How Do Boundary Conditions Affect Differential Equations?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on solving the first-order linear differential equation $\frac{dy}{dt}=2y-5$ with the initial condition $y(0)=y_0$. Participants clarify the integration process and boundary conditions, leading to the solution $y=\left(y_0-\frac{5}{2}\right)e^{2t}+\frac{5}{2}$. The importance of correctly applying boundary conditions to determine arbitrary constants, such as $c_1$, is emphasized, showcasing the necessity of verifying solutions against the original differential equation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of first-order linear differential equations
  • Knowledge of integration techniques, particularly with exponential functions
  • Familiarity with boundary conditions and their role in determining constants in solutions
  • Ability to verify solutions against original equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the method of integrating factors for solving linear differential equations
  • Learn about the role of boundary conditions in differential equations
  • Explore the concept of arbitrary constants in differential equations
  • Practice solving various first-order differential equations with different initial conditions
USEFUL FOR

Mathematics students, educators, and anyone involved in solving differential equations, particularly those interested in understanding the impact of boundary conditions on solutions.

karush
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$\displaystyle \frac{dy}{dt}=2y-5, \quad y(0)=y_0$
rewrite
$$y'-2y=-5$$
obtain u(x)
$$u(x)=\exp\int-2\, dx = e^{-2t}$$
then
$$(e^{-2t}y')=5e^{-2t}$$
just reviewing but kinda
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Last edited:
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In your last line, on the LHS, you want:

$$\left(e^{-2t}y\right)'$$

Or what I would write:

$$\frac{d}{dt}\left(e^{-2t}y\right)$$

And on the RHS, you want:

$$-5e^{-2t}$$
 
$\quad\displaystyle \frac{dy}{dt}=2y-5, \quad y(0)=y_0$
rewrite
$\quad y'-2y=-5$
obtain u(x)
$\quad u(x)=\exp\int-2\, dx = e^{-2t}$
then
$\quad (e^{-2t}y)'=-5e^{-2t}$
integrate both sides
$\quad\displaystyle e^{-2t}y=-5\int e^{-2t} dt=-5e^{-2t}+c_1$
finally
$\quad\displaystyle y
=-5\frac{e^{-2t}}{e^{-2t}}+\frac{c_1}{e^{-2t}}=c_1e^{2t}-5$
so at $\quad y(0)=y_0$

ok I don't see how they got this answer

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karush said:
$\quad\displaystyle \frac{dy}{dt}=2y-5, \quad y(0)=y_0$
rewrite
$\quad y'-2y=-5$
obtain u(x)
$\quad u(x)=\exp\int-2\, dx = e^{-2t}$
then
$\quad (e^{-2t}y)'=-5e^{-2t}$
integrate both sides
$\quad\displaystyle e^{-2t}y=-5\int e^{-2t} dt=-5e^{-2t}+c_1$
finally
$\quad\displaystyle y
=-5\frac{e^{-2t}}{e^{-2t}}+\frac{c_1}{e^{-2t}}=c_1e^{2t}-5$
so at $\quad y(0)=y_0$

ok I don't see how they got this answer
First, what is your c1 in terms of [math]y_0[/math]? You never finished that part.

Also take a look at this:
[math]y = 5 +(y_0 - 5)e^{-t}[/math]

[math]y' = -(y_0 - 5)e^{-t}[/math]

Thus
[math]y' - 2y = -(y_0 - 5)e^{-t} - 2(5 + (y_0 - 5)e^{-t}) = -10 - 3(y_0 - 5)e^{-t} \neq -5[/math]

So the given solution does not match the differential equation. You have the skill to do this check. (And you should always check your own solutions anyway.)

-Dan
 
We have:

$$\frac{d}{dt}\left(e^{-2t}y\right)=-5e^{-2t}$$

Integrate using the boundaries:

$$\int_{y_0}^{e^{-2t}y}\,du=-5\int_{0}^{t}e^{-2v}\,dv$$

$$e^{-2t}y-y_0=\frac{5}{2}\left(e^{-2t}-1\right)$$

$$y-y_0e^{2t}=\frac{5}{2}\left(1-e^{2t}\right)$$

$$y=\left(y_0-\frac{5}{2}\right)e^{2t}+\frac{5}{2}$$
 
$\quad\displaystyle \frac{dy}{dt}=2y-5, \quad y(0)=y_0$
rewrite
$\quad y'-2y=-5$
obtain u(x)
$\quad u(x)=\exp\int-2\, dx = e^{-2t}$
then
$\quad (e^{-2t}y)'=-5e^{-2t}$
integrate both sides
$\quad\displaystyle e^{-2t}y=-5\int e^{-2t} dt=-5e^{-2t}+c_1$
finally
$\quad\displaystyle y
=-5\frac{e^{-2t}}{e^{-2t}}+\frac{c_1}{e^{-2t}}=c_1e^{2t}-5$
so at $\quad y(0)=y_0$
$\quad\displaystyle y(0)=-5+c_1=y_0 $
then
$\quad\displaystyle c_1=y_0+5$
 
MarkFL said:
We have:

$$\frac{d}{dt}\left(e^{-2t}y\right)=-5e^{-2t}$$

Integrate using the boundaries:

$$\int_{y_0}^{e^{-2t}y}\,du=-5\int_{0}^{t}e^{-2v}\,dv$$

$$e^{-2t}y-y_0=\frac{5}{2}\left(e^{-2t}-1\right)$$

$$y-y_0e^{2t}=\frac{5}{2}\left(1-e^{2t}\right)$$

$$y=\left(y_0-\frac{5}{2}\right)e^{2t}+\frac{5}{2}$$
well that is pretty cool ... better than the book process
but I still don't think the boundary thing has registered with me
 
karush said:
well that is pretty cool ... better than the book process
but I still don't think the boundary thing has registered with me
When solving differential equations you see a lot of arbitrary constants. (ie. there are many solutions to the same differential equation.) The boundary conditions simply give you information about those constants. In this case you had c1 as a constant after solving the differential equation. The boundary condition [math]y(0) = y_0[/math] tells you what c1 is in terms of [math]y_0[/math]. Perhaps it would be more meaningful to you if we specified y(0) = 3 or something like that.

-Dan
 

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