MathCastle
Multivariable CalculusMediumThe Chain Rule & Implicit Differentiation

The Chain Rule & Implicit Differentiation · Medium problem

Two waves traveling in opposite directions along a string combine to give w(x,t)=sin⁡(x−2t)+cos⁡(x+2t)w(x,t) = \sin(x-2t) + \cos(x+2t). The wave equation requires wtt=c2wxxw_{tt}=c^2w_{xx} for a constant c2c^2 (the squared wave speed). Using the chain rule to compute wttw_{tt} and wxxw_{xx} at (x,t)=(π,π4)(x,t) = \left(\pi, \dfrac{\pi}{4}\right), find c2=wtt/wxxc^2 = w_{tt}/w_{xx} at that point.