Differential equations: Elimination of arbitrary constants

1. Jun 23, 2014

JasonHathaway

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

Find the differential equation of ln y = ax^2 + bx + c by eliminating the arbitrary constants a, b and c.

2. Relevant equations

Wrosnkian determinant.

3. The attempt at a solution

I've solved a similar problem (y=ax^2+bx+c --> y'''=0), but couldn't do the same with this one.
All what I could is taking the exponent of both sides --> y=e^(ax^2 + bx + c).

2. Jun 23, 2014

dirk_mec1

I do not see a DE...

3. Jun 23, 2014

Simon Bridge

I think this is the calc form of Jeopardy ... you are given the solution to a DE, and you have to find the DE.

Taking the exponential of both sides looks promising - you can use you knowledge of how powers combine to simplify it further or investigate what happens as you differentiate it.

note. y=e^x comes from y'=y

4. Jun 23, 2014

pasmith

Does it not follow from $\ln y = ax^2 + bx + c$ and $$\frac{d^3}{dx^3}(ax^2 + bx + c) = 0$$ that $$\frac{d^3}{dx^3}(\ln y) = 0?$$ Some would regard that as an adequate ODE for $y$; others might insist that you expand the left hand side and re-arrange the result into the form $$y''' = F(y, y', y'').$$

Last edited: Jun 23, 2014
5. Jun 24, 2014

JasonHathaway

I'm using a method in which I differentiate depending on the number of constants. So, in this case I shall differentiate three times.

$y=e^{ax^{2}+bx+c}$
$y'=e^{ax^{2}+bx+c} (2ax+b)$
$y''=e^{ax^{2}+bx+c} (2ax^{2}+4axb+b^{2}+2a)$
$y'''=e^{ax^{2}+bx+c} (4a^{2}x^{3}+8^{2}x^{2}b+2axb^{2}+4a^{2}x+2ax^{2}b+4axb^{2}+b^{3}+2ab)$

And then I shall put the coefficients of a, b and c in Wrosnkian and then find determinant.

$\begin{matrix} y & * & * & * \\ y' & * & * & * \\ y'' & * & * & *\\ y''' & * & * & * \end{matrix}$

Where the stars (*) are the coefficients. And that my problem right now, in some terms of y'' and y''' there are a and b together. How can I deal with it?

6. Jun 24, 2014

ehild

First check if the equations are correct.

Note that you do not have a linear system of equations for a,b,c.
The equations can be divided by y so the exponential factors cancel, and there are three equations to solve.
$$y'/y=2ax+b$$
$$y''/y=4a^2x^{2}+4axb+b^{2}+2a$$

y'''/y=....

Isolate b from the first one, substitute for b into the second one, and isolate a. Substitute a and b in terms of y'/y and y"/y into the third one.

But it is much simpler to follow pasmith's hint.

ehild

Last edited: Jun 24, 2014