General Solution for y'+ay=0 | Find the Solution with Step-by-Step Guide

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SUMMARY

The general solution for the differential equation y' + ay = 0 is y = ce^(-ax), where C is a constant. The solution is derived through separation of variables, leading to the integral ∫ dy/y = ∫ -a dx, resulting in ln(y) = -ax + C. Exponentiating both sides confirms that the complete solution includes the constant C, making y = ce^(-ax) the definitive answer.

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Homework Statement


Find the general solution of y'+ay=0.


Homework Equations


dy/dx=-ay
dy/y=-a dx
∫ dy/y=∫ -a dx
ln(y)=-ax+C
y=e^(-ax)



The Attempt at a Solution


What I want to know is that is y=e^(-ax) the answer or y=ce^(-ax) is the answer?
 
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Math10 said:

Homework Statement


Find the general solution of y'+ay=0.


Homework Equations


dy/dx=-ay
dy/y=-a dx
∫ dy/y=∫ -a dx
ln(y)=-ax+C
y=e^(-ax)



The Attempt at a Solution


What I want to know is that is y=e^(-ax) the answer or y=ce^(-ax) is the answer?

Find which values of c solve the equation. If it is only true for c = 1, THEN y = e^(-ax) will be the answer.
 
Math10 said:

Homework Statement


Find the general solution of y'+ay=0.

Homework Equations


dy/dx=-ay
dy/y=-a dx
∫ dy/y=∫ -a dx
ln(y)=-ax+C
Okay, and now you solve for y by taking the exponential of both sides.

y=e^(-ax)
? What happened to the "C"?

The Attempt at a Solution


What I want to know is that is y=e^(-ax) the answer or y=ce^(-ax) is the answer?
 
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Thank you, Hallsoflvy.
 

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