How to Integrate a Differential Equation to Find u?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around integrating a second-order differential equation of the form ##-v(du/dy) = κ(d^2(u)/dy^2)## to derive a general solution for ##u(y)##. Participants explore the implications of constants involved and the correct form of the solution.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the integration of the differential equation and question the constants involved, particularly ##v## and ##κ##. There is a focus on the derivation of the general solution and the methods used to arrive at it, including the characteristic equation and the relationship between derivatives.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing insights into the integration process and questioning the assumptions made in the original problem statement. Some participants suggest methods for finding the general solution, while others seek clarification on specific steps and relationships within the equations.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of potential confusion regarding the constants and the form of the solution. Participants are also exploring the implications of the second-order nature of the differential equation and its solutions.

shreddinglicks
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Homework Statement


integrate:

##-v(du/dy) = κ(d^2(u)/dy^2) ##

to obtain:

## (-v/κ)y = ln(du/dy) + c##

and finally:

##u = d + w*e^(-vy/κ)##

Homework Equations


##-v(du/dy) = κ(d^2(u)/dy^2) ##
## (-v/κ)y = ln(du/dy) + c##

The Attempt at a Solution


## (-v/κ)dy = d(u) ##

which gives:

## (-vy/κ) + C = u ##
 
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##v,\kappa## are constant ? What is ##w## ?

I think there is a mistake here:

shreddinglicks said:
u=d+w∗e(−vy/κ)

did you want to write this ##u(y)=c_{1}+c_{2}e^{-\frac{v}{\kappa}y}##, where ##c_{1},c_{2}## are "generic" constants ?

Ssnow
 
Ssnow said:
##v,\kappa## are constant ? What is ##w## ?

I think there is a mistake here:
did you want to write this ##u(y)=c_{1}+c_{2}e^{-\frac{v}{\kappa}y}##, where ##c_{1},c_{2}## are "generic" constants ?

Ssnow
Yes, sorry about that.
 
Ok, then ## u(y)=c_{1}+c_{2}e^{-\frac{v}{\kappa}y}## is the general solution...
Ssnow
 
Ssnow said:
Ok, then ## u(y)=c_{1}+c_{2}e^{-\frac{v}{\kappa}y}## is the general solution...
Ssnow
Yes, but I want to know how to get that solution from the differential equation.
 
In order to know "how" to find the general solution there is a general method for second order differential equations that consists to pass to the characteristic equation:

## \lambda^2+\frac{v}{\kappa} \lambda =0##

that has solutions ## \lambda_{1}=0## and ##\lambda_{2}=-\frac{v}{\kappa}##. When we have ##\Delta >0## the solution is a linear combination of exponentials:

##u(y)= c_{1}e^{0\cdot y}+c_{2}e^{-\frac{v}{\kappa}y}##

we write simply ##u(y)=c_{1}+c_{2}e^{-\frac{v}{\kappa}y}## (for details on this method I suggest any elementary book on differential equations)

Another way is to observe that:

## -\frac{v}{\kappa}y=\ln{\frac{d u}{dy}} +c ##

is equivalent to:

## -\frac{v}{\kappa}y-c=\ln{\frac{d u}{dy}} ##
that is

## e^{-\frac{v}{\kappa}y-c}=\frac{du}{dy}##

and the differential equation is: ##\frac{du}{dy}=Ke^{-\frac{v}{\kappa}y}## with ##K=e^{-c}## that is a constant.
This admit a simple solution that is the exponential itself, (you can think on this ...)
Ssnow
 
Precisely ,our equation is a second order homogeneous differential equation ...
Ssnow
 
Ssnow said:
In order to know "how" to find the general solution there is a general method for second order differential equations that consists to pass to the characteristic equation:

## \lambda^2+\frac{v}{\kappa} \lambda =0##

that has solutions ## \lambda_{1}=0## and ##\lambda_{2}=-\frac{v}{\kappa}##. When we have ##\Delta >0## the solution is a linear combination of exponentials:

##u(y)= c_{1}e^{0\cdot y}+c_{2}e^{-\frac{v}{\kappa}y}##

we write simply ##u(y)=c_{1}+c_{2}e^{-\frac{v}{\kappa}y}## (for details on this method I suggest any elementary book on differential equations)

Another way is to observe that:

## -\frac{v}{\kappa}y=\ln{\frac{d u}{dy}} +c ##

is equivalent to:

