What are alternative methods for solving the O.D.E. y'=(x^2+y^2)/xy?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving the ordinary differential equation (O.D.E.) y' = (x^2 + y^2) / xy. Participants explore various methods for tackling this equation, noting its non-separable nature and considering alternative approaches.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants suggest using change of variables, specifically substituting y = xV(x) or y = vx, to transform the equation into a separable form. Others discuss rewriting the equation in different formats to facilitate separation. Questions arise regarding the implications of taking square roots and the validity of both positive and negative solutions.

Discussion Status

Several participants have offered guidance on potential methods, including variable substitutions and transformations. There is an ongoing exploration of the implications of solutions, particularly concerning the signs of the results. The discussion reflects a mix of interpretations and approaches without reaching a definitive consensus.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of boundary or initial conditions in determining unique solutions, indicating that without such constraints, multiple solutions may exist.

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for this O.D.E. :
y`= (x^2 + y^2)/xy
it's unseparable, so what other methods can there be taken?
 
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It's a change of variables case (actually exercise #1 in my book on this topic), the way you do this is check to see whether f(x,y) = f(tx,ty), where f(x,y) = dy/dx.
So if you substitute tx and ty for x and y respectively, you'll see that equality holds. Then do following substitution: y = x V(x) into the DE and see what you get with applying dy/dx and some simplifications. It should reduce to separable equation.
 
This is just like the post about the other ODE. You can write it as:

[tex]y'=x/y+y/x[/tex]

Again, with the substitution z=y/x it becomes:

[tex]z+xz'=1/z+z[/tex]
or
[tex]z'=1/(xz)[/tex]
which is separable.
 
it's homogenous, separable, use v=y/x
 
ok, thanks!
 
here's my work:
y`=x/y +x/y
suppose y=vx
=>v=y/x
=> y`=v+xv`
so v+xv`=1/v+v
=> vdv=dx/x
=> v^2=ln[absolute value(x)]+c`
=> (y^2)/(x^2)=ln[absolute value(x)]+c
=> y^2=2(x^2)ln[absolute value(x)]+cx^2
now if i take the square root on both sides, there should be a positive and negative sign on the right~
the correct answer should only have the positive sign, but how can you be sure that it should be positive?
 
asdf1 said:
here's my work:
y`=x/y +x/y
suppose y=vx
=>v=y/x
=> y`=v+xv`
so v+xv`=1/v+v
=> vdv=dx/x
=> v^2=ln[absolute value(x)]+c`
Whoopsie, you've forgot a factor 1/2 on the left side.

You can use either sign, both will be valid solutions to the ODE. This becomes clear when you plug y back into the ODE to check if it works out. Then, with the benefit of hindsight, you could foresee this, since if y is one solution, then the other is -y and it's derivative is -y'. If you write the ODE as xyy'=x^2+y^2 you can see that if y is a solution, then -y is too.

Ofcourse, if you're given a boundary value or initial value/condition then there will be only one solution. (otherwise the problem is ill-stated).
 
thank you very much! :)
 

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