Implicit differentiation
What Implicit differentiation means in Mathematics A-Level, as defined for AQA, Pearson Edexcel, WJEC.
Definitions of Implicit differentiation
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Reference: AQA
Differentiating each term of a relation with respect to x, applying the chain rule to terms containing y, then rearranging to make dy/dx the subject.
Differentiates equations where y cannot easily be isolated as a function of x, applying the chain rule term-by-term.
Differentiating each term of an implicit relation with respect to x, remembering that y is a function of x.
Topics that use Implicit differentiation
- G: Differentiation (AQA A-Level)
- Differentiation (Pearson Edexcel A-Level)
- Differentiation (A2 Unit 3: Pure Mathematics B) (WJEC A-Level)
Related terms
- Chain rule
- Parametric differentiation
- Product rule
- Quotient rule
- connected rates of change
- Derivative
- differentiation from first principles
- Point of inflection
Using Implicit differentiation in the exam
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