How can substitution be used to solve a differential equation?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves using substitution to solve a differential equation of the form y' = 1/(x+y)^2 - 1. Participants are exploring the implications of their substitution choice and the resulting expressions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts a substitution of v = x + y and arrives at a specific expression for y. Some participants question the correctness of the steps taken and suggest reviewing the derivation for potential errors.

Discussion Status

The discussion includes attempts to verify the correctness of the original poster's solution and the steps leading to it. There is acknowledgment of the complexity of the cubic equation derived from the substitution, with some guidance provided on how to interpret the results without reaching a definitive conclusion.

Contextual Notes

The original poster notes that this problem is for practice and not graded, which may influence the depth of the discussion and the willingness to explore various interpretations of the solution.

scrtajntman
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Homework Statement


The problem states: Use substitution to solve:

y'=1/(x+y)^2-1

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



I used the substitution of v=x+y

resulting in the answer y=[3(x-C)]^(1/3) - x

but I'm not too sure that's right

Can some help with the answer and the steps for getting it. It's just for a practice test so I'm not graded on it.
 
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Show all of the steps you took to get the correct answer. If you made an error in any step, we could point it out then.
 
scrtajntman said:

Homework Statement


The problem states: Use substitution to solve:

y'=1/(x+y)^2-1

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



I used the substitution of v=x+y

resulting in the answer y=[3(x-C)]^(1/3) - x

but I'm not too sure that's right

Can some help with the answer and the steps for getting it. It's just for a practice test so I'm not graded on it.

It looks like you got to [itex](x+y)^3=3x+C[/itex] correctly (you probably had -3C instead of +C but it makes no difference since both are just undetermined constants) ? ...If so, this is how you should leave your answer (unless you are given a point on the curve y(x)). The reason being is that there are actually three roots to this cubic equation, and [itex]y+x=\sqrt[3]{3x+C}[/itex] is only one of them.
 
Great! So overall I got the problem right. Thanks.
 

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