MHB Non-linear differential equation

evinda
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Hello! (Wave)

I want to find the solution $\psi$ of the non-linear differential equation $y'=1+y^2$ that satisfies the condition $\psi(0)=0$. (Notice that the solution $\psi$ exists only for $- \frac{\pi}{2}< x < \frac{\pi}{2}$)

We notice that: $(tan^{-1})'(x)=\frac{1}{1+x^2} (\star) \left( -\frac{\pi}{2}<x< \frac{\pi}{2} \right)$.

So if $\psi$ is the solution of the initial value problem

$\left\{\begin{matrix}
y'=1+y^2\\ \\
y(0)=0
\end{matrix}\right.$

and thus $\psi$ exists at an interval that contains $0$, then for each $x$ that belongs to the interval $I$ of the solution $\psi$ we have:

$$\psi'(x)= 1+\psi^2(x) \ \ \forall x \in I$$

or equivalently $\frac{\psi'(x)}{1+ \psi^2(x)}=1$.

From the relation $(\star)$ we have $(tan^{-1} \psi(t))'=1 \ \ \forall t \in I$.

We integrate the last relation from $0$ to $x$ ($ \ \forall x \in I$) and we have:$$tan^{-1} \psi(x)- \tan^{-1} \psi(0)=x \ \ \forall x \in I \Rightarrow \psi(x)= \tan x \ \ \forall x \in I$$

$\psi(x)$ has as maximal existence interval the interval $\left( - \frac{\pi}{2}, \frac{\pi}{2}\right)$ and we can easily verify that $\psi(x)= \tan x$ satisfies the initial value problem $\left\{\begin{matrix}
y'=1+y^2\\ \\
y(0)=0
\end{matrix}\right.$.Firstly, having found the solution $\psi(x)= \tan x$ do we have to verify it? (Thinking)Also with existence interval is the domain of the function meant? If so, isn't it $\mathbb{R}$ ? Or am I wrong? (Thinking)
 
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evinda said:
Also with existence interval is the domain of the function meant? If so, isn't it $\mathbb{R}$ ? Or am I wrong? (Thinking)
Th existence interval ought to mean the (maximal) interval within which the differential equation is satisfied. That interval has to be $(-\frac\pi2, \frac\pi2).$ It cannot be the whole of $\mathbb{R}$ because the function $\tan x$ is not defined at $\pm\frac\pi2.$
 
Opalg said:
Th existence interval ought to mean the (maximal) interval within which the differential equation is satisfied. That interval has to be $(-\frac\pi2, \frac\pi2).$ It cannot be the whole of $\mathbb{R}$ because the function $\tan x$ is not defined at $\pm\frac\pi2.$

So is the existence interval the range of $y$ such that the latter satisfies the differential equation? :confused:
 
evinda said:
Firstly, having found the solution $\psi(x)= \tan x$ do we have to verify it? (Thinking)

An excellent habit to get into. Checking your work should be routine. The great thing about DE's is that, usually, it's pretty straight-forward to check whether a candidate solution actually does solve the DE.
 
evinda said:
So is the existence interval the range of $y$ such that the latter satisfies the differential equation? :confused:
No, it's the interval of $x$ for which the function $y(x)$ satisfies the differential equation.
 
Opalg said:
No, it's the interval of $x$ for which the function $y(x)$ satisfies the differential equation.

So is it the domain of $y(x)= \tan x$? (Thinking)
Or do we get also other restrictions?
 
Opalg said:
No, it's the interval of $x$ for which the function $y(x)$ satisfies the differential equation.

Does it have to be one interval and not the union of intervals?
 

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