Initial value problem with y(0)=C

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves solving an initial value problem defined by the differential equation (y^3)*(dy/dx)=(8y^4+14)*cos(x) with the initial condition y(0)=C. Participants are tasked with finding a particular solution in the form (y^4)=... without resorting to complex numbers.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss using separation of variables and integration to derive a general solution. There are questions about the interpretation of constants and how to apply the initial condition effectively. Some participants express confusion over the non-real solutions encountered when substituting the initial condition.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing insights into the integration process and the handling of constants. There is recognition of the potential confusion surrounding the use of the constant C in both the general solution and the initial condition, prompting suggestions to rename constants for clarity.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the problem should not require complex numbers, which adds to the challenge of finding a valid solution for C. There is also mention of the need to clarify the roles of different constants introduced during the integration process.

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
 

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