[Cambridge/9709/2006]
The equation of a curve is x3+2y3=3xyx^3 + 2y^3 = 3xy.

  1. (i)

    Show that dydx=y−x22y2−x\frac{\text{d}y}{\text{d}x} = \frac{y - x^2}{2y^2 - x}.

  2. (ii)

    Find the coordinates of the point, other than the origin, where the curve has a tangent which is parallel to the xx-axis.

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Worked solution

Q6(i)

1. Differentiate the left-hand side of the equation with respect to $x$.

ddx(x3+2y3)=3x2+6y2dydx\frac{\text{d}}{\text{d}x}(x^3 + 2y^3) = 3x^2 + 6y^2 \frac{\text{d}y}{\text{d}x}

2. Differentiate the right-hand side using the product rule.

ddx(3xy)=3y+3xdydx\frac{\text{d}}{\text{d}x}(3xy) = 3y + 3x \frac{\text{d}y}{\text{d}x}

3. Equate the derivatives and collect terms involving $\frac{\text{d}y}{\text{d}x}$.

3x2+6y2dydx=3y+3xdydx3x^2 + 6y^2 \frac{\text{d}y}{\text{d}x} = 3y + 3x \frac{\text{d}y}{\text{d}x}

6y2dydx−3xdydx=3y−3x26y^2 \frac{\text{d}y}{\text{d}x} - 3x \frac{\text{d}y}{\text{d}x} = 3y - 3x^2

4. Factorise $\frac{\text{d}y}{\text{d}x}$ and simplify to arrive at the given expression.

3(2y2−x)dydx=3(y−x2)3(2y^2 - x)\frac{\text{d}y}{\text{d}x} = 3(y - x^2)

(2y2−x)dydx=y−x2(2y^2 - x)\frac{\text{d}y}{\text{d}x} = y - x^2

dydx=y−x22y2−x\frac{\text{d}y}{\text{d}x} = \frac{y - x^2}{2y^2 - x}

Answer

dydx=y−x22y2−x\frac{\text{d}y}{\text{d}x} = \frac{y - x^2}{2y^2 - x} (Shown)

Q6(ii)

1. Apply the condition for a tangent parallel to the $x$-axis to find a relationship between $x$ and $y$.

A tangent parallel to the xx-axis means dydx=0\frac{\text{d}y}{\text{d}x} = 0.
y−x22y2−x=0\frac{y - x^2}{2y^2 - x} = 0
y−x2=0  ⟹  y=x2y - x^2 = 0 \implies y = x^2

2. Substitute $y = x^2$ into the equation of the curve.

x3+2(x2)3=3x(x2)x^3 + 2(x^2)^3 = 3x(x^2)
x3+2x6=3x3x^3 + 2x^6 = 3x^3

3. Solve the resulting polynomial equation for $x$.

2x6−2x3=02x^6 - 2x^3 = 0
2x3(x3−1)=02x^3(x^3 - 1) = 0
x3=0orx3−1=0x^3 = 0 \quad \text{or} \quad x^3 - 1 = 0
x=0orx=1x = 0 \quad \text{or} \quad x = 1

4. Reject the origin, find the required $y$-coordinate, and check validity.

The question specifies the point is 'other than the origin', so we reject x=0x = 0.
For x=1x = 1:
y=(1)2=1y = (1)^2 = 1
(Check that the denominator 2y2−x=2(1)2−1=1≠02y^2 - x = 2(1)^2 - 1 = 1 \neq 0, so the derivative is defined.)

The coordinates of the point are (1,1)(1, 1).

Answer

(1,1)(1, 1)

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