(Differential Equations) General and singular solutions

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on finding the general and singular solutions to the differential equation (2xy^3 + 4x)y' = x^2y^2 + y^2. The general solution is derived as (y^3 - 4)/(2y) = (x^2 + 2ln x)/4 + C, valid for x > 0. To identify singular solutions, the correct approach is to substitute y = 0 into the original equation rather than setting y' = 0, as dividing by y^2 excludes y = 0 from consideration. The singular solution y = 0 does not fit into the general solution.

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namegoeshere
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Homework Statement


Find the general solution and any singular solutions to (2xy^3+4x)y'=x^2y^2+y^2.

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution


2x(y^3+2)y'=y^2(x^2+1)
\int\frac{y^3+2}{y^2}\,dy=\int\frac{x^2+1}{2x}\,dx
\frac{y^3-4}{2y}=\frac{x^2+2\ln x}{4}+C

Is this correct?
To find the singular solution, do I set y'=0 and see if its solutions fit into the general solution? i.e.

y'=\frac{x^2y^2+y^2}{2x^3+4x}=0 \Rightarrow y=0​

Which in this example does not fit into the general solution since the left side becomes \frac{(0)^3-4}{2(0)}. Therefore y=0 is a singular solution?
 
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namegoeshere said:

Homework Statement


Find the general solution and any singular solutions to (2xy^3+4x)y'=x^2y^2+y^2.


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


2x(y^3+2)y'=y^2(x^2+1)
\int\frac{y^3+2}{y^2}\,dy=\int\frac{x^2+1}{2x}\,dx
\frac{y^3-4}{2y}=\frac{x^2+2\ln x}{4}+C

Is this correct?

That looks OK, at least for ##x>0##.

To find the singular solution, do I set y'=0 and see if its solutions fit into the general solution? i.e.

y'=\frac{x^2y^2+y^2}{2x^3+4x}=0 \Rightarrow y=0​

Which in this example does not fit into the general solution since the left side becomes \frac{(0)^3-4}{2(0)}. Therefore y=0 is a singular solution?

In your solution, you divided by ##y^2##. That rules out finding a potential solution of ##y=0##. So you plug that into the original equation and see if it works. You don't set ##y'=0## to do it.
 
LCKurtz said:
That looks OK, at least for ##x>0##.
In your solution, you divided by ##y^2##. That rules out finding a potential solution of ##y=0##. So you plug that into the original equation and see if it works. You don't set ##y'=0## to do it.

Ah, I get it now. Based my singular solution attempt off the one given example we had, and admittedly what I tried didn't make intuitive sense to me. Thanks. :)
 

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