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  1. AP Pre Calculus
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Explain the difference between implicit and explicit functions.

Explicit functions have 'y' isolated. Implicit functions have 'x' and 'y' mixed, requiring implicit differentiation.

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Explain the difference between implicit and explicit functions.

Explicit functions have 'y' isolated. Implicit functions have 'x' and 'y' mixed, requiring implicit differentiation.

How does solving for 'y' in an implicit equation help understand the function?

It reveals explicit functions representing parts of the implicit relation and helps determine domain and range.

Explain how the slope of an implicitly defined function relates to the graph's behavior.

Positive slope: 'y' increases as 'x' increases. Negative slope: 'y' decreases as 'x' increases. Zero slope: horizontal tangent. Undefined slope: vertical tangent.

What are the implications of a horizontal tangent on the graph?

The function has a local maximum or minimum, or a point of inflection where the slope is momentarily zero.

What are the implications of a vertical tangent on the graph?

The derivative is undefined, often indicating a cusp or a point where the function changes direction sharply.

Describe the process of finding the derivative of an implicit function.

Differentiate both sides with respect to x, apply the chain rule where necessary, and solve for dy/dx.

Explain the significance of domain restrictions when solving for 'y'.

The domain of the resulting explicit function(s) may be narrower than the original implicit equation's allowed x-values.

How can implicit differentiation be used to find the equation of a tangent line?

Find dy/dx using implicit differentiation, evaluate at the given point to find the slope, and use the point-slope form of a line.

Explain the concept of related rates in the context of implicit functions.

Related rates problems involve finding the rate at which one quantity is changing by relating it to other quantities whose rates of change are known, often using implicit differentiation.

How does the chain rule apply in implicit differentiation?

When differentiating terms involving 'y' with respect to 'x', the chain rule requires multiplying by dydx\frac{dy}{dx}dxdy​ because 'y' is a function of 'x'.

What is an implicitly defined function?

An equation where x and y are related, but y is not explicitly isolated.

What is an explicit function?

A function where y is isolated on one side of the equation, expressed directly in terms of x.

Define the slope of a curve at a point.

The rate of change of y with respect to x (dy/dx) at that point, representing the tangent line's steepness.

What is a horizontal interval on a graph?

An interval where the rate of change of x with respect to y is zero (dx/dy = 0), resulting in a slope of zero.

What is a vertical interval on a graph?

An interval where the rate of change of y with respect to x is undefined, resulting in an undefined slope.

What does 'solving for y' mean in the context of implicit functions?

Isolating y in terms of x, which may result in one or more explicit functions representing parts of the original implicit relation.

Define the domain of an implicitly defined function.

The set of all possible x-values for which the function is defined.

Define the range of an implicitly defined function.

The set of all possible y-values that the function can take.

What is implicit differentiation?

A method used to find the derivative of an implicitly defined function by differentiating both sides of the equation with respect to x, treating y as a function of x.

What is the relationship between the graph of an implicitly defined function and the equation?

The graph is the set of all ordered pairs (x, y) that satisfy the equation.

Compare explicit and implicit differentiation.

Explicit: Differentiate directly. Implicit: Differentiate with respect to x, using chain rule for y terms, then solve for dy/dx. Explicit is easier when possible.

Compare horizontal and vertical tangent lines.

Horizontal: dy/dx = 0. Vertical: dy/dx is undefined. Horizontal indicates a local extremum or inflection point. Vertical indicates a cusp or sharp turn.

Compare solving for x vs. solving for y in an implicit equation.

Solving for x: expresses x as a function of y. Solving for y: expresses y as a function of x. The choice depends on which is easier and what information you need.

Compare the chain rule in explicit vs. implicit differentiation.

Explicit: Chain rule applied when differentiating a composite function directly. Implicit: Chain rule always applied when differentiating y terms with respect to x.

Compare the domains of an implicit equation and its explicit solution.

The domain of the explicit solution can be more restricted than the implicit equation due to square roots or other restrictions.

Compare related rates problems with explicit and implicit functions.

Explicit: Rates are usually directly given. Implicit: Rates are related through an equation, requiring implicit differentiation with respect to time.

Compare the use of the quotient rule in explicit vs. implicit differentiation.

Explicit: Quotient rule used when differentiating a quotient of functions directly. Implicit: Quotient rule may be needed when solving for dydx\frac{dy}{dx}dxdy​ after implicit differentiation.

Compare the graphs of implicit and explicit functions.

Explicit: Often simpler to visualize directly. Implicit: Can represent more complex relationships, but may require more analysis to graph.

Compare the use of implicit differentiation vs. explicit differentiation in finding the derivative of a circle.

Implicit: Differentiate x2+y2=r2x^2+y^2=r^2x2+y2=r2 directly. Explicit: Solve for y first, then differentiate. Implicit is often easier.

Compare finding the tangent line to a curve using explicit vs. implicit differentiation.

Explicit: Find dy/dx directly, then use point-slope form. Implicit: Find dy/dx implicitly, then use point-slope form. Implicit is necessary if you cannot solve for y.