Need help setting up Differential Equation to solve

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around setting up and solving a differential equation given by dy/dx = (2y-x+5)/(2x-y-4) with the initial condition y(1)=1. Participants explore various methods to approach the problem, including expressing the equation in differential form and attempting substitutions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses the ODE in differential form and notes that it is not an exact equation, questioning the correctness of the problem statement.
  • Another participant proposes a substitution method involving new variables X and Y, leading to a system of equations to determine constants a and b.
  • A later reply continues with the substitution approach, manipulating the equation further and deriving a separable form.
  • One participant provides a detailed solution process, including integration and back-substitution, ultimately arriving at an implicit solution that satisfies the initial value problem.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best approach to solve the differential equation, with multiple methods and perspectives presented throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the correctness of the original problem statement, and there are unresolved steps in the manipulation of the equations and substitutions made.

Logan Land
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dy/dx = (2y-x+5)/(2x-y-4)
y(1)=1
 
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If we express the given ODE in differential form, we obtain:

$$(2y-x+5)\,dx+(-2x+y+4)\,dy=0$$

It is easy to see by inspection that this is not an exact equation. However, obtaining a special integrating factor seems to be impossible, at least by the technique normally given in an elementary course in ODEs.

So, allow me to ask that you are certain the problem has been copied correctly. :D
 
MarkFL said:
If we express the given ODE in differential form, we obtain:

$$(2y-x+5)\,dx+(-2x+y+4)\,dy=0$$

It is easy to see by inspection that this is not an exact equation. However, obtaining a special integrating factor seems to be impossible, at least by the technique normally given in an elementary course in ODEs.

So, allow me to ask that you are certain the problem has been copied correctly. :D
yes I copied it correctly.
Here is an attachment of the sample exam we were given for our test on Thursday
View attachment 3939
 

Attachments

Okay, let's approach it in the following manner, returning to the original form:

$$\d{y}{x}=\frac{2y-x+5}{2x-y-4}$$

Now, let's let:

$$X=x+a$$

$$Y=y+b$$

and we now have:

$$\d{Y}{X}=\frac{2(Y-b)-(X-a)+5}{2(X-a)-(Y-b)-4}=\frac{2Y-2b-X+a+5}{2X-2a-Y+b-4}$$

And so we find we desire:

$$-2b+a+5=0$$

$$-2a+b-4=0$$

You should find:

$$(a,b)=(-1,2)$$

And this leaves us with:

$$\d{Y}{X}=\frac{2Y-X}{2X-Y}$$

Can you proceed?
 
Since several days have passed with no further feedback from the OP, I will finish the problem...

On the right, let's divide each term in the numerator and denominator by $X$ to obtain:

$$\d{Y}{X}=\frac{2\frac{Y}{X}-1}{2-\frac{Y}{X}}$$

Next, we may use the substitution:

$$Y=uX\,\therefore\,\d{Y}{X}=u+X\d{u}{X}$$

And we now have:

$$u+X\d{u}{X}=\frac{2u-1}{2-u}$$

Subtract through by $u$:

$$X\d{u}{X}=\frac{2u-1}{2-u}-u=\frac{2u-1-u(2-u)}{2-u}=\frac{u^2-1}{2-u}$$

Separate variables and use partial fraction decomposition:

$$\left(\frac{1}{u-1}-\frac{3}{u+1}\right)\,du=\frac{2}{X}\,dx$$

Integrating, we obtain:

$$\ln\left|\frac{u-1}{(u+1)^3}\right|=\ln\left|c_1X^2\right|$$

And this implies:

$$\frac{u-1}{(u+1)^3}=c_1X^2$$

Back-substituting for $u$, we have:

$$\frac{\frac{Y}{X}-1}{\left(\frac{Y}{X}+1\right)^3}=c_1X^2$$

$$\frac{X-Y}{\left(X+Y\right)^3}=c_2$$

Back-substitute for $X$ and $Y$:

$$\frac{(x-1)-(y+2)}{\left((x-1)+(y+2)\right)^3}=c_2$$

$$\frac{x-y-3}{\left(x+y+1\right)^3}=c_2$$

Now, use the given initial conditions to find the value of the parameter $c_2$:

$$\frac{1-1-3}{\left(1+1+1\right)^3}=c_2\implies c_2=-\frac{1}{9}$$

Thus, the implicit solution satisfying the given IVP is:

$$\frac{y-x+3}{\left(y+x+1\right)^3}=\frac{1}{9}$$
 

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