# Initial Value Problem Question - Differential Equations

1. Oct 11, 2008

### spazticbutter

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Solve the initial value problem where y(0) = 2.

2. Relevant equations
dy/dt = 3 - 5(y^(1/2))

3. The attempt at a solution
I tried the separable equation method but when it came time to take the integral of
1/[3 - 5(y^(1/2)], every solution I got became too complex to solve for y.
I'm thinking maybe you can just somehow put this into the linear form and use Leibniz's method by multiplying the equation by u(t) but I don't see how I can do this.
All I need is some info on how to make the integral simpler (so I can eventually solve for y) or how I can change this into linear form.

2. Oct 11, 2008

### rocomath

$$\frac{dy}{dt}=3-5y^{\frac 1 2}$$

Correct? If so, have you learned these 2 methods: Integrating factor or Variation of parameters?

3. Oct 11, 2008

### spazticbutter

That is correct (the y^1/2 is a square root but I can't really type that).
I've learned the integrating factor method, I believe, but not variation of parameters.

Try explaining what you're thinking and I'll see if I understand or recognize what I have learned :)

4. Oct 11, 2008

### rocomath

Well you can't easily integrate this problem, so you will need to use the integrator factor.

5. Oct 11, 2008

### spazticbutter

Will you demonstrate how to do this? or get me started? Maybe it's obvious but I can't seem to figure it out.

6. Oct 11, 2008

### spazticbutter

I know how to do the integrating factor method, but not with this problem. How would i get rid of the square root so as to have this in its linear form? (dy/dt + p(t)y = g(t))

7. Oct 11, 2008

### Defennder

Separation of variables works here. The expression is also easy to integrate with an appropriate substitution.

8. Oct 11, 2008

### spazticbutter

Any hints as to what that substitution might be? I've tried letting u = 3-5(y^(1/2)) and
u = y^(1/2) and I've even tried multiplying top and bottom by 3 + 5(y^(1/2)) in order to remove the square root from the bottom. Nothing has worked for me so far...I must be missing something really obvious.

9. Oct 11, 2008

### gabbagabbahey

Show us your work for the u=y^1/2 substitution; you should be able to integrate it without much trouble using this sub.

10. Oct 11, 2008

### Defennder

Why doesn't this work?

11. Oct 11, 2008

### spazticbutter

Ok. Maybe I just made a simple mathematical error the first time around. Let me give it another try and I'll get back to you.

12. Oct 11, 2008

### spazticbutter

DOH! haha. Ok I see it now. For some reason it didn't work last night (I must have been tired). I was able to fully integrate.
Thanks so much guys for your help! (and your patience :) )

13. Oct 11, 2008

### rocomath

Oh crap it is ... lol, just divide the right and get dt on the right ... sorry!!!

14. Oct 11, 2008

### spazticbutter

Um...ACTUALLY I have one more question. First off, I accidentally made a typo...it's actually 5 - 3(y^(1/2)) NOT 3 - 5(y^(1/2)). Second, after I took the integral of 1/(5-3(y^(1/2))) I got (-10/9)ln l 5 - 3(y^(1/2)) l + (2/9)(5-3(y^(1/2))) = t + C. How would I solve for y in this case? Any hints would be appreciated :)

15. Oct 11, 2008

### Defennder

Do you really have to solve in terms of y? Remember that the only thing you're required to do is to solve an initial value problem. You're given the initial condition. So just plug that in to find C. It's not always possible to express a function f(y,t) = g(t) in terms of y only on the left hand side. This has something to do with the implicit function theorem:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Implicit_function_theorem

16. Oct 11, 2008

### spazticbutter

I don't know if I HAVE to solve in terms of y, but all the examples/problems that we've done in class have been in that form so I really don't know.
So I take it there is no real way of finding it it in terms of y on the left hand side?

17. Oct 11, 2008

### spazticbutter

Actually, I take that back. There is a second part to the problem. I have to use Euler's method to approximate at several values of t. I take it I need to first solve for y in this IVP problem so I can use it in Euler's method. Any ideas on how I'm supposed to do this?