Mathematica being very strange

Tags:
1. Jun 19, 2014

Shinaolord

So when i use the following command, I get the following error
DSolve[y'[x] - y[x] == 3, y[x], x]
DSolve::deqn: Equation or list of equations expected instead of False in the first argument False. >>

But when i change the variable y[x] and y'[x] to s[x] and s'[x], It works
why is this?
In[185]:= DSolve[s'[x] - s[x] == 3, s[x], x]

Out[185]= {{s[x] -> -3 + E^x C[1]}}

2. Jun 19, 2014

lurflurf

Most likely y[x] has been given some value earlier.

3. Jun 19, 2014

Shinaolord

I tried clearing it with clear all and clear [f,y,x] but it still doesn't work. I think it's strange, maybe y didn clear properly?

4. Jun 19, 2014

phyzguy

Clear[y] won't clear y[x]. Try Clear[y[x]].

5. Jun 19, 2014

Bill Simpson

Clear[y] does remove function definitions and Clear[y[x]] fails.

Code (Text):
In[1]:= y[x_] := 3 x

In[2]:= ?y

Out[2]= Globaly
Out[2]= y[x_]:=3 x

In[3]:= Clear[y]

In[4]:= ?y

Out[4]= Globaly

In[5]:= y[x] := 3 x

In[6]:= Clear[y[x]]

Clear::ssym: y[x] is not a symbol or a string. >>
As the IT Guy says, "Have you tried turning it off and turning it back on again" (possibly trying a ?y before anything else and then just entering that DSolve line and nothing else)?

6. Jun 19, 2014

phyzguy

You're right, I'm wrong. Apologies for the mis-information.

7. Jun 19, 2014

D H

Staff Emeritus

8. Jun 19, 2014

Bill Simpson

Code (Text):
In[1]:= y[x_] := E^x

In[2]:= DSolve[y'[x] == y[x], y[x], x]

Out[2]= During evaluation of In[2]:= DSolve::dsfun: E^x cannot be used as a function. >>
Out[2]= DSolve[True, E^x, x]

In[3]:= Clear[y]

In[4]:= DSolve[y'[x] == y[x], y[x], x]

Out[4]= {{y[x] -> E^x C[1]}}

9. Jun 20, 2014

Bill Simpson

I've always wanted to see a great example where Clear wasn't enough and Remove was necessary, not just some weird trick, but really interesting use that could be learned from and applied in useful ways in the future.

10. Jun 20, 2014

Shinaolord

Ah, I didn't know there was a remove function! Hopefully that works, I'll try it momentarily. And yes, I restarted Mathematica several times and it persisted.

I tried it in the document where it wasn't working, and it didn't work. However i downlaoded another copy of the assignment and it worked with y[x]! Strange.

Last edited: Jun 20, 2014