Euler Lagrange equation issue with answers final form

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The discussion revolves around solving the Euler-Lagrange equation for the integral F(y,x,x')=y√(1+x'^2). Participants clarify the need to differentiate between partial and total derivatives, emphasizing the correct application of the Euler-Lagrange equation. The book's solution involves deriving a relationship that leads to a hyperbolic cosine function, specifically x=acosh^-1(y/a)+b, which some find confusing. The integration process is highlighted, with suggestions to solve for x' first and utilize appropriate substitutions to reach the desired form. Ultimately, the conversation underscores the importance of careful differentiation and integration techniques in solving such differential equations.
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Homework Statement


For the following integral, find F and its partial derivatives and plug them into the Euler Lagrange equation
$$F(y,x,x')=y\sqrt{1+x'^2}\\$$

Homework Equations


Euler Lagrange equation : $$\frac{dF}{dx}-\frac{d}{dy}\frac{dF}{dx'}=0$$

The Attempt at a Solution


$$A=2\pi\int_{Y1}^{Y2} y\sqrt{1+x'^2}dy$$

$$F(y,x,x')=y\sqrt{1+x'^2}\\$$
$$\frac{dF}{dx}=0\\$$
$$\frac{dF}{dx'}=\frac{yx'}{\sqrt{1+x'^2}}\\$$
$$0-\frac{d}{dy}\frac{dF}{dx'} = -\frac{d}{dy}\frac{yx'}{\sqrt{1+x'^2}}=0$$
The books answer i s this :
$$\frac{yx'}{\sqrt{1+x'^2}}=C\\
x=acosh^-1\frac{y}{a}+b$$
I don't understand how they get a cosh function. The integral according to wolfram alpha is $$\frac{yx*x'}{\sqrt{x'y^2+1}} + c$$
Is there some identity to turn wolframs into the books answer?
 
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fahraynk said:

Homework Statement


For the following integral, find F and its partial derivatives and plug them into the Euler Lagrange equation
$$F(y,x,x')=y\sqrt{1+x'^2}\\$$

Homework Equations


Euler Lagrange equation : $$\frac{dF}{dx}-\frac{d}{dy}\frac{dF}{dx'}=0$$

The Attempt at a Solution


$$0-\frac{d}{dy}\frac{dF}{dx'} = -\frac{d}{dy}\frac{yx'}{\sqrt{1+x'^2}}=0$$
The books answer i s this :
$$\frac{yx'}{\sqrt{1+x'^2}}=C\\
x=acosh^-1\frac{y}{a}+b$$
I don't understand how they get a cosh function. The integral according to wolfram alpha is $$\frac{yx*x'}{\sqrt{x'y^2+1}} + c$$
Is there some identity to turn wolframs into the books answer?

You cannot just blindly apply Wolfram Alpha to the problem, because it is not a simple integration problem. It is a differential-equation solving problem. If you write your equation as ##y x' = C\sqrt{1+x'^2}## that really says the following:
$$ y \frac{dx}{dy} = C \sqrt{ 1 + \left(\frac{dx}{dy}\right)^2} $$
 
fahraynk said:

Homework Statement


For the following integral, find F and its partial derivatives and plug them into the Euler Lagrange equation
$$F(y,x,x')=y\sqrt{1+x'^2}\\$$

Homework Equations


Euler Lagrange equation : $$\frac{dF}{dx}-\frac{d}{dy}\frac{dF}{dx'}=0$$
That should be
$$\frac{\partial F}{\partial x}-\frac{d}{dy}\frac{\partial F}{\partial x'}=0.$$ Partial derivatives and total derivatives aren't interchangeable.

$$0-\frac{d}{dy}\frac{dF}{dx'} = -\frac{d}{dy}\frac{yx'}{\sqrt{1+x'^2}}=0$$
The books answer is this:
$$\frac{yx'}{\sqrt{1+x'^2}}=C\\
x=acosh^-1\frac{y}{a}+b$$
I don't understand how they get a cosh function. The integral according to wolfram alpha is $$\frac{yx*x'}{\sqrt{x'y^2+1}} + c$$
Is there some identity to turn wolfram's into the book's answer?
Try solving for ##x'## first and then integrating.
 
vela said:
That should be
$$\frac{\partial F}{\partial x}-\frac{d}{dy}\frac{\partial F}{\partial x'}=0.$$ Partial derivatives and total derivatives aren't interchangeable.Try solving for ##x'## first and then integrating.
$$c(1+\frac{dx}{dt})^2=yx'\\
\int{c(1+\frac{dx}{dt})^2dx} = \int{yx'dx}\\
cx + c\int{\frac{dx}{dt}^2dx}=yx$$
I'm not sure here. I suspect it has something to do with a function of e, since I know cosh is like e^s+e^-s or something similar... but first off, I am confused about this integration.
 
I repeat, solve for ##x'## first, remembering that ##x' = dx/dy##. Also, there's no ##t## in this problem, right?
 
vela said:
I repeat, solve for ##x'## first, remembering that ##x' = dx/dy##. Also, there's no ##t## in this problem, right?

$$C=\frac{yx'}{\sqrt{1+x'^2}}\\
yx'=c\sqrt{1+x'^2}\\
(yx')^2=c^2+(cx')^2\\
x'^2[y^2-c^2]=c^2\\
x'=\frac{c}{\sqrt{y^2-c^2}}\\
\frac{x}{c}=\int \frac{1}{y^2-c^2}dy\\
\frac{x}{c}=ln|y+\sqrt{y^2-c^2}|$$
Now what? was that right? I could set it as e^x=y+sqrt(y^2-c^2) but still that's not the right form...
 
I'd do the integration a bit differently to get to the result in the form you want. You got to
$$x = \int \frac{c}{\sqrt{y^2-c^2}}\,dy = \int \frac{1}{\sqrt{(y/c)^2-1}}\,dy.$$ At this point, try the subtitution ##y/c = \cosh u##.
 
fahraynk said:
$$C=\frac{yx'}{\sqrt{1+x'^2}}\\
yx'=c\sqrt{1+x'^2}\\
(yx')^2=c^2+(cx')^2\\
x'^2[y^2-c^2]=c^2\\
x'=\frac{c}{\sqrt{y^2-c^2}}\\
\frac{x}{c}=\int \frac{1}{y^2-c^2}dy\\
\frac{x}{c}=ln|y+\sqrt{y^2-c^2}|$$
Now what? was that right? I could set it as e^x=y+sqrt(y^2-c^2) but still that's not the right form...

You forgot the constant of integration:
$$\frac{x}{c}= ln\left|y+\sqrt{y^2-c^2}\right| + \text{const.} $$

Anyway, ##\text{arccosh}(u) = \ln(u + \sqrt{u^2-1})##.
 

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