Continuity and Differentiability
If x^2 + y^2 = 25, find dy/dx by implicit differentiation.
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Differentiate both sides with respect to x, treating y as a function of x. d/dx(x^2) + d/dx(y^2) = d/dx(25). This gives 2x + 2y (dy/dx) = 0. Solving for dy/dx: 2y (dy/dx) = -2x, so dy/dx = -2x/(2y) = -x/y.
dy/dx = -x/y
Marking-scheme points
- ✓Differentiate both sides: 2x + 2y (dy/dx) = 0
- ✓Solve for dy/dx
- ✓dy/dx = -x/y