Understanding Integrating Factors and Differential Operators

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding integrating factors and differential operators in the context of a differential equation. The original poster seeks assistance in working through examples related to integrating factors, specifically for the equation (x^4+2y)dx-xdy=0.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to derive an integrating factor and manipulate the differential equation but expresses uncertainty about the next steps after reaching a certain point. Some participants provide feedback on the integration process and question the correctness of specific steps taken.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, providing guidance on integration and addressing errors. There is a collaborative effort to clarify misunderstandings, though no consensus on the final solution has been reached.

Contextual Notes

There is a time constraint mentioned by the original poster, as they are preparing for a conference track meet and need to study the material beforehand. This may influence the depth of discussion and the types of responses provided.

Tom McCurdy
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I am going to be gone all day tomorrow at a conference track meet and am unable to ask my teacher how to do integrating factors and differential operators. I leave tomorrow at 9:15 am and was hoping to have some examples to take with me to study.

If someone could help me walk through a these it would be great

integrating factor
[tex](x^4+2y)dx-xdy=0[/tex] answer: [tex]2y=x^4+cx^2[/tex]
I got it to
[tex]\frac{dy}{dx}-\frac{2y}{x}=x^3[/tex]

[tex]e^\int{\frac{-2}{x}}=x^{-2}[/tex] = IF ... but what do you do then...

[tex]x^{-2}\frac{dy}{dx}-x^{-2}\frac{2y}{x}=x[/tex]

[tex]x^{-2}\frac{dy}{dx}-\frac{2y}{x^3}=x[/tex]

so then you get yx^-2 but i don't know what to do from here



more to come
 
Last edited:
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you get finally

[tex]\frac{d}{dx}{(yx^{-2})} = x[/tex]

Integrating both sides with respect to x gives,

[tex]\int d(yx^{-2}) = x^{2} + C[/tex] **

which gives

[tex]yx^{-2} = x^{2} + C[/itex]<br /> <br /> Multiply both sides by [itex]x^2[/itex] and you're through.<br /> <br /> In step ** you have a total differential under the integral sign which is never a problem to integrate. If you have any more queries, please feel free to ask.<br /> <br /> Cheers<br /> Vivek[/tex]
 
Thanks for the help... that's really all i needed to know... was that last step
 
Maybe I'm missing something here but on step ** did you not integrate x incorrectly?
 
yeah! [tex]\int x dx= \frac{1}{2}x^2+ C[/tex]!
so [tex]yx^{-2}= \frac{1}{2}x^2+ C[/tex].
 
Hi everyone

Sorry for that mistake...must've forgotten to use my brain then ;-)

Cheers
Vivek
 

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