MHB Integrating factor (Madmen's question at Yahoo Answers)

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The discussion centers on solving the differential equation xdx + (2x+y)dy = 0, where the partial derivatives of P and Q are not equal, indicating the need for an integrating factor. The proposed integrating factor μ is derived as μ = x^2, but this leads to a contradiction as the equation remains non-exact. The equation is identified as homogeneous, suggesting a substitution of the form y = vx to facilitate separation of variables. The subsequent steps involve transforming the equation and integrating, ultimately leading to a solution that does not express either variable explicitly in terms of the other. The conclusion emphasizes the complexity of the problem and the limitations in finding a straightforward solution.
Fernando Revilla
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Here is the question:

we have xdx + (2x+y)*dy=0
∂P/ ∂y is not equal to ∂Q/ ∂x so I have to find an integrating factor.
I write this as 0 +x*dμ/dy=2μ ....
x= 2μ/∂μ/∂y

2/x =∂μ/∂y/μ

lnμ=2lnx so μ=x^2...
I write the initial equation x^2*xdx+x^2(2x+y)dy=0 but still the partial derivatives arent equal where am I wrong :/

Here is a link to the question:

Differential equations math question? - Yahoo! Answers

I have posted a link there to this topic so the OP can find my response.
 
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Hello Madmen,

The equation has no integrating factor $\mu$ depending only on $x$, if so consider $\mu Pdx+\mu Qdy=0$. Then, $$(\mu P)_y=(\mu Q)_x\Leftrightarrow 0=\mu'(2x+y)+2\mu \Leftrightarrow \frac{\mu'}{\mu}=-\frac{2}{2x+y}\ne \mu(x)$$ and we get a contradiction. The given equation is homogeneous, so using $y=vx$ you'll get a separating variables equation.
 
Fernando Revilla said:
Here is the question:
Here is a link to the question:

Differential equations math question? - Yahoo! Answers

I have posted a link there to this topic so the OP can find my response.

[math]\displaystyle \begin{align*} x\,dx + \left( 2x + y \right) \, dy &= 0 \\ x\,dx &= -\,\left( 2x + y \right)\, dy \\ \frac{dx}{dy} &= -\frac{2x + y}{x} \end{align*}[/math]

Now a substitution of the form [math]\displaystyle \begin{align*} x = v\,y \implies \frac{dx}{dy} = v + y\,\frac{dv}{dy} \end{align*}[/math] is appropriate...

[math]\displaystyle \begin{align*} \frac{dx}{dy} &= -\frac{2x+y}{x} \\ v+ y\,\frac{dv}{dy} &= -\frac{2v\,y + y}{v\,y} \\ v + y\,\frac{dv}{dy} &= -\frac{2v + 1}{v} \\ y\,\frac{dv}{dy} &= -\frac{2v+1}{v}-v \\ y\,\frac{dv}{dy} &= -\frac{v^2 + 2v + 1}{v} \\ \frac{v}{ \left( v + 1 \right) ^2} \, \frac{dv}{dy} &= -\frac{1}{y} \\ \int{ \frac{v}{ \left( v + 1 \right) ^2} \, \frac{dv}{dy} \, dy} &= \int{-\frac{1}{y}\,dy} \\ \int{ \frac{v}{ \left( v + 1 \right)^2} \, dv} &= -\ln{|y|} +C_1 \\ \int{ \frac{u - 1}{u^2}\,du} &= -\ln{|y|} +C_1 \textrm{ after making the substitution } u = v + 1 \implies du = dv \\ \int{u^{-1} - u^{-2}\,du} &= -\ln{|y|} + C \\ \ln{|u|} + u^{-1} + C_2 &= -\ln{|y|} + C_1 \\ \ln{|v+1|} + \frac{1}{v + 1} &= -\ln{|y|} + C \textrm{ where } C = C_1 - C_2 \\ \ln{ \left| \frac{x}{y} + 1 \right| } + \frac{1}{\frac{x}{y} + 1} &= -\ln{|y|} + C \\ \ln{ \left| \frac{x + y}{y} \right| }+ \frac{y}{x + y}&= -\ln{|y|} + C \\ \ln{ |x + y|} -\ln{|y|} + \frac{y}{x +y} &= -\ln{|y|} + C \\ \ln{|x+y|}+ \frac{y}{x+y} &= C \end{align*}[/math]

It is not possible to get either variable explicitly in terms of the other.
 
Insights auto threads is broken atm, so I'm manually creating these for new Insight articles. In Dirac’s Principles of Quantum Mechanics published in 1930 he introduced a “convenient notation” he referred to as a “delta function” which he treated as a continuum analog to the discrete Kronecker delta. The Kronecker delta is simply the indexed components of the identity operator in matrix algebra Source: https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/what-exactly-is-diracs-delta-function/ by...

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