Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Implicit Differentiation
Implicit differentiation is a technique used to differentiate equations where the dependent and independent variables are not isolated. In this case, the equation y⁴ = y² - x² involves both x and y, making it necessary to apply implicit differentiation to find the slope of the curve at specific points. This method allows us to differentiate both sides of the equation with respect to x, treating y as a function of x.
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Slope of a Curve
The slope of a curve at a given point is defined as the derivative of the function at that point. It represents the rate of change of y with respect to x. For the curve defined by the equation y⁴ = y² - x², finding the slope at the specified points involves evaluating the derivative obtained from implicit differentiation and substituting the coordinates of the points into this derivative.
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Critical Points
Critical points are values of x where the derivative of a function is either zero or undefined. In the context of the given curve, identifying critical points can help determine where the slope changes, which is essential for understanding the behavior of the curve. The points provided in the question are critical for evaluating the slope, as they represent specific locations on the curve where the slope needs to be calculated.
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