑦−6𝑥
= 0 => 𝑦 − 6𝑥 = 0 => 𝑦 = 6𝑥.
8𝑦−𝑥

Next substitute 6x for y in the equation of the curve:

3𝑥 2 − 𝑥 (6𝑥 ) + 4(6𝑥 )2 = 141
=> 141𝑥 2 = 141 => 𝑥 = ±1
Hence (-1, -6) is another point on the curve for which the slop of the
tangent line is zero.
3) Find y’ for the space curve whose equation is 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑥 − 2𝑦 − 1 = 0 .
Solution
𝑑𝑦
Note that in mathematics is denoted as 𝑦 ′ .
𝑑𝑥

𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 𝑑(1) 𝑑 (0)
𝑥 +𝑦 + −2 − =
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑥𝑦 ′ + 𝑦 + 1 − 2𝑦 ′ − 0 = 0
𝑦+1 1+𝑦
(𝑥 − 2)𝑦 ′ = −(𝑦 + 1) => 𝑦 ′ = − =
𝑥−2 2−𝑥

4) Find y’ when = √5 , given that 4𝑥 2 + 9𝑦 2 − 36 = 0.

Solution

𝑑(𝑥 2 ) 𝑑 (𝑦 2 ) 𝑑 (36)
4 +9 =
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

3
 8𝑥 4𝑥
4(2𝑥 ) + 9(2𝑦)𝑦 ′ = 0 => 𝑦 ′ = − =−
18𝑦 9𝑦

Substituting𝑥 = √5, in the equation 4𝑥 2 + 9𝑦 2 − 36 = 0 , this gives

4
𝑦=± .
3

4
At point ( √5, ), which is on the upper arc of the ellipse, 𝑦 ′ = − √5/3.
3

4
At point ( √5, − ), which is on the lower arc of the ellipse, 𝑦 ′ = √5/3.
3

𝑥2 𝑦2
NB: Equation of an ellipse is given as 2
+ =1
𝑎 𝑏2
2

-3 3
-2

𝑥2 𝑦2
The given equation: 4𝑥 2 + 9𝑦 2 − 36 = 0 => 2
+ =1
3 22

5) Find y’ for the space curve whose equation is 𝑥 2 𝑦 3 − 5𝑥𝑦 2 − 4𝑦 = 4 if

f(3)=2. Hence find the slope of the tangent line at point (3, 2).
Solution

2
𝑑 (𝑦 3 ) 3
𝑑(𝑥 2 ) 𝑑 (𝑦 2 ) 𝑑 (5𝑥 ) 𝑑𝑦 𝑑 (4)
𝑥 +𝑦 − (5𝑥 + 𝑦2 )−4 =
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

𝑥 2 . 3𝑦 2 . 𝑦 ′ + 𝑦 3 . 2𝑥 − (5𝑥. 2𝑦. 2𝑦 ′ + 𝑦 2 . 5) − 4𝑦 ′ = 0

Substitute 3 for x and 2 for y:

7
108𝑦 ′ + 48 − (60𝑦 ′ + 20) − 4𝑦 ′ = 0 => 44𝑦 ′ = −28 => 𝑦 ′ = −
11
6) Find y’ for the space curve whose equation is 𝑥 3 𝑦 2 − 2𝑥 + 𝑦 3 = 36 .
Solution
4
 3
𝑑 (𝑦 2 ) 2
𝑑(𝑥 3 ) 𝑑 (𝑥 ) 𝑑 (𝑦 3 ) 𝑑(36)
𝑥 +𝑦 − 2𝑥 + =
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
=> 𝑥 3 . 2𝑦. 𝑦 ′ + 𝑦 2 . 3𝑥 2 − 2. (1) + 3𝑦 2 . 𝑦 ′ = 0

=> (2𝑥 3 𝑦 + 3𝑦 2 )𝑦 ′ = 2 − 3𝑥 2 𝑦 2

2 − 3𝑥 2 𝑦 2
′
=> 𝑦 = 3
2𝑥 𝑦 + 3𝑦 2
Exercise
1) Use Implicit differentiation to find 𝑦 ′ :
2x + y 1 1
𝑎) x 2 + y 2 = 25 b) x 3 = 𝑐) + = 1 ; d)√𝑥 + √𝑦 = 1
2x − y x y

