# Thread: I don't under stand the question...

1. ## I don't under stand the question...

I have a question.
Find the equation of the tangent at x=1 to the curve given by the solutions of
y^2 (x-1) + xy = 3
I worked out the derivative using explicit differentiation but now I am confused about the question because of "solutions", what is it asking me to do?
Thanks

2. Originally Posted by stripe501
I have a question.
Find the equation of the tangent at x=1 to the curve given by the solutions of
y^2 (x-1) + xy = 3
I worked out the derivative using explicit differentiation but now I am confused about the question because of "solutions", what is it asking me to do?
Thanks
explicit differentiation? I'd like to see how you pulled that off w/o an algebraic mess. You sure you don't mean implicit differentiation?

no matter ... sub x = 1 into the original equation for the curve to find its corresponding y-value (note there is only one solution in this case). use the x=1 and its corresponding y-value to determine the value of the derivative at that point. finally, write the tangent line equation.

3. Yeah I meant implicit
That what I did but the question just confused me.
Thanks a lot!