MATH 1500 Lecture Notes, Week 7

3.5 Implicit Differentiation

The equation x2 + y 2 = 1 describes a circle in the xy-plane. We can explicitly solve for y as a
function of x. There are two solutions:
p
(1) y = 1 − x2 ,
p
(2) y = − 1 − x2 ,

which correspond to the upper and lower halves of the circle.

dy
Using the explicit expressions, we can find dx :
dy 1 1 x x
(1) = (1 − x2 )−1/2 (1 − x2 )0 = √ (−2x) = − √ =− ,
dx 2 2 1−x 2 1−x 2 y
dy 1 1 x x
(2) = − (1 − x2 )−1/2 (1 − x2 )0 = − √ (−2x) = − √ =− .
dx 2 2 1−x 2 − 1−x 2 y
dy
Alternatively, we can treat y implicitly as a function of x, and find dx by differentiating the equation
x2 + y2 = 1 with respect to x. Since y is a function of x, the term y 2 requires the chain rule. We
get:
d  2  d
x + (y(x))2 = (1)
dx dx
dy
=⇒ 2x + 2y(x) =0
dx
dy x
=⇒ =− ,
dx y
which is the same result.
The above procedure is called implicit differentiation.

Example. Each equation defines y as a function of x. Calculate y 0 .

(a) x2 y + y 3 = xy 2 + x4 ,
(b) ey = 5x2 y 3 ,
(c) sin(x + y) − 2x3 y = 1.

(a) Differentiate the equation:

(x2 y + y 3 )0 =(xy 2 + x4 )0
=⇒ (x2 )0 y + x2 y 0 + (y 3 )0 =(x)0 y 2 + x(y 2 )0 + (x4 )0
=⇒ 2xy + x2 y 0 + 3y 2 y 0 =y 2 + 2xyy 0 + 4x3
=⇒ 2xy − y 2 − 4x3 =2xyy 0 − x2 y 0 − 3y 2 y 0
=(2xy − x2 − 3y 2 )y 0
2xy − y 2 − 4x3
=⇒ y 0 = .
2xy − x2 − 3y 2

1
This study source was downloaded by 100000859800908 from CourseHero.com on 11-03-2023 00:06:52 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/40831570/Notes-1500-week7pdf/
 (b) Differentiate the equation:

(ey )0 =(5x2 y 3 )0
=⇒ ey y 0 =10xy 3 + 15x2 y 2 y 0
=⇒ ey y 0 − 15x2 y 2 y 0 =10xy 3
10xy 3
=⇒ y 0 = .
ey − 15x2 y 2

(c) Differentiate the equation:

(sin(x + y) − 2x3 y)0 =(1)0

=⇒ cos(x + y)(x + y)0 − 6x2 y − 2x3 y 0 =0
=⇒ cos(x + y)(1 + y 0 ) − 6x2 y − 2x3 y 0 =0
=⇒ cos(x + y) + y 0 cos(x + y) − 6x2 y − 2x3 y 0 =0
=⇒ y 0 (cos(x + y) − 2x3 ) =6x2 y − cos(x + y)
6x2 y − cos(x + y)
=⇒ y 0 = .
cos(x + y) − 2x3

Return to the equation x2 + y 2 = 1. This equation describes a curve in the xy-plane: specifically,
dy
a circle. At any point on this curve,
 the slope of the tangent line to the curve is given by dx .
For example, the point (x, y) = √12 , √12 is on the circle. We found earlier that

dy x
=− .
dx y
 
Therefore the slope of the tangent line to the circle at the point √1 , √1 is
2 2
√
dy 1/ 2
= − √ = −1.
dx 
√1 , √1

1/ 2
2 2

 
A point on this tangent line is √1 , √1 . Therefore the equation of the tangent line is
2 2
 
1 1
y− √ =− x− √ .
2 2

Example. Each equation describes a curve in the xy-plane. Find the equation of the tangent line
to the curve at the indicated point.
(a) sin(x + y 2 − 1) + 3x2 y = 0 at (1, 0)
(b) x2 + 3xy = ey−1 + 9 at (2, 1)
(c) x2 tan y4 = cos(xy) + 2 at (1, π)

2
This study source was downloaded by 100000859800908 from CourseHero.com on 11-03-2023 00:06:52 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/40831570/Notes-1500-week7pdf/
 In each case, we need the slope of the tangent line, which is given by y 0 evaluated at the specified
point.

