How do you apply Euler's Method with Δt = 0.25 to solve dy/dt = (y^2) - 4t?

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on applying Euler's Method to solve the differential equation dy/dt = (y^2) - 4t with an initial condition of y(0) = 0.5 over the interval 0 <= t <= 2 using a step size of Δt = 0.25. The user initially calculated the values incorrectly, leading to discrepancies with the book's answers. Key corrections include the proper use of parentheses in the calculations, particularly in the fourth step, which significantly impacts the results.

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  • Practice solving differential equations using different step sizes
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Students studying calculus, particularly those learning numerical methods for solving differential equations, as well as educators looking for practical examples of Euler's Method applications.

lmanri
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Homework Statement


Use EulersMethod to perform Euler's method with the given step size Δt on the given initial value problem over the time interval specified :

dy/dt= (y^2)-4t , y(0)=0.5 , 0<=t<=2, Δt=0.25

The Attempt at a Solution

This is what I did but I don't think its right, because in the back of the book there is a different answer. I really need to know how to work it out please help.y1= 0.5+(.5^2-(4)(0)).25= .05625
y2= 0.5625+(.5625^2-(4)(.25)).25= .3916
y3= 0.3916+(.3916^2-(4)(.50)).25= -.07006
y4= -.07006+(-.07006^2-(4)(.75)).25= -.821289
y5= -.821289+(-.821289^2-(4)(1.0)).25=-1.98992
y6= -1.98992+(-1.98992^2-(4)(1.25)).25= -4.22987
y7= -4.22987+(-4.22987^2-(4)(1.50)).25= -10.2028
y8= -10.2028+(-10.2028^2-(4)(1.75)).25= -37.9771The book says: y1= 0.56, y2=0.39, y8=-2.69

I don't know how they got to y8=-2.69
 
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lmanri said:
y1= 0.5+(.5^2-(4)(0)).25= .05625
y2= 0.5625+(.5625^2-(4)(.25)).25= .3916
y3= 0.3916+(.3916^2-(4)(.50)).25= -.07006
y4= -.07006+(-.07006^2-(4)(.75)).25= -.821289
Here's where you started going wrong. You need an extra set of parentheses:
y_4 = -.07006 + ((-.07006)^2 - 4(0.75))(0.25) = -0.81883
Remember that (-a)2 is not the same as -a2.
 

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