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Ready to level up? So far, we've handled basic functions, but real life is rarely that simple—it’s layered. Think of a ripple in a pond: the area depends on the radius, which depends on time. That's a "function within a function," and we need the Chain Rule to crack it.
In this unit, we’re moving past $y = f(x)$ to tackle messy equations where $x$ and $y$ are "it's complicated" (Implicit Differentiation) and flipping the script with Inverse Functions. By the end, you'll be able to differentiate the complex, multi-layered models used in high-level STEM and economics. Let's dive in.
The Chain Rule is the most widely used differentiation rule in calculus. It allows us to differentiate "layered" functions. Think of it like a processing line:
{
"title": "The Chain Rule: Function Composition Flow",
"width": 520,
"height": 200,
"background": "grid",
"elements": [
{ "type": "rect", "x": 160, "y": 70, "w": 100, "h": 60, "label": "Inner: g(x)", "fill": "#818cf8" },
{ "type": "rect", "x": 360, "y": 70, "w": 100, "h": 60, "label": "Outer: f(u)", "fill": "#f472b6" },
{ "type": "vector", "x1": 60, "y1": 100, "x2": 160, "y2": 100, "label": "Input x", "color": "#475569" },
{ "type": "vector", "x1": 260, "y1": 100, "x2": 360, "y2": 100, "label": "u = g(x)", "color": "#475569" },
{ "type": "vector", "x1": 460, "y1": 100, "x2": 510, "y2": 100, "label": "f(g(x))", "color": "#475569" },
{ "type": "label", "x": 260, "y": 170, "text": "Derivative = f'(g(x)) · g'(x)", "size": 16, "bold": true }
]
}
The Formula:
If $y = f(u)$ and $u = g(x)$, then the derivative of $y$ with respect to $x$ is:
$$\frac{dy}{dx} = f'(g(x)) \cdot g'(x)$$
Step-by-Step Application:
Example: To differentiate $y = (3x^2 + 1)^5$:
Most functions we have encountered are explicit, like $y = \sqrt{x}$. However, equations like $x^2 + y^2 = 25$ (a circle) are implicit. We could solve for $y = \pm\sqrt{25 - x^2}$, but this creates two separate functions. Implicit differentiation allows us to find the slope $\frac{dy}{dx}$ without isolating $y$.
{
"type": "scatter",
"title": "Implicit Curve: Circle x² + y² = 25",
"subtitle": "Calculating slopes on a non-function curve",
"xLabel": "x",
"yLabel": "y",
"datasets": [
{ "label": "x² + y² = 25", "data": [{"x":-5,"y":0},{"x":-4.8,"y":1.4},{"x":-4,"y":3},{"x":-3,"y":4},{"x":0,"y":5},{"x":3,"y":4},{"x":4,"y":3},{"x":4.8,"y":1.4},{"x":5,"y":0},{"x":4.8,"y":-1.4},{"x":4,"y":-3},{"x":3,"y":-4},{"x":0,"y":-5},{"x":-3,"y":-4},{"x":-4,"y":-3},{"x":-4.8,"y":-1.4},{"x":-5,"y":0}], "showLine": true, "borderColor": "#6366f1", "tension": 0.4 },
{ "label": "Tangent at (3, 4)", "data": [{"x":1,"y":5.5},{"x":3,"y":4},{"x":5,"y":2.5}], "showLine": true, "borderColor": "#ef4444", "pointRadius": 5 }
]
}
The Process:
Example: $x^2 + y^2 = 25$
$$\frac{d}{dx}(x^2) + \frac{d}{dx}(y^2) = \frac{d}{dx}(25)$$
$$2x + 2y \frac{dy}{dx} = 0$$
$$2y \frac{dy}{dx} = -2x \implies \frac{dy}{dx} = -\frac{x}{y}$$
The derivative of an inverse function is geometrically related to the derivative of the original function. Since an inverse function is a reflection over the line $y = x$, the slope at a point $(a, b)$ on $f$ is the reciprocal of the slope at point $(b, a)$ on $f^{-1}$.
{
"type": "line",
"title": "f(x) and its Inverse f⁻¹(x)",
"subtitle": "Reflected across y = x",
"xLabel": "x",
"yLabel": "y",
"labels": ["0", "0.5", "1", "1.5", "2", "2.5", "3"],
"datasets": [
{ "label": "f(x) = x² (x≥0)", "data": [0, 0.25, 1, 2.25, 4, 6.25, 9], "borderColor": "#10b981" },
{ "label": "f⁻¹(x) = √x", "data": [0, 0.71, 1, 1.22, 1.41, 1.58, 1.73], "borderColor": "#f59e0b" },
{ "label": "y = x", "data": [0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3], "borderColor": "#94a3b8", "borderDash": [5, 5] }
]
}
The Theorem:
If $f$ is differentiable and has an inverse $g$, then:
$$g'(x) = \frac{1}{f'(g(x))}$$
This is derived by starting with $f(g(x)) = x$ and differentiating both sides using the chain rule:
$$f'(g(x)) \cdot g'(x) = 1 \implies g'(x) = \frac{1}{f'(g(x))}$$
Using implicit differentiation, we can derive the derivatives of inverse trig functions. Let $y = \arcsin(x)$. This means $\sin(y) = x$.
