# Existence and uniqueness of differential solution, help?

1. Feb 28, 2012

### Lengalicious

Ok so ill give an example, x'(t) = log(3t(x(t)-2)) is differential equation where t0 = 3 and x0 = 5
The initial value problem is x(t0) = x0.

So what i'de do is plug into initial value problem to get x(3) = 5, so on a graph this plot would be at (5,3)? Then plop conditions into differential equation so: x'(3) = log(3*3(5 - 2)) = 1.43 which would be at a plot (1.43,3)? So x'(3) < x(3), does this mean that the solution is unique for all t? If so, why is this? Just want to understand 100%.

Last edited: Feb 28, 2012
2. Feb 28, 2012

### HallsofIvy

I am confused as to what you are saying.
"Ok so ill give an example, x'(t) = log(3t(x(t)-2)) is solution to equation where t0 = 3 and x0 = 5".

x'(t)= ... is NOT a "solution" to a differential equation, it is a differential equation.

Or do you mean to say that x(t)= log(4t(x(t)- 2)) is a solution to some unknown differential equation? Then whether or not that equation is unique depends upon exactly what the differential equation is.

3. Feb 28, 2012

### Lengalicious

Ok, yes my mistake its a differential equation i guess? This is where I myself am confused =/. If its a differential equation then how do you find out whether it has a unique solution or not?

4. Feb 28, 2012

### alan2

If dx/dt=f(x,t), and both f and the partial of f w.r.t. x are continuous in some region about your initial point then then exists a unique solution of the initial value problem in some region containing that initial point. This is a local property. The proof is dependent upon finding a sequence of solutions via Picard iteration which converges to the unique solution. You can find this proof in any introductory ode text.

5. Feb 29, 2012

### A. Neumaier

You must interpret x'(3) as the slope of the tangent at your first point, so you'd draw
x(3+s) approx x(3)+x'(3)s = 5+1.43 s for small s. Then you continue from that point. This gives you an idea of the solution, not very accurate though. It is called Euler's method, but it can be refined to give an existence and uniqueness proof, if you make appropriate assumption about the differential equation.

6. Feb 29, 2012

### Lengalicious

Ok, I sort of get it but still slightly confused, an exact question I have is: In the following case:

x'(t) = log(3t(x(t)-2)), where t0 = 3 and x0 = 5

Does the theorem of existence and unicity guarantee an existence of a solution for the initial value problem x(t0) = x0? Justify your answer.

What would your answer be to this? Would help me understand if I got a model answer.

7. Feb 29, 2012

### A. Neumaier

This belongs in the homework section:

8. Feb 29, 2012

### alan2

9. Feb 29, 2012

### Lengalicious

Ok thanks

EDIT: Wow yeh that link you gave is incredibly useful, thanks alot =)

10. Feb 29, 2012

### Lengalicious

In this case where the differential equation is dx/dt = √x , I understand that to get the intervals is easy cuz x is independant from t so t would belong to all real numbers and x would be ≥ 0, but in the example I have given I don't understand how to get the interval since x(t) is within the function?

EDIT: basically how do i find the domain of the function in the original differential equation posted.

And just to straighten my understanding out, I find the domain of the functions variables, then the domain of the partial derivates , then consider maximum interval that fullfills both requirements and compare to the initial condition to consider whether a unique solution exists or not.

EDIT: Ok I think i got it, so i use intial condition to figure out x(t) in this case i think x(t) = t+2, so would the domain of the function be x belongs to ℝ and t ≠ 0, then for the partial derivative = 2/t where domain is t ≠ 0. so initial condition has to satisfy t ≠ 0 for there to be unique solution? Due to common subset of t ≠ 0, initial value condition shows that t0 = 3 and therefore belongs to common interval so a unique solution exists?

Last edited: Feb 29, 2012
11. Mar 1, 2012

### Lengalicious

Can anyone let me know if what i said was correct? I am confused as how to find the domain of f(x,t) cuz the function contains x(t) and t, so whats the domain for x and whats the domain for t? I was thinking t ≠ 0 and x ≠ 0 cuz their both inside the log funct.