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MATH 01130 · Calculus I

MATH 01130 · Derivatives

Implicit differentiation

Definition

When y is defined by an equation F(x,y)=0 rather than y=f(x), differentiate both sides wrt x, treating y as y(x), then solve for dy/dx.

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Every y term picks up a dy/dx (chain rule). Example: d/dx[y²]=2y y′.

Useful for circles, ellipses, and relations that are painful to solve for y.

Second derivatives: differentiate y′ again; substitute y′ from the first step to simplify.

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Attempt each problem first, then open the worked solution.

  1. 1.Find dy/dx for x³ + y³ = 6xy.