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

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The discussion revolves around solving the differential equation yln(x)dx/dy = ((y+1)/x)^2 using separation of variables. After simplifying, the user expresses confusion about how to proceed with the resulting equation that includes y terms of varying degrees. They note that the solution appears to be implicitly defined, as neither variable can be isolated in terms of elementary functions. Another participant suggests integrating both sides after rearranging the equation, emphasizing that the equation is separable. The conversation highlights the challenge of determining when a solution is complete, especially when faced with complex terms.
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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