How would I solve a DiffEq of the form

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a differential equation of the form \(\frac{dn(t)}{dt} = A \sin(B n(t) t) n(t)\) and its more general variant \(\frac{dn(t)}{dt} = F(n(t)) n(t)\). Participants explore the nature of the equation, its non-linearity, and potential methods for finding solutions, including numerical approaches and approximations.

Discussion Character

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

Main Points Raised

  • One participant identifies the equation as a first-order, non-linear differential equation and expresses uncertainty about the methods to solve it.
  • Another participant notes the extreme non-linearity due to the dependent function appearing inside the sine function, complicating the solution process.
  • A participant inquires about the origin of the equation, asking if it describes a physical system or is a theoretical construct.
  • A later reply explains that the equation arises from modeling a particle system's decay rate and discusses the complexities involved in finding a complete solution due to the lack of explicit time-dependent extremes.
  • One participant suggests the possibility of numerical solutions as a way forward.
  • Another participant questions whether the multiplication symbol in the equation indicates convolution and considers using Fourier or Laplace transforms, but struggles to derive the appropriate transform for the right-hand side.
  • A participant clarifies that the multiplication symbol was simply for readability and not convolution.
  • One participant asserts that the equation cannot be solved analytically due to the intertwined nature of \(n\) and \(t\) within the sine function, proposing the use of Taylor polynomials for approximation instead.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the solvability of the equation, with some suggesting numerical methods and approximations while others emphasize the challenges posed by its non-linearity. There is no consensus on a definitive solution method.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention limitations related to the non-linear nature of the equation and the difficulties in separating variables. The discussion includes references to approximations that may only hold under specific conditions, such as small values of the product \(nt\).

K.J.Healey
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<br /> \frac{dn(t)}{dt} = A sin(B*n(t)*t) n(t)<br />

Or a more general
<br /> \frac{dn(t)}{dt} = F(n(t)) n(t)<br />

I'm not even sure what method I could use, or what it would be called.

A first order, non-linear equation?

Maybe it looks neater as:
<br /> \frac{dn}{dt}=A n Sin(n t)<br />EDIT : This isn't homework. I'm just looking for insight.
 
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That is extremely non-linear because the dependent function, u(t), occurs inside the non-linear function cosine. The fact that you then have that function multiplied by u(t) just makes it worse.

There are no general methods to solve non-linear equations or even any special classes of non-linear equations. (You can sometimes use "quadrature" for equations where the independent variable does not appear explicitly but they typically result in an integration that cannot be done in closed form.)
 
Hi, K.J.Healey!

Where did you get this equation from? I mean, does it describe a certain physical system, or you 'invented' it by yourself?
 
It comes from solving a large particle system decay rate due to (B=2) transition (oscillation) and subsequent annhilation. Its actually already a first term of an expansion on a much much more difficult equation. The potential splitting the energies of the particle-antiparticle is a function of the density of the system, which itself is a function of time.

That's where the amplitude's, as well as the frequency's, dependence one the density of states "n" comes into play. Usually the method is to take for small times "t" and just do an approx, or for t>>0 and do a sin^2 -> (1/2). But unfortunately I cannot. I have no explicit time-dependent extremes with which to expand about, so I need a complete solution.
 
Perhaps I can do this numerically...
 
Does the * denote convolution? I was thinking either Fourier or Laplace transform, but I can't come up with the transform for the RHS.
 
No, it was merely for a multiplication, because it looked really messy in tex (squshed everything together:
<br /> \frac{dn(t)}{dt} = A Sin(B n(t) t) n(t)<br />

hard to read.
 
This DE is pretty intense
 
It's not possible to solve, the reason is that inside the sine function there is the function n itself and the independent variable t. There is no way to separate them and the only way to solve this is using taylor polynomials with an approximation. The first degree approximation is only valid if the product nt is very small and leads to,
\frac{dn}{dt}\approx ABn^2t.
Divide by n^2[/tex] and multiply by dt and then integrate and use algebra to get n=n(t).<br /> <br /> Hope that helps, a little.
 

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