Exact Equation, reviewing for an exam, did I do this one right?

  • Thread starter Thread starter mr_coffee
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Exam
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem related to exact differential equations, specifically focusing on finding relationships between variables x and y in the form of f(x,y) = c. Participants are reviewing techniques for solving such equations in preparation for an exam.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the integration process involved in solving the exact differential equation and the necessity of including a function h(y). There are questions regarding the correctness of expressions and the implications of h(y) being a function of y only.

Discussion Status

Some participants provide feedback on the original poster's work, noting corrections and clarifications regarding the integration and assumptions made. There is a mix of validation and critique, with some guidance offered on ensuring that h(y) does not depend on x.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the importance of understanding the properties of exact differential equations and the implications of the terms involved. There is an emphasis on the need for clarity in the differentiation process and the relationships between the variables.

mr_coffee
Messages
1,613
Reaction score
1
Hello everyone, its exam time so I'm just reviewing all the different techniques for Diff EQ and i hit an exact diff EQ problem and i was just wondering if someone can check to see if i did it right. HEre it is:
Directions are find a relationships between x and y of the form f(x,y) = c.
http://suprfile.com/src/1/27rafy/lastscan.jpg

Thanks! :biggrin:
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
Yes, except for the line [itex]\Psi(x,y) = \int Mdx[/itex] which should read [itex]\Psi(x,y) = \int Mdx + h(y)[/itex], it's good. But in an exam, you might want to explain what and why you do these things more.
 
Awesome thanks quasar
 
On the contrary, a lot of what you have written is non-sense!

You are correct that, with [itex]\Phi_x[/itex]= 3x2-2xy+ 2, you must have [itex]\Phi[/itex]= x3- x2y+ 2x+ h(y). The derivative of that, with respect to y is -x2+ h'(y)
and, of course, that must equal N which is 6y2- x2+ 3, not 6y2- x3+ 3!

You should have seen that you copied that incorrectly: you have
-x2+ h'(y)= 6y2- x3+ 3 and then h'(y)= 6y2- x3+ x2+ 3 which is impossible: h is a function of y only!

Writing it correctly, -x2+ h'(y)= 6y2- x2+ 3, h'(y)= 6y2+ 3. The x2 terms cancel which has to happen- that's the whole point of the differential being exact!

With h'(y)= 6y2+ 3, h(y)= 2y3+ 3y and the general solution to the differential equation is
x3- x2y+ 2x+ 2y3+ 3y= Constant.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
:eek: I didn't noticed h(y) had x terms in it!

mr_coffee, like HallsofIvy said, h(y) has to be a function of y. Why? Because if in fact there exists a function [itex]\psi(x,y)[/itex] such that [itex]\partial \psi / \partial x = M[/itex] and such that [itex]\psi(x,y) = \int Mdx + h[/itex], it must be that h is a function of y only because it it were a function of x too, differentiation of that last equation would give [itex]\partial \psi / \partial x = M + \partial h(x,y) / \partial x \neq M[/itex] which contradicts the first equation.

So verifying that h is a function of y only is always a good way to check if you've made some mistakes along the way.
 
Ahh thanks guys!
Here i redid it, i think its right now:
http://suprfile.com/src/1/2deull/lastscan.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Yes, that is correct!
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K