How to know if there's an explicit solution for differential equation

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on solving the differential equation \(y\ln{x}\frac{dx}{dy}=(\frac{y+1}{x})^2\) using the method of separation of variables. The user successfully simplifies the equation to \(\ln{x}x^3-\frac{x^3}{3}=y^3+3y+y^2\) but struggles with determining when the solution is complete. The conclusion emphasizes that the solution remains implicitly defined due to the presence of both \(y\) and logarithmic functions, indicating that explicit solutions in elementary functions are not achievable.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of differential equations, specifically separable equations.
  • Familiarity with logarithmic functions and their properties.
  • Basic integration techniques, particularly with respect to multiple variables.
  • Knowledge of implicit versus explicit solutions in mathematical contexts.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the method of separation of variables in differential equations.
  • Learn about implicit functions and their applications in differential equations.
  • Explore integration techniques for functions involving logarithms.
  • Investigate the conditions under which explicit solutions can be derived from differential equations.
USEFUL FOR

Mathematics students, educators, and professionals dealing with differential equations, particularly those interested in advanced integration techniques and implicit solutions.

find_the_fun
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Solve the given differential equation by separation of variables

$$y\ln{x}\frac{dx}{dy}=(\frac{y+1}{x})^2$$

I got it down to

[math]\ln{x}x^3-\frac{x^3}{3}=y^3+3y+y^2[/math]

At this point I had no idea how to solve having y^3 y^2 and y terms so I did what any good student would do and checked the back of the book. The answer given was basically the same as I had got. My question is how do you know when you are done?
 
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I get a different result:

$$\frac{y^2}{2}+2y+\ln|y|=\frac{x^3}{9}\left(3\ln(x)-1 \right)+C$$

I would look at the fact that we can solve for neither variable in terms of elementary functions because both are both inside and outside of log functions. So, I would leave the solution implicitly defined.
 
find_the_fun said:
Solve the given differential equation by separation of variables

$$y\ln{x}\frac{dx}{dy}=(\frac{y+1}{x})^2$$

I got it down to

[math]\ln{x}x^3-\frac{x^3}{3}=y^3+3y+y^2[/math]

At this point I had no idea how to solve having y^3 y^2 and y terms so I did what any good student would do and checked the back of the book. The answer given was basically the same as I had got. My question is how do you know when you are done?

It's a separable equation...

\displaystyle \begin{align*} y\ln{(x)}\,\frac{dx}{dy} &= \left( \frac{y + 1}{x} \right) ^2 \\ y\ln{(x)}\,\frac{dx}{dy} &= \frac{y^2 + 2y + 1}{x^2} \\ x^2\ln{(x)}\,\frac{dx}{dy} &= \frac{y^2 + 2y + 1}{y} \\ x^2\ln{(x)}\,\frac{dx}{dy} &= y + 2 + \frac{1}{y} \end{align*}

Now you can integrate both sides with respect to y.
 

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