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dy/dx when x = cos(y)

Can someone give me a hint on what to do next in the following question:

If x=cosyx = cos y find dydx\frac{dy}{dx}. Give your answer in terms of x.

dxdy=siny\frac{dx}{dy} = -sin y
dydx=cscy=csc(arccosx)\frac{dy}{dx} = -csc y = -csc(arccos x)

This is where I'm stuck.

[Edit: Found a solution elsewhere]
(edited 11 years ago)
Reply 1
if you derive the fuction w.r.t. x , then you`ve gotten to the point already: dx/dy= -sin(y)

notice, if x= cos(y), then -sin(y)= -(sqrt(1-x^2)), EDIT:[from] take the reciprocal and...

(also you can check this if you take y=Arccos(x).
(edited 11 years ago)
Reply 2
Original post by Ateo
Can someone give me a hint on what to do next in the following question:

If x=cosyx = cos y find dydx\frac{dy}{dx}. Give your answer in terms of x.

dxdy=siny\frac{dx}{dy} = -sin y
dydx=cscy=csc(arccosx)\frac{dy}{dx} = -csc y = -csc(arccos x)

This is where I'm stuck.

[Edit: Found a solution elsewhere]


You are right
dydx=cscy=csc(arccosx)=1sin(arccosx)=11(cos(arccosx))2=11x2\frac{dy}{dx} = -csc y = -csc(arccos x)=-\frac{1}{sin(arccosx)}=-\frac{1}{\sqrt{1-(cos(arccosx))^2}}=-\frac{1}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}

So you differenciated y=arccosx from its x=cosy implicit form
which is known as differentiation of inverse function.
dydx=1dxdy\frac{dy}{dx}=\frac{1}{\frac{dx}{dy}}
You can get the derivative of f.e arcsinx, arctanx, lnx, arsinhx, artanhx with this method (going back to a known derivative with invertation) and memorize them as base differentiation rules.
(edited 11 years ago)
Reply 3
Original post by ztibor
You are right
dydx=cscy=csc(arccosx)=1sin(arccosx)=11(cos(arccosx))2=11x2\frac{dy}{dx} = -csc y = -csc(arccos x)=-\frac{1}{sin(arccosx)}=-\frac{1}{\sqrt{1-(cos(arccosx))^2}}=-\frac{1}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}

So you differenciated y=arccosx from its x=cosy implicit form
which is known as differentiation of inverse function.
dydx=1dxdy\frac{dy}{dx}=\frac{1}{\frac{dx}{dy}}
You can get the derivative of f.e arcsinx, arctanx, lnx, arsinhx, artanhx with this method (going back to a known derivative with invertation) and memorize them as base differentiation rules.


I will do that, it will definitely be useful. For the above question I just didn't think of substituting trigonometric identities in. I'm fine with it now.

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