Is There an Analytic Solution for This Crazy ODE?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the existence of an analytic solution for a specific ordinary differential equation (ODE) presented in the form of a nonlinear equation involving parameters A, B, C, and D. Participants explore potential methods for solving the ODE, including the use of elliptic functions and numerical integration.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether the ODE has an analytic solution and seeks guidance on how to approach it.
  • Another participant suggests that the ODE is separable and implies that the solution may involve elliptic functions, referencing Mathematica's capability to find an analytic solution.
  • A different participant notes that the integral derived from the ODE involves elliptic integrals and suggests that while a function x(y) can be obtained, inverting it to express y(x) would be complex, recommending numerical integration instead.
  • Another participant proposes a transformation using Jacobi elliptic functions to convert the ODE into a standard form, indicating that this approach could be a challenging but interesting project for students studying nonlinear differential equations.
  • A later reply acknowledges the previous contributions but suggests that an explicit formula can be quickly obtained using WolframAlpha, indicating a simpler alternative to the discussed methods.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility of obtaining an analytic solution, with some advocating for the use of elliptic functions and others suggesting numerical methods. There is no consensus on the best approach, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the practicality of the proposed solutions.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various assumptions and methods, including the use of elliptic functions and numerical integration, but do not clarify the limitations or dependencies of these approaches. The complexity of inverting the function x(y) is noted as a potential challenge.

Brin
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Can anyone tell me if this ODE has an analytic solution? And if it does, how the heck might I go about it?

[tex] \left(\frac{1}{y^{2}}\frac{dy}{dx}\right)^{2}-\frac{A}{y^{3}}-\frac{B}{y^{2}}=D[/tex]
 
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It looks like it is separable. Just isolate dy/dx. It looks like the solution will be some kind of elliptic function.

(Mathematica can find an analytic solution for x as a function of y. It involves elliptic functions and finding roots of a cubic polynomial.)
 
The integral of :
dx = Sqrt[Ay+By²+Dy^4] dy
involves elliptic integrals.
In the general case, the function x(y) which can be obtained would be rather complicated. Then, inverting it in order to express y(x) would be a big chore. Better use numerical integration.
 
. . . ohhhhhh . . . you guys give up too easy. Assume we are given that the solution to:

[tex]\left(\frac{dz}{dx}\right)^2=(1-z^2)(1-k^2z^2)=\Delta^2(z)[/tex]

is:

[tex]y=sn(z,k)[/tex]

where sn is the Jacobi elliptic function. Then we seek a transformation z=z(y) that transforms:

[tex] \begin{align*}<br /> \left(\frac{dy}{dx}\right)^2&=a+by+cy^2+dy^3+ey^4\\<br /> &=h^2(y-\alpha)(y-\beta)(y-\gamma)(y-\delta) \\<br /> &=h^2 \Delta_2^2(y)<br /> \end{align*}[/tex]

into this standard form. To this end we let:

[tex]z^2=\frac{(\beta-\gamma)}{(\alpha-\delta)}\frac{(y-\alpha)}{(y-\beta)}=s\frac{(y-\alpha)}{(y-\beta)},\quad k^2=\frac{(\beta-\delta)}{(\alpha-\gamma)}\frac{(\alpha-\delta)}{(\beta-\delta)},\quad M^2=\frac{(\beta-\delta)(\alpha-\delta)}{4}[/tex]

for which we obtain:

[tex]\frac{1}{\Delta(z)}\frac{dz}{dx}=\frac{M}{\Delta_2(y)}\frac{dy}{dx}=Mh[/tex]

so that:

[tex]\frac{dz}{dx}=Mh\Delta(z)=Mh\sqrt{(1-z^2)(1-k^2z^2)}[/tex]

and therefore:

[tex]z=sn(hMv,k),\quad v=x-x_0[/tex]

or:

[tex]y=\frac{z^2\beta-s\alpha}{z^2-s}[/tex]

I believe though the actual implementation of this would be difficult as I have never worked a real problem using this method but I think would be a nice project for someone taking non-linear DEs next semester. :)
 
Hi !
Very nice job jackmell, but . . .
. . . ohhhhhh . . . you guys give up too easy.
. . . ohhhhhh . . . even easier . . . just a few seconds to have the explicit formula :
I let you try WolframAlpha and see the result :smile:
 

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