How to characterise solutions to an unsolved equation

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around characterizing solutions to an equation involving an unknown differentiable function g(x). Participants explore how the solutions depend on the derivative g'(x) and the implications of different forms of g'(x) on finding specific values of x that satisfy the equation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents an equation involving an unknown function g(x) and questions how the solutions depend on g'(x), particularly when g'(x) is not constant.
  • Another participant suggests integrating both sides of the equation to find g(x), hinting at using partial fraction decomposition for the right side.
  • A participant expresses uncertainty about the relevance of integration, stating that it does not resolve the dependence of the solution on g'(x) and reiterates the need for more information to solve for g(x).
  • There is a request for clarification on whether the constants a, b, c, and d are known, and whether the goal is to find specific values of x that solve the equation.
  • Another participant notes that if x=0 and g'(0) is not infinite, then a must equal zero, and questions the meaning of "original equation" mentioned in a previous post.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on how to characterize the dependence of solutions on g'(x). There are multiple competing views regarding the approach to take, and the discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the known values of constants and the function g(x), which affects the ability to characterize the solutions. There is also ambiguity regarding the implications of integrating the equation.

NotEuler
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TL;DR
Equation a+bx=(cx+dx^2)*g'(x). I don't know g(x) but it is differentiable. What can I say about the dependence of solutions on g(x) and/or g'(x)?
I'm pondering a seemingly simple problem: Say I have an equation with an unknown function in it. For example,
a+bx=(cx+dx^2)*g'(x)
I don't know g(x) but it is differentiable. What can I say about the dependence of solutions on g(x)?
I don't know the function g(x), except that it is differentiable.

If g'(x) is constant, this seems straightforward. What if g'(x) is not a constant? What can I say with certainty and rigor about the dependence of the solution on g'(x) and g(x)?
 
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##g'(x)=\frac{ax+b}{cx+dx^2}##
Now integrate both sides. On the left side you get ##g(x)## plus a constant from the fundamental theorem of calculus. I'll leave it up to you to try integrating the right side (hint: try partial fraction decomposition)
 
Thank you Shredder. I may have phrased my question poorly, and am not sure if your answer really addresses what I intended to say.

What I meant is: there is some value of x that solves the original equation. That value will somehow depend on g'(x). How can that dependence be characterised?

I am not sure how integrating will help. Then I will just have an equation with g(x) on one side and a function of x on the other, and I still have the same problem.

Or perhaps I misunderstand something here.
 
NotEuler said:
Thank you Shredder. I may have phrased my question poorly, and am not sure if your answer really addresses what I intended to say.

What I meant is: there is some value of x that solves the original equation. That value will somehow depend on g'(x). How can that dependence be characterised?

I am not sure how integrating will help. Then I will just have an equation with g(x) on one side and a function of x on the other, and I still have the same problem.

Or perhaps I misunderstand something here.
Generally, the goal of these equations is to solve for the function g(x). More information is then required to get a specific value of x.
 
NotEuler said:
Or perhaps I misunderstand something here.
You ought to be precise about the whole question. Do you have "known" constants ##a, b, c,d## and a "known" function ##g(x)##? And you want to find the specific values of ##x## that solve you equation?
 
With ##x=0##, assuming that ##g'(0) \ne \infty##, we must have ##a=0##. Also, what do you mean by "original equation" in post #3?
 

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