Differential Equation by Separation of Variables

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a differential equation using the method of separation of variables. The original poster presents their solution process for the equation y' + cos(x)y = cos(x) and seeks validation of their approach.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the manipulation of the exponential term e^(sin(x) + C) and whether it can be simplified. There are questions about the validity of combining constants and how to express the final solution correctly.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the original poster's solution, providing feedback and exploring different interpretations of the exponential term. There is a focus on clarifying the representation of constants in the solution, but no consensus has been reached on the correctness of the final expression.

Contextual Notes

There is an emphasis on the arbitrary nature of the constant C in the context of the differential equation solution, which is a point of discussion among participants.

TranscendArcu
Messages
277
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



Solve the differential equation: [itex]y' + cos(x)y = cos(x)[/itex]

The Attempt at a Solution


[itex]y' = cos(x)(1 -y)[/itex]
[itex]\frac{dy}{1-y} = cos(x) dx[/itex]
[itex]-ln|1-y| = sin(x) + C[/itex]
[itex]\frac{1}{1-y} = e^{sin(x)} + C[/itex]
[itex]1-y = \frac{1}{e^{sin(x)} + C}[/itex]
[itex]y = \frac{-1}{e^{sin(x)} + C} + 1[/itex]

Have I done this correctly?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
No. e^(sin(x)+C) isn't the same as e^sin(x)+C.
 
So I know [itex]e^{sin(x) + C} = e^{sin(x)}e^C[/itex]. But since [itex]e^C[/itex] is just a constant, can't I just compress it into the constant C?
 
TranscendArcu said:
So I know [itex]e^{sin(x) + C} = e^{sin(x)}e^C[/itex]. But since [itex]e^C[/itex] is just a constant, can't I just compress it into the constant C?

Yes, but that makes it C*e^(sin(x)), doesn't it?
 
so I should write,

[itex]\frac{1}{1-y} = e^{sin(x)}C[/itex]
[itex]1-y = \frac{1}{e^{sin(x)}C}[/itex], and C is totally arbitrary so write,
[itex]y = \frac{C}{e^{sin(x)}} + 1[/itex]
 
TranscendArcu said:
so I should write,

[itex]\frac{1}{1-y} = e^{sin(x)}C[/itex]
[itex]1-y = \frac{1}{e^{sin(x)}C}[/itex], and C is totally arbitrary so write,
[itex]y = \frac{C}{e^{sin(x)}} + 1[/itex]

I think that works.
 

Similar threads

Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
3K
  • · Replies 40 ·
2
Replies
40
Views
5K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
Replies
4
Views
2K