How Do You Solve This Trigonometric Differential Equation from Calculus II?

  • Thread starter Thread starter sourcandy
  • Start date Start date
Join the discussion
Ask a follow-up here, or get your own question answered by working scientists, mathematicians and engineers — people, not an autocomplete.
Real named experts · corrections over time · the nuance an AI answer skips
2 replies · 2K views
sourcandy
Messages
3
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


y=sinxcosx-cos^{2}x Differential equation= 2y+y'=2sin(2x)-1
Initial condition y(pi/4)=0






The Attempt at a Solution



2y=2sinxcosx-2cos^{2}x

y'=-sin^{2}x+cos^{2}x+2cosxsinx

ok... using double angle formulas... I get
2y=Sin2x-2cos^{2}x

y'=2cos^{2}x-1+2sinx

2y+y'
(Sin2x-2Cos^{2}x)+(2cos^{2}x-1+2sinx)
the 2cos mess cancells out leaves you with

Sin2x + (-1) +2Sinx
I don't understand how that equals 2sin2x-1
as the book says it does and the solution shows.

Stupid question I know... I struggle with the easy stuff.

Thanks
-Ed
 
Physics news on Phys.org
You're trying to prove that [tex]sin(2x) + 2sin(x)-1 = 2sin(2x)-1[/tex]

Edit: I have to leave in a hurry, but this equality is not true.
In the RHS, [tex]2sin(2x)-1=sin(2x)+sin(2x)-1[/tex]

[tex]\implies sin(2x) + 2sin(x)-1 = sin(2x)+sin(2x)-1[/tex]
Therefore, cancelling the sin(2x)-1's from the LHS and RHS,
[tex]2sin(x) \neq sin(2x)[/tex] since by the double angle formula,

[tex]sin(2x) = 2sin(x)cos(x)[/tex]

So, you probably made a mistake somewhere before.
 
Last edited:
awesome... I'm totally screwed for tomorrow. lol

Cal 2 during the summer was a terrible idea.