3 3
𝑥2 𝑦2
𝑒) 𝑥 − 𝑦 = 2𝑥𝑦 ; 𝑓) (7𝑥 − 1 )3 4
= 2𝑦 ; 𝑔) + = 1; h) 𝑦 + 𝑥𝑦 3 = 2𝑥
9 4
𝑥+𝑦
𝑖) 𝑥 2 =
𝑥−𝑦
2) Use implicit differentiation to find equation of the normal line at the indicated
point:
𝑎) 𝑦 3 𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 𝑥 2 𝑎𝑡 (2, 1) ; 𝑏) 2𝑥 3 𝑦 + 2𝑦 4 − 𝑥 4 = 2 𝑎𝑡 (2, 1)
𝑐) 2√𝑥 − 𝑥 √𝑦 = 12 𝑎𝑡 (9, 16); 𝑑) 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 25 𝑎𝑡 (3, 4)

Answers
𝑥 8x3 −3x2 −2 3x3 (2x−y2 )+4y y2
1. 𝑎) − ; 𝑏) 𝑜𝑟 ; 𝑐) − 𝑜𝑟 (𝑦 − 1)2
𝑦 1+𝑥 3 4𝑥 x2

√𝑦 1 3𝑥 2 − 2y 21(7𝑥 − 1)3 4𝑥
𝑑) =1− ; 𝑒) ; 𝑓) ; 𝑔) −
√𝑥 √𝑥 2𝑥 + 3𝑦 2 8𝑦 3 9y

2 − 𝑦3 2
𝑥 (𝑥 − 𝑦)2 + 𝑦
ℎ) ; 𝑖) 𝑥 =
1 + 3𝑥𝑦 2 𝑥

5
 8 19 45 917 4
2. 𝑎) 𝑦 = − 𝑥 + ; 𝑏) 𝑦 = −3𝑥 + 7; 𝑐) 𝑦 = − 𝑥+ ; 𝑑) 𝑦 = 𝑥
3 3 32 32 3

3. Derivatives of Higher Order

These may be obtained in two ways:

a) Differentiate implicitly the derivative of one lower order and replace 𝑦 ′ by

the relation previously found.

Example: Find 𝑦 ′ and 𝑦 ′ ′ , given 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑥 − 2𝑦 − 1 = 0 .

Solution

𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 𝑑 (1) 𝑑 (0)
𝑥 +𝑦 + −2 − =
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑥𝑦 ′ + 𝑦 + 1 − 2𝑦 ′ − 0 = 0
𝑦+1 1+𝑦
(𝑥 − 2)𝑦 ′ = −(𝑦 + 1) => 𝑦 ′ = − =
𝑥−2 2−𝑥
(2−𝑥)(0+𝑦 ′ )−(1+𝑦)(0−1)
So 𝑦 ′′ = (2−𝑥)2
(2−𝑥)𝑦 ′ +(1+𝑦)
= (2−𝑥)2
1+𝑦
(2 − 𝑥 ) ( ) + (1 + 𝑦) 2 + 2𝑦
= 2−𝑥 =
(2 − 𝑥 )2 (2 − 𝑥 )2
b) Differentiate implicitly to produce the required derivative, and eliminate all
derivatives of the lower order.

Example: Find 𝑦 ′ ′ at (-1, 1) of the curve 𝑥 2 𝑦 + 3𝑦 − 4 = 0 .

Solution

𝑥 2 𝑦 ′ + 2𝑥𝑦 + 3𝑦 ′ = 0 (1)

Differentiate (1) again:

6
 𝑥 2 𝑦 ′′ + 𝑦 ′ . 2𝑥 + 2𝑥𝑦 ′ + 𝑦. 2 + 3𝑦 ′′ = 0 (2)

Next then substitute -1 for x and 1 for y in (1):

1
12 . 𝑦 ′ + 2(−1)(1) + 3𝑦 ′ = 0 => 4𝑦 ′ = 2 => 𝑦 ′ =
2
1
Finally substitute -1 for x, 1 for y, and for 𝑦 ′ in (2):
2

1 1
(−1)2 𝑦 ′′ + . 2(−1) + 2(−1) ( ) + (1). 2 + 3𝑦 ′′ = 0
2 2

=> 4𝑦 ′′ = −1 + −1 + 2 => 𝑦 ′′ = 0
Solved Examples
1) Find 𝑦 ′′ , given that 𝑥 2 − 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 = 3.
Solution
𝑑 𝑑
(𝑥 2 − 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 ) = (3) .
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

