Help with another separable equation

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a separable differential equation of the form (ln(y))^3*(dy/dx) = (x^3)y, with initial conditions provided. Participants explore the steps involved in isolating y and solving the equation, while addressing potential mistakes and uncertainties in the process.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty in solving the equation and mentions potential mistakes in their calculations.
  • Another participant confirms the form of the differential equation presented by the first participant.
  • A detailed mathematical derivation is provided by a participant, leading to an expression for y in terms of x and a constant C.
  • There is a question raised about whether it is necessary to solve for y explicitly in the context of the problem.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether solving for y is required, and there are varying levels of confidence in the steps taken to isolate y. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the necessity of obtaining an explicit solution.

Contextual Notes

Some participants indicate uncertainty about the correctness of their calculations and the implications of the initial conditions on the solution. There are also unresolved aspects regarding the integration steps and the interpretation of the results.

jahrens
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I am really struggling with this one, if anyone can help. (ln(y))3*(dy/dx)=(x^3)y with initial conditions y=e^2 x=1

I get c=4/(e^4) - 1/4
then I get stuck at (3ln^2y - ln^3y)/(y^2)=(x^4)/4 + C Any ideas? I'm really not good at these so there are probably mistakes, because at this point I have no idea how to isolate y.
 
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jahrens said:
I am really struggling with this one, if anyone can help. (ln(y))3*(dy/dx)=(x^3)y with initial conditions y=e^2 x=1

I get c=4/(e^4) - 1/4
then I get stuck at (3ln^2y - ln^3y)/(y^2)=(x^4)/4 + C Any ideas? I'm really not good at these so there are probably mistakes, because at this point I have no idea how to isolate y.

Is the DE $\displaystyle \begin{align*} \left[ \ln{(y)} \right] ^3\,\frac{\mathrm{d}y}{\mathrm{d}x} = x^3\,y \end{align*}$?
 
Yes!
 
$\displaystyle \begin{align*} \left[ \ln{(y)} \right] ^3\,\frac{\mathrm{d}y}{\mathrm{d}x} &= x^3\,y \\ \left[ \ln{(y)} \right] ^3\,\frac{1}{y}\,\frac{\mathrm{d}y}{\mathrm{d}x} &= x^3 \\ \int{ \left[ \ln{(y)} \right] ^3\,\frac{1}{y}\,\frac{\mathrm{d}y}{\mathrm{d}x} \,\mathrm{d}x} &= \int{ x^3\,\mathrm{d}x} \\ \int{ \left[ \ln{(y)} \right] ^3\,\frac{1}{y}\,\mathrm{d}y} &= \frac{x^4}{4} + C_1 \\ \int{ u^3\,\mathrm{d}u} &= \frac{x^4}{4} + C_1 \textrm{ where } u = \ln{(y)} \implies \mathrm{d}u = \frac{1}{y}\,\mathrm{d}y \\ \frac{u^4}{4} + C_2 &= \frac{x^4}{4} + C_1 \\ \frac{u^4}{4} &= \frac{x^4}{4} + C_1 - C_2 \\ u^4 &= x^4 + 4\,C_1 - 4\,C_2 \\ \left[ \ln{(y)} \right] ^4 &= x^4 + C \textrm{ where } C = 4\,C_1 - 4\,C_2 \\ \ln{(y)} &= \pm \sqrt[4]{ x^4 + C } \\ y &= \mathrm{e}^{ \pm \sqrt[4]{x^4 + C} } \end{align*}$

Now since when $\displaystyle \begin{align*} x = 1, \, y = \mathrm{e}^2 \end{align*}$ we have

$\displaystyle \begin{align*} \mathrm{e}^2 &= \mathrm{e}^{ \pm \sqrt[4]{ 1^4 + C } } \\ 2 &= \pm \sqrt[4]{ 1 + C } \\ 16 &= 1 + C \\ C &= 15 \end{align*}$

and thus $\displaystyle \begin{align*} y = \mathrm{e}^{\pm \sqrt{ x^4 + 15 }} \end{align*}$.
 
Is there anywhere in the problem that says you are actually required to solve for y?
 

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