Integrating factor problems (property of exponents)

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the use of integrating factors in solving a differential equation of the form ty' + (t+1)y = t. Participants are exploring the properties of exponents and the simplification of expressions related to the integrating factor.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculation of the integrating factor and question the simplification of expressions involving exponentials and logarithms. There is an exploration of whether the integrating factor should include a constant and how to properly apply properties of exponents. Some participants also examine the steps taken to rewrite the differential equation and the implications of using an integrating factor.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing guidance on the correct form of the integrating factor and the subsequent steps to take. There is an acknowledgment of the need to clarify the role of integrating factors in making the equation exact, and some participants are encouraged to continue from a certain point in the derivation.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the differential equation is not separable or exact, which leads to the necessity of using an integrating factor. There are initial conditions provided, and the discussion includes attempts to derive the solution while questioning the correctness of various steps taken.

darryw
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Homework Statement



my integrating factor for the DE ty' + (t+1)y = t is mu(x) = e^integ (1+(1/t))
= e^(t + ln|t| + c)
so does this simplify to this...or not?

= e^t + t + c

so that DE becomes:

((e^t) + t))y = (e^t) + t)

and then after integrating...

((e^t) + t))y = e^t + (1/2)t^2 + c

is that correct??

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution

 
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darryw said:

Homework Statement



my integrating factor for the DE ty' + (t+1)y = t is mu(x) = e^integ (1+(1/t))
= e^(t + ln|t| + c)
For the integrating factor you don't need the constant.
darryw said:
so does this simplify to this...or not?

= e^t + t + c
Or not. Your integrating factor is et + ln(t). This is NOT EQUAL to et + eln(t). There's a property of exponents you need here that can be used to simplify ab + c. What is it?
darryw said:
so that DE becomes:

((e^t) + t))y = (e^t) + t)

and then after integrating...

((e^t) + t))y = e^t + (1/2)t^2 + c

is that correct??

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution

 
ty' + (t+1)y = t initial conditions: y(ln(2)) = 1

mu(x) = e^integ (1+(1/t))
= e^(t + ln|t|)
= te^t

(te^t)y = (te^t)t

integ ((te^t)y)' = integ(t^2)(e^t)

(te^t)y = e^t(t^2 - 2t +2 + c)

ty = t^2 - 2t +2 + c

y = t-2 + (2/t) + c/t
 
darryw said:
ty' + (t+1)y = t initial conditions: y(ln(2)) = 1
Your next step was to divide both sides by t to get
y' + (1 + 1/t)y = 1 (*)

This is the equation you used to get your integration factor.
darryw said:
mu(x) = e^integ (1+(1/t))
= e^(t + ln|t|)
= te^t

(te^t)y = (te^t)t
Too many t factors on right side. It should be just te^t.

The whole reason for find the integration factor is to be able to recognize the left side as the derivative of something. Multiplying (*) on both sides by te^t, we get
y' te^t + (1 + 1/t)y te^t = te^t

or
y' te^t + (y te^t + y e^t)= te^t

The left side happens to be the derivative of y*te^t, which you can check using the product rule.

So what we have is
d/dt[y te^t] = te^t
[tex]\Rightarrow y te^t = \int t e^t dt[/tex]

Can you continue from here?
darryw said:
integ ((te^t)y)' = integ(t^2)(e^t)

(te^t)y = e^t(t^2 - 2t +2 + c)

ty = t^2 - 2t +2 + c

y = t-2 + (2/t) + c/t
 
I want to clarify why i need to use an integrating factor, to see if I am understanding...
This equation is not separable, that is i can't separate all the t's from the y's. If it were separable it is solvable. correct?
ty' + (t+1)y = t
It is not exact either, so the point of using integrating factor is to make the equation exact. And once exact, I can then follow the steps for solving exact equation. correct?

To be exact, then M_x(x,y) + N_y(x,y) = 0.. That is, derivative of function wrt x + derivative of function wrt y = 0.

is this correct?
 

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