How to solve this nonlinear differential equation

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the nonlinear differential equation dy/dx=2x+y^2. Participants explore methods for solving this equation, particularly focusing on the challenges associated with nonlinear differential equations and the limitations of traditional methods like the Bernoulli method and integrating factors.

Discussion Character

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

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that traditional methods for solving linear differential equations, such as integrating factors and the Bernoulli method, are ineffective for this nonlinear equation.
  • The original poster (OP) expresses frustration with these methods after unsuccessful attempts and seeks alternative solutions.
  • One participant suggests that the solution involves "non-elementary" functions and provides a specific solution involving Airy functions, indicating a connection to higher-order linear ODEs.
  • Another participant critiques the OP's approach to the Bernoulli method, suggesting a different substitution that leads to a second-order linear ODE.
  • There is a discussion about the general solvability of differential equations, with some participants noting that many are not solvable exactly and that methods taught in textbooks may give a misleading impression of their applicability.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the effectiveness of the methods discussed. There are competing views on the applicability of traditional methods to the given nonlinear equation, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to solve it.

Contextual Notes

Some participants highlight the limitations of the methods discussed, noting that not all differential equations can be solved exactly and that the effectiveness of methods can vary significantly depending on the specific equation.

Brucezhou
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dy/dx=2x+y^2
By the way, methods of solving linear differential equation are useless, such as integrating factor and Bernoulli method.
 
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The OP is a high school student who has worked a bit with linear differential equations. The nonlinear equation above is one that he cooked up for himself.
 
Brucezhou said:
dy/dx=2x+y^2
By the way, methods of solving linear differential equation are useless, such as integrating factor and Bernoulli method.

Do you have a question, or are you just pontificating?
 
LCKurtz said:
Do you have a question, or are you just pontificating?
The question is to find the function involving variables x and y.
 
Brucezhou said:
The question is to find the function involving variables x and y.

The solution involves "non-elementary" functions. Solving it in Maple results in

y(x) = 2^(1/3)*(c*AiryAi(1, -2^(1/3)*x)
+AiryBi(1, -2^(1/3)*x))/(c*AiryAi(-2^(1/3)*x)+AiryBi(-2^(1/3)*x)),

where AiryA and AiryB are the so-called "Airy Wave Functions" and c is a constant. AiryA(z) and AiryB(z) are two linearly independent solutions of the differential equation
\frac{d^2 w}{dz^2} - z w = 0.
They can be written in terms of hypergeometric functions.
 
I think I have to explain what I said in the question. Bernoulli method and integrating factor don't work since I've tried several times but failed. And now I don't want others to waste too much time in these two ways, so I typed those words. But if someone finds this question can be solved using these two methods, I will be really happy since those are only two of a few ways I learned for differential equations. What I did using Bernoulli is

dy/dx=2x+y^2

Then divided by y^2 on both sides

y^2*dy/dx=2x/y^2+1

y^2*dy/dx-2x/y^2=1

Then use du=1/y^2*dy replacing all the elements about y in the equation

u=-1/y

du/dx-2xu^2=1

Then I don't know what I can do.
 
Brucezhou said:
I think I have to explain what I said in the question. Bernoulli method and integrating factor don't work since I've tried several times but failed. And now I don't want others to waste too much time in these two ways, so I typed those words. But if someone finds this question can be solved using these two methods, I will be really happy since those are only two of a few ways I learned for differential equations.


What I did using Bernoulli is

dy/dx=2x+y^2

Then divided by y^2 on both sides

y^2*dy/dx=2x/y^2+1

y^2*dy/dx-2x/y^2=1

Then use du=1/y^2*dy replacing all the elements about y in the equation

u=-1/y

du/dx-2xu^2=1

Then I don't know what I can do.

What you do is not the usual way to solve a Bernoulli ODE.
This one is classical. Just let y(x)=-(df/dx)/f(x)
This leads to the second order linear ODE : f ''+2xf(x) = 0 which is an Airy ODE (related to Bessel ODEs)
 
Brucezhou said:
I think I have to explain what I said in the question. Bernoulli method and integrating factor don't work since I've tried several times but failed. And now I don't want others to waste too much time in these two ways, so I typed those words. But if someone finds this question can be solved using these two methods, I will be really happy since those are only two of a few ways I learned for differential equations.

Most differential equations are not solvable exactly. Sometimes, for those that are, methods have been discovered that will solve a particular class of DE's. Introductory textbooks teach some of those types of DE's and the methods that solve them. This sometimes gives students the false impression that these methods are more useful than they are or that somehow, all DE's can be solved if you just know the right trick.

You can't expect methods that may work on some first order DE's or some linear DE's to work on higher order or nonlinear DE's. The DE in your example is solvable by methods as suggested by others, but you were just lucky there. Write down a slightly more complicated one and you will likely not find any method to solve it exactly.
 

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