Chapter 3: Problem 39
Assume that \(x\) and \(y\) are differentiable functions of \(t\). Find \(d y / d t\) in terms of \(x, y\), and \(d x / d t\). $$ y^{2}-x^{2}=4 $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
\( \frac{dy}{dt} = \frac{x}{y} \frac{dx}{dt} \)
Step by step solution
01
Differentiate Both Sides
Differentiate both sides of the equation with respect to the variable \( t \). The equation given is \( y^2 - x^2 = 4 \). Taking the derivative of both sides, we get:\[ \frac{d}{dt}(y^2) - \frac{d}{dt}(x^2) = \frac{d}{dt}(4) \]
02
Apply the Chain Rule
Use the chain rule for differentiation. The chain rule states that \( \frac{d}{dt}(y^2) = 2y \frac{dy}{dt} \) and \( \frac{d}{dt}(x^2) = 2x \frac{dx}{dt} \). So our equation becomes:\[ 2y \frac{dy}{dt} - 2x \frac{dx}{dt} = 0 \]
03
Solve for \( \frac{dy}{dt} \)
We need to isolate \( \frac{dy}{dt} \) in the equation from Step 2. To do so, start by adding \( 2x \frac{dx}{dt} \) to both sides of the equation:\[ 2y \frac{dy}{dt} = 2x \frac{dx}{dt} \]Next, divide both sides by \( 2y \) to solve for \( \frac{dy}{dt} \):\[ \frac{dy}{dt} = \frac{x}{y} \frac{dx}{dt} \]
Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!
-
Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
-
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
-
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
-
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.
Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!
Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Chain Rule
The chain rule is a fundamental concept in calculus used for differentiating composite functions. Think of it as peeling layers of an onion; you work from the outside in, differentiating each layer as you go.
In this exercise, we start by considering the derivative of expressions like \( y^2 \) and \( x^2 \) with respect to \( t \). These expressions involve functions \( y(t) \) and \( x(t) \), which are composed of another function \( t \).
In this exercise, we start by considering the derivative of expressions like \( y^2 \) and \( x^2 \) with respect to \( t \). These expressions involve functions \( y(t) \) and \( x(t) \), which are composed of another function \( t \).
- The chain rule tells us how to differentiate these by expressing the dependency on \( t \). For \( y^2 \), we use it to find \( \frac{d}{dt}(y^2) = 2y \frac{dy}{dt} \). This indicates how \( y^2 \) changes with respect to \( t \), involving both the value of \( y \) and its rate of change over time \( \frac{dy}{dt} \).
- Similarly, for \( x^2 \), apply the chain rule: \( \frac{d}{dt}(x^2) = 2x \frac{dx}{dt} \). Here, it ties together the current state of \( x \) and its rate of change, \( \frac{dx}{dt} \).
Implicit Differentiation
Implicit differentiation is another critical technique when working with functions that are not easily solved for one variable in terms of another. Functions like \( y^2 - x^2 = 4 \) are expressed implicitly rather than explicitly.
In our exercise, instead of solving explicitly for \( y \) or \( x \), we differentiate both sides with respect to \( t \).
In our exercise, instead of solving explicitly for \( y \) or \( x \), we differentiate both sides with respect to \( t \).
- When you see \( y^2 \) and \( x^2 \), understand that these are implicit functions of \( t \). We apply the differentiation rules (using the chain rule from before) directly to these expressions.
- The process maintains the relationship between \( x \), \( y \), and their respective rates of change with respect to \( t \).
Related Rates
Related rates problems involve finding the rate at which one quantity changes with respect to another. This naturally extends from differential equations like \( y^2 - x^2 = 4 \).
The aim here is to find the relationship between the changes in \( y \) and \( x \) as they relate to time, \( t \).
The aim here is to find the relationship between the changes in \( y \) and \( x \) as they relate to time, \( t \).
- In this exercise, once we differentiate the equation, both the chain rule and implicit differentiation reveal the differential equation: \( 2y \frac{dy}{dt} - 2x \frac{dx}{dt} = 0 \).
- Solving for \( \frac{dy}{dt} \) gives us a formula: \( \frac{dy}{dt} = \frac{x}{y} \frac{dx}{dt} \). This equation says if you know how \( x \) changes over time, you can calculate \( \frac{dy}{dt} \) based on \( x \) and \( y \)'s current values.