Non Separative Diff-EQ problem

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a non-separable differential equation of the form dy/dx = x - y. The original poster attempts to solve it using substitution and integration, leading to a comparison with a solution provided by a differential equation calculator, which appears to differ from their result.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the substitution method and integration attempts, with some questioning the validity of the original poster's results. There are mentions of rewriting the equation in a linear form and using integrating factors, along with concerns about the interpretation of constants in the solutions.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing various approaches and clarifications. Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of integrating factors, but there is no explicit consensus on the correct solution or method.

Contextual Notes

There is a note regarding the appropriate section for posting homework-type problems, indicating a potential misunderstanding of forum guidelines by the original poster.

ashketchumall
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The problem I'm given is - I think this is a non separable equation
dy/dx=x-y ... u=x-y
I tried Substituting, where
x-y=u
1-dy/dx=du/dx
(remember above statement u=x-y, and dy/dx=x-y)
therefore, I got 1-u=du/dx and then I solved it from there by integrating since I think once it's in this form it becomes separable. But I get the answer of

1-(e^x)+x+c=y which when I checked with wolfram differential eq calculator is a little off
the differential calculator gives me this answer c1(e^-x)+x-1

I have solved this several times now, I'm so close I just don't know where I'm making the mistake. Any help will be appreciated.
 
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ashketchumall said:
The problem I'm given is - I think this is a non separable equation
dy/dx=x-y ... u=x-y
I tried Substituting, where
x-y=u
1-dy/dx=du/dx
(remember above statement u=x-y, and dy/dx=x-y)
therefore, I got 1-u=du/dx and then I solved it from there by integrating since I think once it's in this form it becomes separable. But I get the answer of

1-(e^x)+x+c=y which when I checked with wolfram differential eq calculator is a little off
the differential calculator gives me this answer c1(e^-x)+x-1
The separable equation is
du/(u - 1) = -dx
Integrating both sides gives
ln|u - 1| = -x + C
Exponentiating (and this is where you made your mistake, I believe) gives

|u - 1| = e-x + C = eC * e-x = C1e-x
ashketchumall said:
I have solved this several times now, I'm so close I just don't know where I'm making the mistake. Any help will be appreciated.

BTW, homework-type problems should be posted in the Homework & Coursework section, not in the technical math sections. I am moving this thread now.
 
If you have had linear equations, just rewrite it as ##y'+y = x## and solve it with an integrating factor.
 
LCKurtz said:
If you have had linear equations, just rewrite it as ##y'+y = x## and solve it with an integrating factor.

How can you do that?? I don't understand what you are saying.
 
Mark44 said:
The separable equation is
du/(u - 1) = -dx
Integrating both sides gives
ln|u - 1| = -x + C
Exponentiating (and this is where you made your mistake, I believe) gives

|u - 1| = e-x + C = eC * e-x = C1e-x


BTW, homework-type problems should be posted in the Homework & Coursework section, not in the technical math sections. I am moving this thread now.

I understood what you did there, but it still gives me y= -c*e^(-x)+x-1, the negative in front of the constant still technically makes the answer wrong. But Thanx for your help. I appreciate it.
 
LCKurtz said:
If you have had linear equations, just rewrite it as ##y'+y = x## and solve it with an integrating factor.

ashketchumall said:
How can you do that?? I don't understand what you are saying.

Have you studied first order linear equations? If not, then you wouldn't be expected to understand. If you have studied them, perhaps you should review them.
 
ashketchumall said:
I understood what you did there, but it still gives me y= -c*e^(-x)+x-1, the negative in front of the constant still technically makes the answer wrong. But Thanx for your help. I appreciate it.
It's hard to believe you are serious. Since C can be any constant, -c e^{-x}+ x- 1 is exactly the same solution as c e^{-x}+ x- 1. Just with different "c". If, for example, c= 1 in the first, then c= -1 in the second.
 
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ashketchumall said:
How can you do that?? I don't understand what you are saying.
Your equation is y'+ y= x. That is "linear" and so it is simple to find an "integrating factor", a function, u(x), such that mutiplying by it makes the left side an "exact derivative", d(uy)/dx.

By the product rule, (uy)'= uy'+ u'y. Just multiplying the left side of the equation by u would give uy'+ uy. Comparing those, uy'+ u'y= uy'+ uy, reduces to u'= u which has solution u= e^x.

So multiplying the entire equation by e^x gives e^xy&#039;+ e^xy= (e^xy)&#039;= xe^x.<br /> <br /> Now just integrate both sides.
 

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