Implicit Differentiation Week 11

Content Standards

The learners demonstrate an understanding of basic concepts of derivatives.

Performance Standards

The learner shall be able to formulate and solve accurately situational problems involving related rates.

Most Essential Learning Competencies

At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:

1. Illustrate implicit differentiation; and

2. Use implicit differentiation to solve problems.

Lesson Presentation
Terminologies

✓ Implicit Differentiation - the process of finding the derivative of a dependent variable in an implicit
function by differentiating each term separately, expressing the derivative of the dependent variable
as a symbol, and solving the resulting expression for the symbol.
✓ Explicit function - this function is written as the dependent variable y in terms of the independent
variable x. It is expressed clearly, and we can easily evaluate values for the independent variable.

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Implicit Differentiation Week 11

Discussion

A function 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) is defined explicitly if it is defined by a formula, such as 𝑦 = √𝑥 3 − 1. A function 𝑦 =

𝑓(𝑥) is defined implicitly if it is implied by an equation in 𝑥 and 𝑦, such as

𝑥3 + 𝑦5 − 𝑦 = 8

If we were to solve this equation for 𝑦, we would obtain an explicitly defined function, which could then be
𝑑𝑦
differentiated to find . Solving equations, however, can be difficult, and sometimes even impossible. The
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦
technique of implicit differentiation enables us to calculate the derivative of an implicitly defined function
𝑑𝑥

without having to solve for 𝑦.

Implicit Differentiation

Think of the equation above, 𝑥 3 + 𝑦 5 − 𝑦 = 8, as defining one (or more) functions 𝑦 of 𝑥, which we write as
𝑦(𝑥). to find the derivative 𝑦’, we differentiate both sides of 𝑥 3 + 𝑦 5 − 𝑦 = 8with respect to 𝑥, and then
solve for 𝑦’. Remember, however, that 𝑦 is a function of 𝑥, so differentiating 𝑦n means differentiating a
function to a power, which requires the generalized power rule,

𝑑 𝑛
𝑦 = 𝑛 ∙ 𝑦 𝑛−1 ∙ 𝑦′
𝑑𝑥

𝑑
Example 1: For𝑥 3 + 𝑦 5 − 𝑦 = 8, find𝑑𝑥.

Solution: We differentiate both sides with respect to 𝑥.

𝑥3 + 𝑦5 − 𝑦 = 8 original equation

𝑑
3𝑥 2 + 5𝑦 4 𝑦 ′ − 𝑦 ′ = 0 taking of both sides
𝑑𝑥

We now solve 𝑦 ′ ,

5𝑦 4 𝑦 ′ − 𝑦 ′ = −3𝑥 2 Subtracting 3𝑥 2 , sp only 𝑦 ′ terms on the

left

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Implicit Differentiation Week 11

𝑦 ′ (5𝑦 4 − 1) = −3𝑥 2 factoring out 𝑦 ′

−3𝑥 2
𝑦 ′ = 5𝑦 4 −1 dividing by (5𝑦 4 − 1) to solve for 𝑦′

𝑑
This is the answer, the derivative 𝑑𝑥when 𝑥 and 𝑦 are related by the equation 𝑥 3 + 𝑦 5 − 𝑦 = 8.

Notice that the formula for 𝑦’ involves both 𝑥 and 𝑦. Implicit differentiation enables us to find derivatives that
would otherwise be difficult or impossible to calculate, but at a “cost”- the result depends on both 𝑥 and 𝑦.
The 𝑥 and 𝑦 play very different roles. We regard 𝑦as a function of 𝑥, and the prime means derivative with
respect to𝑥. Therefore, when differentiating 𝑦 𝑛 we must include a 𝑦’, but when differentiating 𝑥 𝑛 we do not
𝑑𝑥
(since 𝑑𝑥 = 1).

Example 2: (continuation of Example 1). Evaluate the derivative in Example 1 at 𝑥 = 2 𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑦 = 1.

−3𝑥 2
Solution: 𝑦 ′ = 5𝑦 4 −1

−3(2)2 −12
= 𝑦′ = 4
= = −3
5(1) − 1 4

A derivative should be evaluated only at a point on the curve, so we evaluate 𝑦’ only at 𝑥- and 𝑦-values 𝑥 =
2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 = 1 in Example 2 do satisfy the original equation 𝑥 3 + 𝑦 5 − 𝑦 = 8.

