Initial value problem with y(0)=C

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The discussion revolves around solving the initial value problem defined by the equation (y^3)*(dy/dx)=(8y^4+14)*cos(x) with the condition y(0)=C. The user initially applied separation of variables and integrated to find the general solution, but encountered difficulties when substituting the initial condition to solve for C, resulting in a non-real answer. Clarifications were provided regarding the constant of integration, suggesting it should be labeled differently to avoid confusion with the initial condition C. Ultimately, the user was guided to correctly express the solution in terms of C and to derive a valid expression for y^4. The conversation highlights the importance of distinguishing constants in differential equations to avoid errors in initial value problems.
coolhand
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Hey everyone, I'm a long-time visitor, it's my first time posting though.


I have a homework problem that is causing me considerable consternation:

(y^3)*(dy/dx)=(8y^4+14)*cos(x); y(0)=C

Oh, and we're supposed to solve the initial-value problem, and then solve for the particular solution in the form (y^4)=...

I first used separation of variables and then integrated to get:
(y^4) = (1/4)*Ce^(32sin(x))-(7/4)

Now that I've solved for the general initial-value equation, I don't know where to go from here. The only way I could think to solve for C is to plug in 0 for x, and C for y--giving you:

(C^4)=(1/4)*C*(e^0)-(7/4)
C=((1/4)-(7/4))^(1/3)

As this is a non-real answer, I cannot figure out where I went wrong. Also, I was told that we would not need to use complex numbers for any of these homework problems.
 
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(y^3)*(dy/dx)=(8y^4+14)*cos(x)
(y^3)/(8y^4+14)dy=cos(x)dx
∫y3/(8y4+14)dy=∫cos(x)dx

through integrating (did it quickly so you might want to recheck)
(1/32)ln(8y4+14)+c=sin(x)+c
ln(8y4+14)=32sin(x)+c
8y4+14=e32sin(x)+c
solve from there

coolhand said:
Probably could have been clearer in my description.

AmritpalS, thanks for breaking it down for me though. My issue arose when I tried to plug in y(0)=C. I wound up creating a new constant (as C was part of the initial conditions) such that:

ln(8y^4 +14)=32sin(x) +D

then I solved for D, getting (8C^4 +14).

Finally I put it all together and got y^4= [(8*(C^4)+14)*e^(32sin(x))]/8

Thanks again for the help

substitute c for y as u did and o for x

c4=(e32sin(0))(ec)/8 +14/8
c4=ec/8+14/8
from there i plugged it into wolframalpha and it provided me c=-1.15, 1.2, 12.0285
 
Last edited:
coolhand said:
Hey everyone, I'm a long-time visitor, it's my first time posting though.


I have a homework problem that is causing me considerable consternation:

(y^3)*(dy/dx)=(8y^4+14)*cos(x); y(0)=C

Oh, and we're supposed to solve the initial-value problem, and then solve for the particular solution in the form (y^4)=...

I first used separation of variables and then integrated to get:
(y^4) = (1/4)*Ce^(32sin(x))-(7/4)

Now that I've solved for the general initial-value equation, I don't know where to go from here. The only way I could think to solve for C is to plug in 0 for x, and C for y--giving you:

(C^4)=(1/4)*C*(e^0)-(7/4)
C=((1/4)-(7/4))^(1/3)

As this is a non-real answer, I cannot figure out where I went wrong. Also, I was told that we would not need to use complex numbers for any of these homework problems.
Hello coolhand. Welcome to PF as a post-er !

The C in the following solution for y4 the constant of integration. There's no reason to think that this is the same as the C given as the initial value.

I would call it something else, like k, then using the initial condition, solve for k in terms of C.

(y4) = (1/4)*k*e^(32sin(x))-(7/4)
 
Probably could have been clearer in my description.

AmritpalS, thanks for breaking it down for me though. My issue arose when I tried to plug in y(0)=C. I wound up creating a new constant (as C was part of the initial conditions) such that:

ln(8y^4 +14)=32sin(x) +D

then I solved for D, getting (8C^4 +14).

Finally I put it all together and got y^4= [(8*(C^4)+14)*e^(32sin(x))]/8

Thanks again for the help
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

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