## Intro. to Differential Equations

My intent is to create a thread for people interested in Differential Equations. However, I will explicitly state that I am only a student of this class myself and that many things could end up being incorrect or an improper way to present the material.

I will merely be going along with the class, mostly using excerpts and questions from the book, "Elementary Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems: Seventh Edition," by William E. Boyce and Richard C. DiPrima. So truthfully, this is more for myself. Looking things up and explaining it to others seems to be the best way to learn.

If people have any questions or comments, feel free to share. Also, I know there are many knowledgeable people on this board, so be sure to correct me or make suggestions.

This will require knowledge of Calculus but don't be shy to ask if there is something that you are unsure of.

First, a little background;

What is a Differential Equation?
A Differential Equation is simply an equation containing a derivative.

Classifications:

Ordinary Differential Equations (ODE) - Equations that appear with ordinary derivatives (single independent variable, could have multiple dependent variables).
Examples:

$$\frac {dy} {dt} = ay - b$$

$$a \frac {dy_1} {dx} + b \frac {dy_2} {dx} + cy_1 = dy_2 = e$$

Partial Differential Equations (PDE) - Equations that appear with partial derivatives (multiple independent variable).
Examples:

$$\alpha^2 [ \frac {\partial^2 u(x,t)} {\partialx^2} ] = \frac {\partialu(x,t)} {\partialt}$$

$$\frac {\partial^2 V(x,y)} {\partialx^2} + \frac {\partial^2 V(x,y)} {\partialy^2} = 0$$

Don't let any of this frighten you. Math is always scary when looked at a glance with a bunch of undefined variables.

Linear and Nonlinear
The ordinary differential equation:
$$F(t, y, y', ..., y^{(n)}) = 0$$
is said to be linear if F is a linear function of the variables y, y',..., yn (Dependant variable must be first order). Thus the general linear ordinary differential equation of order n is:
$$a_0 (t) y^{(n)} + a_1 (t) y^{(n-1)} + ... + a_n (t) y = g(t)$$

where (n) is not the power of but the nth derivative.

An example of a simple Nonlinear ODE would simply be:
$$y \frac {dy} {dx} = x^4$$
This concludes the introduction. I may or may not write the next chapter tonight. However, a question, does anyone know an easier way for writing math on the computer and one that looks less confusing. I know I will have difficulty finding some things, especially subscripts and superscripts. Anyone know a better way to denote these?