The following problems are typical “pieces” that appear in implicit differentiation problems.

Example 3:

𝑑
a. 𝑦 3 = 3𝑦 2 𝑦′ differentiating 𝑦 3 so include 𝑦′
𝑑𝑥
𝑑
b. 𝑥 3 = 3𝑥 2 differentiating 𝑥 3 so no primed variable
𝑑𝑥
𝑑
c. = (𝑥 3 𝑦 5 ) = 3𝑥 2 𝑦 5 + 𝑥 3 5𝑦 4 𝑦′ using the product rule
𝑑𝑥

= 3𝑥 2 𝑦 5 + 𝑥 3 5𝑦 4 𝑦′ putting the 5 first

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Implicit Differentiation Week 11

Suggestion: Try to do problems like Example 3c in one step, putting the constants in front from the
start.

𝑑 𝑑
d. (𝑥𝑦) = 𝑦 + 𝑥𝑦′ using the product rule, and 𝑑𝑥 𝑥 = 1
𝑑𝑥
𝑑
e. (1 + 𝑦 2 )4 = 4(1 + 𝑦 2 )3 ∙ 2𝑦𝑦′ using the generalized power rule
𝑑𝑥

𝑑𝑦
Example 4: For 𝑦 4 + 𝑥 4 − 2𝑥 2 𝑦 2 − = 32, find 𝑑𝑥 and evaluate it at 𝑥 = 2 and𝑦 = 1.

Solution:

4𝑦 3 𝑦 ′ + 4𝑥 3 − 4𝑥𝑦 2 − 4𝑥 2 𝑦𝑦 ′ = 0 differentiating with respect to𝑥 , putting constant first

4𝑦 2 𝑦 ′ + 4𝑥 2 𝑦𝑦 ′ = −4𝑥 3 + 4𝑥𝑦 2 collecting 𝑦’ terms on the left, others on the right

𝑦 ′ (4𝑦 3 − 4𝑥 2 𝑦) = −4𝑥 3 + 4𝑥𝑦 2 factoring out y’

−4𝑥 3 +4𝑥𝑦 2 −𝑥 3 +𝑥𝑦 2

𝑦′ = = dividing by 4𝑦 3 − 4𝑥 2 𝑦to solve for y’ and simplifying
4𝑦 3 −4𝑥 2 𝑦 𝑦 3 −𝑥 2 𝑦

At 𝑥 = 2 and 𝑦 = 1,

−(2)3 + (2)(1)2 −8 + 2 −6
𝑦′ = = = =2
(1)3 − (2)2 (1) 1−4 −3

Application to Economics

Recall that the demand equation is the relationship between the price p of an item and the quantity x that
consumer will demand at that price. (All prices are in dollars, unless otherwise stated.)

𝑑𝑝
Example 5: For the demand equation 𝑥 = √1900 − 𝑝3 , use implicit differentiation to find 𝑑𝑥 . Then evaluate

it at 𝑥 = 30, 𝑝 = 10 and interpret your answer.

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Implicit Differentiation Week 11

Solution:

𝑥 = (1900 − 𝑝3 )1⁄2 in power form

1
1
1 = 2 (1900 − 𝑝3 )2 (−3𝑝3 𝑝′) differentiating with respect to 𝑥, using the generalized power rule

−3𝑝2
1= 2 𝑝′ simplifying and factoring out 𝑝’
√1900−𝑝3

2
√1900−𝑝3
𝑝′ = − solving for 𝑝’
3𝑝2

2
√1900−(10)3
𝑝′ = − evaluating at 𝑝 = 10, 𝑥 = 30 (except that there is no 𝑥)
3(10)2

2
√900 60
=− = − 300 = −0.2 simplifying
300

𝑑𝑝
Interpretation data: = −0.2 says that the rate of change of price with respect to quantity is −0.2, so
𝑑𝑥

increasing quantity by 1 means decreasing price by 0.20 (or 20 cents). Therefore, each 20-cent price decrease
result in one more sale (at the given values of x and p).