Differentiating implicitly:
$$\cos(y) \cdot \frac{dy}{dx} = 1 \implies \frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{1}{\cos(y)}$$
Using the identity $\cos^2(y) + \sin^2(y) = 1$, we know $\cos(y) = \sqrt{1 - \sin^2(y)} = \sqrt{1 - x^2}$.
Thus:
$$\frac{d}{dx}(\arcsin x) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{1 - x^2}}$$
Standard Derivatives Table:
| Function $f(x)$ | Derivative $f'(x)$ |
|---|---|
| $\arcsin(x)$ | $\frac{1}{\sqrt{1 - x^2}}$ |
| $\arccos(x)$ | $-\frac{1}{\sqrt{1 - x^2}}$ |
| $\arctan(x)$ | $\frac{1}{1 + x^2}$ |
| $\text{arccot}(x)$ | $-\frac{1}{1 + x^2}$ |
| $\text{arcsec}(x)$ | $\frac{1}{ |
| $\text{arccsc}(x)$ | $-\frac{1}{ |
To find the second derivative $\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}$ of an implicitly defined curve, differentiate the first derivative expression $\frac{dy}{dx}$ with respect to $x$. This usually involves the quotient rule and requires substituting the expression for $\frac{dy}{dx}$ back into the final equation to get the result in terms of $x$ and $y$.
Differentiate $y = \sin(x^3)$.
Solution:
Inner function $u = x^3$, $u' = 3x^2$.
Outer function $f(u) = \sin(u)$, $f'(u) = \cos(u)$.
$$\frac{dy}{dx} = \cos(x^3) \cdot 3x^2 = 3x^2 \cos(x^3)$$
Differentiate $f(x) = (4x^2 - 3x + 2)^7$.
Solution:
$$f'(x) = 7(4x^2 - 3x + 2)^6 \cdot \frac{d}{dx}(4x^2 - 3x + 2)$$
$$f'(x) = 7(4x^2 - 3x + 2)^6 (8x - 3)$$
Differentiate $y = e^{\tan x}$.
Solution:
The derivative of $e^u$ is $e^u \cdot \frac{du}{dx}$.
$$\frac{dy}{dx} = e^{\tan x} \cdot \sec^2 x$$
Differentiate $y = \ln(\cos(e^x))$.
Solution:
This has three layers: $\ln(\dots)$, $\cos(\dots)$, and $e^x$.
$$\frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{1}{\cos(e^x)} \cdot (-\sin(e^x)) \cdot e^x$$
$$\frac{dy}{dx} = -e^x \tan(e^x)$$
Find $\frac{dy}{dx}$ for $x^3 + y^3 = 6xy$.
Solution:
Differentiate with respect to $x$:
$$3x^2 + 3y^2 \frac{dy}{dx} = 6(1 \cdot y + x \cdot \frac{dy}{dx})$$
$$3x^2 + 3y^2 \frac{dy}{dx} = 6y + 6x \frac{dy}{dx}$$
$$(3y^2 - 6x) \frac{dy}{dx} = 6y - 3x^2$$
$$\frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{6y - 3x^2}{3y^2 - 6x} = \frac{2y - x^2}{y^2 - 2x}$$
Find $\frac{dy}{dx}$ for $\sin(x+y) = y$.
Solution:
$$\cos(x+y) \cdot (1 + \frac{dy}{dx}) = \frac{dy}{dx}$$
$$\cos(x+y) + \cos(x+y)\frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{dy}{dx}$$
$$\cos(x+y) = \frac{dy}{dx} - \cos(x+y)\frac{dy}{dx}$$
$$\frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{\cos(x+y)}{1 - \cos(x+y)}$$
Find the equation of the tangent line to $x^2 + xy + y^2 = 7$ at the point $(1, 2)$.
Solution:
For the ellipse $4x^2 + 9y^2 = 36$, find the points where the tangent is horizontal.
Solution:
Differentiate: $8x + 18y \frac{dy}{dx} = 0 \implies \frac{dy}{dx} = -\frac{4x}{9y}$.
For horizontal tangent, $\frac{dy}{dx} = 0 \implies -4x = 0 \implies x = 0$.
Plug $x = 0$ into original: $9y^2 = 36 \implies y^2 = 4 \implies y = \pm 2$.
