Homogenous differential equation

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a homogeneous differential equation of the form \(\frac{\mathrm{d} y}{\mathrm{d} x}=f(x,y)\), specifically analyzing the equation \((x+y)^2 \frac{\mathrm{d} y}{\mathrm{d} x}=r^2\). Participants explore the conditions under which the function \(f(x,y)\) is considered homogeneous and the implications for solving the equation.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the definition of homogeneity in the context of differential equations, questioning whether the original equation can be transformed into a separable form using the substitution \(\frac{y}{x}=z(x)\). There is also mention of alternative substitutions, such as \(u = x + y\), and the role of the constant \(r^2\) in determining the homogeneity of the equation.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants expressing differing interpretations of the homogeneity of the function \(f(x,y)\) and its implications for solving the differential equation. Some participants suggest that the equation may not be separable as initially thought, while others explore alternative approaches.

Contextual Notes

There is a lack of consensus regarding the definition of homogeneity and the implications of the constant \(r^2\) in the context of the differential equation. Participants are navigating these definitions and their relevance to the problem at hand.

etf
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My book says:
"Differential equations of the form $$\frac{\mathrm{d} y}{\mathrm{d} x}=f(x,y)$$, where $$f(x,y)$$ is homogenous function (function is homogenous if $$f(tx,ty)=t^k f(x,y)$$) can be written in form $$\frac{\mathrm{d} y}{\mathrm{d} x}=F(\frac{y}{x})$$ and transformed to differential equation with separate variables using substitution $$\frac{y}{x}=z(x)$$."
Here is my differential equation and how I tried to solve it:
$$(x+y)^2 \frac{\mathrm{d} y}{\mathrm{d} x}=r^2$$
$$\frac{\mathrm{d} y}{\mathrm{d} x}=\frac{r^2}{(x+y)^2}$$
$$f(x,y)=\frac{r^2}{(x+y)^2}$$
$$\rightarrow f(tx,ty)=\frac{r^2}{(tx+ty)^2}=\frac{r^2}{(t(x+y))^2}=\frac{r^2}{t^2(x+y)^2}=t^{-2}\frac{r^2}{(x+y)^2}$$ so our function is homogenous and we can solve our diff. eq., according to my book, using substitution $$\frac{y}{x}=z(x)$$
$$\frac{\mathrm{d} y}{\mathrm{d} x}=\frac{r^2}{(x+y)^2}=\frac{r^2}{(x(1+\frac{y}{x}))^2}=\frac{r^2}{x^2(1+\frac{y}{x})^2}$$
Our equation now becomes $$z+x\frac{\mathrm{d} z}{\mathrm{d} x}=\frac{r^2}{x^2(1+z)^2}$$ but this is not diff. eq. with separate variables? :confused:
 
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etf said:
My book says:
"Differential equations of the form $$\frac{\mathrm{d} y}{\mathrm{d} x}=f(x,y)$$, where $$f(x,y)$$ is homogenous function (function is homogenous if $$f(tx,ty)=t^k f(x,y)$$) can be written in form $$\frac{\mathrm{d} y}{\mathrm{d} x}=F(\frac{y}{x})$$ and transformed to differential equation with separate variables using substitution $$\frac{y}{x}=z(x)$$."
This is incorrect. A differential equation is "homogeneous of order k" if f(tx, ty)= t^k f(x, y). A differential equation that is homogenous of order 0 can be written as a separable equation in the variable z= y/x.

Here is my differential equation and how I tried to solve it:
$$(x+y)^2 \frac{\mathrm{d} y}{\mathrm{d} x}=r^2$$
$$\frac{\mathrm{d} y}{\mathrm{d} x}=\frac{r^2}{(x+y)^2}$$
$$f(x,y)=\frac{r^2}{(x+y)^2}$$
$$\rightarrow f(tx,ty)=\frac{r^2}{(tx+ty)^2}=\frac{r^2}{(t(x+y))^2}=\frac{r^2}{t^2(x+y)^2}=t^{-2}\frac{r^2}{(x+y)^2}$$ so our function is homogenous
No. "Homogeneous", with no adjective, means "homogeneous of degree 0". That is, f(tx, ty)= f(x, y) for any t. That is the condition that we can write the problem as a differential equation in z= y/x. Your equation is homogeneous of order -2 so cannot be written that way.

and we can solve our diff. eq., according to my book, using substitution $$\frac{y}{x}=z(x)$$
$$\frac{\mathrm{d} y}{\mathrm{d} x}=\frac{r^2}{(x+y)^2}=\frac{r^2}{(x(1+\frac{y}{x}))^2}=\frac{r^2}{x^2(1+\frac{y}{x})^2}$$
Our equation now becomes $$z+x\frac{\mathrm{d} z}{\mathrm{d} x}=\frac{r^2}{x^2(1+z)^2}$$ but this is not diff. eq. with separate variables? :confused:
 
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Well, I am not that familiar with the theory, but you say yourself that you need to write your equation on the form
\begin{equation*}
\frac{dy}{dx} = F(\frac{y}{x}).
\end{equation*}
Does this seem doable?

That said, my first instinct would instead be to try the substitution ##u = x + y##.
 
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etf said:
My book says:
"Differential equations of the form $$\frac{\mathrm{d} y}{\mathrm{d} x}=f(x,y)$$, where $$f(x,y)$$ is homogenous function (function is homogenous if $$f(tx,ty)=t^k f(x,y)$$) can be written in form $$\frac{\mathrm{d} y}{\mathrm{d} x}=F(\frac{y}{x})$$ and transformed to differential equation with separate variables using substitution $$\frac{y}{x}=z(x)$$."
Here is my differential equation and how I tried to solve it:
$$(x+y)^2 \frac{\mathrm{d} y}{\mathrm{d} x}=r^2$$

And what is ##r^2##? Just any constant or does it happen to be ##x^2+y^2##? That would make your DE homogeneous.
 
Thanks for replies. I solved it using substitution x+y=z(x). Btw r^2 is constant.
 

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