The functions that we have met so far can be described by
expressing one variable explicitly in terms of another variable.
For example, 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 + 1, or y = x sin x,
or in general y = f(x).
However, some functions are defined implicitly.
Some examples of implicit functions are:
x2 + y2 = 25
x3 + y3 = 6xy
In some cases, it is possible to solve such an equation for y as
an explicit function (or several functions) of x.
The graphs of 𝑓 𝑥 = 25 − 𝑥 2 and 𝑔(x) = − 25 − 𝑥 2 are
the upper and lower semicircles of the circle x2 + y2 = 25.
Nonetheless, x3 + y3 = 6xy is the
equation of a curve called the folium
of Descartes shown here and it
implicitly defines y as several
functions of x.
It’s not easy to solve equation x3 + y3 = 6xy
for y explicitly as a function of x by hand.
A computer algebra system has no trouble.
However, the expressions it obtains are very complicated
Fortunately, we don’t need to solve an equation for y in terms of x
to find the derivative of y.
Instead, we can use the method of implicit differentiation.
This consists of differentiating both sides of the equation with
respect to x and then solving the resulting equation for y’.
In the examples, it is always assumed that the given equation
determines y implicitly as a differentiable function of x so that the
method of implicit differentiation can be applied.
example:
𝑑𝑦
a. If x2 + y2 = 25, find .
𝑑𝑥
b. Find an equation of the tangent to the circle x2 + y2 = 25 at the point (3, 4).
a. Differentiate both sides of the equation x2 + y2 = 25:
Chain rule:
𝑓 = 𝑦2
𝑑𝑓 𝑑𝑓 𝑑𝑦
=
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑓 𝑑𝑓 𝑑𝑦
= = (2𝑦)(𝑦 ′ )
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥
dy 3
At the point (3, 4) we have x = 3 and y = 4.
dx 4
Thus, an equation of the tangent to the circle at (3, 4) is:
y – 4 = – ¾(x – 3) or 3x + 4y = 25.
example:
a. Find y’ if x3 + y3 = 6xy.
b. Find the tangent to the folium of Descartes x3 + y3 = 6xy at the point (3, 3).
c. At what points in the first quadrant is the tangent line horizontal?
Differentiating both sides of x3 + y3 = 6xy with respect to x, regarding y
as a function of x, and using the Chain Rule on y3 and the Product Rule
on 6xy, we get:
3x2 + 3y2y’ = 6xy’ + 6y
or x2 + y2y’ = 2xy’ + 2y
Now, we solve for y’:
When x = y = 3, y’ = – 1
So, an equation of the tangent to the folium at (3, 3) is:
y – 3 = – 1(x – 3) or x + y = 6.
The tangent line is horizontal if y’ = 0.
Using the expression for y’ from (a), we see that y’ = 0 when 2y – x2 = 0
(provided that y2 – 2x ≠ 0).
Substituting y = ½x2 in the equation of the curve, we get
x3 + (½x2)3 = 6x(½x2)
which simplifies to
x6 = 16x3.
Since x ≠ 0 in the first quadrant, we have x3 = 16.
If x = 161/3 = 24/3, then y = ½(28/3) = 25/3.
Thus, the tangent is horizontal at (0, 0) and
at (24/3, 25/3), which is approximately
(2.5198, 3.1748).
2 y x 2 sin y This can’t be solved for y.
d d 2 d
2y x sin y dy 2x
dx dx dx
dx 2 cos y
dy dy
2 2 x cos y
dx dx
dy dy
2 cos y 2x
dx dx
dy
2 cos y 2 x
dx
example:
Find the equations of the lines tangent and normal to the curve at
x 2 xy y 2 7 at (1, 2)
We need the slope. Since we can’t solve for y, we use implicit
differentiation to solve for y’.
x 2 xy y 2 7 Note product rule.
dy dy
2x x y 2 y 0
dx dx
dy dy
2x x y 2 y 0
dx dx
dy
2 y x y 2x
dx
dy y 2 x
dx 2 y x
2 2 1 22 4
m
2 2 1 4 1 5
tangent: normal:
4
y2 x 1 5
y 2 x 1
5 4
4 4
y2 x 5 5
5 5 y2 x
4 4
4 14
y x 5 3
5 5 y x
4 4
Higher Order Derivatives
d2y
Find if 2 x3 3 y 2 7
dx 2
y 2 x x 2 y
2 x3 3 y 2 7 y
y2
6 x 6 y y 0
2
y
2x x2
2 y
y y Substitute y
back into the
6 y y 6 x 2 equation.
2x x 2 x 2
6 x 2 y 2
y y y y
6 y
2x x 4
y
2
y
x 3
y y y
example:
Find y” if x4 + y4 = 16.
Differentiating the equation implicitly with respect to x, we get
4x3 + 4y3y’ = 0.
To find y’’, we differentiate this expression for y’ using the Quotient
Rule and remembering that y is a function of x:
However, the values of x and y must satisfy the original equation
x4 + y4 = 16.
So, the answer looks quite simple:
