IMPLICIT DIFFERENTIATION

x3  4
The function y = is explicitly written as a function of x. It is also defined implicitly
x
by the equation xy = x3 – 4 or xy – x3 + 4 = 0.

But for the equation x3y – 2x2y2 + 5y3 – 8x = 0, it is very difficult (or impossible) to
express y in terms of x. To find the derivative of y with respect to x of this equation,
differentiate both sides with respect to x. This is called implicit differentiation.

Note that:

dy dy
Derivative of x wrt x is 1, Dx(x) = 1 and the derivative of y wrt x is y’ or , Dy(y) = y’ or .
dx dx

Derivative of y2 wrt x is 2yy’, Dx(y2) = 2yy’ taking note that the independent variable is x and not
y.

Example: Find y’ of x2y – 3x2y3 = 4y2 – 6x + 10.

dy
Differentiate both sides with respect to x: (since we want y’ or )
dx

x2y’ + 2xy – (9x2y2y’ + 6xy3) = 8yy’ – 6

Dx(x2y) Dx(3x2y3) Dx(4y2)

Find y’:

x2y’ – 9x2y2y’ – 8yy’ = –2xy + 6xy3 – 6, on the right sides have all y’ and the rests on the
left sides

y’(x2 – 9x2y2 – 8y) = –2xy + 6xy3 – 6, factor out y’

 2xy  6xy 3  6
y'  , divide both sides by (x2 – 9x2y2 – 8y) to get y’.
x2  9x2 y2  8y