2𝑥 − (𝑥𝑦 ′ + 𝑦. 1) + 2𝑦𝑦 ′ = 0
𝑦−2𝑥 2𝑥−𝑦
(2𝑦 − 𝑥 )𝑦 ′ = 𝑦 − 2𝑥 => 𝑦 ′ = =
2𝑦−𝑥 𝑥−2𝑦

(𝑥−2𝑦)(2−𝑦 ′ )−(2𝑥−𝑦)(1−2𝑦 ′ )
So 𝑦 ′′ = (2−𝑥)2
(2−𝑥)𝑦 ′ +(1+𝑦) 3𝑥𝑦 ′ −3𝑦
= (𝑥−2𝑦)2
= (𝑥−2𝑦)2
2𝑥 − 𝑦
3𝑥 ( ) − 3𝑦 6(𝑥 2 − 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 ) 6(3)
𝑥 − 2𝑦
= = =
(𝑥 − 2𝑦) 2 (𝑥 − 2𝑦) 3 (𝑥 − 2𝑦)3
18
= (𝑥−2𝑦)3

2) Find 𝑦 ′′ , given that 𝑥 3 𝑦 + 𝑥𝑦 3 = 2 when x = 1 and y = 1.

Solution
𝑑 𝑑
(𝑥 3 𝑦 + 𝑥𝑦 3 ) = (2) .
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

7
 (𝑥 3𝑦 ′ + 3𝑥 2 𝑦) + (𝑥. 3𝑦 2 𝑦 ′ + 𝑦 3 . 1) = 0
(1)
Differentiate (1) again:
(𝑥 3𝑦 ′′ + 𝑦 ′ . 3𝑥 2 ) + (3𝑥 2 𝑦 ′ + 𝑦. 6𝑥 ) + {𝑥 (3𝑦 2 𝑦 ′′ + 𝑦 ′ . 6𝑦𝑦 ′ ) + 3𝑦 2 𝑦 ′ . 1} +
3𝑦 2 𝑦 ′ = 0
(2)
Substitute 1 for x and 1 for y in (1). This gives 𝑦 ′ = −1.
Finally substitute 1 for x, 1 for y and -1 for 𝑦 ′ in (2):
(13 . 𝑦 ′′ + (−1). 3. 12 ) + (3. 12 . (−1) + 1. (6). (1)) + {1(3(1)2 . 𝑦 ′′ +
(−1). 6.1. (−1)) + 3(1)2(−1). 1} + 3(1)(−1) = 0
=> (𝑦 ′′ − 3) + (−3 + 6) + {(3𝑦 ′′ + 6) − 3 } − 3 = 0
=> 4𝑦 ′′ = 0 => 𝑦 ′′ = 0
Exercise
1. Use Implicit differentiation to find 𝑦 ′′ given that:
a) 𝑥 + xy + yy 2 = 2
b) x 3 − 3xy + y 3 = 1
2. Find the slope at point (x0, y0 ) of
a) b2x 2 + a2 y 2 = a2 b2
b) b2x 2 − a2 y 2 = a2 b2
c) x 3 + y 3 − 6x 2 y = 0
3. Prove that the lines tangent to the curves 5𝑦 − 2𝑥 + y 3 − x 2 y = 0 and 2𝑦 +
5𝑥 + x 4 − x 3 xy 2 = 0 at the origin intersect at right angles.
4. Given 𝑆 = 𝜋𝑥 (𝑥 + 2𝑦) and 𝑉 = 𝜋x 2 𝑦 show that
𝑑𝑆 𝑑𝑉
= 2𝜋𝑥 (𝑦 − 𝑥 ) when V is constant, and = −𝜋𝑥 (𝑥 − 𝑦) when S is constant.
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

5. Find 𝑦 ′′ if y 3 − xy = 1.
6. If y is a function such that x 3 − 2xy + y 3 = 8 and that y=2 when x=2, find 𝑦 ′
and 𝑦 ′′ .
𝑥 𝑎 𝑥
7. If = 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑒 ( ) where a is a constant, prove that𝑦 ′ = 2 − .
𝑥−𝑦 𝑥−𝑦 𝑦