Points: $(0, 2)$ and $(0, -2)$.
For the same ellipse $4x^2 + 9y^2 = 36$, find points where the tangent is vertical.
Solution:
Tangent is vertical where the denominator of $\frac{dy}{dx}$ is $0$: $9y = 0 \implies y = 0$.
Plug $y = 0$ into original: $4x^2 = 36 \implies x^2 = 9 \implies x = \pm 3$.
Points: $(3, 0)$ and $(-3, 0)$.
If $f(x) = x^3 + x$, find $(f^{-1})'(2)$.
Solution:
Find the derivative of the inverse of $f(x) = \sqrt{x-1}$.
Solution:
$y = \sqrt{x-1} \implies x = y^2 + 1$. So $f^{-1}(x) = x^2 + 1$.
$\frac{d}{dx}(f^{-1}(x)) = 2x$.
Using the formula: $f'(x) = \frac{1}{2\sqrt{x-1}}$.
$g'(x) = \frac{1}{f'(g(x))} = \frac{1}{\frac{1}{2\sqrt{(x^2+1)-1}}} = 2\sqrt{x^2} = 2x$. (Matches!)
Find $f'(x)$ for $f(x) = \arctan(x^2)$.
Solution:
Using Chain Rule on $\arctan(u)$:
$$f'(x) = \frac{1}{1 + (x^2)^2} \cdot \frac{d}{dx}(x^2) = \frac{2x}{1 + x^4}$$
Find $\frac{dy}{dx}$ for $y = \arcsin(e^x)$.
Solution:
$$\frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{1 - (e^x)^2}} \cdot e^x = \frac{e^x}{\sqrt{1 - e^{2x}}}$$
Find $\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}$ for $x^2 + y^2 = 1$.
Solution:
Differentiate $y = \ln(x^2 + 2x + 1)$.
Solution:
$$y' = \frac{1}{x^2 + 2x + 1} \cdot (2x + 2) = \frac{2(x+1)}{(x+1)^2} = \frac{2}{x+1}$$
Find $f'(x)$ for $f(x) = \text{arcsec}(5x)$.
Solution:
$$f'(x) = \frac{1}{|5x|\sqrt{(5x)^2 - 1}} \cdot 5 = \frac{5}{5|x|\sqrt{25x^2 - 1}} = \frac{1}{|x|\sqrt{25x^2 - 1}}$$
Differentiate $y = x^2 \cos(3x)$.
Solution:
$$y' = (x^2)' \cos(3x) + x^2 (\cos(3x))'$$
$$y' = 2x \cos(3x) + x^2 (-\sin(3x) \cdot 3) = 2x \cos(3x) - 3x^2 \sin(3x)$$
Find $\frac{dy}{dx}$ if $e^y = x^2 + y$.
Solution:
$$e^y \frac{dy}{dx} = 2x + \frac{dy}{dx}$$
$$(e^y - 1) \frac{dy}{dx} = 2x \implies \frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{2x}{e^y - 1}$$
Differentiate $y = \frac{\arctan x}{x}$.
Solution:
$$y' = \frac{(\frac{1}{1+x^2})(x) - (1)(\arctan x)}{x^2} = \frac{x - (1+x^2)\arctan x}{x^2(1+x^2)}$$
Find the slope of $y^2(y^2-4) = x^2(x^2-5)$ at $(0, -2)$.
Solution:
$$(4y^3 - 8y)\frac{dy}{dx} = 4x^3 - 10x$$
Plug in $x=0, y=-2$:
$$(4(-8) - 8(-2))\frac{dy}{dx} = 0$$
$$(-32 + 16)\frac{dy}{dx} = 0 \implies -16\frac{dy}{dx} = 0 \implies \frac{dy}{dx} = 0$$
Differentiate $y = \sqrt{1 + \sqrt{x}}$.
Solution:
$$y' = \frac{1}{2\sqrt{1 + \sqrt{x}}} \cdot \frac{d}{dx}(1 + \sqrt{x})$$
$$y' = \frac{1}{2\sqrt{1 + \sqrt{x}}} \cdot \frac{1}{2\sqrt{x}} = \frac{1}{4\sqrt{x + x\sqrt{x}}}$$
Find $\frac{dy}{dx}$ for $y = \arccos(\sin x)$.
Solution:
$$\frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{-1}{\sqrt{1 - \sin^2 x}} \cdot \cos x = \frac{-1}{\sqrt{\cos^2 x}} \cdot \cos x = \frac{-\cos x}{|\cos x|}$$
(Result is $-1$ or $1$ depending on the quadrant).
Find $\frac{dy}{dx}$ for $(x+y)^3 = x^3 + y^3$.
