The derivative of y with respect to x

Consider the following for the two (02) items that follow : Let (x+y)^{p+q}=x^{p}y^{q}, where p, q are positive integers.

  1. A. depends on p only
  2. B. depends on q only
  3. C. depends on both p and q
  4. D. is independent of both p and q

Correct Answer: D. is independent of both p and q

Explanation

Taking natural log on both sides: (p+q)\ln(x+y) = p\ln x + q\ln y. Differentiating wrt x: \frac{p+q}{x+y}(1 + \frac{dy}{dx}) = \frac{p}{x} + \frac{q}{y}\frac{dy}{dx}. Rearranging gives \frac{dy}{dx}(\frac{p+q}{x+y} - \frac{q}{y}) = \frac{p}{x} - \frac{p+q}{x+y}. Simplifying both sides yields \frac{dy}{dx}(\frac{py-qx}{y(x+y)}) = \frac{py-qx}{x(x+y)} \implies \frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{y}{x}. Thus, the derivative depends on neither p nor q.

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