MHB Is this the Correct Equation for Approximating y(0.8) Using Euler's Method?

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The discussion centers on the correct application of Euler's Method to approximate y(0.8) and y(0.4) for the differential equation dy/dx = -2y. The user confirms that the equation y(0.8) = y(0.4) + (Δt × y'(0.4)) is correct, as it aligns with their homework system's answer of 0.20000 for y(0.4). Various Δt values are explored to refine the approximation of y(0.4) and y(0.8), with calculations showing how to derive these values using the recursion formula. The discussion also touches on the generalization of Euler's Method for different initial value problems (IVPs). Ultimately, the user expresses satisfaction with their understanding of the method and its applications.
alane1994
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OK, my homework system says that the 0.20000 is correct... but all of my others are incorrect...

Is this the correct term for the top right box?:confused:

y(0.8)=y(0.4)+(\Delta{t} \times y^{\prime}(0.4))
OR
y(0.8)=y(0.4)-(\Delta{t} \times y^{\prime}(0.4))

According to the 0.20000 answer... the top one is correct.

[TABLE="class: cms_table_grid, width: 500, align: center"]
[TR]
[TD="align: center"]
[FONT=MathJax_Main]Δ[FONT=MathJax_Math]t
[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Approximations of y(0.4)[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Approximations of y(0.8)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: center"]0.4[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]0.20000[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]?[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: center"]0.2[/TD]
[TD="align: center"][/TD]
[TD="align: center"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: center"]0.1[/TD]
[TD="align: center"][/TD]
[TD="align: center"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: center"]0.05[/TD]
[TD="align: center"][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
 
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Since you have been given another problem, I'll work the original in full.

We are given:

$\displaystyle \frac{dy}{dx}=-2y$ where $\displaystyle y(0)=1$

I would generalize as follows:

Using Euler's method for this IVP, we find the recursion:

$\displaystyle y_{n+1}=y_{n}\left(1-2\Delta t \right)$ where $\displaystyle y_0=1$

which gives us the closed-form:

$\displaystyle y_n=\left(1-2\Delta t \right)^n$

a) To approximate $\displaystyle y(0.4)$, we find with:

i) $\displaystyle \Delta t=0.4\,\therefore\,n=1$ we have

$\displaystyle y(0.4)\approx y_1=1-2(0.4)=0.2$

ii) $\displaystyle \Delta t=0.2\,\therefore\,n=2$ we have

$\displaystyle y(0.4)\approx y_2=(1-2(0.2))^2=0.36$

iii) $\displaystyle \Delta t=0.1\,\therefore\,n=4$ we have

$\displaystyle y(0.4)\approx y_4=(1-2(0.1))^4=0.4096$

iv) $\displaystyle \Delta t=0.05\,\therefore\,n=8$ we have

$\displaystyle y(0.4)\approx y_8=(1-2(0.05))^8=0.43046721$

b) To approximate $\displaystyle y(0.8)$, we find with:

i) $\displaystyle \Delta t=0.4\,\therefore\,n=2$ we have

$\displaystyle y(0.4)\approx y_2=(1-2(0.4))^2=0.04$

ii) $\displaystyle \Delta t=0.2\,\therefore\,n=4$ we have

$\displaystyle y(0.4)\approx y_4=(1-2(0.2))^4=0.1296$

iii) $\displaystyle \Delta t=0.1\,\therefore\,n=8$ we have

$\displaystyle y(0.4)\approx y_8=(1-2(0.1))^8=0.16777216$

iv) $\displaystyle \Delta t=0.05\,\therefore\,n=16$ we have

$\displaystyle y(0.4)\approx y_{16}=(1-2(0.05))^{16}=0.185302018885$
 
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Suppose we are given the IVP:

$\displaystyle \frac{dy}{dx}=ky$ where $\displaystyle 0\ne k\in{R}$ and $\displaystyle y(x_0)=y_0$

We then obtain using Euler's method:

$\displaystyle y_{n+1}=y_0(1+k\Delta x)^n$

where $\displaystyle \Delta x=\frac{x_n-x_0}{n}$

So, by solving the IVP, we should expect then that:

$\displaystyle y_0\lim_{n\to\infty}\left(1+\frac{k(x_n-x_0)}{n} \right)^n=y_0e^{k(x_n-x_0)}$

You should verify this is true using L'Hôpital's rule.
 
I GOT IT! (Party)(Party)(Dance)(Dance)(Bigsmile)...(Cool)

In the table at the top the y(0.4)=y(t_{k}).

You have the equation t_{k}=\Delta{t} \times k

You know the y(t_{k}) , as well as the \Delta{t}, you then just solve for "k"!

"k" is the number of iterations of it that you have to do.
 
Last edited:

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