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 explicitly separated. In this case, the equation (x² + y²)² = (25/4)xy² involves both x and y, requiring us to differentiate both sides with respect to x while treating y as a function of x. This method allows us to find dy/dx, which is essential for determining the slope of the tangent line.
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Finding The Implicit Derivative
Tangent Line Equation
The equation of a tangent line at a given point on a curve can be expressed using the point-slope form: y - y₀ = m(x - x₀), where (x₀, y₀) is the point of tangency and m is the slope at that point. Once the derivative (slope) is calculated using implicit differentiation, it can be substituted into this formula along with the coordinates of the point (1, 2) to find the specific equation of the tangent line.
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Equations of Tangent Lines
Chain Rule
The chain rule is a fundamental principle in calculus used to differentiate composite functions. In the context of implicit differentiation, it allows us to differentiate terms involving y, which is a function of x. For example, when differentiating y², we apply the chain rule to obtain 2y(dy/dx), which is crucial for correctly finding the derivative of the given implicit equation.
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