How do I start this ODE substitution problem?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves solving a first-order ordinary differential equation (ODE) given by the expression \((x + y)y' = x - y\). The original poster is exploring substitution methods to simplify the equation, referencing a solution format found in their textbook.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply a substitution \(v = x + y\) but expresses confusion about how to proceed after substituting. Some participants suggest that the substitution could work and encourage further exploration of the implications of the substitution. Others point out potential errors in simplifications made during the process.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, with some providing warnings about errors in the original poster's calculations. There is a sense of progress as the original poster acknowledges improvements in their understanding, but no consensus has been reached on the next steps. The discussion remains open, with participants offering guidance and corrections.

Contextual Notes

The original poster is working within the constraints of a homework assignment, which may limit the information they can use or the methods they can apply. There is an ongoing examination of the assumptions behind the substitutions being made.

tony873004
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Homework Statement


[tex]\left( {x + y} \right)y' = x - y[/tex]


Homework Equations


Back of book:
[tex]x^2 - 2xy - y^2 = C[/tex]


The Attempt at a Solution


I'm not sure how to start this problem. In the examples in the book, they make a substitution, v=something, and all that was left were v's and x's, or v's and y's. Usually it was an expression that appeared twice, so making a substution made sense. But if I set v=x+y, or v=x-y, I'm still left with v's, x's & y's. How do I start this one?

Thanks in advance!
 
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You are giving up too fast. v=x+y will work. Just try harder. Notice e.g. y=v-x, so x-y=2x-v.
 
Thanks, I think I'm on a better path now. I get this far:
[tex]\begin{array}{l}<br /> \left( {x + y} \right)y' = x - y,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,v = x + y\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\,y = v - x \\ <br /> \\ <br /> vy' = x - y\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\,v\frac{{dy}}{{dx}} = x - v - x\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\,v\frac{{d\left( {v - x} \right)}}{{dx}} = - v \\ <br /> \end{array}[/tex]

This is where the example in the book just skips a step, so I don't know what to do next.

edit*** don't respond yet, let me try what u suggested
 
Be careful. On the second line you should have x-(v-x). That doesn't simplify to -v. Just a warning.
 
It's starting to look like the back of the book! Am I making this harder than it needs to be?
[tex] \begin{array}{l}<br /> \left( {x + y} \right)y' = x - y,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,v = x + y\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\,y = v - x\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\,x - y = 2x - v \\ <br /> \\ <br /> vy' = 2x - v \\ <br /> \\ <br /> vy' + v = 2x\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\,v\left( {y' + 1} \right) = 2x\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\,x = v\left( {y' + 1} \right)\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\,x = v\left( {\frac{{d\left( {v - x} \right)}}{{dx}} + 1} \right) \\ <br /> \\ <br /> x = v\left( {\frac{{dv - dx}}{{dx}} + 1} \right)\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\,x = v\left( {\frac{{dv}}{{dx}} - \frac{{dx}}{{dx}} + 1} \right)\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\,x = v\left( {\frac{{dv}}{{dx}} - 1 + 1} \right)\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\, \\ <br /> \\ <br /> x = v\left( {\frac{{dv}}{{dx}}} \right)\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\,vdv = xdx \\ <br /> \\ <br /> \int_{}^{} {v\,dv} = \int_{}^{} {x\,dx} \\ <br /> \\ <br /> \frac{{v^2 }}{2} + C_1 = \frac{{x^2 }}{2} + C_2 \\ <br /> \\ <br /> \frac{{\left( {x + y} \right)^2 }}{2} = \frac{{x^2 }}{2} + C_2 - C_1 ,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,C = \,C_2 - C_1 \\ <br /> \\ <br /> \frac{{\left( {x + y} \right)^2 }}{2} = \frac{{x^2 }}{2} + C\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\,\frac{{x^2 + 2xy + y^2 }}{2} = \frac{{x^2 }}{2} + \frac{C}{2}\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\,x^2 + 2xy + y^2 = x^2 + C\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\, \\ <br /> \\ <br /> \frac{{x^2 + 2xy + y^2 }}{{x^2 }} = x^2 + C\,\,\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\,\frac{{2xy + y^2 }}{{x^2 }} + 1 = x^2 + C \\ <br /> \end{array}[/tex]

