Can You Solve These Challenging ODE Exam Questions?

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This discussion focuses on solving challenging ordinary differential equations (ODEs) for an exam. Key topics include identifying non-linear differential equations, finding solutions to specific differential equations, determining integrating factors, and deriving fundamental solutions. The participants emphasize the importance of understanding definitions and applying differentiation techniques to verify solutions. Specific equations and potential solutions are provided, along with methods for solving them.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of ordinary differential equations (ODEs)
  • Familiarity with linear and non-linear differential equations
  • Knowledge of integrating factors in differential equations
  • Ability to differentiate functions and apply them to differential equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the classification of differential equations, focusing on linear vs. non-linear types
  • Learn how to find integrating factors for first-order linear differential equations
  • Explore methods for solving second-order linear differential equations
  • Practice verifying solutions to differential equations through differentiation
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Students preparing for exams in differential equations, educators teaching ODE concepts, and anyone seeking to enhance their problem-solving skills in advanced mathematics.

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Hi, I need to do these for an exam and I can't find any way to solve them with what my professor has taught. If you can help me answer even just one of them I'd be very grateful!

1. Which of the differential equations is/are non linear?
a. Only I
b. Only II
c. Only I and III
d. Only II and IV
e. None of the above
View attachment 8462

2. Which is a solution to the following DE? yy'-yet=t2e2t
a. y=t2(et)
b. y= (t-1)et (Incorrect answer)
c. y= tet
d. y= (t+1)et
e. None of the above

3. For the linear DE xy'=x4ex+2y which of the following is an integrating factor 𝜇(x)?
a. x3
b. x-3
c. ex
d. xex
e. None of the above (My professor says this is NOT the correct answer).

4. Given that y1= x is a solutio to x2y''+xy'-y=0, x>0, Find the other fundamental solution.
a. y2=x-2
b. y2=x-1
c. y2=x
d. y2= x2 (Incorrect answer)
e. None of the above
 

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For the first one, at least you just need to know the definition of "non-linear". Didn't your teacher mention that? In (I), the dependent function is y and sin(y) is not linear. In (III) the dependent variable is u and u_{xxy}u_{yy}, the product of two derivatives of u, is non-linear.

For problem 2, differentiate each of the given functions, put the functions and their derivatives into the equation and see if the equation is satisfied._

For problem 3, do you know what an "integrating factor" is? The given equation can be written xdy- (x^4e^x+ 2y)dx= 0. An "integrating factor is a function f(x,y) such that f(x,y)x dy- f(x, y)(x^4e^x+ 2y)dx is an "exact differential"- that is, that there exist F(x,y) such that dF= F_xdx+ F_ydy= f(x,y)x dy- f(x, y)(x^4e^x+ 2y)dx. One of the conditions for that is that (F_{x})_y= (f(x,y)x)_y= (f(x,yx^4e^x+ 2y)_x= (F_y)_x. You can use that to derive a differential equation for f(x,y) but here, since you are given possible functions, the simplest thing to do is try each and see which works.

For problem 4, given that y(x)= x is a solution, try a solution of the form y= xu(x). Then y'= u+ xu' and y''= 2u'+ xu''. The differential equation becomes x^2y&#039;&#039;+ xy&#039;- y= 2x^2u&#039;<br /> + x^3u&#039;&#039;+ xu+ x^2u&#039;- xu= x^3u&#039;&#039;+ 3x^2u&#039;= 0. Notice that the "u" terms cancel- that is the result of the fact that x is a solution to the equation. If we let v= u', then the equation becomes x^3v&#039;+ 3x^2v= 0. That is separable- x^3(dv/dx)= -3x^2v so that (1/v)dv= (-3/x)dx. Integrate both sides- that will give logarithms and then you can take the exponential to get v as a function of x. Integrate v to get u(x) and the other solution is Xu(x).

HOWEVER, again you are given a list of possible solutions. The simplest thing to do is to ignore the "y= x" hint, take the first and second derivatives of each of the given functions and see which actually satisfies the equation!
 

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