A relatively simple ODE problem

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving ordinary differential equations (ODEs), specifically focusing on methods for handling linear and Bernoulli equations. Participants are exploring various approaches to tackle problems that involve separation of variables, integrating factors, and substitutions.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the separability of equations and the use of integrating factors. There are attempts to manipulate equations into forms that can be integrated, and questions arise about the correct application of constants of integration.

Discussion Status

Some participants are sharing their work and reasoning, while others are providing feedback and suggestions for alternative methods. There is an ongoing exploration of different interpretations of the problems, with no explicit consensus reached on the solutions.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the methods being used, particularly regarding the handling of constants and the classification of equations. There is mention of homework constraints and the appropriateness of starting new threads for different problems.

bennyska
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So many years ago, i took elementary differential equations. unfortunately, I've forgotten too much of it, and now I'm in a not so elementary class. I'm confident i'll catch up to where i was, but at the moment I'm stuck on a relatively simple problem.


i'm having trouble separating them (not sure if this is separable). maybe if someone could give me a pointer to get started, i would be very appreciative. thanks!

Homework Statement




x3 + 3y -xy' = 0.

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


stuck
 
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It doesn't look separable to me. Try finding an integrating factor. Does that ring a bell?
 
okay, so I'm not getting the correct answer, but here's the work I've done so far:
x3 + 3y -xy' = 0
3y - xy' = -x3
x(3y/x) - y' = -x3
-y' + 3/x*y = -x2

let mu(x) = eintegral(-3/x) = e-3 ln x = 1/x3

d/dx[1/x3*y] = 1/x3* x2
1/x3*y = x-1
y=x2

is this the right path?

editing:
i saw i didn't integrate the left hand side at x-1. afterwards, it seemed to work.
y = x3ln(x)
 
Last edited:
Almost. You forgot the constant of integration, which will result in another term, cx3, which is the solution to the homogeneous equation.
 
cool, thanks so much.
 
it's slowly coming back to me. okay, linear equations, put them in the proper form, use integrating factor, got it.
now I'm kind of stuck again with a problem from the same set.

xy + y2 - x2y'=0.

so this isn't separable, and it's not linear, and I'm kind of stuck. any help, or advice where to start looking? gracias.
 
If you divide both sides by x^2, you've got y/x+(y/x)^2-y'=0. Suggests that a change of variable v=y/x might help.
 
how's this:

[tex]\frac{y}{x}[/tex] + ([tex]\frac{y}{x}[/tex])2 - y' = 0
let v= [tex]\frac{y}{x}[/tex], with [tex]\frac{dy}{dx}[/tex] = v + x[tex]\frac{dv}{dx}[/tex]

v + v2 - v - x[tex]\frac{dv}{dx}[/tex] = 0
v2 - x[tex]\frac{dv}{dx}[/tex] = 0

[tex]\frac{1}{v<sup>2</sup>}[/tex] dv = [tex]\frac{1}{x}[/tex]dx

integrate, get

v = [tex]\frac{-1}{ln x}[/tex]

substitute and solve for y

y = x ([tex]\frac{-1}{ln x}[/tex]

and do i just throw a constant on at the end?
 
It's pretty good. But you don't just "throw a constant on at the end". You put in a constant at the point you integrate then carry it through.
 
  • #10
yeah, i kind of figured that, it just seems that that's how it usually works out, and i can't remember to put them in when they come up.
so I'm having another hard time working out a different problem.

(for future reference, should i start a new thread if i have a different problem?)

so it's a bernoulli equation
4xy2 + y' = 5x4y2
y' = 5x4y2 - 4xy2
y' = y2( 5x4 - 4x)

let n = 2, p(x) = 0, g(x) = 5x4 - 4x, v = y-1
divide both sides by y2
y-2y' + 0y = 5x4 - 4x
substitute v= y-1

-dv/dx + 0v = 5x4 - 4x
let mu(x) = eint. 0 dx = ec0 = c1
-c1 dv/dx + 1*0v = c1(5x4 - 4x)
d/dx c1*v = c1(5x4 - 4x)
integrate both sides
c1*v=-c1*x2(x3 + 2)
v = -x2(x3 + 2)
replace v
y-1 = -x2(x3 + 2)
y = 1/ (-x2(x3 + 2))
however, this doesn't seem to work. I'm guessing maybe letting p(x) = 0 might be a problem? i don't see why, it's continuous, but that's the only thing i can think of.

btw, thanks for your help. it's coming back to me. i was able to solve 2 other bernoulli equations and got stuck on this one.
 
  • #11
bennyska said:
yeah, i kind of figured that, it just seems that that's how it usually works out, and i can't remember to put them in when they come up.
so I'm having another hard time working out a different problem.

(for future reference, should i start a new thread if i have a different problem?)

so it's a bernoulli equation
4xy2 + y' = 5x4y2
y' = 5x4y2 - 4xy2
y' = y2( 5x4 - 4x)
You're making things hard for yourself. You should be able to see at this point that the equation is separable.
 
  • #12
bennyska said:
let n = 2, p(x) = 0, g(x) = 5x4 - 4x, v = y-1
divide both sides by y2
y-2y' + 0y = 5x4 - 4x
substitute v= y-1

-dv/dx + 0v = 5x4 - 4x
let mu(x) = eint. 0 dx = ec0 = c1
-c1 dv/dx + 1*0v = c1(5x4 - 4x)
d/dx c1*v = c1(5x4 - 4x)
integrate both sides
c1*v=-c1*x2(x3 + 2)
v = -x2(x3 + 2)
replace v
y-1 = -x2(x3 + 2)
y = 1/ (-x2(x3 + 2))
however, this doesn't seem to work. I'm guessing maybe letting p(x) = 0 might be a problem? i don't see why, it's continuous, but that's the only thing i can think of.

btw, thanks for your help. it's coming back to me. i was able to solve 2 other bernoulli equations and got stuck on this one.
You dropped a sign or two, and again, you forgot the constant of integration.
 

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