Is There an Error in Solving This Differential Equation?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a differential equation of the form xy' + 4y = -20xcos(x^5) with an initial condition y(π) = 0. Participants are exploring the steps taken to find the particular solution and questioning the validity of those steps.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to solve the differential equation using an integrating factor and substitution, but expresses uncertainty about the correctness of their final answer. Some participants question whether a term was lost during manipulation of the equation.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, with one suggesting a potential oversight in the original poster's calculations. There is also a consideration of whether the initial condition is appropriate given the nature of the function involved.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of a possible error in the problem setup, specifically regarding the term cos(x^5) and its implications for the initial condition y(π) = 0.

shiri
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Find the particular solution of the differential equation

[tex]xy' + 4y = -20xcos(x^5)[/tex]

satisfying the initial condition y(pi) = 0.Solution

[tex]y' + 4(y/x) = -20cos(x^5)[/tex]

p(x) = [tex]4/x[/tex]
q(x) = [tex]-20cos(x^5)[/tex]

[tex]u(x) = int(4/x) = 4lnx[/tex]
[tex]e^{u(x)} = x^4[/tex]

[tex]1/e^{u(x)} int(e^{u(x)}*q(x)dx[/tex]
[tex]1/(x^4) int(x^4*(-20cos(x^5)))dx[/tex]

u substitution
[tex]u = x^5[/tex]
[tex]du = 5x^4dx[/tex]

[tex]1/(x^4) int(x^4*(-20cos(u)))(du/(5x^4))[/tex]
[tex]-4/(x^4) int(cosu)du[/tex]
[tex]-4/(x^4) (sin(x^5)+c)[/tex]
[tex](-4sin(x^5)/(x^4))-((4c)/(x^4))[/tex]

[tex]y(pi) = 0 = (-4sin(pi^5)/(pi^4))-((4c)/(pi^4))[/tex]
[tex]c = -sin(pi^5)[/tex]

Final
[tex](-4sin(x^5)/(x^4))+((4sin(pi^5))/(x^4))[/tex]

So this is what I got, but it's a wrong answer. Can anybody tell me what I do wrong in this problem?
 
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Hi shiri! :smile:

(have a pi: π and an integral: ∫ and try using the X2 tag just above the Reply box :wink:)
shiri said:
[tex]xy' + 4y = -20xcos(x^5)[/tex]

[tex]1/(x^4) int(x^4*(-20cos(x^5)))dx[/tex]

Haven't you lost the x in -20xcosx5? :redface:
 
tiny-tim said:
Hi shiri! :smile:

(have a pi: π and an integral: ∫ and try using the X2 tag just above the Reply box :wink:)


Haven't you lost the x in -20xcosx5? :redface:


well I divide both sides by x, so...
 
Sorry, you're right :redface:

xy' + 4y = -20xcosx5

multiply by x3

x4y' + 4x3y = -20x4cosx5 :wink:

So (x4y)' = -4(sinx5)'

So x4y = 4(sinπ5 - sinx5)

So y = 4(sinπ5 - sinx5)/x4


hmm :confused: … the condition y(π) = 0 is a bit strange for cos(x5) …

is it possible the question should be (cosx)5 ?
 

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