Answers

8
 2(1+𝑦) 4𝑥𝑦
1. 𝑎) 𝑦 ′′ = (1+𝑥 2 )
; 𝑦 ′′ = − (𝑦 2
−𝑥)3
𝑏2 𝑥 0 b2 x 0 4x0 y0 −x0 2
2. 𝑎) − ; 𝑏) ;
𝑎2 𝑦0 a2 y0 y0 2 −2x0 2
3. Hint: The product of gradients of the two perpendicular tangents to the curves
equals -1.
𝑣 2𝑉 2𝑉
4. 𝑦 = => 𝑆 = πx (x + ) = π𝑥 2 +
π𝑥 2 π𝑥 2 x
𝑑𝑆 x.0−2V.1 2𝑉 2π𝑥 2 𝑦
Thus = 2πx ( ) = 2πx − = 2πx − = 2π(x − 𝑦)
𝑑𝑥 𝑥2 𝑥2 𝑥2
𝑆−π𝑥 2 1
Next 𝑉 = πx 2 (x + ) = (Sx − πx 3 )
2πx 2
𝑑𝑉 1 1 1
Thus = (S. (1) + x. (0) − 3πx 2 ) = (S − 3πx 2 ) = (πx(x + 2y) −
𝑑𝑥 2 2 2
2)
3πx
1
= (2yπx − 2πx 2 ) = πx(y − 𝑥 ) = −πx(x − 𝑦)
2
−2𝑥𝑦
5. 𝑦 ′′ = (3𝑦 2
−𝑥)3
7
6. 𝑦 ′ = −1; 𝑦 ′′ = − ;
2
7. Using implicit differentiation:
(𝑥 − 𝑦). 1 − 𝑥(1 − 𝑦 ′ ) (𝑥 − 𝑦). 0 − 𝑎(1 − 𝑦 ′ ) 1
= . 𝑎
(𝑥 − 𝑦)2 (𝑥 − 𝑦)2 .
𝑥−𝑦
=> 𝑥 − 𝑦 − 𝑥 + 𝑥𝑦 ′ = −(1 − 𝑦 ′ )(𝑥 − 𝑦)
−𝑥 + 2𝑦 𝑥
=> 𝑦 ′ = =2−
𝑦 𝑦
4. Parametric Differentiation
In parametric differentiation x and y are considered as functions of some other
variable called a parameter. Each pair (x, y) is defined as a function of a variable
t, which is taken as the parameter. Let x = g(t) and y = f(t) where the domain of f
and g is some interval I.
𝑑𝑦
𝑑𝑦 𝑓′ (𝑡)
= 𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑥 = = 𝑦′.
𝑑𝑥 𝑔 ′ (𝑡)
𝑑𝑡

𝑑 𝑑𝑦
𝑑2 𝑦 𝑑 𝑑𝑦 ( )
Again = ( )= 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑥 = 𝑦 ′′ .
𝑑𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑡

9
 𝑑 𝑑2 𝑦
𝑑3 𝑦 ( )
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑥2
This same process can be continued. So = 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑦 ′′′ .
𝑑𝑥 3
𝑑𝑡

Solved Examples
1) If 𝑦 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑡 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑡 and = 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑡 , obtain 𝑦 ′ and 𝑦 ′′ .
Solution
𝑑𝑦/𝑑𝑡 −𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑡+𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡
𝑦′ = =
𝑑𝑥/𝑑𝑡 𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 𝑡

= −𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝑡 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝑡 = −𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝑡 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠 3 𝑡

𝑑
𝑑 𝑑𝑦 (𝑑𝑦/𝑑𝑥 )
𝑦 ′′ = ( ) = 𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑥/𝑑𝑡
𝑑
(−𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝑡 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠 3𝑡)
= 𝑑𝑡
𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 𝑡
−𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑡. 2𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡(−𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑡 ) − 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡. 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝑡 + 3𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝑡(−𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑡)
=
𝑠𝑒𝑐 2𝑡
= (2𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝑡𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 3𝑡 − 3𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑡. 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝑡)𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝑡
= {2(1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝑡) − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝑡 − 3𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑡. 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡}𝑐𝑜𝑠 3𝑡
= 2𝑐𝑜𝑠 3𝑡 − 3𝑐𝑜𝑠 4𝑡 (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑡)
2) If 𝑦 = 𝑡 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑡 and = 𝑡 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑡 , obtain 𝑦 ′ and show that
(1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠 3𝑡)𝑦 ′′ = 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑡 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡 − 1.
Solution
𝑑𝑦/𝑑𝑡 1−𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑡
𝑦′ = =
𝑑𝑥/𝑑𝑡 1+𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡

