Implicit differentiation

Some relationships between two variables x and y do not give y explicitly in terms of x (or x explicitly in terms of y) e.g.
FHx, yL = 0. However, it is implied that one of the two variables is a function of the other, i. e. y = f HxL or x = gHyL.
1. Example
y
Assume that y is a function of x. Determine when x2 + y2 = 21.
x
Solution

Method 1.

Consider the relationship x2 + y2 = 21 . Treating y2 as a function of function, after differentiation with respect to x by using, we
have
y
2x+ 2y =0
x
the chain rule
y
Then we solve this equation with respect to
x
y -2 x x
= =-
x 2y y
y x
Therefore =- .
x y

Method 2.

If we rewrite the above equation as FHx, yL = 0, where FHx, yL = x2 + y2 - 21 then

F
y x
=-
x F
y
Treating FHx, yL as a function of only one variable x , that is considering y as a constant, we find the partial derivative
F
=2x
x
Treating FHx, yL as a function of only one variable y , that is considering x as a constant, we find the partial derivative
F
=2 y
y
y -2 x x
Finally we have = =-
x 2y y
2. Example
y
Determine when x2 y3 + 9 sinH5 x - 7 yL = 10.
x
Solution

Method 1.

Consider the relationship x2 y3 + 9 sinH5 x - 7 yL = 10 . After differentiation with respect to x we have

y y
2 x y3 + x2 3 y2 + 9 cosH5 x - 7 yL 5 - 7 y =0
x x
product rule chain rule
2 | Implicit differentiation

y y
2 x y3 + x2 3 y2 + 9 cosH5 x - 7 yL 5 - 7 y =0
x x
product rule chain rule

y y
2 x y3 + x2 3 y2 + 45 cosH5 x - 7 yL - 63 cosH5 x - 7 yL =0
x x
y
After solving this equation with respect to , we have
x
y 2 x y3 + 45 cosH5 x - 7 yL
=-
x 3 x2 y2 - 63 cosH5 x - 7 yL

Method 2.

Tick to show solution

FHx,yL = x2 y3 + 9sinH5x-7yL - 10
F
= 2 x y3 + 45 cosH5 x - 7 yL
x
F
= 3 x2 y2 - 63 cosH5 x - 7 yL
y
F
y x -2 x y3 -45 cosI5 x-7 yM
=- =
F 3 x2 y2 -63 cosI5 x-7 yM
x
y

3. Example
y
Find when x y = cosHyL.
x
Solution

Tick to show solution

FHx,yL = x y - cosHyL
F
= y
x
F
= x y + sinHyL
y
F
y x y
=- =-
F x y +sinIyM
x
y

Exercises

In the following examples, assume that y is a function of x and differentiate with respect to x.
1. x3 y2 + 5 x y + 4 = 0
 Implicit differentiation | 3

Tick to show solution

2 x3 yHxL y HxL + 3 x2 yHxL2 + 5 x y HxL + 5 yHxL = 0

y -3 x2 y2 -5 y
= 2 x3 y+5 x
x

2. x y3 + 2 y = 3

Tick to show solution

3 x yHxL2 y HxL + 2 y HxL + yHxL3 = 0

y y3
= - 3 x y2 +2
x

3. arctanHyL - y + 3 x = 0

Tick to show solution

y HxL
- y HxL + 3 = 0
yHxL2 +1

y 3 3
=- 1
= y2
+3
x y2 +1
-1

4. x3 y - 3 x2 y2 + 5 y3 - 3 x + 4 = 0

Tick to show solution

2 x3 yHxL y HxL + 3 x2 yHxL2 + 5 x y HxL + 5 yHxL = 0

y -3 x2 y2 -5 y
= 2 x3 y+5 x
x

5. ln Ix2 y2 M - 5 x sinHy L + 7 x y = 0

Tick to show solution

2 x2 yHxL y HxL+2 x yHxL2

y y I7 x y+5 x sinIyM+2M
2
- -7 y-5 sinIyM
x
= 2
=-
x I7 x y+5 x y cosIyM+2M
x 5 x cosIyM+7 x+
y