(a) Differentiate:

(sin(x + y 2 − 1) + 3x2 y)0 =(0)0

=⇒ cos(x + y 2 − 1)(1 + 2yy 0 ) + 6xy + 3x2 y 0 =0
=⇒ cos(x + y 2 − 1) + 2yy 0 cos(x + y 2 − 1) + 6xy + 3x2 y 0 =0
=⇒ 2yy 0 cos(x + y 2 − 1) + 3x2 y 0 = − cos(x + y 2 − 1) − 6xy
− cos(x + y 2 − 1) − 6xy
=⇒ y 0 = .
2y cos(x + y 2 − 1) + 3x2
Evaluate at (x, y) = (1, 0):
− cos(0) − 0 1
y 0 |(1,0) = =− .
0+3 3
The slope of the tangent line is − 13 , and it passes through the point (1, 0). Therefore the equation
of the tangent line is
1
y = − (x − 1).
3

(b) Differentiate:

(x2 + 3xy)0 =(ey−1 + 9)0

=⇒ 2x + 3y + 3xy 0 =ey−1 y 0
=⇒ 3xy 0 − ey−1 y 0 = − 2x − 3y
−2x − 3y
=⇒ y 0 = .
3x − ey−1
Evaluate at (x, y) = (2, 1):
−4 − 3 7
y 0 |(2,1) = =− .
6−1 5
The slope of the tangent line is − 57 , and it passes through the point (2, 1), so its equation is
7
y − 1 = − (x − 2).
5

(c) Differentiate:
 y 0

x2 tan = (cos(xy) + 2)0
4
y   y  y0
+ x2 sec2 = − sin(xy) y + xy 0


=⇒ 2x tan ·
4 4 4
= − y sin(xy) − xy 0 sin(xy)
 
1 2 2 y  y 
=⇒ x sec + x sin(xy) y 0 = − y sin(xy) − 2x tan
4 4 4

3
This study source was downloaded by 100000859800908 from CourseHero.com on 11-03-2023 00:06:52 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/40831570/Notes-1500-week7pdf/
 −y sin(xy) − 2x tan y4


0
=⇒ y = 1 2 2 y
.
4 x sec 4 + x sin(xy)

Evaluate at (1, π):

−π sin(π) − 2 tan π4


0 −2
y (1,π)
= 1 2 π

= 1 = −4.
4 sec 4 + sin(π) 2

The slope of the tangent line is −4, and it passes through the point (1, π), so its equation is

y − π = −4(x − 1).

Implicit differentiation can be used to calculate higher derivatives.

Example. Each equation defines y implicitly as a function of x. Calculate y 00 in terms of x, y and

y0.
(a) sin x = ey
(b) xy 3 − 2x2 = 5y

(a) Differentiate once to get an equation involving y 0 :

(sin x)0 =(ey )0

=⇒ cos x =ey y 0 .

Now differentiate a second time, viewing y and y 0 implicitly as functions of x:

(cos x)0 =(ey y 0 )0

=⇒ − sin x =(ey )0 y 0 + ey y 00
=ey (y 0 )2 + ey y 00
− sin x − ey (y 0 )2
=⇒ y 00 = .
ey

(b) Differentiate:

(xy 3 − 2x2 )0 =(5y)0

=⇒ y 3 + 3xy 2 y 0 − 4x =5y 0

Now differentiate again:

(y 3 + 3xy 2 y 0 − 4x)0 =(5y 0 )0

=⇒ 3y 2 y 0 + 3y 2 y 0 + 6xy(y 0 )2 + 3xy 2 y 00 − 4 =5y 00
=⇒ 3xy 2 y 00 − 5y 00 =4 − 6y 2 y 0 − 6xy(y 0 )2
4 − 6y 2 y 0 − 6xy(y 0 )2
=⇒ y 00 =
3xy 2 − 5

4
This study source was downloaded by 100000859800908 from CourseHero.com on 11-03-2023 00:06:52 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/40831570/Notes-1500-week7pdf/
 3.9 Related Rates

Example. A particle
 √travels
 along the circle x2 + y 2 = 1, where x and y are measured in cm. At
the point (x, y) = 21 , 23 , the x-coordinate of the particle is increasing at a rate of 5 cm/sec. How
fast is the y-coordinate changing at this point?
√
Let t represent time, measured in seconds. We are given the data x = 1/2 cm, y = 3/2 cm, and
dx dy
dt = 5 cm/sec. We need to find dt .
The x- and y-coordinates are related by the equation x2 + y 2 = 1. Since x and y are related, their
rates of change with respect to time are also related. To find out how, we differentiate the equation
of the circle with respect to t, viewing both x and y as implicit functions of t.
d 2 d
(x + y 2 ) = (1)
dt dt
dx dy
=⇒ 2x + 2y =0
dt dt
dy x dx
=⇒ =− .
dt y dt
At the specified point,
dy 1/2 5
= −√ · 5 = −√ .
dt 3/2 3
√
The rate of change of the y-coordinate is −5/ 3 cm/sec.
√
Alternative phrasing: at the given point, the y-coordinate is decreasing at a rate of 5/ 3 cm/sec.

