Integral Help: Solving dy/(4-y^0.5)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around solving the integral of the form dy/(4-y^0.5), which arises in the context of a differential equation. Participants explore various substitution methods and approaches to simplify the integral, including the use of partial fractions and polynomial long division.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty with the integral due to the presence of the square root of y.
  • Another suggests using a substitution, specifically z^2 = y^0.5, to simplify the integral.
  • A different participant proposes that the integral can be rewritten as 4z^3 dz / (4 - z^2) after substitution.
  • Concerns are raised about the feasibility of using partial fractions for the expression, with one participant stating that they could not find a way to apply it effectively.
  • Another participant challenges the approach by suggesting that a step may have been overlooked in the application of partial fractions.
  • Discussion includes a suggestion to perform polynomial long division before applying partial fractions, with one participant reflecting on their own confusion regarding the process.
  • One participant arrives at a potential solution involving integrating after performing long division, leading to a final expression that includes logarithmic terms.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best method to solve the integral, with multiple approaches being discussed and some expressing uncertainty about the effectiveness of their methods.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of missing steps in the application of partial fractions and the necessity of polynomial long division, which are not fully resolved in the discussion.

kvanr
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Just wondering if you can help me out, I have the following integral that I go to in some differential equation I came up with to figure something out here:

Integrate: dy/(4-y^0.5)

The root y screws me up.
 
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The root y screws me up.
Then get rid of it. (With some sort of substitution)
 
Hurkyl said:
Then get rid of it. (With some sort of substitution)

Yah, how?
That's my question.
 
Try

[tex]z^{2} = y^{0.5}[/tex]

[tex]dy = 4z^3 dz[/tex]
 
Cyclovenom said:
Try

[tex]z^{2} = y^{0.5}[/tex]

[tex]dy = 4z^3 dz[/tex]
Ah yes, interesting. So then I get it in the form

[tex]4z^3 dz / (4 - z^2)[/tex]

I see you can simplify the [tex]4 - z^2 to:<br /> (2-z)(2+z)[/tex], but then I tried to do partial fractions, and that also went nowhere, as there is no existing way to do a partial fraction for that that I could find?

and again I am stumped.. sorry, I'm just not getting this. :frown:
 
Cyclovenom: Why not just z = y^0.5? (or z^2 = y)

kvanr said:
but then I tried to do partial fractions, and that also went nowhere, as there is no existing way to do a partial fraction for that that I could find?
This is a routine application of partial fractions. Maybe you forgot about a step? (the way I learned it... the first step)
 
Hurkyl said:
Cyclovenom: Why not just z = y^0.5? (or z^2 = y)


This is a routine application of partial fractions. Maybe you forgot about a step? (the way I learned it... the first step)

[tex]A/(2-x) + B/(2+x) = 4x^3/(4-x^2)[/tex]
[tex]A(2+x) + B(2-x) = 4x^3[/tex]
[tex](2A+2B) + x(A-B) = 4x^3 + 0x + 0[/tex]
2A+2B = 0, so A=-B
x(A-B)=0x, so A=B

Therefore, no solution exists by the method I know.
 
[tex]A/(2-x) + B/(2+x) = 4x^3/(4-x^2)[/tex]
There's something you're supposed to do before this...

(if you can't find it in your book, the answer is: you're supposed to divide first[/color])
 
Hurkyl said:
Cyclovenom: Why not just z = y^0.5? (or z^2 = y)

Yes, it's easier, i guess i am gettin' rusty.
 
  • #10
Hurkyl said:
There's something you're supposed to do before this...

(if you can't find it in your book, the answer is: you're supposed to divide first[/color])

:frown: I'm sorry I can't find it.

It's because I'm stupid.

edit: Long division.. hmm..

would it be the same as:
[tex]-4x + 16x / (4-x^2)[/tex]

I checked and looks fine.. integrating now
so final answer of [tex]-2z^2 - 8ln(4-z^2)[/tex]
Then just sub in root y for z^2
 
Last edited:

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