How to Motivate the Integrating Factor Strategy for \( \mu(y) \)?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the motivation for using the integrating factor strategy, specifically for the integrating factor denoted as \( \mu(y) \) in the context of linear differential equations. Participants explore the formulation and application of this strategy, comparing it to the integrating factor with respect to \( x \).

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks clarification on how to motivate the integrating factor strategy for \( \mu(y) \), suggesting an approach involving differentiability and making the equation exact by multiplying by \( \mu(x) \).
  • Another participant expresses confusion regarding the clarity of the notation used and requests a specific problem to better assist the original poster.
  • A participant provides a formula for finding the integrating factor in linear differential equations, indicating that it is derived from the relationship between \( N \) and \( M \) in the context of the differential equation.
  • There is a discussion about the notation for the Greek letter \( \mu \), with a suggestion on how to properly format it in posts.
  • Another participant reiterates the formula for the integrating factor and provides a detailed derivation of the steps involved in finding \( \mu \) for first-order differential equations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing levels of understanding regarding the motivation for the integrating factor strategy, with some seeking clarification and others providing formulas and derivations. There is no consensus on the clarity of the original question or the approach suggested.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note the need for clearer notation and specific examples to facilitate understanding. The discussion includes various interpretations and methods for deriving the integrating factor, which may depend on the context of the differential equations being considered.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students and practitioners of differential equations, particularly those interested in the integrating factor method and its applications in linear differential equations.

Naeem
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Q. Motivate the Integrating factor strategy for U ( "Mew" ) of y


I know how to prove it for "Mew" of x but how to do for "mew" of y


Maybe something like this.

Mdx (x.y) + Ndy ( x, y ) = 0

Assume this is differentiable so let us multiply by "mew" of x on both sides to make it exact.

Then M ( tilda ) the left term and N ( tilda ) equal to the right term

Then may be, Find partial with respect to x in the M terms. and partial with respect to y in the N terms. Is this idea/approach correct.

Thanks, for your help
 
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Naeem said:
Q. Motivate the Integrating factor strategy for U ( "Mew" ) of y


I know how to prove it for "Mew" of x but how to do for "mew" of y


Maybe something like this.

Mdx (x.y) + Ndy ( x, y ) = 0

Assume this is differentiable so let us multiply by "mew" of x on both sides to make it exact.

Then M ( tilda ) the left term and N ( tilda ) equal to the right term

Then may be, Find partial with respect to x in the M terms. and partial with respect to y in the N terms. Is this idea/approach correct.

Thanks, for your help

Naeem, no offense but this is not clear and the notations is awkward. Perhaps if you specify a specific problem we can help you.
 
Well, I need to come up with the following final formula used for finding the Integrating factor, for a linear differential equation.


e ^ Integral Nx-My / M = Greek Letter U ( Mew) (y)


This is the formula used to find the Integrating factor, with respect to y in Linear differential equation.
 
Just using 'u' is acceptable. However, you can create a Greek mu (that's how it's spelled) with the following incantation, if you remove the spaces:

& m u ;

That will be turned into the symbol μ. (Yes, I know the default font doesn't render it very well. :frown: If you want, you might write your post in the Times New Roman font -- it does Greek characters well)
 
Naeem said:
Well, I need to come up with the following final formula used for finding the Integrating factor, for a linear differential equation.

e ^ Integral Nx-My / M = Greek Letter U ( Mew) (y)

This is the formula used to find the Integrating factor, with respect to y in Linear differential equation.
I am not sure what you are asking. Perhaps this will help:

For a first order differential equation put into the form:

\frac{dy}{dx} + P(x)y = Q(x)

you want to find a function \mu(x) such that:

\mu\frac{dy}{dx} + \mu P(x)y = \mu Q(x) where:

\mu\frac{dy}{dx} + \mu P(x)y = \frac{d}{dx}(\mu y)

This reduces to:

\mu P(x)y = y\frac{d\mu}{dx}

\frac{d\mu}{dx} = \mu P(x)

Dividing by \mu and integrating both sides:

\int \frac{1}{\mu}d\mu = \int P(x) dx

ln\mu = \int P(x) dx

So the general solution for \mu is:

\mu = \pm e^{\int P(x) dx}

AM
 

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