𝑑 𝑑𝑦 𝑑 1 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑡
( ) ( )
𝑦 ′′ =
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑥
= 𝑑𝑡 1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡 = (1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡)(−𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡) − (1 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑡 )(−𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑡)
𝑑𝑥 1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡 (1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡)2. (1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡)
𝑑𝑡
−𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝑡 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑡 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝑡
=
(1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡)3

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 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑡 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡 − 1
=
(1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡)3
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑡−𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡−1
Thus 𝑦 ′′ = (1+𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡)3
)3 ′′
=> (1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑦 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑡 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡 − 1
1−𝑡 2 2𝑡
3) Find 𝑦 ′ if 𝑥 = and = .
1+𝑡 2 1+𝑡 2

Solution
𝑑𝑥 (1 + 𝑡 2 )(−2𝑡) − (1 − 𝑡 2 ). 2𝑡 4𝑡
= = −
𝑑𝑡 (1 + 𝑡 2 )2 (1 + 𝑡 2 )2

𝑑𝑦 (1 + 𝑡 2 )(2) − (2𝑡). 2𝑡 2 − 2𝑡 2 2(1 − 𝑡 2)

= = =
𝑑𝑡 (1 + 𝑡 2 )2 (1 + 𝑡 2 )2 (1 + 𝑡 2 )2
2(1 − 𝑡 2 )
′
𝑑𝑦/𝑑𝑡 (1 + 𝑡 2 )2 (1 − 𝑡 2 ) (𝑡 2 − 1)
𝑦 = = =− =
𝑑𝑥/𝑑𝑡 − 4𝑡 2𝑡 2𝑡
(1 + 𝑡 2)2

4) Find 𝑦 ′ if 𝑥 = 𝑡𝑒 𝑡 and = 1 + 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑒 𝑡 .

Solution
𝑑𝑥
= 𝑡𝑒 𝑡 + 𝑒 𝑡 . 1 = 𝑒 𝑡 (1 + 𝑡)
𝑑𝑡
1
𝑑𝑦 1 ′ 𝑑𝑦/𝑑𝑡 𝑡 1
= ; 𝑦 = = =
𝑑𝑡 𝑡 𝑑𝑥/𝑑𝑡 𝑒 𝑡 (1+𝑡) 𝑡𝑒 𝑡 (1+𝑡)

Exercise
1. Find 𝑦 ′ if:
a) 𝑥 = 𝑒 −2𝑡 and 𝑦 = 𝑒 𝑡 find for t =1.
𝑎(1−𝑡 2 ) 2𝑏𝑡
b) 𝑥 = and 𝑥 = where a and b are constants.
1+𝑡 2 1+𝑡 2
1
𝑡 2 −1 2 𝑡 2 −1
c) 𝑥 = 𝑎 ( ) and 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑡 ( ) where a is a constant.
𝑡 2 +1 𝑡 2 +1

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2. Find 𝑦 ′ ′ if :
a) 𝑥 = 𝑡 + 𝑡 3 and 𝑦 = 3𝑡 − 2𝑡 3.
1 1
b) 𝑥 = 𝑡 2 − and 𝑦 = 𝑡 2 +
𝑡2 𝑡2
𝑥−1
3. Find 𝑦 ′ if 𝑦 = √ .
𝑥+1
4. Find 𝑦 ′ ′′ if :
a) 𝑥 = 𝑡 2 − 3 and = 𝑡 5 − 𝑡 4 .
b) 𝑥 = 𝑡 3 and = 2𝑡 6 + 3𝑡 4 .
Answers
𝑒 −3 𝑏 1−𝑡 2 𝑡 4 +2𝑡 2 −1
1. a) − b) − ( ) c)
2 2𝑎 𝑡 4𝑡
3−6t2 30t t4 −1 4t6
2. a) 𝑦 ′ = , 𝑦 ′′ = − (1+3t2 )3 b) 𝑦′ = 4 , 𝑦 ′′ = (t4
1+3t2 t +1 +1)3
(x+1)−2.5
3. (x−1)0.5
′′′ 15 4 8
4. a) 𝑦 = b)𝑦 ′ = 4t 3 + 4𝑡 , 𝑦 ′′ = 4 + , 𝑦 ′′′ = −
8t 3t2 9t5

ASSIGNMENT 1

Solve the following questions and hand in your work for marking.