Notice that this demand function 𝑥 = −√1900 − 𝑝3 can be solved explicitly for 𝑝.

𝑥 2 = 1900 − 𝑝3 squaring

𝑝3 = 1900 − 𝑥 2 adding 𝑝3 and subtracting 𝑥 2

𝑝 = (1900 − 𝑥 2 )1⁄3 taking cube roots

We can differentiate this explicitly with respect to 𝑥.

2
1
𝑝′ = 3 (1900 − 𝑥 2 )−3 (−2𝑥) using the generalized power rule

2
2
= − 3 𝑥(1900 − 𝑥 2 )−3 simplifying

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Implicit Differentiation Week 11

Evaluating at the given values, 𝑥 = 30, 𝑝 = 10, gives

2
𝑝′ − ∙ 30(1900 − 302 )−2⁄3
3

2 20
= −20(1000)−3 = − = −0.2
100

This agrees with the answer by implicit differentiation.

Terminologies

✓ Related rates - is a problem which involves at least two changing quantities and asks you to figure out
the rate at which one is changing given sufficient information on all the others. Solve for the quantity
wanted.
✓ Pythagorean Theorem - The well-known geometric theorem that the sum of the squares on the legs of
a right triangle is equal to the square on the hypotenuse (the side opposite the right angle)—or, in
familiar algebraic notation, 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 = 𝑐 2 .
✓ Volume - the amount of space that a substance or object occupies, or that is enclosed within a
container, especially when great.

This lesson culminates the chapter on derivatives. The discussion on related rates concerns quantities which
change (increase/decrease) with time, and which are related by an equation. Differentiating this equation with
respect to time gives an equation of relationship between the rates of change of the quantities involved.
Therefore, if we know the rates of change of all but one quantity, we can solve this using the relationship
between the rates of change.

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Implicit Differentiation Week 11

A related rates problem concerns the relationship among the rates of change of several variables with respect
to time, given that each variable is also dependent on the others. If 𝑦 is dependent on 𝑥, then the rate of
𝑑𝑦
change of 𝑦 with respect to 𝑡 is dependent on the rate of change of 𝑥 with respect to 𝑡, that is, is
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑥
dependent on 𝑑𝑡 .

To be systematic in our solutions, we present the following steps:

Steps for Related Rates Problems

1. Draw a picture (sketch). 4. Write an equation to relate the variables.

2. Write down known information. 5. Differentiate both sides with respect to t.
3. Write down what you are looking for. 6. Evaluate.

Related rate problems are differentiated with respect to time. So, every variable, except t is differentiated
implicitly.

Two rates that are related.

𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦
Given 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 3, find 𝑑𝑡 when 𝑥 = 1, given that 𝑑𝑡 = 2.

𝑦 = 𝑥2 + 3

𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
= 2𝑥 𝑑𝑡 Now, when 𝑥 = 1 and 𝑑𝑡 = 2, we have
𝑑𝑡

𝑑𝑦
= 2(1)(2) = 4
𝑑𝑡

First, review problem: Consider a sphere of radius 10cm. If the radius changes 0.1cm (a very small amount)
how much does the volume change?

4 3
𝑣= 𝜋𝑟
3

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Implicit Differentiation Week 11

𝑑𝑉 = 4𝜋𝑟 2 𝑑𝑟

𝑐𝑚
𝑑𝑉 = 4𝜋(10𝑐𝑚)2 ∙ (0.1 )
𝑠𝑒𝑐

𝑑𝑉 = 40𝑐𝑚3

Now, suppose that the radius is changing at an instantaneous rate of 0.1 cm/sec. Possible if the sphere is a
soap bubble or a balloon.

4 3
𝑣= 𝜋𝑟
3

𝑑𝑉 𝑑𝑣
= 4𝜋𝑟 2
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡

𝑑𝑉 𝑐𝑚
= 4𝜋(10𝑐𝑚)2 ∙ (0.1 )
𝑑𝑡 𝑠𝑒𝑐

𝑑𝑉 𝑐𝑚 3
= 40𝜋
𝑑𝑡 𝑠𝑒𝑐

The sphere is growing at a rate of 40𝑐𝑚3.

Note: This is an exact answer, not an approximation like we got with the differential problems.