[tex] \begin{array}{l}<br /> \frac{{\left( {x + y} \right)^2 }}{2} = \frac{{x^2 }}{2} + C\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\,\frac{{x^2 + 2xy + y^2 }}{2} = \frac{{x^2 }}{2} + \frac{C}{2}\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\,x^2 + 2xy + y^2 = x^2 + C\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\, \\ <br /> \\ <br /> \frac{{x^2 + 2xy + y^2 }}{{x^2 }} = x^2 + C\,\,\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\,\frac{{2xy + y^2 }}{{x^2 }} + 1 = x^2 + C\,\, \\ <br /> \end{array}[/tex]
 
Dick said:
Be careful. On the second line you should have x-(v-x). That doesn't simplify to -v. Just a warning.

That might be where my mistake lies. Gotta run to class now. I'll try that in a few hours. Thanks!
 
tony873004 said:
That might be where my mistake lies. Gotta run to class now. I'll try that in a few hours. Thanks!

Wow. So many steps! But you dropped a 2 on the third line.
 
Dick said:
Wow. So many steps! But you dropped a 2 on the third line.
That 2 turned out to be important :)

[tex] \begin{array}{l}<br /> \left( {x + y} \right)y' = x - y,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,v = x + y,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,y = v - x,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,x - y = x - \left( {v - x} \right) = \,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\,x - y = x - v + x\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\,x - y = 2x - v \\ <br /> \\ <br /> v\left( {v - x} \right)^\prime = 2x - y\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\,v\frac{{d\left( {v - x} \right)}}{{dx}} = 2x - v\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\,v\frac{{d\left( {v - x} \right)}}{{dx}} + v = 2x\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\,v\left( {\frac{{d\left( {v - x} \right)}}{{dx}} + 1} \right) = 2x\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\, \\ <br /> \\ <br /> v\left( {\frac{{dv - dx}}{{dx}} + 1} \right) = 2x\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\,v\left( {\frac{{dv}}{{dx}} - \frac{{dx}}{{dx}} + 1} \right) = 2x\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\,v\left( {\frac{{dv}}{{dx}} - 1 + 1} \right) = 2x\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\, \\ <br /> \\ <br /> v\left( {\frac{{dv}}{{dx}}} \right) = 2x\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\,v\,\,dv = 2x\,\,dx \\ <br /> \\ <br /> \int_{}^{} {v\,\,dv} = \int_{}^{} {2x\,\,dx} \\ <br /> \\ <br /> \frac{{v^2 }}{2} + C_1 = \frac{{2x^2 }}{2} + C_2 \\ <br /> \end{array}<br /> \[/tex]

[tex] \begin{array}{l}<br /> \frac{{v^2 }}{2} = x^2 + C_2 - C_1 ,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,C_3 = C_2 - C_1 \\ <br /> \\ <br /> \frac{{v^2 }}{2} = x^2 + C_3 \,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\,\frac{{\left( {x + y} \right)^2 }}{2} - x^2 = C_3 \,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\,\frac{{x^2 + 2xy + y^2 }}{2} - x^2 = C_3 \,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\, \\ <br /> \\ <br /> x^2 + 2xy + y^2 - 2x^2 = 2C_3 \\ <br /> \\ <br /> - x^2 + 2xy + y^2 = 2C_3 ,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\, - C = 2C_3 \, \\ <br /> \\ <br /> - x^2 + 2xy + y^2 = - C \\ <br /> \\ <br /> x^2 - 2xy - y^2 = C \\ <br /> \end{array}<br /> \[/tex]


Same as the back of the book. Thanks!
 

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