Derivation step in ODE solution in textbook

1. Sep 5, 2014

D_Tr

This is not homework but is part of the solution process of an ODE and I cannot understand how the author made a derivation step. After a change of variable in the original ODE, the ODE in the new independent variable has a standard method of solution. But instead of using this method, the author takes a shortcut but the exact steps are skipped and I cannot reproduce the transition on my own.

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

How do we go from: $y'' + 2y^{-3} = 0$ to: $y' = \sqrt{2(c_1 + 1/y^2)}$ ?

The only hint given by the author is: "...but in this case we can multiply through by y' and integrate directly to obtain..."

2. Relevant equations

N/A

3. The attempt at a solution

I tried myltiplying through by y' and integrating both sides by parts but that gave me nothing I could use to go further.. I cannot even get back the first eq. by differentiating the second..

2. Sep 5, 2014

vanhees71

Think about the chain and product rule of integration. If I say more, it's more or less the solution ;-)).

BTW: The textbook is incomplete! In front of the square root should be a $\pm$ sign!

3. Sep 5, 2014

D_Tr

$$y''y' = -2y^{-3}y' \implies y''y' = \frac{d(y^-2)}{dt} \implies \int{y''y'}dt = y^{-2} + c1$$
$$\implies \frac{y'^{2}}{2} = y^{-2} + c1 + c2 \implies y' = \pm \sqrt{2(c + y^{-2})}$$