Example 1: Water is draining from a cylindrical tank at 3 liters/second. How fast is the surface dropping?

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Implicit Differentiation Week 11

𝑑𝑉 𝐿 𝑐𝑚3
= −3 = −3000
𝑑𝑡 𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝑠𝑒𝑐

𝑑ℎ
𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑
𝑑𝑡

𝑉 = 𝜋𝑟 2 ℎ

𝑑𝑣 𝑑ℎ
= 𝜋𝑟 2 ℎ
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡

𝑐𝑚3
𝑐𝑚3 𝑑ℎ 𝑑ℎ 3000 𝑠𝑒𝑐
−300 = 𝜋𝑟 2 → =−
𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝜋𝑟 2

Example 2: A pebble is dropped into a calm pond, causing ripples in the form of concentric circles. The radius r
of the outer ripple is increasing at a constant rate of 1 foot per second. When this radius is 4 ft., what rate is
the total area A of the disturbed water increasing?

𝑑𝑟 𝑑𝐴
Given: 𝑑𝑡 = 1 when 𝑟 = 4 =? Given equation: 𝐴 = 𝜋𝑟 2
𝑑𝑡

𝑑𝐴 𝑑𝑟 𝑑𝐴
Differentiate: 𝑑𝑡 = 2𝜋𝑟 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
= 2𝜋(1)(4) = 8𝜋

Example 3: An inflating balloon: Air is being pumped into a spherical balloon at the rate of 4.5 𝑖𝑛3 per second.
Find the rate of change of the radius when the radius is 2 inches.

𝑑𝑉 𝑖𝑛3 𝑑𝑟 4
Given: 𝑑𝑡 = 4.5 𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝑟 = 2𝑖𝑛 find: 𝑑𝑡 =? Equation: 𝑉 = 3 𝜋𝑟 3

𝑑𝑉 𝑑𝑟 𝑑𝑟
Differentiate and solve: = 4𝜋𝑟 2 4.5 = 4𝜋𝑟 2
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡

𝑑𝑟
= 0.09 𝑖𝑛⁄𝑠𝑒𝑐
𝑑𝑡

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Implicit Differentiation Week 11

Example 4: The velocity of an airplane tracked by radar: An airplane is flying at an elevation of 6 miles on a
flight path that will take it directly over a radar tracking station. Let s represent the distance (in miles)
between the radar station and the plane. If s is decreasing at a rate of 400 miles per hour when s is 10 miles,
what is the velocity of the plane?

𝑑𝑠
= −400 𝑠 = 100
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑥
𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑: =?
𝑑𝑡
𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛: 𝑥 2 + 62 = 𝑠 2
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑠
Solve: 2𝑥 𝑑𝑡 = 2𝑠 𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑥
To find 𝑑𝑡 , we must first find 𝑥 when 𝑠 = 10

𝑥 = √𝑠 2 − 36 = √100 − 36 = 8
𝑑𝑥
2(8) = 2(10)(−400)
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑥
= −500𝑚𝑝ℎ
𝑑𝑡

Example 5: A fish is reeled in at a rate of 1 foot per second from a bridge 15 ft. above the water. At what rate
is the angle between the line and the water changing when there is 25 ft. of line out?

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Implicit Differentiation Week 11

𝑑𝑥
Given: 𝑑𝑡 = −1 𝑥 = 25𝑓𝑡. ℎ = 15𝑓𝑡.
𝑑𝜃
Find: 𝑑𝑡 =?
15
Equation: sin 𝜃 = sin 𝜃 = 15𝑥 −1
𝑥
𝑑𝜃 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝜃 −15
Solve: cos 𝜃 𝑑𝑡 = −15𝑥 −2 𝑑𝑡 = 20 = (−1)
𝑑𝑡 252 ( )
25

𝑑𝜃 −15 d𝑥 𝑑𝑥
=
𝑑𝑡 𝑥 2 cos 𝜃 𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝜃 3
= 𝑟𝑎𝑑/𝑠𝑒𝑐
𝑑𝑡 100

𝜋 𝑑𝜃 𝑟𝑎𝑑
Example 6: Hot Air Balloon Problem: Given. 𝜃 = = 0.14 . How fast is the balloon rising?
4 𝑑𝑡 𝑚𝑖𝑛

