MHB General Solution for $(x^2+y^2)x-y$ Differential Equation

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The discussion focuses on finding the general solution to the differential equation involving the expression \((x^2+y^2)x-y\). Participants share their methods and solutions, with one contributor expressing enthusiasm for the results. There is an emphasis on clarifying the substitution used in the solution process for better understanding. The conversation aims to provide a comprehensive approach to solving the equation effectively. Overall, the thread serves as a collaborative effort to tackle a complex mathematical problem.
MarkFL
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Find the general solution for:

$$\left(\left(x^2+y^2 \right)x-y \right)\,dx+\left(\left(x^2+y^2 \right)y+x \right)\,dy=0$$
 
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My solution

If you switch to polar coords $x = r \cos \theta , \; y = r \sin \theta$ the ODE becomes

$r dr + dt = 0$.

At this point the ODE is trivial.
 
Jester said:
My solution

If you switch to polar coords $x = r \cos \theta , \; y = r \sin \theta$ the ODE becomes

$r dr + dt = 0$.

At this point the ODE is trivial.

Brilliant! (Clapping)

For those who may not follow the substitution and subsequent result, I will elaborate, and also give my method here:

Jester suggests switching to polar coordinates:

$$x=r\cos(\theta)$$

$$y=r\sin(\theta)$$

and so we find:

$$x^2+y^2=r^2$$

$$\theta=\tan^{-1}\left(\frac{y}{x} \right)$$

$$dx=-r\sin(\theta)\,d\theta+\cos(\theta)\,dr$$

$$dy=r\cos(\theta)\,d\theta+\sin(\theta)\,dr$$

Now, substituting into the ODE, we get:

$$\left(r^3\cos(\theta)- r\sin(\theta) \right)\left(\cos(\theta)\,dr- r\sin(\theta)\,d\theta \right)+ \left(r^3\sin(\theta)+ r\cos(\theta) \right)\left(\sin(\theta)\,dr+ r\cos(\theta)\,d\theta \right)=0$$

Dividing through by $r$ and expanding, we find the first term is:

$$r^2\cos^2(\theta)\,dr-r^3\sin(\theta)\cos(\theta)-\sin(\theta)\cos(\theta)\,dr+r\sin^2(\theta)\,dt$$

and the second term is:

$$r^2\sin^2(\theta)\,dr+r^3\sin(\theta)\cos(\theta)+\sin(\theta)\cos(\theta)\,dr+r\cos^2(\theta)\,dt$$

And so their sum is (and applying the Pythagorean identity):

$$r^2\,dr+r\,d\theta=0$$

Divide through by $r$ to obtain:

$$r\,dr+d\theta=0$$

Integrating, we find:

$$r^2+2\theta=C$$

And back-substituting, we get the general solution:

$$x^2+y^2+2\tan^{-1}\left(\frac{y}{x} \right)=C$$

This is the method I used:

Beginning with:

$$\left(\left(x^2+y^2 \right)x-y \right)\,dx+\left(\left(x^2+y^2 \right)y+x \right)\,dy=0$$

$$\left(x^2+y^2 \right)x-y+\left(\left(x^2+y^2 \right)y+x \right)y'=0$$

Divide through by $$x^2+y^2$$ to get:

$$x+yy'+\frac{xy'-y}{x^2+y^2}=0$$

$$2x+2yy'+2\frac{1}{\left(\frac{y}{x} \right)^2+1}\cdot\frac{xy'-y}{x^2}=0$$

$$2x+2y\frac{dy}{dx}+2\frac{1}{\left(\frac{y}{x} \right)^2+1}\frac{d}{dx}\left(\frac{y}{x} \right)=0$$

Integrating with respect to $x$, we obtain the general solution:

$$x^2+y^2+2\tan^{-1}\left(\frac{y}{x} \right)=C$$
 
Here is a little puzzle from the book 100 Geometric Games by Pierre Berloquin. The side of a small square is one meter long and the side of a larger square one and a half meters long. One vertex of the large square is at the center of the small square. The side of the large square cuts two sides of the small square into one- third parts and two-thirds parts. What is the area where the squares overlap?

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