Mathematica Mathematica Help with nonlinear differential?

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The user is facing challenges with Mathematica's DSolve function while attempting to solve a nonlinear differential equation involving h[t] and h[0]. The current issue arises because Mathematica does not accept h[0] as a variable in the equation. A workaround suggested is to replace h[0] with a constant k, allowing for the imposition of the initial condition later. However, the user is concerned about potential complications when trying to maximize another function of h[t] if h[0] is not included in the original function. The discussion highlights the need for careful consideration of initial conditions in solving differential equations.
sirion
Having some troubles getting further in this system I'm trying to solve. The notebook's at http://www.gabrielwyner.com/fluids5.nb

PDF form:
http://www.gabrielwyner.com/fluids5.pdf

I guess the most current problem involves mathematica complaining about DSolve[h'[t] = f[h[t],h[0]]] (with correct syntax, that is). It doesn't like solving a function with h[t] and h[0] in it..
 
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Try replacing h[0] with some arbitrary constant, k... then (at some point) imposing the initial condition that h[0] = k.
 
That works, but eventually I need to solve for the h[0] that maximizes another function of h[t]. Was hoping to get a function for h[t], plug it into u[t], plug that into v[t], plug *that* into k[t] and plot that vs h[0]. Am I going to run into trouble if h[0] isn't part of the original h[t] function?
 

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