Lesson plan
Implicit function theorem
In multivariable calculus, the implicit function theorem is a theorem that provides sufficient conditions under which a planar curve specified by F(x,y)=0 can also be specified as the graph of a function f , so that for each point (x,y) on part of the curve, y = f(x) . An example is the unit circle, whose points (x,y) satisfy x^2+y^2-1=0 , which can locally be solved (if y > 0 ) by y=\sqrt{1-x^2} , expressing the top semicircle as a graph. It is not always possible to solve the equation F(x,y)=0 for y algebraically, and the implicit function theorem gives analytic conditions under which there exists a function f whose graph belongs to the given curve, and, in some formulations, also gives a way of constructing approximations to f . More generally, given a system of equations (often abbreviated into ), the theorem states that, under a mild condition on the partial derivatives (with respect to each ) at a point, the variables are differentiable functions of the in some neighbourhood of the point. As these functions generally cannot be expressed in closed form, they are implicitly defined by the equations, and this motivated the name of the theorem. In other words, under a mild condition on the partial derivatives, the set of zeros of a system of equations is locally the graph of a function.
Article summary
In multivariable calculus, the implicit function theorem is a theorem that provides sufficient conditions under which a planar curve specified by F(x,y)=0 can also be specified as the graph of a function f , so that for each point (x,y) on part of the curve, y = f(x) . An example is the unit circle, whose points (x,y) satisfy x^2+y^2-1=0 , which can locally be solved (if y > 0 ) by y=\sqrt{1-x^2} , expressing the top semicircle as a graph. It is not always possible to solve the equation F(x,y)=0 for y algebraically, and the implicit function theorem gives analytic conditions under which there exists a function f whose graph belongs to the given curve, and, in some formulations, also gives a way of constructing approximations to f . More generally, given a system of equations (often abbreviated into ), the theorem states that, under a mild condition on the partial derivatives (with respect to each ) at a point, the variables are differentiable functions of the in some neighbourhood of the point. As these functions generally cannot be expressed in closed form, they are implicitly defined by the equations, and this motivated the name of the theorem. In other words, under a mild condition on the partial derivatives, the set of zeros of a system of equations is locally the graph of a function.
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Discussion questions
- Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
- Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
- If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?
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