Differential Equations: Solving for y' and Finding a Solution

  • Thread starter Thread starter freezer
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Differential
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a differential equation of the form yy' + x = √(x² + y²). Participants are exploring methods to express the equation in terms of a substitution involving y and x, particularly using the substitution y = vx.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the substitution y = vx and its implications for simplifying the equation. Some express confusion about how to proceed with the substitution and the resulting expressions. Others suggest that the right-hand side can be viewed as a function of x/y, prompting further exploration of this relationship.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants sharing their attempts and insights. Some have identified potential paths forward, while others express uncertainty about their understanding and the next steps. There is no explicit consensus, but several lines of reasoning are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the complexity of the equation and the challenges posed by the substitutions and transformations being considered. There is mention of a discrepancy between personal results and a solution found in a textbook, indicating varying interpretations of the problem.

freezer
Messages
75
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



[itex]yy' + x = \sqrt{x^2 + y^2}[/itex]

Homework Equations



y = vx
y' = v'x + v

The Attempt at a Solution



[itex]y' + \frac{x}{y} = \frac{\sqrt{x^2 + y^2}}{y}[/itex]

[itex](v'x+v) + v =\frac{ \sqrt{x^2 + (vx)^2}}{vx}[/itex]
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Stuck? No idea what to do with vx - vx ? Not noticed the whole thing has a factor x?
 
epenguin said:
Stuck? No idea what to do with vx - vx ? Not noticed the whole thing has a factor x?

Sorry, i typed the problem wrong the first time.
 
Are you still stuck? It seems to me this is fairly easily expressed in terms of y and a variable x/y.
 
epenguin said:
Are you still stuck? It seems to me this is fairly easily expressed in terms of y and a variable x/y.

I am sure it is easy one i figure out what i am trying to accomplish with this substition, I am just not certain where it is i am heading for other than d/dx(y') = and something i can integrate on the right side.
 
freezer said:

The Attempt at a Solution



[itex]y' + \frac{x}{y} = \frac{\sqrt{x^2 + y^2}}{y}[/itex]

[itex](v'x+v) + v =\frac{ \sqrt{x^2 + (vx)^2}}{vx}[/itex]


[itex]v' = \frac{ \sqrt{x^2 + (vx)^2}}{vx^2} - \frac{v}{x}[/itex]
 
The way I look at it if you write it like this

[itex]y' = -\frac{x}{y} + \frac{\sqrt{x^2 + y^2}}{y}[/itex]

you see the RHS is just a function of x/y. So let this be one of your variables and keep y as the other.
 
epenguin said:
The way I look at it if you write it like this

[itex]y' = -\frac{x}{y} + \frac{\sqrt{x^2 + y^2}}{y}[/itex]

you see the RHS is just a function of x/y. So let this be one of your variables and keep y as the other.

Okay, I am a bit dense. I hopefully walking through this will get me going.

v = y/x, x/y = 1/v

[itex]v'x + v = -\frac{1}{v} + \frac{\sqrt{x^2 + (vx)^2}}{vx}[/itex]
 
After talking with another student, they found out this uses v = x^2 + y^2

[itex]v' = 2x + 2yy' = 2(x+yy')[/itex]

[itex]\frac{1}{2} \int \frac{1}{\sqrt{v}} = \int dx[/itex]

[itex]\sqrt{v} = x + c[/itex]

[itex]v = (x+c)^2[/itex]

[itex]x^2 + y^2 = (x+c)^2[/itex]

[itex]y^2 = -x^2 + x^2 + 2xc + C[/itex]

[itex]y = +/- \sqrt{2xc + C}[/itex]
 
Last edited:
  • #10
The answer in the book is:

[itex]x - \sqrt{x^2 + y^2} = C[/itex]

And that is not what I got :-(
 
  • #11
Yes (9) was well spotted, when you see yy' be looking out for (y2)' .

My thinking was that your d.e. can be written

[tex]y' = - \frac{x}{y} +\sqrt{\left(\frac{x}{y}\right)^2 + 1}[/tex]

and the RHS is purely a function of (x/y) which we could call u, which looked simple. But that is overlooking that then you have to change y' into dy/du - in fact the LHS becomes

Edit something complicated and I think there is no or less than no advantage in this approach which seemed initially attractive after all.
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
3
Views
2K