A problem like the one above is called a related rates problem. It describes two (or more) quantities
that are related by an equation.

Example. A rectangle has constant area 10 cm2 . One side is increasing at a rate of 3 cm/sec.
When the length of this side is 2 cm, find the rate of change of the other side.

Let the lengths of the two sides of the rectangle be a and b, measured in cm. Let t be time,
measured in seconds. The area of the rectangle is

ab = 10.

da db
We are given a = 2 cm, dt = 3 cm/sec. We are asked for dt .
Differentiate:
d d
(ab) = (10)
dt dt
da db
=⇒ b + a =0
dt dt
db b da
=⇒ =− .
dt a dt

5
This study source was downloaded by 100000859800908 from CourseHero.com on 11-03-2023 00:06:52 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/40831570/Notes-1500-week7pdf/
 10
Note that if a = 2 cm, then b = 2 = 5 cm. Substitute the given values:

db 5 15
= − (3) = − .
dt 2 2
The rate of change of the second side is −15/2 cm/sec.

General strategy:

• Introduce notation if necessary, and draw a diagram

• Make a list of information you are given and information you need

• Write down an equation relating the quantities in the problem

• Differentiate with respect to t

• Solve for the desired quantity and substitute the given values

• Conclude with the answer to the question including units

Example. The area of a circle is decreasing at a constant rate of 4 cm2 /sec. When the radius of
the circle is 3 cm, how fast is the radius changing?

Let r be the radius of the circle in cm, and let A be its area in cm2 . Let t measure time in seconds.
dA dr
We are given dt = −4 cm2 /sec and r = 3 cm. We are asked for dt .
The area of a circle is
A = πr2 .

Differentiate:
dA dr
= 2πr ,
dt dt
which implies
dr 1 dA
= .
dt 2πr dt
Substitute the given values:
dr 1 2
= (−4) = − .
dt 2π(3) 3π
2
The rate of change of the radius is − 3π cm/sec. (Alternatively: the radius is decreasing at a rate
2
of 3π cm/sec.)

Example. Starting from the same point, I run east at 1 m/sec and my cat runs south at 2 m/sec.
After 5 seconds, how fast is the distance between us changing?

Sketch the problem in the xy-plane, using the origin as the starting point. Let x represent my
distance from the origin, in m, and let y represent my cat’s distance from the origin, in m. Let D

6
This study source was downloaded by 100000859800908 from CourseHero.com on 11-03-2023 00:06:52 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/40831570/Notes-1500-week7pdf/
 dx
be the distance between us, in m, and let t measure time in seconds. We are given dt = 1 m/sec
dy dD
and dt = 2 m/sec, and we are asked for dt .
After 5 seconds, my position is x = 5 and my cat’s
√ √ √
position is y = 10, so the distance between us is D = 52 + 102 = 125 = 5 5 m.
The distance D satisfies the equation
D 2 = x2 + y 2 .

Differentiate:
dD dx dy
2D = 2x + 2y ,
dt dt dt
which implies  
dD 1 dx dy
= x +y .
dt D dt dt
Substitute the given values:
dD 1 25 √
= √ (5(1) + (10)(2)) = √ = 5.
dt 5 5 5 5
√
At the specified point, the distance between us increases at a rate of 5 m/sec.

Example. A particle moves along the curve y = x2 − 2x. Assume that x and y are measured
in cm. At the point (−1, 3) if the rate of change of the x-coordinate is 2 m/sec, how fast is the
distance between the particle and the origin changing?

Let D be the distance between the particle and the origin, in cm. Let t measure time in seconds.
dx dD
We are given x = −1 cm, y = 3 cm, and dt = 2 cm/sec. We are asked for dt .
The distance D satisfies
D 2 = x2 + y 2 .

On the curve, we have y = x2 − 2x, so

D2 = x2 + (x2 − 2x)2 = x4 − 4x3 + 5x2 .

Differentiate:
dD dx dx dx
2D = 4x3 − 12x2 + 10x ,
dt dt dt dt
which implies
dD 1
dx
= 2x3 − 6x2 + 5x .
dt D dt
p √
When (x, y) = (−1, 3), D = 12 + (−3)2 = 10 cm. Substitute all the given values:

dD 1 26
= √ (−2 − 6 − 5)(2) = − √ .
dt 10 10
√
At this point, the rate of change of the distance is −26/ 10 cm/sec.

7
This study source was downloaded by 100000859800908 from CourseHero.com on 11-03-2023 00:06:52 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/40831570/Notes-1500-week7pdf/
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)