Nonlinear First Order Differential Equations

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a nonlinear first order differential equation given by y' = 1 + x + y^2 + xy^2. The original poster expresses confusion regarding how to solve the equation and seeks assistance in finding the general solution.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the original poster's attempt to separate variables and integrate both sides. Some suggest transforming the right-hand side of the equation to facilitate separation. Others question the correctness of the transformations and the understanding of separation of variables.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants providing feedback on the original poster's attempts and clarifying misunderstandings about the equation's manipulation. There is no explicit consensus, but several participants are actively engaging in correcting and guiding the discussion.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of confusion regarding LaTeX formatting and its display in the forum, which may affect the clarity of mathematical expressions shared by participants.

JoshHolloway
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Hello. I am taking a self study diff e course, and I have run into a problem with no one to ask for help. Here is the problem:
y\prime=1+x+y^2+xy^2

The question asks to find the general solution. I simply don't understand how to solve this problem. Here is the direction I am going in:
dy=(1+x+y^2+xy^2)dx \Rightarrow<br /> \int dy = \int{dx} \ + \ \int{xdx} \ + \ y^2*\int{dx} \ + \ y^2*\int{xdx} \Rightarrow<br /> y = x + \frac{x^2}{2} + xy^2 + \frac{y^2 x^2}{2} + C

Where the heck do I go from here? I can't sepperate the equation, so how do I solve it?
 
Last edited:
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This is totally wrong. Do you understand what separation of variables is about?
To help you along a bit, note that your right-hand side may easily be transformed:
1+x+y^{2}+xy^{2}=(1+x)y^{2}
Thus, your diff. eq. can be given in the form:
y&#039;=(1+x)y^{2}
 
First I would like to say that I wrote the problem very sloppily (i am still learning how to write in the math tex), I think I have fixed it if you want to look at it again.
 
arildno said:
...your right-hand side may easily be transformed:
1+x+y^{2}+xy^{2}=(1+x)y^{2}

I don't understand what you did here.?
 
Shouldn't (1+x)y^{2} = y^{2}+xy^{2}?

Do you mean: (1+x)+(1+x)y^{2} = 1+x+y^{2}+xy^{2}
 
Last edited:
Oh, dear, you're right.
The correct identity is:
1+x+y^{2}+xy^{2}=(1+x)(1+y^{2})
Sorry about that.
 
The RHS should be transformed into (1+x)(1+y^2).
That's probably what arildno meant to say.

Arun

edit: He's quick to correct himself.
 
Alright. And then it should go:
(1+y^{2})dy=(1+x)dx?
 
Again:
Do you understand what separation of variables is about?
 
  • #10
What the heck am I doing wrong with the LaTex that I wrote in the first post? Why are the equations all on the same line?
 
  • #11
Didn't I just separate variables?
 
  • #12
Not correctly, anyway.
 
  • #13
Oh wait, I should have the reciprocal of (1+y^2) on the left, right?
 
  • #14
The double slash option for separating lines in Latex is not available here
 
  • #15
\frac{1}{1+y^{2}}dy=(1+x)dx

Is this the correct sepperation of variables?
 
  • #16
JoshHolloway said:
Oh wait, I should have the reciprocal of (1+y^2) on the left, right?
That's right. :smile:
 
  • #17
\tan^{-1}(y) = x + \frac{x^{2}}{2} + C

That is supposed to say arctan(y) on the right, I don't know what I did wrong.
 
Last edited:
  • #18
Try:
\tan^{-1}(y)=...
 
  • #19
Awesome, I prefer to write it that way anyway.
 
  • #20
Hey, I have a question about the LaTex. When I go to edit the LaTex, and then resubmit it to post the edit, the edit doesn't show up. It just shows the same thing as before the edit. I have to restart my computer to see the corrections I make. Do you know what I am doing wrong?
 
  • #21
Oh, never mind. It seems to work in IE. I am just having the problem with firefox. It must be some setting I have set wrong with it. Thanks for the speedy help though. I really appreciate it.
 
  • #22
JoshHolloway said:
Hey, I have a question about the LaTex. When I go to edit the LaTex, and then resubmit it to post the edit, the edit doesn't show up. It just shows the same thing as before the edit. I have to restart my computer to see the corrections I make. Do you know what I am doing wrong?

You don't need to "restart" your computer! Just click on the "refresh" button (arrows going in a clockwise circle). Same thing happened to me. Until someone told me about the "refresh", I would copy the corrected text, then DELETE the message and past the corrected text into a new message box!
 
  • #23
I know how to refresh it. I have been doing that. And it still doesn't show the correction (in firefox). I even have tried to close firefox and reopen it, and it still doesn't work. One time I even tried to wait a few hours and then refresh the screen and it still didn't work. But it is working OK in IE.
 

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