Equation of a curve using a given point and slope

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves finding a curve whose slope at any point (x,y) is equal to 5y, with a specific point (1,-2) given as a condition. The context relates to differential equations and initial conditions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss integrating the slope and the implications of using y versus x in the integration process. There are questions about the validity of the proposed solutions and the importance of initial conditions. Some participants express confusion regarding the integration of dy/y and its relation to the initial condition.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with various interpretations of the problem being explored. Some participants have offered guidance on the integration process and the significance of the initial condition, while others are questioning the correctness of specific solutions presented.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted concern about the treatment of the initial condition y(1) = -2, particularly in relation to the integration of dy/y. Participants are also considering the implications of working with negative values in the context of logarithmic functions.

metalscot
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Find a curve whose slope at any point (x,y) is equal to 5y, and which passes through the point (1,-2)



All previous examples which i have seen of this type of question give a much more complex slope and always in terms of x.
This is causing me a bit of confusion with my answer. Should I work though it by integrating the slope and putting this equal to x instead of y i.e

x=5/2y^2 + C

then plug in my given x and y to obtain C=-9
giving a final equation of

x= 5/2y^2 -9

or should I work through using a general solution using arbitrary constant?

All help will be very much appreciated
 
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metalscot said:
Find a curve whose slope at any point (x,y) is equal to 5y, and which passes through the point (1,-2)



All previous examples which i have seen of this type of question give a much more complex slope and always in terms of x.
This is causing me a bit of confusion with my answer. Should I work though it by integrating the slope and putting this equal to x instead of y i.e

x=5/2y^2 + C

then plug in my given x and y to obtain C=-9
giving a final equation of

x= 5/2y^2 -9

or should I work through using a general solution using arbitrary constant?

All help will be very much appreciated
This problem implicitly asks you to solve the initial condition differential equation, dy/dx = 5y, y(1) = -2.

Your solution doesn't work. For your equation, dy/dx = 1/(5y).
 
Mark44 said:
This problem implicitly asks you to solve the initial condition differential equation, dy/dx = 5y, y(1) = -2.

Your solution doesn't work. For your equation, dy/dx = 1/(5y).

From the initail conditions given I then re-arrange to give dy/y = 5dx?

and integrate this to obtain lny = 5x +c
 
dy/dx= 5y so dy/y= 5dx has nothing to do with the initial condition, that y(1)= -2.

Be careful! Integrating dy/y does NOT give ln y. It gives ln|y|. Often, we are working with positive numbers, but the condition that y(1)= -2 makes the difference important! Now, what value of c gives y satisfying y(1)= -2?
 
HallsofIvy said:
dy/dx= 5y so dy/y= 5dx has nothing to do with the initial condition, that y(1)= -2.

Be careful! Integrating dy/y does NOT give ln y. It gives ln|y|. Often, we are working with positive numbers, but the condition that y(1)= -2 makes the difference important! Now, what value of c gives y satisfying y(1)= -2?

Working through i get

y=Ae^5x

so A=-2e^-5

so y=-2e^-5e^5x ??
 
metalscot said:
Working through i get

y=Ae^5x

so A=-2e^-5

so y=-2e^-5e^5x ??
Sure, but you can check this yourself. Once you have found the solution, most of the hard work is done, and it's a simple matter to verify that your solution works.
Any solution you get must satisfy two conditions:
1) y' = 5y
2) y(1) = -2

If both of these are true for your solution, then your function is a solution to the initial condition problem.

Last, how you wrote your solution is not technically correct and it's more difficult to read than it needs to be.

y = -2e^(-5) * e^(5x)

or (using the X2 button, in the expanded menu after you click Go Advanced), you can write it like this:
y = -2e-5e5x

or you can learn a bit of LaTeX to make it look like this:
[tex]y = -2e^{-5}e^{5x}[/tex]
 
Mark44 said:
Sure, but you can check this yourself. Once you have found the solution, most of the hard work is done, and it's a simple matter to verify that your solution works.
Any solution you get must satisfy two conditions:
1) y' = 5y
2) y(1) = -2

If both of these are true for your solution, then your function is a solution to the initial condition problem.

[tex]y = -2e^{-5}e^{5x}[/tex]

Thanks a lot mark44 and halls of ivy. Appreciate your help
 

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