[Math] Second derivative of x^(4) + y^(4) = 16 by implicit differentiation

implicit-differentiation

Find $y''$ if $x^4 + y^4 = 16$ by implicit differentiation

So after the first implicit differentiation I got this equation (let's call it A):

$4x^3 + 4y^3*\frac{dy}{dx} = 0$ Where $\frac{dy}{dx}$ is $y'$

At this point the text book finds the second derivative by making $\frac{dy}{dx}$ the subject and getting a value of $\frac{dy}{dx}$ in terms of y and x which is $\frac{-x^3}{y^3}$ and then taking $\frac{d}{dx}$ of $\frac{-x^3}{y^3}$ to work out $\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}$. I understand that there is nothing wrong with this approach. However I'm wondering why we can't do implicit differentiation again on Equation A(written above) just like we did on the original equation, in order to find $y''$. My reasoning is given below, please tell me what's wrong with it.

$\frac{d}{dx}(4x^3 + 4y^3*\frac{dy}{dx}=0)$

$12x^2 + [12y^2\frac{dy}{dx}+\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}4x^3] = 0$

Making $\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}$ the subject I get:

$\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}=y''=\frac{3x^2(x+y)}{y^4}$

However the textbook gives the answer as:

$\frac{-3x^2(x^4+y^4)}{y^7}$ and since $x^4+y^4=16$

$\frac{-3x^2(16)}{y^7}$ = $\frac{-48x^2}{y^7}$

I feel like there's a missing algebraic link between the textbook's answer and mine, or maybe my second order differentiation was wrong? Let me know, thank you.

Best Answer

Your approach is valid, but it's easy to lose ourselves in the notation. I will make the substitution $g = \frac{dy}{dx}$.

Equation $(A)$ becomes $4x^3 + 4y^3 g = 0$. Differentiating with respect to $y$, we have

$$12x^3 + 12y^2\frac{dy}{dx}g+4y^3\frac{dg}{dx}=0.$$

Notice that another $\frac{dy}{dx}$ popped up from $\frac{d}{dx}4y^3$. Now, $$12x^3 + 12y^2\left(\frac{dy}{dx}\right)^2+4y^3\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}=0.$$

Solving this for $\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}$ will yield the correct result after some manipulation.

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