A curve has the equation 6x^(3/2) + 5y^2 = 2 (a) By differentiating implicitly, find dy/dx in terms of x and y. (b) Hence, find the gradient of the curve at the point (4, 3).

(a) To differentiate implicitly, differentiate x’s as normal and differentiate y’s with respect to y before multiplying by dy/dx. Therefore the differentiating the curve gives
9x^(1/2) + 10y*(dy/dx) = 0
which can be rearranged to give dy/dx = -9x^(1/2) / 10y
(b) at (4, 3) dy/dx = -94^(1/2) / 103
m^(1/2) is equivalent to √m so
dy/dx = -92 / 103 = -3 / 5

ML
Answered by Matthew L. Maths tutor

3803 Views

See similar Maths A Level tutors

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

A curve has equation y = 3x^3 - 7x + 10. Point A(-1, 14) lies on this curve. Find the equation of the tangent to the curve at the point A.


2+2 is 4, minus 1, that's what?


If n is an integer such that n>1 and f(x)=(sin(n*x))^n, what is f'(x)?


How do I find the turning points of a curve?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning