Modeling epidemics - solving differential equation

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion centers around solving the differential equation ##\frac {dy}{dx} = \frac {1+y^6}{xy^5}## with the initial condition y(1) = 1. Participants are attempting to derive the solution and clarify the steps involved in the integration process.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss various substitution methods and integration steps, questioning the presence of factors such as ##\frac{1}{6}## in the integration process. There is confusion regarding the correct form of the solution and the implications of the constants involved.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing insights and corrections to each other's reasoning. Some have suggested alternative interpretations of the differential equation, while others are still grappling with the integration steps and the resulting constants.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of potential miscopying of the original problem, which could affect the solution. Participants are also reflecting on the reliability of the course material and the correctness of the provided answer.

Schaus
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Homework Statement


Solve for y: ##\frac {dy}{dx} = \frac {1+y^6}{xy^5}## , where y(1) = 1.
Answer ## y = \sqrt[6] {2x-1}##

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


##\frac {dy}{dx} = \frac {1+y^6}{xy^5}##
##\frac{dy (y^5)}{1+y^6} = dx \frac {1}{x}##
u= 1+y6
##\frac {du}{y^5}=dx##
##\int \frac{1}{u}du = \int \frac {1}{x}dx##
##\ln|1+y^6| = \ln|x| + C##
The natural logs cancel out.
Substituting in my (1,1)
## 1+1^6 = 0+C##
##C=2##
This is where I'm a bit lost. I'm not sure where I messed up but I don't know how to get the 2x-1. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
 
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You lost me at the substitution. Shouldn't there be a ##\frac{1}{6}## somewhere? I also got a different result than the one you expect as an answer. Did you differentiate it? Plus ##\ln |1| = 0##, not ##1##.
 
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Yes I definitely messed up on the ##\ln |1| = 0## but I don't understand where this ##\frac {1}{6}## is coming from.
 
Schaus said:
Yes I definitely messed up on the ##\ln |1| = 0## but I don't understand where this ##\frac {1}{6}## is coming from.
If ##u=1+y^6## then ##\frac{du}{dy}=6y^5##. Where did the factor go to?
 
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Oh I see. Would the integral look like this then
##\ln |6(1+y^6)|##? Or do I put the ##\frac{1}{6}## on the outside of the natural log?
 
As I couldn't follow your calculation beyond the substitution I did it step by step:
##\frac{dy}{dx}=\frac{u}{xy^5}## and ##y^5=\frac{1}{6}\frac{du}{dy}##. Now the ##dy## canceled out and leaves ##\frac{dx}{x}=\frac{1}{6}\frac{du}{u}##. The factor in front of the logarithm becomes an exponent in the logarithm and thus the ##6-##th root. Next I replaced ##u## and calculated the constant ##C##. The rest was some algebra. What's always a good idea in such cases, is to differentiate the result again and check whether the original equation pops up.
 
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Sorry, I'm still a little confused. After integrating should it look like this then?
##\frac {1}{6} \int \frac {1}{u}##
##= \frac {1}{6} \ln |1+y^6| = \ln|x| + C##
 
Schaus said:
Sorry, I'm still a little confused. After integrating should it look like this then?
##\frac {1}{6} \int \frac {1}{u}##
##= \frac {1}{6} \ln |1+y^6| = \ln|x| + C##
Yes. Or likewise ##\ln|x| + C = \ln \sqrt[6]{1+y^6}## and ##C = \frac{1}{6} \ln (1+1^6) - \ln 1##.
 
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I'm still not understanding how to get the answer. If ##\frac {1}{6} \ln(2)-0 = C## then C ≈ 0.1155... or at least that is what my calculator says.
 
  • #10
Schaus said:
I'm still not understanding how to get the answer. If ##\frac {1}{6} \ln(2)-0 = C## then C ≈ 0.1155... or at least that is what my calculator says.
You don't need to calculate it. Just drop the ##\ln## as you did in your solution. It's probably more convenient to first multiply by ##6## and get ##\ln |1+y^6| = \ln 2|x|^6## and then drop the ##\ln## as you did before.
 
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  • #11
Now I got my answer I'm just curious where the highlighted 2 came from.
 
  • #12
Schaus said:
Now I got my answer I'm just curious where the highlighted 2 came from.
The ##2## is from ##\ln 2 + \ln |x|^6 = \ln (2x^6)## or what did you mean? And it isn't your answer, it is ##y = \sqrt[6]{2x^6-1}##, not ##y = \sqrt[6]{2x-1}##. At least if I made no mistake, but I also differentiated it again.
 
  • #13
The answer in my course is 2x-1 but it could be wrong, it is easily the worst course I've done. Thank you for all your help though.
 
  • #14
Schaus said:
The answer in my course is 2x-1 but it could be wrong, it is easily the worst course I've done. Thank you for all your help though.
The given solution ##y(x) = \sqrt[6]{2x-1}## is incorrect: if you substitute it into the DE you will see that it does not work.
 
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  • #15
Ray Vickson said:
The given solution ##y(x) = \sqrt[6]{2x-1}## is incorrect: if you substitute it into the DE you will see that it does not work.

Unless the problem was miscopied at some stage and the x should have been in the numerator.
 
  • #16
epenguin said:
Unless the problem was miscopied at some stage and the x should have been in the numerator.

In that case the DE would be ##y' = x(1+y^6)/y^5, \; y(1) = 1##, whose solution is
$$y(x) = \left( 2 e^{3x^2-3}-1\right)^{1/6}.$$
 
  • #17
epenguin said:
Unless the problem was miscopied at some stage and the x should have been in the numerator.

Ray Vickson said:
In that case the DE would be ##y' = x(1+y^6)/y^5, \; y(1) = 1##, whose solution is
$$y(x) = \left( 2 e^{3x^2-3}-1\right)^{1/6}.$$

OK, OK. :oldbiggrin:
Just Unless the problem was miscopied at some stage...
 

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