Integrating Factors for Solving Differential Equations

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Homework Statement



y' + 2ty = t^3

Homework Equations



Integrating factors and variation of parameters

The Attempt at a Solution



Ive solved for m
M = e^{\int 2t\,dx}

M = e^t^2 (this is e^t^2, but doesn't look like it in latex)

I multiplied both sides by M

(e^t^2)(y') + (e^t^2)(2ty) = (e^t^2)(t^3)

The part I am having trouble with is the next step. I am suppost to find a function so when you take the derivative of that function, it is the same as the left hand side of this problem, or (e^t^2)(y') + (e^t^2)(2ty)

Any suggestions? Is there a simple formula you can use that always works in these cases? It seems like I've tried \frac{d}{dt}(y)(e^t^2) but it won't work.
 
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Just pick the undifferentiated part from each term on the left hand side, ie,

\left( e^{t^2} y \right)' = t^3 e^{t^2}
 
bdeln said:
Just pick the undifferentiated part from each term on the left hand side, ie,

\left( e^{t^2} y \right)' = t^3 e^{t^2}

Thats exactly what I've been doing yet webworks is rejecting my work. Let me provide the rest of my steps just to verify:

You know what... since I am over the deadline webworks gives me the option to show answers... my answers I am suppost to be putting in are all jacked up. Looks like the teacher messed up programming it this week for me. I've been doing it right all along! Thanks for the help buddy!
 
What if I had

t^3y' - (3/t)yt^3 = t^6


(?)' = t^6


would it be yt^3 ?
 
Well, we can check ... (t^3y)' = 3t^2y + t^3y', so other than the minus sign, I think you're good.
 
There are two things I don't understand about this problem. First, when finding the nth root of a number, there should in theory be n solutions. However, the formula produces n+1 roots. Here is how. The first root is simply ##\left(r\right)^{\left(\frac{1}{n}\right)}##. Then you multiply this first root by n additional expressions given by the formula, as you go through k=0,1,...n-1. So you end up with n+1 roots, which cannot be correct. Let me illustrate what I mean. For this...
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