𝒅𝒉
Find 𝒅𝒕

ℎ 𝑑𝜃 1 𝑑ℎ
tan 𝜃 = 𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 𝜃 =
500 𝑑𝑡 500 𝑑𝑡

𝜋 2 1 𝑑ℎ
(sec ) (0.14) =
4 500 𝑑𝑡

𝜋
sec = √2
4

2 𝑑ℎ
(√2) (0.14) ∙ 500 =
𝑑𝑡

𝑓𝑡 𝑑ℎ
140 =
𝑚𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝑡

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Example 7: Draining Water Tank

Radius = 20, Height = 40

1
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 𝜋
3
𝑑𝑣
The flow rate = 80 gallons/min 𝑑𝑡 = −80

What is the rate of change of the radius when the height = 12?
𝑑𝑣
=?
𝑑𝑡

At this point in time the height is fixed

1
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 𝜋𝑟 2 ∙ 12
3

Differentiate implicitly with respect to t,

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Implicit Differentiation Week 11

𝑑𝑣 1 𝑑𝑟
= 𝜋 (2 ∙ 𝑟 ∙ ) ∙ 12
𝑑𝑡 3 𝑑𝑡

Substitute in known values.

Solve for 𝑑𝑟/𝑑𝑡.

Example 8: A ladder 10 feet long is resting against a wall. If the bottom of the ladder is sliding away from the
wall at a rate of 1 foot per second, how fast is the top of the ladder moving down when the bottom of the
ladder is 8 feet from the wall?

First, draw the picture:

We have dx/dt is one foot per second. We want to find 𝑑𝑦/𝑑𝑡.

𝑋 and 𝑦 are related by the Pythagorean Theorem. → 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = (10𝑓𝑡)2

Differentiate both sides of this equation with respect to t to get.

𝑑𝑦 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
=− 2𝑥 + 2𝑦 =0
𝑑𝑡 𝑦 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡

When 𝑥 = 8 ft, we have

𝑦 = √(10𝑓𝑡)2 − (8𝑓𝑡)2 = 6𝑓𝑡

Therefore,

𝑑𝑦 8𝑓𝑡 1𝑓𝑡 4 𝑓𝑡
=− ∙ =−
𝑑𝑡 6𝑓𝑡 𝑠𝑒𝑐 3 𝑠𝑒𝑐

The top of the ladder is sliding down (because of the negative sign in the result) at a rate of 4/3 feet per
second.

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Conclusion/ Summary

✓ To implicitly derive a function (useful when a function can't easily be solved for 𝑦) Differentiate with
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦
respect to 𝑥. Collect all the 𝑑𝑥 on one side. Solve for 𝑑𝑥 .

✓ To derive an inverse function, restate it without the inverse then use Implicit differentiation.
✓ The demand equation is the relationship between the price p of an item and the quantity 𝑥 that
consumer will demand at that price.
𝑑𝑦
✓ To find from an equation in 𝑥 and 𝑦: First differentiate both sides of the equation with respect to 𝑥,
𝑑𝑥

next collect all term.

Suggestions in solving problems involving related rates:

✓ If possible, provide an illustration for the problem that is valid for any time t.
✓ Identify those quantities that change with respect to time and represent them with variables. (Avoid
assigning variables to quantities which are constant, that is, which do not change with respect to time.
Label them right away with the values provided in the problem.)
✓ Write down any numerical facts known about the variables. Interpret each rate of change as the
derivative of a variable with respect to time. Remember that if a quantity decreases over time, then its
rate of change is negative.
✓ Identify which rate of change is being asked, and under what conditions this rate is being computed.
✓ Write an equation showing the relationship of all the variables by an equation that is valid for any time
t.
✓ Differentiate the equation in (5) implicitly with respect to t.
✓ Substitute into the equation, obtained in (6), all values that are valid at the time of interest.
Sometimes, some quantities still need to be solved by substituting the conditions written in (4) to the
equation in (6). Then, solve for what is being asked in the problem. 1
✓ Write a conclusion that answers the question of the problem. Do not forget to include the correct
units of measurement.

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Reference Link

✓ Calculus with applications to the Management, Social, Behavioral, and Biomedical Sciences, GEOFFREY
C. BERRESFORD

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