Homogenous Equation Homework Statement - a & h

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In summary, we discussed the concept of a homogeneous equation of degree n in two variables, defined as f(x,y)=0. We also explored the example of a second degree homogeneous equation, exemplified by k2(y2-(m1m2)xy+m1m2x2)=0. Additionally, we looked at the general form of a second degree homogeneous equation, ax2+2hxy+by2=0, where a and h are unspecified constants.
  • #1
alijan kk
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5

Homework Statement


Let f(x,y)=0 ---------> 1
be any equation in the variables x and y. Equation (1) is called a homogeneous equation of degree n (a positive integer) if :
f(kx,ky)=knf(x,y)
for some real number k.
for example in equation (5) below , if we replace x and y by kx and ky respectively, we have

k2(y2-(m1m2)xy+m1m2x2)=0
k2f(x,y)=0
Thus (5) is a homogeneous equation of degree 2.
A general second degree homogeneous equation can be written as:
ax2+2hxy+by2=0

Homework Equations


(y-m1x)(y-m2x)=0
y2-(m1+m2)xy+m1m2x2=0

The Attempt at a Solution


but what are "a" and "h" are equal to ? my book doesnot tell any thing about it ,, or are they obvious from the equations.
 
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  • #2
alijan kk said:

Homework Statement


Let f(x,y)=0 ---------> 1
be any equation in the variables x and y. Equation (1) is called a homogeneous equation of degree n (a positive integer) if :
f(kx,ky)=knf(x,y)
for some real number k.
for example in equation (5) below , if we replace x and y by kx and ky respectively, we have

k2(y2-(m1m2)xy+m1m2x2)=0
k2f(x,y)=0
Thus (5) is a homogeneous equation of degree 2.
A general second degree homogeneous equation can be written as:
ax2+2hxy+by2
This is not an equation -- there is no = symbol.
alijan kk said:

Homework Equations


(y-m1x)(y-m2x)=0
y2-(m1+m2)xy+m1m2x2=0

The Attempt at a Solution


but what are "a" and "h" are equal to ? my book doesnot tell any thing about it ,, or are they obvious from the equations.
They are just unspecified constants.
It's similar to the idea that a quadratic equation in one variable can be written as ##ax^2 + bx + c = 0##. Here, a, b, and c are real constants. What makes it a quadratic equation isn't the constants -- it's the fact it's a polynomial with the highest power of the variable being 2
 
  • #3
Mark44 said:
This is not an equation -- there is no = symbol.

They are just unspecified constants.
It's similar to the idea that a quadratic equation in one variable can be written as ##ax^2 + bx + c = 0##. Here, a, b, and c are real constants. What makes it a quadratic equation isn't the constants -- it's the fact it's a polynomial with the highest power of the variable being 2
that was my typing mistake,, there is "=0"
 

1. What is a homogenous equation?

A homogenous equation is a mathematical equation where all the terms have the same degree. This means that the equation can be written as a linear combination of its solutions. In simpler terms, it is an equation where the sum of its terms is equal to zero.

2. How do I solve a homogenous equation?

To solve a homogenous equation, you need to find the general solution by setting y = 0 and solving for x. This will give you the complementary function. Then, you can find the particular solution by substituting the complementary function into the original equation and solving for the particular values of x. Finally, the general solution is the sum of the complementary and particular solutions.

3. What is the difference between a homogenous and non-homogenous equation?

A homogenous equation has all terms with the same degree, while a non-homogenous equation has terms with different degrees. In a non-homogenous equation, the sum of the terms is not equal to zero. This means that the solutions for a non-homogenous equation will include both the complementary and particular solutions, while a homogenous equation will only have the complementary solution.

4. Can a homogenous equation have non-real solutions?

Yes, a homogenous equation can have non-real solutions. This can happen if the equation has complex coefficients or if the complementary solution includes imaginary numbers. In this case, the general solution will also have non-real solutions.

5. How are homogenous equations used in science?

Homogenous equations are used in various fields of science, such as physics, chemistry, and biology. They are used to model and solve problems that involve systems with constant rates of change. Homogenous equations are also used in differential equations, which are essential for understanding many natural phenomena, such as population growth and chemical reactions.

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