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Implicit Differentiation

The document explains implicit differentiation, a technique used to find the derivative of y when it is not explicitly defined as a function of x. It provides examples of problems that require implicit differentiation, demonstrating the process step-by-step. The document emphasizes the difference between explicit and implicit differentiation, noting that the latter may involve both x and y in the derivative expression.

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27 views4 pages

Implicit Differentiation

The document explains implicit differentiation, a technique used to find the derivative of y when it is not explicitly defined as a function of x. It provides examples of problems that require implicit differentiation, demonstrating the process step-by-step. The document emphasizes the difference between explicit and implicit differentiation, noting that the latter may involve both x and y in the derivative expression.

Uploaded by

jhonfetalvero30
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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IMPLICIT DIFFERENTIATION PROBLEMS

The following problems require the use of implicit differentiation. Implicit differentiation is nothing more than
aspecial case of the well-known chain rule for derivatives. The majority of differentiation problems in first-
yearcalculus involve functions y written EXPLICITLY as functions of x . For example, if
y = 3𝑥 − sin(7𝑥 + 5),
then the derivative of y is
𝑦 = 6x − 7cos(7𝑥 + 5).
However, some functions y are written IMPLICITLY as functions of x . A familiar example of this is the
equation
𝑥 + 𝑦 = 25 ,
which represents a circle of radius five centered at the origin. Suppose that we wish to find the slope of the
linetangent to the graph of this equation at the point (3, -4).

How could we find the derivative of y in this instance ? One way is to first write y explicitly as a function of x
.Thus,
𝑥 + 𝑦 = 25 ,
𝑦 =25 - 𝑥
and

𝑦 = ± 25 − 𝑥2

where the positive square root represents the top semi-circle and the negative square root represents the
bottom semi-circle. Since the point (3, -4) lies on the bottom semi-circle given by

𝑦 = − 25 − 𝑥2

the derivative of y is

i.e.,

Thus, the slope of the line tangent to the graph at the point (3, -4) is
Unfortunately, not every equation involving x and y can be solved explicitly for y . For the sake of illustration we
will find the derivative of y WITHOUT writing y explicitly as a function of x . Recall that the derivative (D) of a
function of x squared, (f(x))2 , can be found using the chain rule :

Since y symbolically represents a function of x, the derivative of y2 can be found in the same fashion:

Now begin with

𝑥 + 𝑦 = 25

Differentiate both sides of the equation, getting

D(𝑥 + 𝑦 ) = D(25)

D(𝑥 ) +D(𝑦 ) = D(25)

and

2x + 2 y y' = 0 ,

so that
2 y y' = - 2x ,

and
−2𝑥 −𝑥
𝑦 = =
2𝑦 𝑦

i.e.,

Thus, the slope of the line tangent to the graph at the point (3, -4) is

This second method illustrates the process of implicit differentiation. It is important to note that the derivative
expression for explicit differentiation involves x only, while the derivative expression for implicit differentiation
may involve BOTH x AND y.

The following problems range in difficulty from average to challenging.

PROBLEM 1 : Assume that y is a function of x . Find y' = dy/dx for x3 + y3 = 4 .


SOLUTION 1 : Begin with x3 + y3 = 4 . Differentiate both sides of the equation, getting
D ( x3 + y3 ) = D ( 4 ) ,
D ( x3 ) + D ( y3 ) = D ( 4 ) ,
(Remember to use the chain rule on D ( y3 ) .)
3x2 + 3y2 y' = 0 ,
so that (Now solve for y' .)
3y2 y' = - 3x2 ,
and
.

PROBLEM 2 : Assume that y is a function of x . Find y' = dy/dx for (x-y)2 = x + y - 1 .


SOLUTION 2 : Begin with (x-y)2 = x + y - 1 . Differentiate both sides of the equation, getting
D (x-y)2 = D ( x + y - 1 ) ,
D (x-y)2 = D ( x ) + D ( y ) - D ( 1 ) ,
(Remember to use the chain rule on D (x-y)2 .)
,
2 (x-y) (1- y') = 1 + y' ,
so that (Now solve for y' .)
2 (x-y) - 2 (x-y) y' = 1 + y' ,
- 2 (x-y) y' - y' = 1 - 2 (x-y) ,
(Factor out y' .)
y' [ - 2 (x-y) - 1 ] = 1 - 2 (x-y) ,
and

PROBLEM 3 : Assume that y is a function of x . Find y' = dy/dx for

SOLUTION 3 : Begin with . Differentiate both sides of the equation, getting


,
(Remember to use the chain rule on .)

,
so that (Now solve for y' .)
,
,
(Factor out y' .)
,
and

PROBLEM 4 : Assume that y is a function of x . Find y' = dy/dx for y = x2 y3 + x3 y2 .


SOLUTION 4 : Begin with y = x2 y3 + x3 y2 . Differentiate both sides of the equation, getting
D(y) = D ( x2 y3 + x3 y2 ) ,
D(y) = D ( x2 y3 ) + D ( x3 y2 ) ,
(Use the product rule twice.)

,
3 2
(Remember to use the chain rule on D ( y ) and D ( y ) .)

,
2 2 3 3 2 2
y' = 3x y y' + 2x y + 2x y y' + 3x y ,
so that (Now solve for y' .)
y' - 3x2 y2 y' - 2x3 y y' = 2x y3 + 3x2 y2 ,
(Factor out y' .)
y' [ 1 - 3x2 y2 - 2x3 y ] = 2x y3 + 3x2 y2 ,
and

PROBLEM 5 : Assume that y is a function of x . Find y' = dy/dx for exy = e4x - e5y .
SOLUTION 5 : Begin with Differentiate both sides of the equation, getting ,

so that (Now solve for .)

(Factor out .)

,
and

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