Application of implicit differentiation

Use implicit differentiation to find the slope of the tangent line to the curve x 3 + y3 = 9 at the point

(1, 2) and find the equation of the tangent line.

Solution:

x3 + y 3 = 9

dy
3x2 + 3y2 = 0
dx

dy
3y2 = - 3x2
dx

dy 3 x2 x2
dx
= - = -
3 y2 y2
2
dy x
dx
= - 2 slope of the tangent line (mTL)
y

x2
mTL = - 2
y
2
dy (1) 1
At the point (1, 2),
dx
= - 2 = -
4
( the slope of the tangent line)
(2)

To find the equation of the tangent line:

y - y1 = mTL (x - x1)
1
y-2 = -4 (x - 1)

1
4[y - 2 = -4 (x - 1)] 4

4y – 8 = - 1( x - 1)

4y – 8 = - x + 1

x + 4y =8+1

Standard form: x + 4y = 9 (Equation of the tangent line)