Differentiation of Implicit Relations

Summary

an explicit function is one where one variable is written in terms of the other such as y = 3x2 − 2x + 5

an implicit relation is one where it is difficult to express one variable in terms of the other such as x2 + y2 = 81

both types can be differentiated term by term.

terms containing y are differentiated using the chain rule.

Key Skills

differentiate implicit relations involving terms such as kxy and ky2

Vocabulary

explicit function, implicit function, chain rulevariable,differentiationfunction.