Initial Value Problem for y: Solving with Calculus | Non-Zero Constant a

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on solving the initial value problem for the second-order differential equation given by \(\frac{d^2y}{dx^2} = \frac{1}{a}\sqrt{1 + \left(\frac{dy}{dx}\right)^2}\) with initial conditions \(y(0) = a\) and \(y'(0) = 0\), where \(a\) is a non-zero constant. The solution process involves using hyperbolic functions, specifically \(y' = \sinh x\) and integrating to find \(y\). The final expression derived is \(y = \frac{1}{a}\left(\cosh x + a^2 - 1\right)\), which does not match the output from Maple, indicating a potential error in the integration or application of initial conditions.

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VinnyCee
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Homework Statement



Solve the initial value problem for y.

[tex]\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}\,=\,\frac{1}{a}\sqrt{1\,+\,\left(\frac{dy}{dx}\right)^2}[/tex]

[tex]y(0)\,=\,a[/tex] & [tex]y\prime(0)\,=\,0[/tex]

a is a non-zero constant.

Homework Equations



The calculus.

The Attempt at a Solution



[tex]y\prime\,=\,sinh\,x[/tex] [tex]\longrightarrow[/tex] [tex]dy\prime\,=\,cosh\,x\,dx[/tex]

[tex]1\,+\,sinh^2\,x\,=\,cosh^2\,x[/tex]

[tex]dy\prime\,=\,\frac{1}{a}\,\sqrt{cosh^2\,x}\,dx\,=\,\frac{cosh\,x}{a}\,dx[/tex]

[tex]\int dy\prime\,=\,\frac{1}{a}\,\int cosh\,x\,dx[/tex]

[tex]y\prime\,=\,\frac{1}{a}\,sinh\,x\,+\,C[/tex]

C = 0 from the initial condition [itex]y\prime(0)\,=\,0[/itex]

[tex]\int y\prime\,=\,\frac{1}{a}\,\int sinh\,x\,dx[/tex]

[tex]y\,=\,\frac{1}{a}\,cosh\,x\,+\,C[/tex]

[tex]\frac{1}{a}\,(1)\,+\,C\,=\,a[/tex]

[tex]C\,=\,a\,-\,\frac{1}{a}[/tex]

[tex]y\,=\,\frac{1}{a}\left(cosh\,x\,+\,a^2\,-\,1\right)[/tex]

That doesn’t match the answer that maple gives, what did I do wrong?
 
Last edited:
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VinnyCee said:

The Attempt at a Solution



[tex]y\prime\,=\,sinh\,x[/tex] [tex]\longrightarrow[/tex] [tex]dy\prime\,=\,cosh\,x\,dx[/tex]

[tex]1\,+\,sinh^2\,x\,=\,cosh^2\,x[/tex]

[tex]dy\prime\,=\,\frac{1}{a}\,\sqrt{cosh^2\,x}\,dx\,=\,\frac{cosh\,x}{a}\,dx[/tex]

[tex]\int dy\prime\,=\,\frac{1}{a}\,\int cosh\,x\,dx[/tex]

[tex]y\prime\,=\,\frac{1}{a}\,sinh\,x\,+\,C[/tex]


If
[tex]y\prime\,=\,\frac{1}{a}\,sinh\,x[/tex]
then
[tex]dy\prime\,=\,\sqrt{1+y\prime^2}\, dx \,=\,\sqrt{1+\frac{(sinh\,x)^2}{a^2}}\, dx \,\neq\,\frac{1}{a}\,cosh\,x\,dx[/tex]
 
Last edited:

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