1. If 𝑥 = 𝑎(𝑡 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑡) and 𝑦 = 𝑎(1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑡) find 𝑦 ′′ . (5 Marks)

1 1
2. Find 𝑦 ′ when 𝑥 = 𝑒 𝜃 (𝜃 + ) and 𝑦 = 𝑒 −𝜃 (𝜃 − ) find 𝑦 ′′ . (5
𝜃 𝜃
Marks)
Answers
1 𝜃 2 +𝜃−𝜃3 +1
1. − 2). 𝑒 −2𝜃 ( )
𝑎(1−𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑡)2 𝜃 2 +𝜃+𝜃3 −1

5. APPLICATIONS OF DIFFERENTIATION
a) Marginal Cost
Marginal cost (MC) is defined as the amount incurred in producing one
additional unit. Marginal cost is also defined as the instantaneous rate of change

12
of cost function (C ) with respect to the number of items (x) produced, and is
therefore the derivative of the cost function. Thus

C’(x) = MC

Examples

a) A rubber manufacturer produces rubber tyres for many types of bikes. The
company uses regression and estimates that the cost function, in U.S. dollars,
is given by 𝐶 (𝑥 ) = 4930 + 8.4𝑥 − 0.0006𝑥 2 where x ranges between 0 and
2000 inclusive.

Find the marginal cost at a production level of 500 tyres.

Solution
Marginal cost 𝐶 ′ (𝑥 ) = 8.4 − 0.0012𝑥
𝐶 ′ (500) = 8.4 − 0.0012(500) = $7.80
Thus the marginal cost is $7.80 per tyre. This is the instantaneous rate of
change of cost w.r.t. the number of tyres produced.

b) A company that produces small water pumps to be used in farming machinery.

The company uses the cost function, in U.S. dollars, given by 𝐶 (𝑥 ) = 1100 +
140𝑥 − 0.2𝑥 2 where x ranges between 0 and 2000 inclusive.
i). Find the marginal cost at a production level of 105 pumps.
ii). Show that the answer in (a) is the same the cost of producing one more
machine beyond 105.
Solution

i). Marginal cost 𝐶 ′ (𝑥 ) = 140 − 0.4𝑥 = 140 − 0.4(105) = $98 .

ii). 𝐶 (106) = 1100 + 140(106) − 0.2(106)2 = $13692.80
Marginal cost 𝐶 (105) = 1100 + 140(105) − 0.2(105)2 = $1359.00

Marginal cost 𝐶 (106) = 1100 + 140(106) − 0.2(106)2 = $13692.80

Marginal cost 𝐶 (106) − 𝐶 (105) = $13692.80 − $1359.00 = $97.80.

This is about the same cost obtained in (i) above.
c) The cost function is dollars is given as 𝐶 (𝑥 ) = 1500 + 5𝑥 + 0.01𝑥 2 . Find

13
 i). The cost, average cost, and marginal cost to produce 200 units for a cost
function.
ii). Find the production level that will minimize the average cost.
iii). The minimum average cost.
Solution

i). The total cost 𝐶 (200) = 1500 + 5(200) + 0.01𝑥 (200) 2 = $2900
𝐶(𝑥) 1500+5𝑥+0.01𝑥 2 1500
Average function 𝐶̅ (𝑥 ) = = = + 5 + 0.01𝑥.
𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
𝐶(𝑥) 1500
𝐶̅ (200) = + 5 + 0.01(200) = $14.50.
=
𝑥 200
Marginal cost 𝐶 ′ (𝑥) = 5 + 0.02𝑥 => 𝐶 ′ (200) = 5 + 0.02(200) =
$9
ii). Average cost is a minimum when MC = 𝐶̅ (𝑥 ). Read about this!
1500
5 + 0.02𝑥 = + 5 + 0.01𝑥
𝑥
0.01𝑥 2 = 1500 => 𝑥 = √150000 = 387 units.

Alternatively we can use Calculus to find the minimum average cost. The
derivative of average cost function has to be equated to zero i.e.
1500
𝐶̅ ′ (𝑥 ) = − 2 + 0.01 = 0 => 0.01𝑥 2 = 1500 => 𝑥 =
𝑥
√150000 = 387 units.

iii). Minimum average cost will be at a production level of 387 units.