Solution:
$$3(x+y)^2(1 + \frac{dy}{dx}) = 3x^2 + 3y^2\frac{dy}{dx}$$
$$(x+y)^2 + (x+y)^2\frac{dy}{dx} = x^2 + y^2\frac{dy}{dx}$$
$$\frac{dy}{dx}((x+y)^2 - y^2) = x^2 - (x+y)^2$$
$$\frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{x^2 - (x^2+2xy+y^2)}{(x^2+2xy+y^2) - y^2} = \frac{-2xy-y^2}{x^2+2xy}$$
Given the table:
| $x$ | $f(x)$ | $f'(x)$ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | 5 |
| 3 | 2 | -4 |
Find $(f^{-1})'(3)$.
Solution:
We need $x$ such that $f(x) = 3$. From the table, $x=1$.
$$(f^{-1})'(3) = \frac{1}{f'(1)} = \frac{1}{5}$$
Differentiate $y = \cos^4(x^2)$.
Solution:
Layers: $u^4 \rightarrow \cos(v) \rightarrow x^2$.
$$y' = 4\cos^3(x^2) \cdot (-\sin(x^2)) \cdot 2x = -8x \cos^3(x^2) \sin(x^2)$$
Differentiate $y = \text{arccot}(\sqrt{x})$.
Solution:
$$y' = \frac{-1}{1 + (\sqrt{x})^2} \cdot \frac{1}{2\sqrt{x}} = \frac{-1}{2\sqrt{x}(1+x)}$$
Find $\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}$ at $(1,1)$ for $x^2 + y^2 = 2x$.
Solution:
The volume of a sphere is $V = \frac{4}{3}\pi r^3$. If the radius is changing with time $r(t)$, find $\frac{dV}{dt}$.
Solution:
By the Chain Rule:
$$\frac{dV}{dt} = \frac{dV}{dr} \cdot \frac{dr}{dt} = 4\pi r^2 \frac{dr}{dt}$$
Solution:
$$y' = \frac{1}{\sec x + \tan x} \cdot (\sec x \tan x + \sec^2 x)$$
$$y' = \frac{\sec x (\tan x + \sec x)}{\sec x + \tan x} = \sec x$$
Find $\frac{dy}{dx}$.
Solution:
$$1 = \cos y \frac{dy}{dx} \implies \frac{dy}{dx} = \sec y = \frac{1}{\sqrt{1 - \sin^2 y}} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{1 - x^2}}$$
Find $\frac{dy}{dx}$ for $x^2y^2 = (x+y)^2$.
Solution:
$2xy^2 + x^2(2y y') = 2(x+y)(1+y')$.
$2xy^2 + 2x^2y y' = 2x + 2y + 2x y' + 2y y'$.
$x^2y y' - x y' - y y' = x + y - xy^2$.
$y'(x^2y - x - y) = x + y - xy^2$.
$y' = \frac{x + y - xy^2}{x^2y - x - y}$.
Solution:
$$y' = \frac{1}{\sqrt{1 - (x/a)^2}} \cdot \frac{1}{a} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{\frac{a^2 - x^2}{a^2}}} \cdot \frac{1}{a} = \frac{1}{\frac{\sqrt{a^2 - x^2}}{a}} \cdot \frac{1}{a} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{a^2 - x^2}}$$
Find the derivative of $y = \ln|x|$.
Solution:
For $x > 0$, $y = \ln x$, $y' = 1/x$.
For $x < 0$, $y = \ln(-x)$, $y' = \frac{1}{-x} \cdot (-1) = 1/x$.
Thus, for all $x \neq 0$, $\frac{d}{dx} \ln|x| = \frac{1}{x}$.
Find $(f^{-1})'(y)$ if $f(x) = \frac{x-1}{x+1}$.
Solution:
$f'(x) = \frac{(1)(x+1) - (1)(x-1)}{(x+1)^2} = \frac{2}{(x+1)^2}$.
$(f^{-1})'(y) = \frac{1}{f'(x)} = \frac{(x+1)^2}{2}$.
To express in terms of $y$, solve $y = \frac{x-1}{x+1} \implies yx + y = x - 1 \implies x(y-1) = -y-1 \implies x = \frac{y+1}{1-y}$.
Substitute $x$: $(f^{-1})'(y) = \frac{(\frac{y+1}{1-y} + 1)^2}{2} = \dots = \frac{2}{(1-y)^2}$.
Show that for the circle $x^2 + y^2 = r^2$, the curvature-related value $y''$ satisfies $y'' = -\frac{r^2}{y^3}$.
Solution:
As shown in Example 14, $y' = -x/y$ and $y'' = \frac{-y^2 - x^2}{y^3}$.
Substituting $x^2 + y^2 = r^2$:
$$y'' = \frac{-(x^2+y^2)}{y^3} = -\frac{r^2}{y^3}$$
End of Chapter.
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