Integration and hyperbolic function problem

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a mathematical problem related to cosmology, specifically involving differential equations and hyperbolic functions. The original poster expresses confusion regarding the derivation of a specific solution related to the equation governing the expansion of the universe.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the possibility of a change of variables to simplify the differential equation. There is a suggestion to strip the equation down to its core components for clarity. Questions arise about the separability of the equation and the implications of rewriting it in different forms.

Discussion Status

Several participants have provided insights and suggestions regarding the structure of the differential equation. There is an ongoing exploration of various approaches, including the introduction of new constants for simplification and the potential for separable forms. The discussion remains open, with no explicit consensus reached yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating through the complexities of the differential equation without providing a complete solution. The original poster's inquiry is framed within the context of a homework assignment, which may impose certain constraints on the discussion.

JD_PM
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Homework Statement
While studying Cosmology I came across a particular differential equation I do not see how to solve. Please read below for details
Relevant Equations
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This question arose while studying Cosmology (section 38.2 in Lecture Notes in GR) but it is purely mathematical, that is why I ask it here.

I do not see why the equation

$$H^2 = H_0^2 \left[\left( \frac{a_0}{a}\right)^3 (\Omega_M)_0 + (\Omega_{\Lambda})_0 \right] \tag{1}$$

Has the following solution

$$a(t) = a_0 \left( \frac{(\Omega_M)_0}{(\Omega_{\Lambda})_0}\right)^{1/3} \left(\sinh \left[(3/2)\sqrt{(\Omega_{\Lambda})_0}H_0t\right]\right)^{2/3}$$

Where (and ##\dot a## represents the derivative of ##a## wrt time)

$$H:=\left( \frac{\dot a}{a}\right)^2, \ \ \ \ H_0:=\left( \frac{\dot a_0}{a_0}\right)^2$$I found a similar problem here. I suspect that, to start off, we should find a smart change of variables but which one?

Might you please guide me towards the solution?

Any help is appreciated.

Thank you :biggrin:
 
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Perhaps I can offer a suggestion you may find useful as you study DEs: They're difficult in and of themselves so sometimes it is helpful to strip them of unnecessary trappings and just study the underlying pure, clean and simpler-looking equation. With that in mind, is your equation basically:

$$\left(\frac{y'}{y}\right)^4=d\left[b\left(\frac{a}{y}\right)^3+c\right]$$
for ##a,b,c,d## some constants?
 
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aheight said:
With that in mind, is your equation basically:

$$\left(\frac{y'}{y}\right)^4=d\left[b\left(\frac{a}{y}\right)^3+c\right]$$
for ##a,b,c,d## some constants?

Alright, I realized I made a typo here

JD_PM said:
$$H:=\left( \frac{\dot a}{a}\right)^2, \ \ \ \ H_0:=\left( \frac{\dot a_0}{a_0}\right)^2$$

It should be

$$H:=\left( \frac{\dot a}{a}\right), \ \ \ \ H_0:=\left( \frac{\dot a_0}{a_0}\right)$$So the DE we want to solve is

$$\left(\frac{y'}{y}\right)^2=d\left[b\left(\frac{a}{y}\right)^3+c\right]$$

OK at this point.

Should we start off by introducing a change of variables? Maybe it is a good idea (just guessing) to rewrite it a bit, by multiplying by ##y^2## both sides

$$y\left(y'\right)^2=d\left[ba^3+cy^3\right]$$
 
JD_PM said:
So the DE we want to solve is

$$\left(\frac{y'}{y}\right)^2=d\left[b\left(\frac{a}{y}\right)^3+c\right]$$

Isn't that then a separable equation?
 
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I have the following suggestions. First, for economy of notation, define the constants,
$$
\Gamma_0=H_0^2a_0^3(\Omega_{M})_0
$$
$$
\beta_0=H_0^2(\Omega_{\Lambda})_0
$$
We then have the DE,
$$
(\frac{\dot a}{a})^2=\frac{1}{a^3}[\Gamma_0 + a^3\beta_0]
$$
$$
\dot a=\frac{1}{\sqrt a}[\Gamma_0 + a^3\beta_0]^{\frac{1}{2}}
$$
which leads to,
$$
\frac{1}{\sqrt{\Gamma_0}}\int \frac{\sqrt a da}{\sqrt {1 + a^3(\frac{\beta_0}{\Gamma_0}})}=t
$$
We make the substitution,
$$
u^2=a^3(\frac{\beta_0}{\Gamma_0})
$$
$$
da=\frac{2}{3}(\frac{\Gamma_0}{\beta_0})^{\frac{1}{3}}\frac{du}{u^{\frac{1}{3}}}
$$
thus,
$$
\frac{2}{3}\frac{1}{\sqrt {\beta_0}}\int \frac{du}{\sqrt {1+u^2}}=t
$$
$$
\sinh^{-1}(u)=\frac{3}{2}\sqrt{\beta_0}t
$$
$$
u=\sinh (\frac{3}{2}\sqrt{\beta_0}t)
$$
$$
a^{\frac{3}{2}}(\frac{\beta_0}{\Gamma_0})^{\frac{1}{2}}=\sinh (\frac{3}{2}\sqrt{\beta_0}t)
$$
$$
a=(\frac{\Gamma_0}{\beta_0})^{\frac{1}{3}}[\sinh (\frac{3}{2}\sqrt{\beta_0}t)]^{\frac{2}{3}}

$$
 
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@aheight @Fred Wright thank you very much for your help.

aheight said:
Isn't that then a separable equation?

Yes (let me use ##e## as constant instead ;))

$$\frac{y'}{y}=\left(e\left[b\left(\frac{a}{y}\right)^3+c\right]\right)^{1/2} \Rightarrow \frac{dy}{y\left(e\left[b\left(\frac{a}{y}\right)^3+c\right]\right)^{1/2}} = dt$$
 

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