How Do You Solve This Differential Equation: \( x^3 \frac{dy}{dx} = y \)?

seto6
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Homework Statement



hey, it's been on my wish list for some time, i have decided to teach my self diffrential equal, rather than waiting to be taught at school, after having some exposure through vibrations and circuits.

so i got a book and i started to learn, the question came to be;

x^{3} \frac{dy}{dx} = y





2. The attempt at a solution
so i solve it by separation of variable and arrived at the answer of

y=e^{-.5x^{2}+c}

i am afride it is wrong, or am i just confused.
 
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try and show your working, and note you can put a whole equation in tex tags
x^3 \frac{dy}{dx} = y

did you separate like below?
\frac{dy}{y} = \frac{dx}{x^3}
 
lanedance said:
try and show your working, and note you can put a whole equation in tex tags
x^3 \frac{dy}{dx} = y

did you separate like below?
\frac{dy}{y} = \frac{dx}{x^3}

yes.
 
Then you've lost a sign.

If dy/y= dx/x^3= x^{-3}dx then

ln(y)= -(1/2)x^{-2}+ C
and so

y= e^{-.5x^{-2}+ C

It should be x^{-2} in the exponent, not x^2.
 
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