Differential equation using partial fractions

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To solve the differential equation 1/P dP/dt = b + aP using partial fractions, first rewrite it as dP/(P(b + aP)) = dt. The left side can be decomposed into partial fractions, expressed as 1/(P(b + aP)) = A/P + B/(b + aP). To find the constants A and B, multiply both sides by P(b + aP) and solve the resulting equation by substituting convenient values for P. After determining A and B, integrate both sides to obtain P in terms of t. This method effectively utilizes partial fractions to simplify the integration process.
Shelby
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Homework Statement



I need to integrate this differential equation using partial fractions to obtain an equation for P in terms of t; P(t):

1/P dP/dt = b + aP


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



So far, this is what I have:
ln /P/ = bP + aP^2/2 +c

Where do I go from here, would I take e from each side and then what would I do? and am I doing this right?
Please help me
 
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Multiply both sides by P?
 
christianjb said:
Multiply both sides by P?

No sense in doing that, since he still needs to bring the P-terms over to the left hand side.

Bring the P-terms from the RHS to the LHS, then separate variables :

\frac{1}{P(aP+b)}dP = dt

Separate the left hand side using partial fractions (write it as \frac{k_1}{P} + \frac{k_2}{aP+b}, then find the values of k1 and k2 quickly with the "Heaviside cover-up" shortcut, for example) and integrate both sides to solve.
 
Shelby said:

Homework Statement



I need to integrate this differential equation using partial fractions to obtain an equation for P in terms of t; P(t):

1/P dP/dt = b + aP


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



So far, this is what I have:
ln /P/ = bP + aP^2/2 +c
No. You can't just integrate both sides with respect to P: there is not "dP" on the right side. You can rewrite the equation as
\frac{dP}{P(b+aP)}= dt
and integrate- the left side with respect to P, the right side with respect to t.

As Curious3141 said, you "partial fractions" to integrate the right side.

Where do I go from here, would I take e from each side and then what would I do? and am I doing this right?
Please help me
 
partial fractions

can you point me in the right direction, with all of these variables I keep getting confused?
 
What more "pointing" do you want! Use partial fractions to integrate
\frac{dP}{P(b+ aP}

Can you do the "partial fractions" decomposition? You want to find A and B so that
\frac{1}{P(b+aP)}= \frac{A}{P}+ \frac{B}{b+ aP}
Multiply both sides of that by P(b+aP) to get
1= A(b+aP)+ BP
and solve for A and B. (Hint: let P= 0 and P= -b/a)
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

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