Finding Solutions to a Non-Homogeneous DE

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the general and singular solutions of a non-homogeneous differential equation of the form x²(y')² - 2(xy - 4)y' + y² = 0. Participants are exploring the classification of the equation, with some suggesting it may relate to Clairaut's equation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss various methods to approach the equation, including considerations of homogeneity and potential connections to Bernoulli's equation. There are attempts to isolate variables and explore implicit solutions, with some questioning the applicability of Clairaut's method.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants sharing their thoughts on the structure of the equation and the implications of different approaches. Some have identified a potential reduction of the equation and are considering the conditions for constants in the solutions, while others are still seeking clarity on the methods involved.

Contextual Notes

There is uncertainty regarding the classification of the differential equation and the implications of the terms involved. Participants are also discussing the role of initial conditions in determining constants in the solutions.

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Homework Statement


Find the general and singular solutions of the following DE:
[itex]x^2 (y')^2-2(xy-4)y'+y^2=0[/itex].


Homework Equations


Not sure. A friend of mine told me it's a Clairaut's equation but I couldn't even reduce the given one into a Clairaut's equation.
[itex]y(x)=xy'+f(y')[/itex]


The Attempt at a Solution


Literally stuck on starting. I checked out for the homogeneity of the DE but it's not. Maybe Bernoulli can come into action... but I'm not sure.
Any tip is greatly appreciated, as usual.
 
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i aint no wizz kid... and I've never seen clairauts before... but...

take sq root of both sides and rearrange for your general form?
 
ProPatto16 said:
i aint no wizz kid... and I've never seen clairauts before... but...

take sq root of both sides and rearrange for your general form?

I thought about that but there's an "y" term in front of the y' term, so I can't isolate y(x) if I simply take the square root.
 
cant isolate it completely but could it just be an implicit solution? where f is a function of x and y?
like i said i don't know about clairauts method so ill stop spamming you thread haha
 
No this isn't an implicit solution I think. I'd get y in function of y, y', y'' and x which isn't a success. :)
I'll wait for further help.
 
(xy'-y)2 is pretty close to the LHS. Does that help?
 
vela said:
(xy'-y)2 is pretty close to the LHS. Does that help?

Ahahaha, I just did this on my draft. The DE reduces to [itex](xy'-y)^2+8y'[/itex].
I'll think on how to continue.
 
The farest expression I reach is [itex]y=xy' \mp 2 \sqrt 2 (-y')^{1/2}[/itex]. I would have thought to factorize by y' and then separate variables but the y's don't have the same exponent number so this doesn't seem to work.
I'm once again stuck.
 
Now you want to use the standard approach to solving Clairaut's equation. Is that what you tried?
 
  • #10
vela said:
Now you want to use the standard approach to solving Clairaut's equation. Is that what you tried?
No, I "forgot" about Clairaut's equation, I thought my friend made a mistake.
So thank you for pointing this out.
I reach [itex]y(x)=c_1x+c_2[/itex]. To verify if this work, I plugged it into the original DE and I got a condition on the constant for the DE to be satisfied. Namely [itex]c_1[/itex] must be equal to [itex]-\frac{c_2 ^2}{8}[/itex].
So the final solution can be written on the form [itex]y(x)=\frac{-c^2}{8}x+c^2[/itex].
Is it possible that I get such a condition for the constants without having been given initial conditions? (I think yes and that the initial conditions will determine c, but I am not 100% sure)
 
  • #11
It's a first-order equation so you only want one constant left at the end to be determined by the initial condition. The other one should be adjusted to satisfy the particular differential equation, just like you found.
 
  • #12
Okay, thank you vela. :smile:
 

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