Skills Review for Implicit Differentiation

Learning Outcomes

  • Isolate a specific variable within a formula or equation

In the Implicit Differentiation section, you will learn how to take the derivative of functions that have both [latex]x[/latex] and [latex]y[/latex] on the same side of the equal sign. Here we will review solving an equation for a specified variable which will assist you when using differentiating certain types of functions implicitly.

Isolate a Specified Variable in an Equation

We will sometimes work with equations that contain more than one variable. You will sometimes have to solve the equation for one of the variables.

Example: Solve An Equation for A Specified Variable

Let [latex]x^{2}y-7x+y=3[/latex]. Solve for [latex]y[/latex].

Try It

Try It

Example: Solve An Equation for A Specified Variable

Let [latex]3x^{2}+y\cos{x}+x^{3}y=4[/latex]. Solve for [latex]y[/latex].