Can You Help Me Solve This Linear Initial-Value Question?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a linear initial-value problem involving a differential equation. Participants explore integration techniques and the potential for errors in the problem statement, focusing on the integration of a specific term.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty integrating the term xe^(2/x) and seeks assistance.
  • Another participant suggests that the integral cannot be expressed in terms of elementary functions and speculates about a possible typo in the problem statement.
  • A different participant argues that the original differential equation was miswritten and provides a correction, stating that the integrating factor should be based on a different formulation of the equation.
  • Some participants discuss the implications of the missing x factor in the leading term of the differential equation, suggesting it complicates the integration process.
  • One participant confirms that there is no elementary anti-derivative for the function in question and mentions the exponential integral as a possible avenue for expressing the solution.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the correct approach to the problem. There are competing views regarding the formulation of the differential equation and the feasibility of integrating the term in question.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the potential misprint in the original problem statement and the unresolved nature of the integration techniques discussed. The discussion highlights the complexity of the integral involved.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in differential equations, integration techniques, and problem-solving in mathematical contexts may find this discussion relevant.

string_656
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Im doing questions out of a book, and I am stuck on one question, and it doesn't give any answers

dy/dx*(x) = 2y/x + X^2...when y(1) = 3 ... = ... dy/dx - 2y/x^2 = x
i have trouble intergrating...

I(x) = e ^ (intergral of) -2/x^2) = e^(2/x)

e^(2/x)*y = (intergral of) xe^(2/x)

im just having trouble with this ^^

can you help?
thanks
 
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string_656 said:
Im doing questions out of a book, and I am stuck on one question, and it doesn't give any answers

dy/dx*(x) = 2y/x + X^2...when y(1) = 3 ... = ... dy/dx - 2y/x^2 = x
i have trouble intergrating...

I(x) = e ^ (intergral of) -2/x^2) = e^(2/x)

e^(2/x)*y = (intergral of) xe^(2/x)

im just having trouble with this ^^

can you help?
thanks

Your work looks OK. That integral can't be expressed in terms of the usual elementary functions. If it's a textbook exercise I would think there might be a typo somewhere.
 
On the contrary, that has a simple polynomial solution.

Your difficulty is in your very first step: your equation is dy/dx= 2y/x+ x2 and then you rewrote it as dy/dx- 2y/x2= x!

It should be dy/dx- 2y/x= x2. Now the integrating factor is
[tex]e^{\int \frac{-2}{x}dx}= x^{-2}[/tex].
 
string_656 said:
Im doing questions out of a book, and I am stuck on one question, and it doesn't give any answers

dy/dx*(x) = 2y/x + X^2...when y(1) = 3 ... = ... dy/dx - 2y/x^2 = x
i have trouble intergrating...

I(x) = e ^ (intergral of) -2/x^2) = e^(2/x)

e^(2/x)*y = (intergral of) xe^(2/x)

im just having trouble with this ^^

can you help?
thanks

HallsofIvy said:
On the contrary, that has a simple polynomial solution.

Your difficulty is in your very first step: your equation is dy/dx= 2y/x+ x2 and then you rewrote it as dy/dx- 2y/x2= x!

It should be dy/dx- 2y/x= x2. Now the integrating factor is
[tex]e^{\int \frac{-2}{x}dx}= x^{-2}[/tex].

But aren't you missing the x in the first term of the original DE: dy/dx*(x)?
I would have written it as x*dy/dx but anyway you must divide through by that before computing the integrating factor.
 
im only having trouble intergrating xe^(2/x).. if i can do that i can solve the problem..
 
string_656 said:
im only having trouble intergrating xe^(2/x).. if i can do that i can solve the problem..

In my previous reply I said:

"Your work looks OK. That integral can't be expressed in terms of the usual elementary functions. If it's a textbook exercise I would think there might be a typo somewhere."

There *is* no elementary anti-derivative for that function. None of your usual techniques can ever work.
 
oh ok.. thanks. but how could i do it... is there a way of doing it?
 
There is no elementary way. If you are familiar with the exponential integral:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exponential_integral

there is a way to express the answer in terms of that. Like I said before, if this is a typical homework problem I suspect there is a misprint. As another poster has pointed out, if the x factor in the leading term was missing, it would be straightforward. I can give you the expression Maple gives for an answer if you want it.
 

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