A diff. eq. or trigonometry related problem?

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The discussion focuses on solving the differential equation y' = 2y/x + x cos(y/x^2) by substituting y with z*x^2. The transformation leads to the equation dz/cos(z) = dx/x, which integrates to sec(z) + tan(z) = x + C. A participant identifies an error in the integration process and suggests using a substitution method involving sin(z) to simplify the integral, ultimately leading to a more manageable solution for z.

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parsifal
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y' = 2y/x + x cos (y/x^2), with y=z*x^2
=> y' = 2zx + x cos z

and y=z*x^2 => y' = 2zx + x^2 * dz/dx

So that leaves x^2 * dz/dx = x cos z => dz/cos z = dx/x

I integrate both sides so that:

sec z + tan z = x + C

But I don't have a clue on how to get past that point. Should I start from the beginning with another technique to avoid getting sec z + tan z?
 
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What exactly is the problem? What are you trying to do?
 
I'm trying to solve y, so I have to solve z in terms of x first and then substitute it in the equation y=z*x^2.
 
You skipped over ln parts and have a minor error: the right side should be, after taking exponentials of both sides, Cx, not x+ C.

Also, rather than using the "Table" formula
\int sec z dz= ln|sec z+ tan z|+ C[/itex]<br /> I did it as <br /> \int \frac{dz}{cos z}= \int \frac{cos z dz}{cos^2 z}= \int \frac{cos z dz}{1- sin^2 z}<br /> Now the substitution u= sin z gives a rational integral that can be integrated by partial fractions. The result is, of course, similar to the above but in terms of sin z only and so easier to solve for z.
 
Ok, I think I can carry on from that.

Thank you!
 

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