# An ODE

1. Apr 1, 2010

### manenbu

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

yy'' = (y')2 - (y')3

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution

y' = p(y)
y'' - p'p

yp' = p - p2

dp/p + dp/(1-p) = dy/y

ln|p|+ln|1-p| = ln|y|+c

p-p2 = cy

y' - y'2 = cy

now what?
how do I solve for y?
I think I'm missing some stupid algebra thingy here, but can't figure it out.

2. Apr 1, 2010

### Staff: Mentor

What does p(y) mean? I would normally take this to mean "p of y". Do you mean y' = py; i.e. p times y?
What is y'' - p'p? That's not an equation. How does it relate to the equation above it?

3. Apr 2, 2010

### manenbu

y' = p(y)
p is a function of y
should be y = p'p, not y - p'p.
y'' = p'(y)y' (chain rule)
y'' = p'(y)p(y) or p'p. :)

4. Apr 2, 2010

### gabbagabbahey

Errm... $\frac{d}{dp}\ln|1-p|=-\frac{1}{1-p}\neq\frac{1}{1-p}$

5. Apr 2, 2010

### manenbu

oh. of course. stupid me. Now it all comes together.
Thanks for pointing this out.

It's always the little stuff that makes it problematic.
Have a nice day! :)