 PhysOrg.com science news on PhysOrg.com >> Heat-related deaths in Manhattan projected to rise>> Dire outlook despite global warming 'pause': study>> Sea level influenced tropical climate during the last ice age
 Admin Blog Entries: 5 Sounds great! Tutorials like this have been very successful here. Howto make math symbols: http://physicsforums.com/announcement.php?forumid=73 You can make subscripts and subscripts by using these tags [ sup ] content [ /sup ] [ sub ] content [ /sub ] * no spaces
 "This chapter deals with differential equations of the first order $$\frac {dy} {dt} = f(t,y)$$ where f is a given function of two variables. Any differentiable function y = Φ(t) that satisfies this equation for all t in some interval is called a solution." Linear Equations with Variable Coefficients Using the previous example for ODE (dy/dx = ay + b) and replacing the constants we write the more general form: $$\frac {dy} {dt} + p(t) y = g(t)$$ or $$y' + p(t) y + g(t) = 0$$ where p(t) and g(t) are given functions of the independent variable t. Special cases: If p(t) = 0 then, $$y' = g(t)$$ and the integral is easily taken; $$\frac {dy} {dt} = g(t)$$ $$\int (\frac {dy} {dt}) dt = \int g(t) dt$$ $$y = \int g(t) dt + C$$ If g(t) = 0, then, $$y' = p(t) y$$ and the integral is once more relatively easy to take; $$\frac {dy} {dt}= p(t) y$$ $$\int \frac {dy} {y} = \int p(t) dt$$ $$ln|y| = \int [p(t) dt] + C$$ $$e^{ln|y|} = e^{\int [p(t) dt] + C}$$ $$y = Ke^{\int [p(t) dt] + C}, K = ± e^{C}$$ However, if neither p(t) or g(t) are zero in the general equation, a function µ(t) (the integrating factor) is used to solve the equation; $$\mu (t) \frac {dy} {dt} + \mu (t) p(t) y = \mu (t) g(t)$$ where now the left hand side will be a known derivative $$\mu (t) \frac {dy} {dt} + \mu (t) p(t) y = \frac {d} {dt}[\mu (t)y]$$ so that, in theory, you end up with; $$\frac {d} {dt}[\mu (t)y] = \mu (t) g(t)$$ Since µ(t) must be carefully chosen to make the previous statement true, let us find it. $$\frac {d} {dt}[\mu (t)y] = \mu (t) \frac {dy} {dt} + \mu (t)p(t)y$$ $$\frac {d} {dt}[\mu (t)y] = \mu (t) \frac {dy} {dt} + \frac {d \mu (t)} {dt} y$$ Where the latter is simply the derivative of µ(t)y in general form. $$\mu (t) \frac {dy} {dt} + \mu (t) p(t) y = \mu (t) \frac {dy} {dt} + \frac {d\mu (t)} {dt} y$$ Subtracting µ(t)(dy/dt) from both sides $$\frac {d \mu (t)} {dt} y = \mu (t) p(t) y$$ Cancel y $$\frac {d \mu (t)} {dt} = \mu (t) p(t)$$ $$\frac {d \mu (t)} {\mu (t)} = p(t) dt$$ $$\int \frac {d \mu (t)} {\mu (t)} = \int p(t)d t$$ $$ln|\mu (t)| = \int p(t) dt$$ The constant C is arbitrary and can be dropped to form the equation, µ(t) = e∫[p(t)dt] So the integrating factor µ(t) can always be found by the last equation. Lets try some problems together. Ex1. y' + 2y = 3 In this equation p(t) = 2 and g(t) = 3. Since neither of them are zero, use an the integrating factor µ(t) to create a differentiable equation, µ(t)y' + µ(t)2y = µ(t)3 Solve µ(t)to be, µ(t) = e∫[p(t)dt] µ(t) = e∫[2dt] µ(t) = e2t Plug the value of µ(t) back into the equation to obtain, e2ty' + e2t2y = e2t3 Recognize that the left hand side of the equation is merely [ye2t]', [ye2t]' = d/dt[ye2t] = 3e2t ∫d/dt[ye2t] = ∫3e2t ye2t = (3/2)e2t + C y = (3/2) + Ce-2t Ex2. y' + (1/2)y = 2 + t µ(t)y' + (1/2)µ(t)y = (2 + t)µ(t) µ(t) = e∫[p(t)dt] = et/2 et/2y' + (1/2)et/2y = 2et/2 + tet/2 d/dt[et/2y] = 2et/2 + tet/2 et/2y = ∫[2et/2 + tet/2]dt et/2y = 4et/2 + ∫[tet/2]dt Using integration by parts, u = t, du = dt v = 2et/2, dv = et/2dt ∫[tet/2]dt = 2tet/2 - ∫[2et/2]dt ∫[tet/2]dt = 2tet/2 - 4et/2 + C et/2y = 4et/2 + 2tet/2 - 4et/2 = 2tet/2 + C y = 2t + Ce-t/2 For initial value problems it is easy to solve for C. Taking the last problem, solve if y(0) = 2 2 = 2(0) + Ce-(0)/2 = C C = 2 Therefore, y = 2t + 2e-t/2 That is enough for now. Here are some problems to practice on if you so wish. 1.) y' + 3y = t + e-2t 2.) 2y' + y = 3t, hint: rewrite to fit general equation y' + p(t)y = g(t) 3.)t3(dy/dt) + 4t2y = e-t, y(-1) = 0

## Intro. to Differential Equations

Thanks Greg, I will run through it tomorrow and change it to make it more readable.

 Mentor Blog Entries: 9 Well I had to dig out my copy of Boyce and Diprima (2nd Edition!) to follow your development, it all works out as you have presented. I will follow along with you, relearning what I have not see for a number of years, and perhaps able to help you out if you hit some rough spots.
 Mentor Blog Entries: 9 Here is solution to the first exercise.
 Thank you for your participation. Your solution is infact correct except for the constant is missing. No biggy, I always forget those too. Did you find it hard to follow without the book and should I have presented this more clearly some how? I'm glad to know that someone else knows this stuff. I have some trouble understanding finding the interval for nonlinear functions for which a solution exists, so if I havn't figured it out by the time I do the write up, perhaps you can help.
 Mentor Blog Entries: 9 It was very sloppy of me to leave off the constant, sorry about that. I was a bit confused by your presentation as it is light on connective text. Where you presented $$\frac {d} {dt}[\mu (t)y] = \mu (t) g(t)$$ I was thrown for a bit. My copy of B&D helped out. The fact is everything you wrote is absolutely correct. I have taken grad level ODE & PDE courses in the dim and distant past ('86-'88 time frame) So should be able to dredge up some long buried knowledge to help out. I have always found Differential Equations to be interesting, you might say they are where math and reality meet. With a good back ground in Diff Eqs and some numerical methods you can do dang near anything. edit: corrected symbols
 Mentor Blog Entries: 9 Here is the solution to the 3rd exercise.
 Yes, your answer is correct. It actually took me a while to get it. Out of curiousity, why did you change to using the variable s? Are you just used to using it and forgot that it was in terms of t or can this be done?
 Mentor Blog Entries: 9 In the integral $$\int \mu (s) g(s)ds$$ The variable, s, is what is called a dummy variable, it can be anything. You will see this frequenty.
 Integral, how come your solutions don't show up?
 Mentor Blog Entries: 9 They are PDFs do you have acrobat reader installed?