Table of contents
- 0. Functions7h 52m
- Introduction to Functions16m
- Piecewise Functions10m
- Properties of Functions9m
- Common Functions1h 8m
- Transformations5m
- Combining Functions27m
- Exponent rules32m
- Exponential Functions28m
- Logarithmic Functions24m
- Properties of Logarithms34m
- Exponential & Logarithmic Equations35m
- Introduction to Trigonometric Functions38m
- Graphs of Trigonometric Functions44m
- Trigonometric Identities47m
- Inverse Trigonometric Functions48m
- 1. Limits and Continuity2h 2m
- 2. Intro to Derivatives1h 33m
- 3. Techniques of Differentiation3h 18m
- 4. Applications of Derivatives2h 38m
- 5. Graphical Applications of Derivatives6h 2m
- 6. Derivatives of Inverse, Exponential, & Logarithmic Functions2h 37m
- 7. Antiderivatives & Indefinite Integrals1h 26m
- 8. Definite Integrals4h 44m
- 9. Graphical Applications of Integrals2h 27m
- 10. Physics Applications of Integrals 2h 22m
4. Applications of Derivatives
Implicit Differentiation
Problem 3.8.63b
Textbook Question
Witch of Agnesi Let y(x²+4)=8 (see figure). <IMAGE>
b. Find equations of all lines tangent to the curve y(x²+4)=8 when y=1.

1
First, rewrite the given equation y(x² + 4) = 8 in terms of y: y = 8 / (x² + 4). This represents the Witch of Agnesi curve.
To find the tangent lines, we need to determine the derivative of y with respect to x. Use the quotient rule for differentiation: if y = u/v, then y' = (u'v - uv') / v².
Apply the quotient rule to y = 8 / (x² + 4). Here, u = 8 and v = x² + 4. Calculate u' = 0 and v' = 2x. Substitute these into the quotient rule formula to find y'.
Set y = 1 in the original equation to find the x-values where the curve has y = 1. Solve 1(x² + 4) = 8 for x, which simplifies to x² + 4 = 8, leading to x² = 4. Solve for x to find x = ±2.
Substitute x = ±2 into the derivative y' to find the slope of the tangent lines at these points. Use the point-slope form of a line, y - y₁ = m(x - x₁), where m is the slope and (x₁, y₁) is the point of tangency, to write the equations of the tangent lines.

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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Implicit Differentiation
Implicit differentiation is a technique used to find the derivative of a function defined implicitly by an equation involving both x and y. In this case, since y is expressed in terms of x², we differentiate both sides of the equation with respect to x, applying the chain rule where necessary. This allows us to find dy/dx, which is essential for determining the slope of the tangent lines.
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Tangent Line Equation
The equation of a tangent line at a given point on a curve can be expressed using the point-slope form: y - y₀ = m(x - x₀), where (x₀, y₀) is the point of tangency and m is the slope at that point. To find the tangent lines when y=1, we first need to determine the corresponding x-values and then calculate the slope using the derivative obtained from implicit differentiation.
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Witch of Agnesi
The Witch of Agnesi is a specific type of curve defined by the equation y(x² + 4) = 8, which can be rearranged to express y in terms of x. This curve is notable in calculus for its symmetrical properties and its applications in probability and statistics. Understanding its shape and behavior is crucial for analyzing tangent lines and their equations.
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