𝐶(𝑥) 1500
𝐶̅ (387) = = + 5 + 0.01(387) = $12.75
𝑥 387

Exercise
1. A manufacturing firm produces and sells x items. The total cost of production of
x items, in dollars, is given as 𝐶 (𝑥 ) = 6𝑥 + 10√𝑥 + 500. Calculate the cost of
producing one more item when x=100.
2. An apartment complex has 250 apartments to rent. If they rent x apartments then
their monthly profit, in dollars, is given by 𝑃(𝑥 ) = −8𝑥 2 + 3200𝑥 − 80000.

How many apartments should they rent in order to maximize their profit?

Show that the profit is a maximum by getting the second derivative of P.

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3. A production facility is capable of producing 60,000 widgets in a day and the
total daily cost of producing x widgets in a day is given by (𝑥 ) = 250,000 +
200,000,000
0.08𝑥 + .
𝑥

How many widgets per day should they produce in order to minimize
production costs?

Show that the production cost is a minimum by getting the second derivative of
C.

4. The production costs per week for producing x widgets is given by

𝐶 (𝑥 ) = 500 + 350𝑥 − 0.09𝑥 2 .
i). What is the cost to produce the 301st widget? 295.91
ii). What is the rate of change of the cost at x=300 units?296

Answers

1. $6.50 2. x = 200; P′′(𝑥 ) = −16 < 0 => Max profit 3. 𝑥=

4,000,000
50,000; 𝐶 ′′(𝑥 ) = 3 𝑥
4. (i) $295.91 (ii) $296

b) Rates of Change
Rate of change can be instantaneous or average.
NB: This topic is well-covered in Calculus 1 and thus the examples given here
are a brief overview.

Examples
1. The population of people in a town is modeled using the formula
100
P(t) = 950 + 20t − .
t

where t is the time in years, and t > 0. Find

i). The instantaneous rate of change in population growth after 5 year.
ii). The population of the town after 10 years.

Solution

15
 100
i). Instantaneous rate of change is 𝑃′ (𝑡) = 20 + => 𝑃′ (5) = 20 +
𝑡2
100
= 24 people per year.
52
ii). Average rate is given as ̅(t) = Change in population = 𝑃(5)−𝑃(1)
P
Change in time 5−1
100
P(5) = 950 + 20(5) − = 1030 people.
5
100
P(1) = 950 + 20(1) − = 870 people.
1
1030−870
Average rate of change ̅
P(t) = = 40 people per year.
5−1
2. Suppose a company’s total cost in dollars to produce x units of its product is
given by
𝐶 (𝑥 ) = 0.01𝑥 2 + 25𝑥 + 1500.
Find the average rate of change of total cost for
i). The first 100 units produced (from to ) and
ii). The second 100 units produced.
Solution
i). The average rate of change of total cost from 0 to 100 units is
𝐶(100)−𝐶(0) (0.01(100)2 +25(100)+1500)−(1500) 4100−1500
= = = $26 per
100−0 100 100
unit.

ii). The average rate of change of total cost from 100 to 200 units is
𝐶 (200) − 𝐶(1000) (0.01(200)2 + 25(200) + 1500) − (4100)
=
200 − 100 100
= $28

per unit.
3. Suppose a company’s total cost in dollars to produce x units of its product is
given by
𝐶 (𝑥 ) = 0.01𝑥 2 + 25𝑥 + 1500.
Find the average rate of change of total cost for
iii). The first 100 units produced (from to ) and
iv). The second 100 units produced.
4. Compute the instantaneous rate of change of the function 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 5𝑥 3 −
4𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 1at x = 2.

16
 Solution
𝑓 ′(𝑥 ) = 15𝑥 2 − 8x + 2 => 𝑓 ′(2) = 15(2)2 − 8(2) + 2 = 46

Exercise
2
1. Let 𝑦 = 𝑥 − 2 y
(i) Find the average rate of change of y with respect to x over the interval
[2,5].
(ii) Find the instantaneous rate of change of y with respect to x at point x = 4.
2. A particle moves on a line away from its initial position so that after t
seconds it is
𝑆 = 2𝑡 2 − 𝑡 metres from its initial position.
(i) Find the average velocity of the particle over the interval [1, 3].
(ii) Find the instantaneous velocity at t = 2.
Answers
1. (i) 7 (𝑖𝑖) 8 2. (i) 7 𝑚/𝑠𝑒𝑐 (𝑖𝑖) 7 𝑚/𝑠𝑒𝑐

17