Differential equations, orthogonal trajectories

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on finding orthogonal trajectories for a family of circles defined by the equation x² + y² = cx. Participants detail the process of differentiating this equation to derive the ordinary differential equation (ODE) dy/dx = -y²/x², which represents the slopes of the orthogonal trajectories. The solution involves integrating this ODE, leading to the general solution y = c - 2x + K, where K is an integration constant. The final results confirm that the derived curves are indeed orthogonal to the original circles.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of differential equations and ODEs
  • Familiarity with implicit differentiation
  • Knowledge of orthogonal trajectories in calculus
  • Ability to plot and analyze curves in Cartesian coordinates
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the method of solving separable ordinary differential equations (ODEs)
  • Learn about implicit differentiation techniques in calculus
  • Explore the concept of orthogonal trajectories in more complex families of curves
  • Practice plotting curves and their orthogonal trajectories using graphing software
USEFUL FOR

Students and educators in mathematics, particularly those studying calculus and differential equations, as well as anyone interested in the geometric interpretation of ODEs and orthogonal trajectories.

SU403RUNFAST
Messages
37
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


you are given a family of curves, in this case i was given a bunch of circles x^2+y^2=cx, sketch these curves for c=0,2,4,6, both positive and negative, solve the equation for c and differentiate both sides with respect to x and solve for dy/dx. You obtain an ODE in the form of dy/dx=f(x,y), now any orthogonal or perpendicular trajectory must be perpendicular at any point, so we're looking for curves satisfying dy/dx=-1/f(x,y) (negative reciprocal slope). Find an implicit solution to this ODE, and sketch these

Homework Equations


x^2+y^2=cx

The Attempt at a Solution


I plotted all the circles, the first one c=0 is a point, and the rest are circles on the left and right sides of the origin, each new circle's radius moves outwards by 1. This was easy part, and solving for c i got c=(x^2+y^2)/x, i split this up into c=x+y^2/x and differentiated to get 0=1-(y^2/x^2)(dy/dx) so that means dy/dx=x^2/y^2. I took the reciprocal so the new ODE becomes dy/dx=-y^2/x^2, but the problem is that when i solve this ODE i get y=Ce^(1/x) and when i plot this for random C values none of these are perpendicular to my circles! I would like to know where my mistake is, did I differentiate in the first step correctly? Where did I go wrong?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
This is the equation if a circle x^2 + y^2 = K,
So what you have above is a circle just rearrange to check .
Differentiation gives 2*x + 2*y*y' = c
Solve for dy/dx = (c-2x)/(2*y)
What you need is dy/dx = -(2*y)/(c-2x)
This is a seperable 1 ODE that can be solve by re-arranging to
(1/2*y)dy = dx/(c-2x)
And it's up to you ;) Good luck
 
Last edited:
okay i am going to use your work and solve and see if it is perpendicular thanks, but i plotted the original solutions and they came out as circles,i rewrote them as (x-c/2)^2+y^2=(c/2)^2, i will check
 
i guess its the same if you differentiate it without solving for c first
 
I diff the whole equation without re-arrangement, didn't got rid of anything, they are indeed circles,if you take a look, everything is Okay because (x^2)' = 2x , (cx)' = c , (y^2)' = 2yy'
 
Yes I understood it, i have now obtained -ln(y)/2 + C = -ln(c-2x)/2 + C i think to plot I have to choose the parameter C, thanks
 
Unless they cancel out, but i don't think they would have the same value because they are different constants
 
wait nvm i got it, but just to make sure can i just get rid of the big constant C's and then all is left is ln(y)=ln(c-2x)
 
Ln(y) = ln(c-2x) + K (K =(C-c)/2 is the integration constants)
Y = c-2x + Cte (constant of integration)
 
Last edited:
  • #10
why are you subtracting C-c... and where does division by 2i come from? There arent any irrational numbers... What the hell is C t and e.. i can't plot this with so many random constants
 
  • #11
Oops, keyboard typing errors i means C-c/2 = K to treat both of them as one constant C and c are constant if ODE solving
 
  • #12
Little c is a number though, 0,-2,2,-4,4,etc, I am going to assume you mean C-C/2=K, so i did the same thing to simplify by raising e^ln(), are you sure you can just take an average randomly to get K or it doesn't matter since it doesn't show up, it only shows up as K. So do I pick random K values? This needs to be perpendicular to x^2+y^2=cx
 
  • #13
Plotting y=c-2x alone gives lines through each circle through origin so that works if i ignore K, thanks for your immense help and clarifying my stupid questions
 
  • #14
K is an integration constant, in fact i didnt mean to write it as C-c/2 but I can so why not ? it show up as a single constant
 
  • #15
Welcome, but don't forget to write as y= c-2x + K, in your case K = 0 happened to work, but allways write the most general solution and pick up the values you need, (you picked up K= 0 and that's great )
 
  • #16
wait yeah but wouldn't when i simplifed using e^()=e^() +e^K wouldn't this k=0 add a 1 and mess up the solution...
 
  • #17
e^K = Cte an other constant
After you write that, ignore K, it's all about Cte
 
  • #18
So i just resolved the problem a different way and at the end I got y=(x^2+y^2)c. These are more circles that are orthogonal
 
  • #19
SU403RUNFAST said:
So i just resolved the problem a different way and at the end I got y=(x^2+y^2)c. These are more circles that are orthogonal
"More circles that are orthogonal" to what?
 

Similar threads

Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
2K