A simple differential equation

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a differential equation related to the depth of water in a tank, expressed in terms of constants and variables. The original poster attempts to derive a specific relationship involving logarithmic and square root functions but encounters discrepancies in their results compared to expected outcomes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore different substitution methods and integration techniques to solve the differential equation. There are attempts to clarify the integration process and the implications of variable substitutions, with some participants expressing confusion over their results.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants sharing their approaches and results. Some guidance has been offered regarding substitutions, but there is no explicit consensus on the correct method or outcome. Multiple interpretations of the problem are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of a homework assignment, which may limit the information they can share or the methods they can use. There is an emphasis on understanding the integration process and the relationships between variables.

John O' Meara
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The depth of water x at any time t in a tank is given by
[tex]A\frac{dx}{dt}= B-c\sqrt{x}\\[/tex],
where A, b and C are constants. Initially x=0; show that [tex]C^2t=2AB\ln{\frac{B}{B_C\sqrt{x}}}-2AC\sqrt{x}\\[/tex]
To solve this let [tex]x= y^2\\[/tex].
Then [tex]\int \frac{A}{B-C\sqrt{x}} = \int dt = \int \frac{2Ay}{B-Cy}dy \\[/tex].
Let u=B-Cy, therefore [tex]y=\frac{B-u}{c}\\[/tex], therefore the integral is
[tex]-2A \int \frac{B-u}{C^2u} du = \frac{-2A}{C^2} \int \frac{B-u}{u} du \\[/tex].
which [tex]= \frac{-2AB}{C^2} \int \frac{1}{u} du + \frac{2A}{C^2} \int du \\[/tex].
Therefore we have [tex]\frac{-2AB}{C^2}\ln(u) + \frac{2A}{C^2}u \\[/tex]. We have [tex]\frac{-2AB}{C^2} \ln{B_Cy} + \frac{2A}{C^2}(B-Cy) \\[/tex].
Which implies [tex]C^2t = -AB\ln{\frac{B}{C\sqrt{x}}} + 2A(B-C\sqrt{x})\\[/tex].
As you can see I get a different answer. I integrated by parts also to get a different result. Please help. Thanks.
 
Last edited:
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I tried solving it dextercioby's way I used y instead of his t, and I got the wrong answer, I got the integral [tex]= \frac{ -AB}{2C} \int dy + \frac{AB}{2C} \int y dy \\[/tex]. Where [tex]\sqrt{x} = \frac{B-y}{C} \\[/tex] and [tex]dx=-dy \frac{B-y}{2C} \\[/tex]. Thanks for helping.
 
Sorry I wrote down the wrong answer to dextercioby's method of solving this. What I actually got was the following: [tex]t = \frac{-AB}{2C} \int \frac{1}{y}dy + \frac{A}{2C} \int dy[/tex]. Which is not the right answer.
 
I was thinking someone might have a second opinion on what I did originally, i.e., #1. Thanks for the help.
 

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