 Implicit equation

An implicit equation specifies a relation between variables without isolating a designated output as an explicit function of the inputs. For example, $x^2+y^2=1$ specifies a circle. On $-1<x<1$, it determines the two real branches $y=\pm \sqrt{1-x^2}$, each an implicit function when one branch is selected. The implicit function theorem gives local conditions for a unique differentiable branch; implicit differentiation computes its derivative without first solving explicitly.