Solve xy'=x^3+(1-2x^2)y+xy^2: Solutions & Tips

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The discussion focuses on solving the differential equation xy' = x^3 + (1-2x^2)y + xy^2. The user initially rearranges the equation but struggles to progress further. A suggested substitution, v = y/x, transforms the equation into a more manageable form. This substitution leads to a new equation involving v and its derivative, which may facilitate finding additional solutions. The conversation highlights the importance of strategic substitutions in solving complex differential equations.
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Homework Statement


Find all solutions of xy'=x^3+(1-2x^2)y+xy^2.

Homework Equations


None

The Attempt at a Solution


Here's my work:

xy'=x^3+y-2x^2*y+xy^2
xy'=x(x^2-2xy+y^2)+y
xy'=x(x-y)^2+y
y'=(x-y)^2+y/x
Now I'm stucked. Please help me.
 
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Math10 said:

Homework Statement


Find all solutions of xy'=x^3+(1-2x^2)y+xy^2.

Homework Equations


None

The Attempt at a Solution


Here's my work:

xy'=x^3+y-2x^2*y+xy^2
xy'=x(x^2-2xy+y^2)+y
xy'=x(x-y)^2+y
y'=(x-y)^2+y/x
Now I'm stucked. Please help me.

You can see from the last line that y(x) = x is one solution, although there may be others. But your rearrangement is not separable, so you are unlikely to make further progress.

The left hand side of the original is xy'. There's a y on the right, so bringing that across makes the LHS xy' - y = x^2(y/x)', so the substitution v = y/x is worth considering.
 
Good idea!

If v= y/x, then y= xv so that y'= xv'+ v. xy'=x^3+y-2x^2*y+xy^2 becomes x^2v'+ xv= x^3+ xv- 2x^3v+ x^3v^2.
 
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Thank you so much for the help, Hallsoflvy.
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

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