## -\frac{v}{\kappa}y-c=\ln{\frac{d u}{dy}} ##
that is

## e^{-\frac{v}{\kappa}y-c}=\frac{du}{dy}##

and the differential equation is: ##\frac{du}{dy}=Ke^{-\frac{v}{\kappa}y}## with ##K=e^{-c}## that is a constant.
This admit a simple solution that is the exponential itself, (you can think on this ...)
Ssnow

I understand everything that you showed me except the line:
## e^{-\frac{v}{\kappa}y-c}=\frac{du}{dy}##

How does that come from the original differential equation?
##-v(du/dy) = κ(d^2(u)/dy^2) ##
 
This is because ##\frac{1}{\frac{du}{dy}}\frac{d^{2}u}{dy^2}## is equal to ##\frac{d}{dy} \left(\ln{\frac{du}{dy}}\right)##. In fact:

##-v\frac{du}{dy}=\kappa\left(\frac{d^2u}{dy^2}\right)##

is equivalent to

##-\frac{v}{\kappa}=\frac{1}{\frac{du}{dy}}\left(\frac{d^2u}{dy^2}\right)##

that is equivalent to

##-\frac{v}{\kappa}=\frac{d}{dy} \left(\ln{\frac{du}{dy}}\right)##

now integrating both sides respect to ##y## we have : ##-\frac{v}{\kappa}y=\ln{\frac{du}{dy}}+c##.

Ssnow
 
  • #10
shreddinglicks said:

Homework Statement


integrate:

##-v(du/dy) = κ(d^2(u)/dy^2) ##

to obtain:

## (-v/κ)y = ln(du/dy) + c##

and finally:

##u = d + w*e^(-vy/κ)##

Homework Equations


##-v(du/dy) = κ(d^2(u)/dy^2) ##
## (-v/κ)y = ln(du/dy) + c##

The Attempt at a Solution


## (-v/κ)dy = d(u) ##

which gives:

## (-vy/κ) + C = u ##

Set ##w = du/dy## and then write the DE as ##dw/dy = r w,## where ##r = v/\kappa.## Thus, ##w = c e^{ry}## and ##u = \int w(y) \, dy.##
 
  • #11
Ray Vickson said:
Set ##w = du/dy## and then write the DE as ##dw/dy = r w,## where ##r = v/\kappa.## Thus, ##w = c e^{ry}## and ##u = \int w(y) \, dy.##

I see, that is useful.
 
  • #12
Ssnow said:
This is because ##\frac{1}{\frac{du}{dy}}\frac{d^{2}u}{dy^2}## is equal to ##\frac{d}{dy} \left(\ln{\frac{du}{dy}}\right)##. In fact:

##-v\frac{du}{dy}=\kappa\left(\frac{d^2u}{dy^2}\right)##

is equivalent to

##-\frac{v}{\kappa}=\frac{1}{\frac{du}{dy}}\left(\frac{d^2u}{dy^2}\right)##

that is equivalent to

##-\frac{v}{\kappa}=\frac{d}{dy} \left(\ln{\frac{du}{dy}}\right)##

now integrating both sides respect to ##y## we have : ##-\frac{v}{\kappa}y=\ln{\frac{du}{dy}}+c##.

Ssnow

Is there a proof for:
##\frac{1}{\frac{du}{dy}}\frac{d^{2}u}{dy^2}## = ##\frac{d}{dy} \left(\ln{\frac{du}{dy}}\right)##
 
  • #13
shreddinglicks said:
Is there a proof for:
##\frac{1}{\frac{du}{dy}}\frac{d^{2}u}{dy^2}## = ##\frac{d}{dy} \left(\ln{\frac{du}{dy}}\right)##

The proof is an application of the derivative rule ## \frac{d}{dy}(f(g(y)))=\frac{df}{dy}(g(y))\cdot \frac{dg}{dy}(y)##, where ##f(y)=\ln(y)## and ##g(y)=\frac{du}{dy}(y)##.
Ssnow
 
  • #14
Ssnow said:
The proof is an application of the derivative rule ## \frac{d}{dy}(f(g(y)))=\frac{df}{dy}(g(y))\cdot \frac{dg}{dy}(y)##, where ##f(y)=\ln(y)## and ##g(y)=\frac{du}{dy}(y)##.
Ssnow
Thanks!
 
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  • #15
Since the problem asks you to integrate use a common method. Let p = du/dy to find a first order separable equation in p. Once you have p you then have u by integration. The method is much more general than this.
 

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