Euler Lagrange equation issue with answers final form

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around applying the Euler Lagrange equation to the integral involving the function \( F(y,x,x') = y\sqrt{1+x'^2} \). Participants are exploring the derivation of solutions and the relationship between different forms of the results, particularly regarding the appearance of hyperbolic functions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants attempt to derive the necessary partial derivatives and apply them to the Euler Lagrange equation. There is confusion regarding the transition from the derived form to the solution involving the hyperbolic cosine function. Some participants question the validity of using Wolfram Alpha for integration in this context, suggesting that the problem is more complex than a straightforward integration.

Discussion Status

Several participants are actively engaging with the problem, attempting to clarify the steps involved in solving for \( x' \) and integrating. There is a recognition of the need to manipulate the equation to reach the desired form, with some guidance offered on potential substitutions and integration techniques. However, no consensus has been reached regarding the final form of the solution.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of distinguishing between partial and total derivatives in the context of the Euler Lagrange equation. There is also mention of the absence of certain variables, such as \( t \), which may lead to confusion in the integration process.

fahraynk
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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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